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.
I left the dealer lot at closing time 2/5/2021 the traction light and brake lights warnings were on the ABS light the car brakes skidded upon applying brakes driving at a slow speed the car shook while applying brakes and it felt as though the entire motor was going to fall out. Later my 17 year old whom has driven for 2 years was driving a few miles from home she said the steering went out the brakes went out she skid across to the other side of the road did not hit anything yet the entire engine and entire front end of the car came apart the frame and all. She could easily have been killed I would like this investigated thoroughly. I told her to drive slow and she was only going around the corner I had planned to take it back to the dealer the following Monday bjut was totalled before I did. She reported going 45 mph on a road when I had the issues I was driving about 35 to 45 on a regular road did not drive it on an interstate yet due to the uneasy ways it was handeling and I have never had a wreck in all my years of driving and 1 and a half hour drive each way to work for 40 years. The car also felt as though it was accelerating on its own also'
Recall on engine was replaced 2 years ago for having metal shavings in the oil. The second motor has 15,000 miles on it and it's burning oil and smoking to where you can't see anything. I was getting on I 65 going North and smoke came out. It hesitates to go. Can't drive it over 45-50. Steering has a recall for a plastic cuffling behind steering wheel. It was replaced last year according to riverchase Kia in pelham Alabama. It is now making a popping noise again. Condensation is getting in tail lights causing the bulbs to blow. The headlights when on dim you can barely see.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the traction control warning illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
A coupler on the steering column is defective. It is causing the steering wheel to make a clicking noise every time the wheel is turned. If it is now replaced it can cause the steering to malfunction while driving.
When driving at 60mph my steering wheel shacks and it does the same exact thing when I ride over a speed bump or just hit a bump in the road. There is a lot of play in my steering wheel and I can hear a clacking and clicking noise when just turning the wheel. Also I'm concern about my air bags come out because of all the shacking and clicking that's coming from my steering wheel.
- Auburn, AL, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel suddenly began to shake, vibrate and became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to nationwide Kia service center located at 20 West timonium rd, towson, md 21093, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.
Driving down in motion on a village road going 40 mph, car completely shut off, lost power steering, I had to pull car over without power steering to side of busy road, car would not stop right away and park would not engaged right away into park, car then rolled forward about 10 feet and slammed into park. Car would not turn over however all power lights, and battery were working without issue. Called a tow truck, could not get ahold of Kia for Kia 24 hour emergency roadside assistance, due to covid-19, I had to call a local body shop/used car dealer for a tow.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. When the steering wheel was turned in any direction, it made a clicking noise. The contact took the vehicle to bill bryan Kia (9039 us-441, leesburg, fl 34788) where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure and Kia issued coverage through extended warranties for certain vehicles based on their location. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the extended warranty due to its production date. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 55,751.
I've been driving lately and the steering wheel gets pretty stiff and unable to turn without applying force. It has happened while driving in the city, turning and also in the freeway.
On September 30th, 2019 driving on interstate 4 West bound exiting altamonte springs fl, my steering began making a thumbing sound along with a vibration. As soon as I parked, I began looking for the cause of sound. It coming from a 12 inch steering column. I call Kia on October 3rd asking on any tsb or recalls on this dangerous issue. None found. This occurred with no warning. Please initiate a recall on this issue. Other owners are experiencing the same issue.
My steering wheel started making clicking sound after researching I found it was a common problem in 2014 Kia Optima caused by plastic steering coupler confident that Kia would cover it because of the service bulletin put out for my yea re and back to my surprise I had to pay out of pocket $340. God know why a manufacture would put plastic in major component of the steering column. I contacted their Consumer Affairs department and was told my VIN was not covered and despite it being issued for my year and make no other assistance would be provided unless a future recall was issued. This is huge safety issue which I caught prior to a fatality
My 2014 Kia Optima started making a clicking/rattling noise in the steering column when driving. The noise is worse when you hit a small dip in the road. The steering feels catchy and unsafe. Over the past the past 2 years my alignment has been off causing abnormal wear and replacement of my tires. I will be taking it to the Kia dealership today and hopefully they can fix this problem
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 35 mph over bumps in the road, the steering made an abnormal tapping and knocking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to world car Kia South (7915 interstate 35 access rd, san antonio, tx 78224, (210) 305-5658) where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact stated that the failure should be covered under the customer satisfaction warranty extension program. The failure mileage was 30,389.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel felt loose and started to pull to the left. The vehicle was taken to pep boys where it was diagnosed that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,901.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. When the vehicle was engaged in reverse, it became difficult to steer. Also, the electronic stability control and electric power steering warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred twice. The contact called hendrick Kia of concord (7550 hendrick auto plaza nw, concord, nc 28027, (704) 467-8591) and was informed that the vehicle could not be diagnosed until March 18, 2019. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,338.
My 2014 Kia Optima is making the same klunk noise as my previous Kia Optima 2012, but the 2014 doesn't have a recall on the same issue as my previous Optima had. But it's the same noise when I turn the stearing wheel.
2014 Kia Optima hybrid completely shut down while decelerating for a traffic light. The car displayed a fault on the screen as a "possible battery management system failure." When the car shut down. Had loss of steering control (electrical/optical steering). Had to slow to stop, place transmission selector in park before the car would allow restart. Engine warning light stayed on for 3 hours then extinguished by itself. Bms was updated at cost to customer.
Takata recall'. when driving 70 miles the car gets uncontrollable at times so you have to lower your speed, when parked an I put my foot on brake there's a ticking noise an you can feel pressure. The engine has been ticking a lot more am hesitant I know a lot of complaints has been made on the steering an it's getting out of hand ! the car is not safe on the highway could result in crash
Driving on the interstate it pulls extremely bad almost can't control it, especially if there's any wind blowing. Very hard to drive it for a long time on the interstate
As many other drivers have stated, 2014 Kia Optima drifts at highway speeds. Takes constant correction to keep in lanes > 55 mph. Has happened since I owned car, but has worsened as of 2016. June 08, 2016 - complained to dealer that car drifts at highway speed. Reply was it is ok. April 4, 2017 - dealer test drove, said they could not duplicate. April 19, 2017 - contacted Kia usa and opened complaint. # K3421611 no help. Kia said as long as the tech felt it did not drift, then nothing they could do. May 3, 2017 - purchased 4 new Continental tires to see if that would correct problem to no avial. So it is my word against the tech and I and 35 other consumers have cars that drift at highway speeds.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carriere, MS, USA