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 was headed to ky December 2020 to visit my father. The car started making rattling noise. As I hit the gas petal, the car was stopping in on coming 1-65 traffic heading North. I pulled over and had to call my insurance company to tow to the nearest auto repair shop. I was nearly 50 miles from bowling green Kentucky (12-23-20). I called my insurance and we set up arrangements for towing to pick up the next morning (less than 24 hours- christmas eve). Within less than 24 hours, the car was impounded by Kentucky police near glasgow, ky. After paying towing fees and tickets, I finally got my car to auto company to run diagnostics report. After completion, I found out the engine failed along with more stuff. I immediately called the dealer who sold me the car (Kia-huntsville, al) to ask for advice on next steps. He told me to contact the nearest Kia service department near where the car was immediately to get it fixed because of the recall on the vehicle. The car was finally towed to martin Kia (bowling green Kentucky). They put me in line to have the vehicle properly and completely fixed. On January 4, 2021 the vehicle was in Kia possession to fix recall repairs. March 6, 2021 I was scheduled to pick up the vehicle because it was promised that the vehicle is completed. After picking up the car, I had to wait 45minutes because my car was locked and tire light came on. I was pulled to side and told the vehicle was fixed by brand new employee and to check to make sure a engine light does not come on because if so, it's probably the new hire fault for it messing up. After all of that, I was headed home and the car stopped a second time! after contacting local police, I was told to go back to Kia to return the keys and make them tow the vehicle to get it off of the interstate.
Car engine stopped while driving on highway. Road Ranger attempted to jump car off but sparks came and multiple cables were burnt out.. car would not start. Took it to multiple automotive shop and was advise to contact Kia for recall
Engine lights keep coming on and off. But doesn't give a code when I take it to get serviced. Took it up to Kia to tell them that on my way home from the dealership, that my wall caught on fire in the trunk from the socket that holds the bulbs.back lights go out constantly after the bulbs are changed or the socket has been changed.
Was driving down main road approaching redlighy and brake pedal went to stiff and car shut off while rolling. Could not get to start again and smelt electrical burning somewhere. Had to beg car towed home. Tried jumping with a jump box to eliminate battery and it was not issue. Almost rear ended vehicle infront and was stranded on side of main road.
Driving North bound on the 405 at freeway speeds, the vehicle showed several warning lights on the dash. Check engine light, oil light and 2 others, the vehicle lost engine power and only had brakes. I was able to shuffle off the main freeway to an off ramp where I pulled over to attempt to power the car back on. The smell of electrical fire started to become apparent and I went out to lift the hood and smoke began to come out the opening. I rushed to get my kids out the vehicle and attempted to pull the battery cable off to try to salvage it from catching fire. I was able to wiggle the battery cable off but smoke continued to come out. The vehicle was eventually dropped off at the dealership car pros Kia in glendale and im being informed the starter was the issue and will need to be replaced. Im uncertain about the diagnosis since the event of the vehicle losing all power occurred during highway driving.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that all electrical indication in side the vehicle failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to mike shaw Kia (6802 S padre island dr, corpus christi, tx 78412(361) 204-2731) where it was inspected and diagnosed where it was determined that the rear passenger seat was burnt due to a wire harness connection. The vehicle rear passenger seat was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
About a month and a half ago my traction control light came on and I lost power steering. For a brief period of time that day the light went off and I regained power steering. Later that same day the traction control light reappeared and has been on since causing me to lose power steering. I have spoken with the manufacturer and they claim that this problem does not fall under any recall therefore they are not responsible for anything.
About a month ago my traction control light came on and I would lose power steering. For a brief period of time maybe a day or two the light went out and I regained steering. Since then it has come back on again and I have had no power steering since this period I know there is an active recall on certain aspects of this and believe this is part of it, however I am told that my problem is not part of the recall and that I need to pay to have the safety issue fixed on my own.
Vehicle had service light on for engine. I took it to the dealership and they said it's ok to drive today until they service in the morning. They had a sensor show for the heuc. I drove 10 miles approximately half on freeway and at full 65mph the car made a very loud electrical noise and lost full drive power. I was able to safely avoid getting hit at full freeway speeds in rush hour and able to get on shoulder and exit ramp. Car turned back on and would not exceed 15mph at the light and was towed today directly to the dealership for further inquiry.
8/27/2020 car had been at the Kia dealership 2 weeks before for the same issue...car shut down on the freeway after 'check hybrid charging system' lights flashing 'shut down engine' lights flashing. Kia had determined car just needed a 'hybrid battery update' fast forward...I was driving to visit my mother in Idaho, driving about 75 mph on the freeway, when the same thing happened: 'check hybrid charging system, shut off engine.' All the lights started flashing, and 'possible battery management system issue' diagnostic flashed on the radio screen. The car started losing power before locking up completely, wheel locking, shutting off and spinning out on the highway. Luckily another other cars were close by or else this would have easily turned into a fatal crash. 3 hours on the side of the road and a $450 tow into the nearest Kia dealership which was 2 hours away.. and I find out it's a blown hev fuse and the hybrid system/battery has failed completely. Now I'm stuck with a dead car. Failed at around 79,500 miles. This is not the first Kia Optima hybrid to do this!!! recall these cars before they kill somebody!! I should not have to worry about a 5 year old car shutting down and locking up on the freeway while driving. Especially with kids in the car. I will never buy another Kia again. It has the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty which Kia is saying covers no part of any repairs. Odd since this is a known issue with these hybrids!! recall these death traps!!!
I was driving on the highway and my car told me to pull over and check the engine. I pull over, wait a little while, and try to start it again. It doesn't start. They have someone come out to jump it, and it looks like we're good. I start to drive away and merge back onto the highway. Almost immediately I loose power--- I have no control over the gas, the brakes, the steering wheel is stiffening up. I am somehow able to put it in neutral, barely get over to the right shoulder, and then use my emergency brakes. This was an incredibly dangerous situation, and could have easily killed me. I just had it serviced the day before so I took it back. It turns out the hybrid fuse went out. I look it up online and this has happened to other people! I informed another Kia dealer and they were also unaware of this. It's incredibly unsafe and my life was endangered.
I purchased a new 2015 Kia Optima. Completed regular maintanence on it, and the engine failed (locked up) at 138,000 miles. Later, I was advised the 2015 Kia Optima and other Kia's were found to have faulty engines. Kia did not offer assistance at the time, but are now offering assistance since I have traded the Kia with a locked motor. I have been given the run-around for weeks and today a "regional manger" called and offered zero assistance and basically told me the faulty motor was not their problem. When the motor locked up, I was passing a car on the highway. The Optima stalled while I was in on-coming traffic, and then the motor died. I was able to pull over safetly, and the car smelt like an electrical fire, it never started again.
The brake lights would not go off when I turned my car off. This ended up killing my battery. When I got the battery recharged it allowed the car to start without the brakes being pushed in. Also I noticed that the stopper had broken. This allowed the computer to think that the brakes were engaged even though the peddle wasn't pushed.
I purchased my car in bellevue ne I tried taking it back within the first week. They told me everything was fine and sent me to edwards Kia in council bluffs ia. My brakes and rotors were horrible and needed to be replaced they in ne said they were completely fine. It cost $600 to repair. The bellevue manager asked me what I expected him to do about it. They let me leave the lot without inspection my car. Then I had a motor recall my engine light was flashing and it wouldn't accelerate this has now happened 3 times in the last 30 days. Edwards Kia in council bluffs currently have had my car for 2 weeks and tell me that it could be an additional 6 weeks before I get it retired to
My daughter was driving down main street when everything shut off, electrical, motor, steering wheel locked up. She coasted to the side of the road, a man pulled over to help her after 20 mins the car was as able to start again. 3rd time this has happened. Very scary.
I was headed from Ohio to Michigan and all of a sudden it won't let me accelerate anymore and I get this burning smell and then all the dash lights start flashing and then the car just completely stops I pop the hood open on the side of the road and it's leaking oil which is not my fault cause I just got the oil changed and then the car just refuses to start now I can get the lights on and stuff but as for the engine turning over it's just not gonna happen and I'm surprised Kia hasn't had a recall on anything at all for these engines cause there are so many complaints about them
Both of my headlights on my 2015 Kia Optima have stopped working on low beam I have fog lights but I can't see maybe 20 feet in front of me it's already caused me to almost have one wreck I was in the middle of an interstate when my lights went out
I was driving the car on a two lane street at a normal rate of speed when the motor cut off. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to restart the engine. When I glanced up I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I opened the hood and the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and the car is a total loss.
Vehicle burst into flames without provocation. Vehicle was in perfect, pristine condition. Was in vehicle 5 minutes on way to work in am. Vehicle was being driven approx 5 miles per hour on a busy main road. Slowed down to stop at red light and the car died, instrument panel started flashing and engine burst into flames.
2015 Kia Optima turbo.. I was entering the highway and was attempting to accelerate to merge with on coming traffic on the highway. In doing so, I realized my vehicle was not accelerating and when I looked down, all of the indicator lights were on on the dashboard. I managed to pull over to the shoulder just making it out of the lane of approaching traffic. Once on the shoulder, I placed my car in park turned everything off and tried to restart it. I then saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood of my car. Frigthtened that it might catch fire, I turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and tried to start it again. Again there was smoke coming from under the hood. I then called for a wrecker. Had the vehicle towed to Kia dealership that same day. Did not find out until the following Tuesday that the engine was locked up and they were waiting to see if Kia was going to approve replacing the engine. Was told I should hear something by tomorrow. Still waiting to hear back. Details to follow.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Louisville, KY, USA