10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,925 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #228

Dec 152023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exact same issue happened to my 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid (NHTSA ID Number: 11556409). I was traveling on the freeway approximately 65mph and out of nowhere the engine turned off, brakes did not work and steering quality went to a manual operation. I almost got into a serious accident as I could not control my vehicle. The hybrid system warning light, to stop using the vehicle became illuminated for approximately 30 seconds. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer ( Koons Kia, 14208 Richmond Hwy, Woodbridge, VA 22191, United States). We are still awaiting diagnostics. A few years ago the standard hybrid light came on (not the same warning light) in which we took it to the same dealer to fix. It was still under warranty at the time, however took them weeks to fix the issue as I had to take it back multiple times. They eventually replaced something in the hybrid system that was worth around $5-6k, since then we have had no other issues. We conduct the routine maintenance on the vehicle, passes all inspections.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #227

Oct 272023

Optima

  • miles
unknown

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #226

Jun 102020

Optima

  • 62,348 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the steering and brakes became inoperable. The vehicle began to coast and stopped. While driving, the vehicle shut off and failed to move. The hybrid system warning light was illuminated for approximately one minute. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the fuse and brakes were changed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Regal Kia (1025 Bartow Rd., Lakeland, FL 33801), where there was an unknown diagnosis provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 62,348.

- Bartow, FL, USA

problem #225

Nov 042023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was with my family on PA I-476. While traveling home in our 2014 Kia Optima the vehicle-??s dash lights such as oil lamp, battery, etc popped on. As soon as I noticed the lights the vehicle had completely lost all drivability. Lights operable and possibly radio and accessories but I had to react so quickly as it was so unexpected. The vehicle completely lost its function and I was unable to operate it but in the capacity of steering and hardly able to break. Lost all power components. We are so thankful I was able to make a split second decision to dodge traffic while vehicle was decelerating, 18 wheelers going by 70+ mph (speed limit) and pulled off to one of the few shoulders. This scenario was so dangerous that if I didn-??t believe in a higher being before, I do now! Most the lanes are sandwiched by concrete barriers and there happened to be a coned off area I was able to decisively pull over to. There was no warning this was happening. The vehicle was operating normally. The engine compartment was smoking and all I could think was to get my family away from traffic. The look on my wife and daughters face and the words my daughter asked me was life changing. The vehicle is at Kia dealership since Saturday night. It-??s Wednesday and they cannot provide diagnostic yet but are charging me for a starter already? They began to inspect vehicle Monday.

- Scranton, PA, USA

problem #224

Jun 162022

Optima

  • miles
engine was replaced per CASE # 14397135, and PI1803Y/Z, SINCE engine repair Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor -??A-?? Circuit High CODES (P2562 & P2565) continuously come and go. Check engine light comes on and off for the same codes. Knocking noise continues, loss of acceleration as if voltage or gas was lost, steering wheel speed control buttons (+/-) no longer properly function since engine replacement. It now has a class 2 leak. Safety risk:when driving it loses speed or fails to accelerate may cause crash. KIA dealership has tried to access the code but Codes are spontaneous, same for loss of acceleration.

- Angleton , TX, USA

problem #223

Sep 282023

Optima

  • miles
Rattle noise on the freeway, all electric lights on dash board started flashing. Car died on the side of the road. Did not restart. Engine was making a bubble noise (like overheating) with steam. When I checked my oil, showed dark and metal flakes. Recent oil change. Towed my mechanic and they said I have MAJOR engine issues.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #222

Oct 022023

Optima

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact state that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

problem #221

Jun 142017

Optima

  • miles
Summer 2017 The engine failed while driving with my family. The engine seized and a fire was engulfed. I was in the interstate and we feared for our life. Out of town visiting family we were stranded in another state for a month waiting for repairs. Kia took the vehicle and replaced the engine with another faulty engine that has seized several times while commuting. I have been living in fear and anxiety since this incident. I never know if I start my engine if I will loose my life. Summer 2023 3 teenagers watched a viral tic tok challenge and learned how faulty the cylinder that Kia installed was. The teens then trespassed into my home, broke the windows and stole my vehicle. I have lived in fear since this has happened. I have lost jobs, income, and peace due to The purchase of this vehicle. Kia has never assisted or kept the promises they made to restore the vehicle. These past 10 years agave been a nightmare and as an African American woman I believe I was targeted as a purchaser for this make and model. My life had been hell since the purchase of this vehicle. I have not been able to satisfy payment due to repairs, thefts, fires, and more. Please anyone. Someone. Help. This is the most heartbreaking experience as an American. I have worked for my country 20 years and do not feel like an equal citizen. I have been homeless, jobless, unstable, and watched my life and family life flash before me in near death accidents involving this car. When I purchased this car I had a great job, credit score, and home. Now I have more anxiety, fear, bills, and no help with this Kia.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #220

Sep 092023

Optima

  • miles
My engine went out, the car went from 75mph to- 50mph on freeway so fast, i had just got an oil change, my car is at shop now but wont be ready for a couple weeks, it gave me no warnings at all, the check engine light went on right when it pulled back on freeway. Super dangerous and just glad nothing happened !

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #219

Jul 062023

Optima

  • miles
This will be my Second Review about this dealer's service department. I'm not reviewing the service technicians but I'm reviewing the customer service, porters and advisors. I had my vehicle towed there on the 23rd of August after waiting a full month for my appointment. I have called to check on any updates to see have my 2014 Kia has been looked at. 1st time they didn't even know my vehicle was there even after confirming with a service representative. 2nd time I was told when my vehicle was assigned to an advisor someone would contact me. Today I called and spoke with [XXX] and he put me on hold to speak with an advisor. After 15min Of silence. I thought maybe I was forgotten about by mistake. I called back and [XXX] who stated this was him name when I called back was very RUDE. He stated I put you on hold to someone who would speak to you and hung up on me. This is when I called back to speak directly to a supervisor in the service department. I been on hold over 16min as I write this review. No hold music just silence. My 1st encounter here for a recall I was told to pull in lane and leave keys in car. I waited as porters took other vehicles and mine sat blocking lanes. To my amazement I listened to them saying what assholes people where for leaving their cars, when an advisor took the keys. This is an great establishment with a lot of History to have its name tarnished by bad apples. 22min on hold and one has cared to even speak to me. Please pay attention to hold times at to of screen. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #218

Aug 052023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving from arquette, I to St. Ignace, I on Saturday, August 6, 2023 when I was passing a slower moving car on -28 Eastbound, when the engine stalled and had to be towed to idas Muffler Shop at 2192 US Hwy 41 W., arquette, i, 49855. Upon further evaluation it was discovered that the engine had seized and is frozen up. There is currently a recall for engine seizures, Reference Number 17V224000, and Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #217

Jun 222023

Optima

  • miles
My son was driving the car on June 22nd 2023 and the car suddenly stopped in the road. Fortunately it did not result in an accident. The engine seized up and there was no advanced warning. The vehicle was towed by aaa to bryan gamble auto and diesel were it was determined that the engine had seized.

- Bessemer City, NC, USA

problem #216

Jul 112023

Optima

  • miles
Today, 7/11/23, I was traveling on the interstate with no issue. Upon exiting the interstate up a slight hill, there was one car in front of me, I let off the gas and began to roll backwards I hit the brake and didn't think anything of it at first. The car in front of me pulled forward and I took my foot off of the brake and began to roll backwards again, I hit the gas and nothing happened, during this I also heard what sounded like a clunk noise. At this point I put my flashers on and looked at the dashboard, I saw three lights that have never appeared before. (Oil light, battery light, and check engine light) I placed the car in park and sat for a moment. The car was still on but not running, I pressed my start button and the car turned over the lights went off and I drove about 3 miles down the road to a lot. Once the car cooled I checked the oil and the level was fine no smoke nothing strange. I went to pull out and drive again and the same exact thi g happened again. However, a few hours later my fiance drove it home and had no issue. If my car had rolled back I could have hit someone or been hit. It's something unknown and is dangerous. This all just happened today and it has not been taken anywhere yet.

- Durham , NC, USA

problem #215

Jun 162023

Optima

  • miles
Rod knock on the engine

- Stockton , CA, USA

problem #214

Jun 062023

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle has been burning oil consistently since 100,000 miles and Kia dealership denied coverage. Now I have a knock sensor code and the Dennis eakin dealership in Killeen is claiming it-??s a bad rod bearing and denying their 200k mile warranty coverage due to me not being able to provide 10 years worth of receipts even though this was a known issue.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #213

Dec 292022

Optima

  • miles
The car was last inspected/service on 11/23/22. There were no warning lights, no noises, no odors, no indication that anything was going bad or anything. Drove car over 600 miles to visit family. Upon leaving to return home, the car stalled after about 100 miles. We pulled over and restarted the car. Now it began making a noise and the engine came on then started blinking. This was around 5am on the side of the highway in pitch black with two young women traveling alone in very isolated/low population area. Long story short-the engine failed and had to be replaced (had the car towed to the nearest dealer in Rolla, MO). The engine was replaced by Kia and covered completely by Kia. This was at 78,000 miles. This is the 3rd engine for this one car. First replacement occurred just under 10,000 miles.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #212

Apr 172023

Optima

  • miles
My car was unable to accelerate and ultimately had a broken rod, which required total replacement of the engine. Since I am the second owner and the original owner or dealer did not request the warranty extension in 2017, KIA refuses to reimburse any amount towards the repairs.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #211

Apr 212023

Optima

  • miles
I was driving the Kia Optima 2014 down the highway. Without any warning or indication that something was wrong my tires locked up, causing the car to chirp twice and then the engine just died. I had to pay 250$ for a tow company to pick up the car and bring it home. The whole situation was very dangerous. Now I am having trouble with the Kia owner website. It will not even let me report the issue or schedule a maintenance appointment with any Kia Dealer to determine if this is due to a recall issue, or anything.

- Tigerton, WI, USA

problem #210

Apr 252023

Optima

  • miles
Since August of 2021 Ive experienced engine oil burning that results in me having to add oil every 10 days after a Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21. Ive gone into Lokey Kia in Clearwater FL numerous of times for this issue, and numerous recalls. There is no visible leak, but that had me pay for the Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 - Lokey Kia told me again today 4/24/23 that I needed the same repair done again. Over the phone the Lokey Kia service rep. told me he could not find my previous repair in the system and that I should NOT have to fix this repair this soon, but when I came in with a receipt, they stated "oh, things wear our=t faster than we think". Ive taking my car across the street to Fitzgerald Hydauni, tried to explain to them. Paid for vehicle check, completed oil change, found no visible leak, but within a week I had to go back because my car was literally almost out of oil. I called Kia claims today claim# 14751760, on hold for 2 hours and they say I have to spend several hundred dollars 3 times for a oil consumption tests before I can qualify for engine replacement because the recall for this DEFECT is not attached to my VIN, but is a KNOWN issue for the 2016. Ive sat in the waiting area and other consumers have gotten engine replaced, but for me Im brushed to the side. AAA states they've so many Kia's like mine breakdown due to this issue.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #209

Nov 012022

Optima

  • 151,111 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption with the check engine warning light constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the engine and catalytic converter were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,111.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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