2012 Kia Optima complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,050.

I NOTICED WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY I HAD TO KEEP OVER CORRECTING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULD GET STUCK AND YOU NEEDED TO KIND OF JERK IT TO UNSTICK.

AT 20000 MILES MY FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK , THE WEIRD PUT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL TO TURN RIGHT THEY WOULD COME ON FOR A SHORT TIME, REPLACED BULBS NOTHING THEY DON'T WORK. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND THE TIRES, TIRE BRAND ARE JUNK, POORLY MADE THEY WERE BEYOND THE LIMIT FOR SAFTY, THEN AT 40000 MILES BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW AT 78000 MILES THE STRUTS ARE MAKING A HORRIBLE CLANKING AND THE AC IS BLOWING HOT AIR EVEN AFTER 2 CANS OF THE STUFF THE MECHANIC SAID TO ADD. I TRAVEL ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK 36 MILES ONE WAY DAILY HENSE THE MILAGE BUT THE HIGH WAY IS SMOOTH AS WELL. VERY DISAPPOINTED KIA OWNER, WHEN CALLED TO ASK ABOUT THE FOG LIGHTS WAS TOLD YOUR PROBLEM SO IM SURE THE STRUTS WILL BE AND THE AC WILL ALSO BE MY PROBLEM . SADLY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BACK UP THERE PRODUCT

VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE MAINTAINING PROPER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING NEEDS TO ALMOST CONSTANTLY BE TURNED RIGHT TO LEFT TO TRY TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT DRIVING. THE STEERING WILL ALSO OCCASIONAL LOCK WHEN TURNING AND YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THE WHEEL BACK STRAIGHT. THE CONSTANT NEED TO OVER CORRECT THE STEERING MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I COULD SEE IT EASILY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE CORRECT CONDITIONS.

WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON 4/3/15 HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN CARY NC DROVE 5 MILES HOME BACK TO DEALER SHIP NEXT MORNING FOR PAPERWORK TO FINISH. LEFT DEALERSHIP HEADED TO MAIN HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 40 NOTICEABLE AS SOON AS YOU GET AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE STEERING WAS TIGHT HAD TO HOLD ON WITH BOTH HAND THE CAR WAS WEAVING LANE TO LANE AS THE WAS NO CENTER FOR YOU TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED DEALER WE TOOK THE CAR BACK LEFT IT. TODAY IS A FEW WEEKS OUT 4/23/15 THE HAVE RESET STEERING CODE, ALIGN AND REBALANCED TIRES A FEW TIMES AND YESTERDAY REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND WE TODAY STILL DOES THE SAME THING. THEY SAID TODAY THEY WILL REPLACES THE TIRES AND SEE HIS THIS GOES. FROM THE START THEY SAID NO ONE HAS REPORTED THIS ISSUES BUT I SHOWED THEM ONLINE OF THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. KIA IS INVOLVED BUT I THINK THEY JUST WANT US TO TAKE THE CAR AND GO. ITS NOT SAFE AND I AM NOT DRIVING IT. IT WILL SIT THERE TILL TIRES ROT. THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO CALL KIA FOE MORE THINGS TO THEY BUT THEY DIDN'T ACT LIME THEY ARE IN A HURRY. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS CAR HAD COMPLAINTS L. WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. DID RESEARCH THE CAR BEFORE PURCHASE DID NOT SEE ANY ISSUE UNTIL I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND MAN THE INTERNET WENT CRAZY. I WANT IT FIXED AND SAFE OR KIA TO OFFER ME A SIMILAR CAR WITH NO ISSUES............... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

WHILE TAKING A CURVE ON THE INTERSTATE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HOLD ITSELF IN POSITION AS IF IT WERE ALMOST IN THE LOCKED POSITION. HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. TOOK NEXT EXIT TO CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID AND TIRES. EVERYTHING CHECKED OK. GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED OVERNIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE NEW TO DRIVING. THE STEERING G WHEEL WOULD HOLD ITSELF INTO ANY POSITION I LEFT IT IN. IT WOULD NEVER TRY TO RE-CENTER ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. MAY BE COINCIDENCE, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED AT THE SAME TIME THIS WAS OCCURRING. DEALERSHIP STATED NO ERROR CODES WERE STORED ON THE CARS COMPUTER. *TR

THE WASTE GATE ACTUATOR ON KIA OPTIMA TURBO MODEL FAILED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE PART ONLINE AND KIA HAS NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THIS DEFECT. TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS $500. DO NOT PURCHASE A KIA UNTIL THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THIS GLARING DEFECT. I'VE HAD 8 CARS IN MY LIFE 7 HONDAS AND 1 KIA. THE KIA WAS A BIG MISTAKE. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AT HWY SPEEDS. I HAVE TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE LANES. IT DRIFTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH OUT EVEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE ROAD. IT WOULD BE A REAL BAD SITUATION IF I COULD NOT TURN IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING IN MY WAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED KIA OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN POST DATING AS EARLY AS 2012 ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STILL KIA HAS NOT NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS COULD BE A REAL CONCERN. I AM POSTING ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE IN HOPES THAT THIS WILL BECOME PUBLIC NOT ONLY FOR MY CAR BUT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION BEFORE ITS TO LATE FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. *TR

I HAVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID OF WHICH I PURCHASED AT THE LOCAL KIA DEALER (ONTARIO, CA) AND EVEN PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL "PLATINUM 100K MILE PROTECTION." ON DECEMBER 31ST MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE WHILE IN PARK AND THE IGNITION ON. I HIT THE BREAKS AND THERE WAS NO BREAK PRESSURE AT ALL. THE CAR STARTED TO FLASH CODES REGARDING THE BRAKES AND I HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE AND RETURNED THE CAR. ANOTHER MONTH LATER THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AND I VIDEO TAPED IT. THE GAUGES STARTED ILLUMINATING AND DELLUMINATING REPEATEDLY AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED TO FLASH. THE "CHECK BRAKE" CODE CAME UP AGAIN! I NOW HAVE PROOF OF THE VEHICLE DOING THIS AND BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER NOW THEY HAVE ADMITTED SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT THEY'RE STILL UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ERROR. THEY ARE KEEPING THE CAR FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS BUT HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT TELL ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT YET AND THAT MY WARRANTY "MAY NOT" COVER IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT OR DO ANYTHING FOR ME UNTIL THEY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, NOR HAVE THEY OFFERED ME A RENTAL CAR. I WANT MY CAR BACK BUT IT IS UNSAFE! WHAT IF THE BRAKES GO OUT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED?! PLEASE HELP ME NHTSA SO WE CAN SAVE LIVES OF OTHERS THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR

I WAS HIT IN THE BACK WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. *TR

THIS STARTED IN JUNE 2014 DURING THE MID SUMMER. THE TRUNK WOULD COME OPEN WHILE JUST SITTING THERE OR COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT BY IT OPENING UP WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING BUT IT COULD COME OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING AND IF I WAS TO TRAVEL ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND IT WAS TO OPEN IT COULD CAUSE MY BACK WINDOW TO BREAK OR FLY OFF AND HIT ANOTHER CAR CAUSING INJURIES. LAST YEAR DURING THE NIGHT WE HAD HEAVY RAIN THE WHOLE NIGHT AND WHEN I GOT UP IT WAS STILL RAINING HARD AND I NOTICED AFTER GOING OUT THE TRUNK WAS OPEN WIDE. THE MAT IN THE TRUNK WAS SOAKING WET, BACK AND FRONT MATS AND INSIDE WHERE THE TIRE GOES HAD A LITTLE ONE 2 FEET OF WATER. I CANNOT GIVE THE DATES FOR ALL OF THE TIME EXCEPT 4 WHICH WAS ON 10-14-14 WHERE FORD KIA HAD TO REMOVE THE WATER AND DRY OUT PARTS. I WAS STUCK WITH THE BILL IN WHICH I HAVE THE BILL AND IN OCTOBER 8, 17, 24 NOVEMBER 4,12,19,27. DECEMBER 10,15.18 22, 24.31. JANUARY 2015 2, 8,15,17,18. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP HERE ABOUT IT AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AND I TOLD THEM THAT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED NEXT DOOR HAD A WIRELESS KEY THAT THEY COULD OPEN, TURN ON MY LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT AND A COUPLE THAT LIVED TWO DOORS DOWN HAD A CAR AND WHEN THEY MOVED IN THAT HE COULD OPEN HIS DOORS AND SUCH WHICH WOULD UNLOCK MY DOORS AND TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND OPEN THE TRUNK AND THEY SAID AT THE SHOP THAT THE FREQ ON MY CAR CANNOT BE CHANGED. IT SEEMS THAT I GOT A CAR THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE CAN COM

UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR CONSISTENTLY DRIFTS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT. STEERING WHEELS FEELS AS THOUGH IT BECOMES LOCKED IN POSITION. AS YOU ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY BREAKS FREE CAUSING OVER CORRECTING WHICH COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN A CRASH. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERS AND THEY SAY THE CAR IS WITHIN SPECS AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON SO THEREFORE THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN SOMEONE LOSING THEIR LIFE. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING A SNAPPING SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND INABILITY TO HOLD A A STEADY HEADING. STEERING BECOMES STICKY REQUIRING G CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS AS THE CAR DRIFTS FROM ONE STICKY HEADING TO ANOTHER. DEALER REPEATEDLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED INDEPENDENTLY TOWARDS THE LEFT AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,682. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING UP A SMALL HILL AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE IN SPEED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND THEN WOULD NOT KEEP THE SPEED I WAS AT. THE SPEED IN MY CAR KEPT DESCENDING. IT WASNT UNTIL I WAS GOING 30 MPH BEFORE I COULD GET OVER INTO THE SLOW LANE TO THEN GET IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM WHERE IT BROKE DOWN IN BAILEYTON TN TO BRISTOL TN WHICH IS ABOUT A 50 MIN DRIVE AND WAS THEN TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE GIVING ME A LOANER CAR AND IT HADNT EVEN BEEN 1 MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED CAR.. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE WILLING TO HELP. THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT TRADE MY CAR IN FOR A DIFFERENT CAR EVEN THO THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.... GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! *JS

2012 KIA OPTIMA SX CAR WENT INTO AUXILIARY MODE FIRST, BUT UPON PUSHING THE BUTTON THE PUSH START BUTTON A SECOND TIME THE ENGINE TURNED OVER AND STARTED. *MW THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED THE TIRES, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TURBO ACTUATOR AND THE RADIO WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUXILIARY; WHERE THE AC, RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE ON. SHE TURNED THEM ALL OFF AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, WENT OUT OF AUXILIARY MODE AND SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, SHE REALIZED THE PEDAL WAS STILL ENGAGED, SHE TRIED PUMPING IT, TO RELEASE IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT. SHE VERIFIED THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. UPON PUSHING THE START BUTTON AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AUXILIARY MODE AGAIN. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN YOU GO OVER 45/55 MILES PER HOUR. IT BECOMES SO UNCONTROLLABLE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE IT WITH BOTH HANDS AS I CONTINUE TO TRY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE FROM EITHER GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE OR HITTING THE ONE COMING TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS SOOOO TIGHT /STIFF THAT THE CAR CANNOT TRAVEL DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ME CONSTANTLY SHIFTING STEERING WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. ANY SLIGHT OVER PULL / CORRECTION OF THE WHEEL IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMEONE THERE LIFE OR A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT .I PRAY THAT KIA CORRECTS THIS BEFORE SOMEONE OR CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. HOPE THIS WILL BE RECALLED BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY FIGHTING TO STAY IN MY LANE AND CROSSED OVER INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC (WHICH COULD'VE CAUSED ME MY LIFE)AND IT WAS A SHERIFF DEPUTY. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO STOP ME. HE THOUGHT I WAS DUI. THIS WAS VERY EMBARRASSING .I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD THE TXT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD GOT THE CAR FROM AND THEY TRIED TO PUT IT ON THE HIGHWAY/ TIRES BUT THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP CLOSER TO ME. THE OFFICER SUGGESTED I GET IT CHECKED ASAP AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME . NOT ONLY AM I AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT I'M EXHAUSTED AND BODY EXTREMELY TIRED FROM DRIVING IT. NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THIS WAY. KIA PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE YOU OR BREAK YOU. PLEASE DON'T BE LIKE THAT OTHER CAR COMPANY AND SOMEONE HAD TO LOSE THEIR LIFE FIRST. PLEASE LISTEN!!!!! *TR

VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. *TR

THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS PERIODICALLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE OPERATING OUR 2012 OPTIMA. THIS OCCURS WITH THE SWITCH IN BOTH ON AND OFF POSITION AND THE LIGHTBULBS TEND TO BECOME OVERHEATED.THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL OPERATION, BUT GO OFF ON THEIR OWN AND THIS MALFUNCTION REPEATS SEVERAL TIMES IN A TEN MINUTE DRIVE. BEST-CASE SCENARIO RESULTS IN THE BULBS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY, BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A REAL CHANCE OF A MORE SERIOUS SHORT-CIRCUIT AND POTENTIAL INTERIOR FIRE. *TR

I HAVE NOTICED OVER TWENTY TIMES THAT THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF. IT WOULD BE FOUND OPEN AFTER I GET TO MY CAR OR WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD JUST OPEN UP ON ITS OWN. LAST MONTH MY TRUNK, WAS SHUT, DOORS LOCKED, WE HAD A HEAVY RAIN THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY I WENT OUT, AND THE TRUNK WAS OPEN UP ALL THE WAY. THE TRUNK FLAP WAS SOAKING WET AND UNDER IT, THERE WAS A FOOT OF WATER AND KIA DOES NOT GIVE YOU A TIRE WHEN YOU BUY A NEW ONE. IT COST ME $80.00 TO GET EVERYTHING DRIED OUT AND WATER REMOVED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK OPENING AND THE KIA DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING COULD BE, DONE WITH IT OR THE KEY THAT OPENS IT TOLD ME. KIA SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX THE FREQUENCY FOR THE KEYS AND THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE, WHICH HAVE DIFFERENT CARS THAT THEIR KEY WILL OPEN MY TRUNK DOORS AND EVEN TURN ON MY LIGHTS. THE TRUNK CAN BE SHUT AND YOU DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH AND IT WILL OPEN UP AND BLOCK YOUR VIEW AND IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK IF YOU ARE CHANGING LANES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE I77 NORTH AT 70MPH WITH THE SUNROOF AND SHADE SHUT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SHADE STARTED GOING THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND GLASS CAME RAINING DOWN ON MYSELF (I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT) AND MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND US. IT WAS SUNNY AROUND 80 DEGREES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM GULF SHORES, AL TO ATLANTA, GA. I STOPPED AT A REST AREA. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR BACK UP THERE WAS KIND OF A BUZZING NOISE AS I ACCELERATED, BUT IT WOULD STOP ONCE I REACHED CRUISING SPEED. AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE REST AREA, MY GAS PEDAL JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR COASTED UNTIL IT LOST SPEED AND THEN JUST TURNED OFF. AFTER I WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD DIED AND I WOULD NEED TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, A STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE STARTER AND ASSOCIATED FUSES WERE COMPLETELY BURNT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

DRIVING VEHICLE AT 35-40 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPED. THERE WAS HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND SMELLED OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. SMOKE DISSIPATED AFTER 15 MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP ON 9/23 AND WAS TOLD STARTER AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

KEY FOB WAS PLACED ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO ENABLE FEMALE ADULT TO PLACE CHILD INTO SAFETY BOOSTER SEAT. KEY FOB WAS LEFT ON ROOF BY ACCIDENT, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL ALLOWED TO START. THE CAR GAVE NO AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE KEY WAS STILL OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 10 MILES. IN THE INTERVENING TIME, THE KEY FOB FLEW OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR AND WAS LOST. NO AUDIBLE WARNING WAS GIVEN TO THE DRIVER THAT THE KEY LEFT THE CAR'S PROXIMITY. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION, THE FEMALE ADULT AND HER CHILD WERE STRANDED. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL "CANCEL" BUTTON NEEDS REPEATED PUSHING TO ACTIVATE. A SINGLE PUSH OF THE CANCEL BUTTON ACTUALLY SEEMS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H431 TIRES, SIZE 225/45R 18V. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TIRE GAUGE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

I WAS ACCELERATING VEHICLE AN STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELLERATE. WHEN I TRIED A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

MY SATELLITE RADIO HAS BEEN CUTTING IN AND OUT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. DEALER SAYS ANTENNAE WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAVE BROUGHT CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT FOR PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND IT'S INABILITY TO STAY STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTINUALLY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD FIND WRONG WITH IT. BUT AFTER FINDING THIS WEBSITE, I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT WORKS FINE WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING BUT WHEN IT IS STOPPED OR IDLING, THE AIR SUDDENLY BLOWS WARM AIR AND DOESN'T START TO BLOW COLD UNTIL A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CAR HAS STARTED MOVING. *TR

I WAS ON I-40 GOING ABOUT 75 MPG. TEMP WAS ABOUT 75 AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CRACKED A LITTLE. THE SHADE WAS NOT DOWN ON THE SUNROOF, BUT THE SUNROOF WAS NOT LIFTED.I WAS ABOUT TO PASS A VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD. I WAS SO THROWN OFF, I ALMOST LET GO OF THE WHEEL. IT ECHOED IN MY HEAD. I PANICKED AND PULLED OVER ON THE INTERSTATE AND FLAGGED DOWN A STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER CHECKED... MY CAR WAS NOT HOT. NOTHING FLEW IN MY CAR. NOTHING FLEW OUT OF MY CAR. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE BESIDES THE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF. BUT YOU COULD TELL THAT THE EXPLOSION CAME FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE TROOPER WAS SPEECHLESS. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. WE CONCLUDED THAT IT HAD TO BE SOME KIND OF AIR PRESSURE THAT CAUSED IT. AGAIN, I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT I DO KNOW THAT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS. I KEEP MY CAR IN GREAT CONDITION. AFTER SEEING THE OTHER REPORTS, I'M GLAD I HEARD ABOUT THIS SITE. PLEASE MANDATE A RECALL OR REBATE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. THE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY HEARING IN MY RIGHT EAR WAS "FUZZY" FOR A FEW HOURS, I HAD A MASSIVE HEADACHE, MY EAR IS SORE, THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BODY HURTS. THANK GOD I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CUTS OR BRUISES, BUT IT FELT LIKE IT (WEIRD). I COULD HAVE CAUSED A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT IF I TOOK BOTH HANDS OFF OF THE WHEEL. AND IT'S SAD THAT KIA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS WITH SO MANY COMPLAINS. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, SUNNY CLEAR WEATHER, TEMP 85. NO OVERPASSES OR OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT. THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SHOWERING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GLASS ON TOP OF MY HEAD RESULTING IN A FEW MINOR CUTS. EITHER I WAS STRUCK BY A METEORITE OR KIA HAS DEFECTIVE GLASS. THE DEALER REPLACED IT FOR $550.00 AND NO EXPLANATION. AS THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER POSTS WITH SIMILAR DESCRIPTIONS I FEEL KIA HAS DEFECTIVE GLASS AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.. I VERY NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OR ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY TRIP. IT WAS ABOUT 80-82 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH CLEAR SKIES. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH KIA OPTIMAS, HYUNDAI VELOSTERS, AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS INVESTIGATING. LUCKILY I REMAINED CALM AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR OFF THE GLASS AND GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SOUND AND SHOWER OF GLASS COULD HAVE EASILY STARTLED SOMEONE ELSE AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO BREAKING AWAY THE ADDITIONAL, BROKEN GLASS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR IT, SHOULD IT BE NEEDED.

VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. THIS CAUSES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE ON LONGER TRIPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS PARKED IN A SECURED POLICE PARKING GARAGE THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS TO EXCEPT POLICE OFFICERS. UPON GETTING INTO MY CAR, PLACING IT INTO DRIVE AND BEGINNING TO MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE GLASS SHATTERING. I EXITED MY VEHICLE TO FIND THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT STRUCK THE GLASS THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. UPON DOING RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE KIA VEHICLES SUNROOFS HAVE. KIA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TELLING ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER TO KIA. KIA IS TELLING ME THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OBJECT THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS IN THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

WHILE TRAVELING FROM KNOXVILLE TN.WE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75.AS WE CONTINUED ON THE SMELL WENT AWAY.WE REFUELED IN SWEETWATER TN. AND CONTINUED ON.AT A REDLIGHT IN MADISONVILLE WE NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN.I PULLED INTO A WENDYS PARKING LOT AND CHECKED BENEATH THE HOOD.THERE WAS NO GAS SMELL OR LEAKS.WE CONTINUED ON TO HWY 68.NEAR FARNER TN. THE CAR HAD A HOT SMELL AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WENT UP IN FLAMES.WE PULLED ONTO A SIDE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE.THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS, AND THE CAR DID NOT MISS OR SHUT OFF.NO WARNING WHATSOEVER.WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT ONLY.FLAMES CONSUMED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE EXITED THE VEHICLE. *TR

ALL 4 HANKOOK OPTIMO 225/45/18 TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX VEHICLE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL WITHIN 18 MONTHS. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AROUND THE 2 YEAR POINT FROM PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

2012 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN VEHICLE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN ON A SNOW COVERED, BUT PLOWED STREET, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SKID IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. HE COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE GOING 5 MPH. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS OR PEDESTRIANS NEARBY, BUT WHILE THE CAR WAS SKIDDING, HE CRASHED INTO THE DIAGONAL STREET CORNER WHICH CAUSED THE REAR FENDER TO BE SCRAPED AND THE TIRES MISALIGNED. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, WHERE THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND HYDROPLANED ALWAYS CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED A BULGE IN THE REAR TIRE THAT DID NOT HIT THE CURB.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL HAS ABNORMAL NONFLUENT CONSISTENCY. THE DRIVER HAS TO CONTINUOUSLY CORRECT STEERING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT, OTHERWISE VEHICLE WILL START TO DRIFT IMMEDIATELY. WHEN CORRECTION IS MADE TO KEEP VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT, STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED WITH MORE THAN NORMAL FORCE, WHICH THEN RESULTS TO A OVERSTEERING RESPONSE DUE TO THE INCAPABLE OF MAKING A MINOR ADJUSTMENT. THIS CONTINUES TO MAKE VEHICLE TO DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE EXCESSIVELY WHILE DRIVING WHICH IN TURN CAN MAKE THE DRIVER APPEAR IMPAIRED OR DISTRACTED. THE PROBLEM IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO STICK IN PLACE NEAR CENTER PLACEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS LIKE RIDING A BIKE ON PAVEMENT THEN TRANSITIONING TO MUD, ONE HAS TO APPLY MORE PEDDLING MOTION TO GET THROUGH THE MUD, AND WHEN THEY ARE BACK ON PAVEMENT SUDDENLY, THEY JUMP TO AN UNEXPECTED SPEED, FASTER THEN WHAT THEY INTENDED. THIS IS HOW THE STEERING REACTS TO MINOR ADJUSTMENTS THAT NEED EXTRA FORCE TO UNSTICK THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CONCLUDES THAT THE ELECTRIC-ASSISTED POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE'S AIR PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES ARE EQUAL AND AT 35PSI, WHEELS ARE PROPERLY BALANCED ALIGNMENT IS AT MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST WHEN THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW (BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD BUY A $30,000 CAR THAT DOES NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT) AND JUST CURRENTLY STARTED TO ACT UP. *TR

WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN EARLY EVENING ON NORMAL DAILY COMMUTER ROUTER WHEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE. INCIDENT SCARED WIFE ENOUGH THAT SHE CALLED HUSBAND FOR ADVICE ON SITUATION. SUNROOF SHATTERED. NO OVERPASSES WITHIN SEVERAL MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. NO FLYING ROAD DEBRIS. NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT CIRCUMSTANCES. REPORTED INCIDENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS BECAUSE "NO SUNROOF IN STOCK". RECEIVED CALL FROM KIA CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING INCIDENT AFTER 2 OR 3 DAYS ASKING FOR DETAILS. JUST AFTER PICKING UP THE REPAIRED CAR, RECEIVED CALL AND SUSPICIOUS LETTER (EMAIL) ASKING FOR US TO SIGN AND RETURN ESSENTIALLY A LIABILITY RELEASE. WE DID NOT SIGN IT. SUSPECT THAT KIA CORPORATE INTENDED TO HAVE US SIGN LETTER BEFORE RETURNING THE CAR TO US. *TR

AT, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK WHEN MAKING MINOR CORRECTIONS. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND TIRING ON THE ARMS. GOING AROUND CORNERS OR BENDS IN THE ROAD IT SEEMS FINE THOUGH. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MAKING MINOR CORRECTIONS IN THE LANE. THIS IS SOMETHING KIA SHOULD TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE AROUND THIS ISSUE. I PUT 10,000 MILES BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 16,000. HAVE NOT HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT YET. *TR

VEHICLE HAD RANDOM ABNORMAL JERKING, BUCKING AND CLUNKING BY THE TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSES ABNORMAL DECELERATION. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH NORMAL DRIVING AND CAN CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THIS AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IS THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE RELAY. APPARENTLY THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH THE SAME RELAY ISSUE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS ON THE PART. *TR

MAKING A CALL WITH MY BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED IN THE VEHICLE, LOOKED DOWN TO VERIFY CONNECTION, BY THE TIME I LOOKED UP I WAS A FOOT AWAY FROM A PARKED VEHICLE, I SWERVED AS TO THE LEFT AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, I SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE, MY HOOD AND ENGINE WERE PRACTICALLY CRUSHED IN AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, MY CAR CAME TO A HAULT BEFORE JUMPING OVER THE MEDIAN. NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING SPEED OF 50-60 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

I NOTICED ON MONDAY THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING WITH ACCELERATION. IT SEEMED TO BE SLOW AND SLUGGISH. I DROVE THE CAR HOME NOT EXCEEDING 40 MPH. NEXT MORNING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE DASHBOARD IS LIT UP WITH AN INDICATION OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION. I ONLY HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR A MILE SO I CONTINUED ON TO WORK BUT I HAD NO POWER AT ALL. THE CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO MAKE IT UP A SMALL HILL AND I HAD NO SPEED ON LEVEL GROUND. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE NEXT QUESTION IS HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST? WOW I HAVE ONLY OWNED CAMRY'S FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THOUGHT I WOULD TRY A KIA. THEY LOOK NICE. NOT SURE I WILL KEEP THIS VEHICLE MUCH LONGER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.