THE AXLE AND WHEEL BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO 2 PARKED CARS. IT TOTALED OUR CAR.MY HUSBAND HAD JUST TURNED OFF OF A BUSY STREET TO A SMALL STREET. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. HE GOT PUT OF THE CAR AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. HIS AXLE AND WHEEL BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO THE 2 PARKED CARS. KIA IS NOT COOPERATING AT ALL AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON THE SAME MODEL, BUT DIFFERENT YEAR.
2013 Kia Optima complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →
THE ISSUE WE ARE HAVING WITH OUR KIA IS THAT WHEN YOU TURN THE RIGHT 5-10 DEGREES AND THEN GO BACK TO THE LEFT TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR THERE IS A NOTCH THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO GET PAST IT. THIS IS THE SAME BULLETIN THAT IS POSTED ON CARS.COM HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2011-14-KIA-OPTIMA-STEERING-ISSUE-1420684027147/ THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AND COVERED FOR ALL 2011-2014 KIA OPTIMAS
THE STEERING IS BAD. IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. WHEN IT'S WINDY MY CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE IT'S HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TO ALIGN IT EVERY YEAR. I TOOK IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 1220.50 TO CHANGE THE MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. MY STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT CENTER RIGHT. I'VE ALREADY ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE STEERING WHEN IT'S WINDY AND ALSO ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S UNSAFE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT OUT FOR A NEW MDPS STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.. I LOVE MY CAR BUT IT'S UNSAFE. IT'S HAPPENS WHEN IT'S WINDY OR WHEN I DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. I SEEN ONLINE THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED OR SOMEONE'S GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, JERKY, HESITATES, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, THIS HAPPENS ON AND OFF, HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART CAR SOMETIMES, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR YEARS, NO SOLUTIONS SO FAR.
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2013 WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR STARTED USING OIL AND MOTOR HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A TICK SOUND.. CHECKING THE OIL EVERYDAY BECAUSE NONE OF THE LIGHT IN THE CAR CAME ON AND IT BEING NEW I GOT A RECALL SO I MADE APPOINT EVERYTHING THE RECALL LISTED MY CAR WAS DOING.. THEY SAID IT PASSED TEST. BUT ME KNOWING SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT ABOUT IT DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM.. 4 MONTHS LATER I'M GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND ENGINE JUST QUITS ON ME SO I COAST IN CLOSEST PLACE AND PUT CAR IN PARK.. TRYING TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CRANK AND BRAKES LOCKED. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAS LOOKED AT MY CAR AND ITS THE MOTOR.. BUT KIA IS WANTING ME TO SPEND THE MONEY I DON'T HAVE AND THAT'S THERE FAULT TO FIX MY CAR..
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA..... MARCH 31, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN ENGINE SEIZURE BEARING WEAR MAY RESULT IN THE ENGINE SEIZING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 MANUFACTURER KIA MOTORS AMERICA COMPONENTS ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 618,160 SUMMARY KIA MOTOR COMPANY (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011-2014 OPTIMA, 2012-2014 SORENTO AND 2011-2013 SPORTAGE VEHICLES. MACHINING ERRORS DURING THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE BEARING WEAR WITHIN THE ENGINE. REMEDY KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY, AND REPLACE THE ENGINE IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 20, 2017. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542. KIA'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS SC147. CONTACT ADVISED TO CONTACT KIA AT 800-333-4542
"TAKATA RECALL" MY ENGINE STARTED SHAKING AND THE CAR STOPPED!
WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE ALREADY MOVING, IN ORDER TO PASS OR GET ON THE A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE WILL REV UP VERY HIGH BUT THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I FIRST REPORTED IT TO THE DEAL IN 2014. THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DO IT AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CODE TO GO BY, CAN DO NOTHING. NOW THE CARE HAS ONLY 500 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. I RECENTLY REALIZED THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION AS I WAS ENTERING THE TURNPIKE WHERE CONSTRUCTION WAS TAKING PLACE. THERE WAS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR AND LITTLE TIME TO SEE WHO WAS COMING. I SAW A SEMI COMING BUT KNEW IF I ACCELERATED I COULD GET ON IN TIME. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND PUT IT BACK ON AND FORTUNATELY IT KICKED IN. NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS A DEFECT OF THE CAR IF I WAS HIT BY THE SEMI. I AM HEARING FROM OTHERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD WARN OTHERS NOT TO TRUST THIS MANUFACTURER.
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CATCH OR NOTCH SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL.
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT BEGAN HAVING SOME CLICKING SOUNDS IN THE ENGINE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT START. I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WAS METAL PIECES IN THE OIL WHICH CLOGGED OIL FLOW AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
THE TURBO LINES LEAK AND I'VE RESEARCHED AND FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AND THE CLOTH SHADE WAS BACK SO THAT WE COULD SEE THE SKY WHILE DRIVING. GLASS SHATTERED AND FELL ALL OVER ME (THE DRIVER) AND MY PASSENGER AND ALL OVER THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.
STEERING HAS A DEAD SPOT NEAR THE CENTER AND IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS HUNG UP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER DIRECTION AND IT JUMPS WHEN ALTERNATING LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT IT FEELS UNSAFE AND JUMPY WHEELS WILL NOT EVER STAY IN A STRAIGHT CENTERED POSITION WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE JUMP IN THE STEERING OVER CORRECTS CAUSING A BACK AND FORTH JUST TO STAY IN ONE LANE THE NOISE IT MAKES IS A CLUNK AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE SITTING AT IDLE TURING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH EVEN ONE INCH
ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. MY 2013 OPTIMA AUTOMOBILE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND PROCEED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. ONCE I EXIT THE FREEWAY AND AT THE LIGHT, MY CAR STOPPED AGAIN. SO, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY CAR. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017, I TOOK MY CAR TO GALPIN KIA IN NORTH HILLS TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE DEALER KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS, THEREFORE, I HAD GET A RENTAL CAR. I THEN RECEIVED A CALL ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2017 THAT THE TEST RAN ON THE ENGINE SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. NOTE: I RECEIVED A RECALL VIA MAIL REGARDING THE AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE FOR THE OPTIMA 2013 AUTOMOBILE. DUE TO FEAR AND WORRY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO GO TO WORK, SO I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE STREETS. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN GETTING THE RECALL OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM DONE ON MY CAR, SO I CAN DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE PEACE OF MIND IN KNOWING MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME FAULTY. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IT STICKS THEN MOVES FREELY WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. THIS STICKING IS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING/CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM IT'S CENTER POSITION. I'M UNSURE OF THE CAUSE. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO (30OCT17) AND HAS PERSISTED. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO ESCALATE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST?
I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN RAMSTEIN GERMANY WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE. I CONTACTED KIA TO HAVE THE RECALL CHECKED AND THE WORK COMPLETED. THEY ARE REFUSING SAYING THAT SINCE I AM IN GERMANY THE RECALL DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. EMAIL IS THE BEST TO CONTACT ME OR VIA CELL [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE VEHICLE QUIT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT OTHER WARNING ON A TOLL ROAD, APPROX SPEED OF 70 MPH AT NIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED DUE TO THE LATE NIGHT, I HAVE TOWED LATER, ORIGINALLY THINKING IT WAS A BAD BATTERY, THAT TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE, SO WE REPLACED THAT BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE AND IT INSTANTLY SMOKED THE STARTER, REQUIRING A NEW ONE, WHICH IT DESTROYED, AT THAT TIME FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I NOTICED LATER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL FROM KIA HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR A REPLACEMENT. THE FIRE I NOTE IS THE ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM REPLACING THE BATTERY WITH A FRESH BATTERY, AND SINCE THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED, THE STARTER LOCKED AND CAUGHT FIRE, REQUIRING A NEW STARTER, OBVIOUSLY AFTER THE MOTOR IS FULLY REPAIRED, BUT I OWE APPROX $350 FOR THE STARTER AND $400 APPROX FOR THE ELECTRICAL FIRE, I AM UNCERTAIN OF OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BE THE ENGINE SEIZING AT SUCH SPEEDS/
ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH AT AROUND 7 PM, MY HUSBAND AND I WAS DRIVING ON 118 FREEWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. SHORTLY, AFTER WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO GALPIN KIA ON MONDAY IN PANORAMA CITY, CA.. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR 3 DAYS TO CHECKED OUT THE ENGINE AND DROVE CAR 6 MILES AND DETERMINE THE CAR WAS OK. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OVCURS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AFTER LOSING FUNCTIONALITY OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY HI KIA (14673 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THE SECOND TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DRIVING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, MOTOR MOUNT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER BANNED THE CONTACT FROM RETURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF ORANGE (210 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED, BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LOWER BACK, HIP, AND HEAD INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
I OWN A 2013 OPTIMA SXL. WHEN I AM PULLING OFF FAST OR PUNCHING IT AROUND 20MPH THE CAR DIES. LIKE I LOSE POWER, BUT THE RPMS ARE UP. FEELS LIKE I JAMMED THE BRAKES BUT I DON'T EVEN GET A ABS FEEL. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN SLOWLY HIT THE GAS. TIRE PRESSURE IS WHERE IT SUPPOSE TO BE. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING IS TURNING OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SO I FEEL SAFE HITTING THE GAS. IT'S REALLY BAD IN THE RAIN. IF I GO TO ACCELERATE AND NOT FAST IN THE RAIN IT DOES IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND OF COURSE THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. I DID SOME SEARCH ONLINE AND I FOUND A FORUM WHERE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OWNER HAD THE HYDRAULIC ABS ASSIST MODULE REPLACED AND ECU REPROGRAMMED UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE MOST CUSTOMERS LIKE MY SELF HAVE BROUGH THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP JUST FOR THEM TO CLIAM THE PROBLEM IS NORMAL. THE PART IS 1600.00 PLUS 900.00 IN LABOR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT BECAME A REAL DANGER SPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. AS THE DIES UNDER ACCELERATION WHILE OVERTAKING. PART NUMBER 58920-2T550
HAVEN'T ANYTHING HAPPENED JUST YET, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL
THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEEL/RIM. ALL AROUND THE LUG NUTS AREA THE CHROME IS PEALING OFF.
CONSTANT KNOCKING / CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE KIA BRAND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING COUPLER???? ATTACHING A PIC I FOUND ON A WEBSITE. IT HAS BEEN "KNOCKING" FOR OVER A YEAR.
ON SEPTEMBER 28TH MY HUSBAND WAS IN A ACCIDENT WHERE HE TURNED A CORNER AT 8MPH AND HIT THE REAR END OF A BOAT ON A TRAILER. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRUNCHED AND THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND IF I WERE IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY.
IT STALLS AT LOW SPEED AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEED PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. AND MOTOR MAKES ALL KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE RATTLES WHEN COLD. AND RUN POORLY WHEN COLD. HAD A TOTAL OF 4 RECALLS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT A YEAR. HAD IT SENT TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA WHEN I FIRST GOT IT FROM EDD KIRBY OF DALTON,GA AND ALL THEY DONE WAS PUT 600 MILES ON IT. AND DID NOTHING TO IT. THEN IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DALTON,GA FOR THE REST OF THE RECALLS BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED ALL THEY DONE WAS SERVICED THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS GOING TO END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I AM ABOUT READY TO CALL A LAWYER AND CHANNEL 3 NEWS OF CHATTANOOGA, TENN. IF YOU CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY TALK TO MY HUSBAND [XXX] AT ANYTIME. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON THIS CAR. IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE ACCELERATION THE CAR WOULD DETECT A SPINNING CONDITION AND CAUSE MAJOR DECELERATION BEING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM 60+ MPH TO VIRTUALLY 40 MPH WITH NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHTING TO WARN APPROACHING TRAFFIC. AFTER MANY VISITS TO KIA DEALER REMAINED UNADDRESSED UNTIL CONTACTING CORPORATE KIA AND FINDING A POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUM WITH ANOTHER USER THAT HAD SAME ISSUE AND WAS FINALLY RESOLVED WITH SOME HYDRAULIC PART REPLACEMENT THAT COSTS $1,600 AND WAS BEING AVOIDED BY DEALERS. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO KIA CORPORATES ATTENTION THEY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH THAT PART WHICH DID ALMOST RESOLVE THAT ISSUE EXCEPT ON RARE INSTANCES CAR WILL STILL HESITATE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP ON ACCELERATION. AFTER THAT REPAIR HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOW FAILING WITH ERRATIC PULSING ON HARD BRAKING AND LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING.
THE ISSUE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY '17 WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (55MPH SPEED LIMIT, SAME SPEED LIMIT FOR EACH TIME I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES IN THIS SUMMARY). I HONKED MY HORN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKES (DUE TO ANOTHER CAR MAKING AN UNSAFE LANE CHANGE INTO MY LANE). SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS I HONKED THE HORN THE ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THEN WENT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER I LIFTED OFF OF THE HORN. ADDITIONALLY, THE RPM GAUGE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED DOWN TO ZERO, THE CAR DRASTICALLY SLOWED DOWN, MY A/C STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR MY SEATS. MY CAR HAD THE ABILITY TO STILL ACCELERATE BUT, IT WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. FURTHERMORE, EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR WAS EXTREMELY SLOW TO PICK UP SPEED. EVERY SYMPTOM LASTED UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR THAT DAY. I RETURNED TO MY CAR HOURS LATER AND TURNED IT ON AND IT WAS LIKE THE CAR RESET ITSELF. THE RPM GAUGE, ACCELERATION AND A/C WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENTLY ON 9/28/17. THIS IS A LINK TO A VIDEO I FOUND THAT SHOWS SIMILAR ISSUES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QULSDY-UMDK).
2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE ENGINE IS OFF. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINE KNOCKING COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT VISITING A DIFFERENT DEALER. UPDATED 09/28/2017*JS
SEAT BELT FOR LEFT REAR SEAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FEMALE PART SINKS INTO THE SEAT POCKET WHEN ATTEMPTING LATCHING SUCH THAT IT WILL NOT ACCEPT THE MALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT. THE HARDER THE PUSH OF THE MALE PART, THE MORE THE FEMALE PORTION RETRACTS INTO THE SEAT. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY KIA DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY CLAIM IT IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT OFFER A SOLUTION, IN SPITE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS I HAVE FOR MY PASSENGERS - ESPECIALLY MY GRANDCHILDREN. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND I HOPE IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE NHSTA EITHER. I HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE & ULTIMATELY FORCE KIA TO OFFER A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. [XXX] GLENDALE, AZ VIN IS INVALID. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
SHIFTING PROBLEMS FROM 0 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR..BEFORE AND AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO AROUND TOWN. STARTED LAST YEAR VERY FEW TIMES, 2 TIMES DURING THE YEAR. 3 TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED BLACK SMOKE AND VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARMAX AND THEN TOWED TO KIA SOUTHSIDE (9401 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED WHY A NOTIFICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12476138 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA WAS SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT OF THE DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
THERE IS A SAFERY RECALL FOR THIS CAR AMD INSPECTION HAVE BEING CONDUCTED I JUS RECEIVE THE NOTICE ABOUT 6 MONTHS.
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. I AM 2,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. AFTER RESEARCHING WARRANTY HISTORY, I HAVE FOUND THIS CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, AND DRAFT SHAFT REPLACED TWICE. ISSUES APPEAR TO OCCUR EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO PER THE WARRANTY HISTORY. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS OF MY ONGOING SAFETY IN THIS CAR, GIVEN THE REOCCURRING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I BELIEVE I AM BEING TREATED INHUMANELY. KIA IS NOT WORKING WITH ME TO REACH AN AMICABLE SOLUTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FROM LOOSE TO TIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, AUTO HOLD, EPS, CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA (LOCATED AT 39650 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY DALLAS, TX 75237, 877-363-9542) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 12456964 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,873.
FIRST, THE TIRES WERE WORN/DRY ROT WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SECOND, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE ROADWAY CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIRD, BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. FOURTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR UNDERBODY RUST. FIFTH, RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND PROOF OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT SENT THE PROOF, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SUMMIT PLACE KIA DEALER LOCATED ON 44900 N GRATIOT AVE, CHARTER TWP. OF CLINTON, MI 4803, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LONG BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ONLY GO WITH THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACTED HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING AND KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (KIA CAVENAUGH LOCATED AT 3315 STADIUM BLVD JONESBORO, AR 72404), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A PEBBLE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A MINOR CRACK. UPON TRYING THE CLEAN THE AREA, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS STARTING TO DETACH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO SAMES KIA LOCATED AT 6621 SAN DARIO AVE, LAREDO, TX 78041, WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SERVICE THE VEHICLE AS THERE WERE MANY VEHICLES WAITING TO BE SERVICED FOR THE SAME RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
I WAS SITTING IN THE YARD AT MY AUNTS YARD AND THE RPM'S DROPPED WHILE IN PARK. I SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN, IT DIDN'T, SO I LEFT AND HEADED HOME AND GOT 5-7 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED AND SHUT DOWN, WHILE I WAS GOING ABOUT 45-50 MPH, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE BRAKES GOT HARD, THE STEERING WAS HARD, AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ME. IT WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP. I SAT THERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME TO ME TO CHECK IT OUT, AND I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP AND IT DID, SO I WENT ON HOME. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID BRING IT IN, I PAID $100 TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP IN LAKE CITY, FL. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS NOTHING WRONG GN WITH IT. BUT I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE MOTOR STATING IT WOULD DO WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. ALSO, I CHECKED ONLINE AND TYPED MY VIN NUMBER IN AND THERE WAS IN FACT AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE MOTOR I HAVE FOR THE ISSUE I HAD. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL. ADVISED ME TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I ASKED THEM, SO YOU ARE TELLING ME TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND RISK GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT THE ANSWER I GOT WAS BASICALLY YES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE CLINKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO DRIVE ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF, PASSENGER SIDE, REAR, AND FRONT ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE LUX AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BRUISING TO THE KNEE, SHOULDERS, AND HANDS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1241495. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE - THE CAR WANTS TO WANDER - THE STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION. I CONTACTED KIA USA WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A KIA DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO - THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK. THE STEERING IN THE CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE, AS THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO WANDER, REQUIRING CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS
CAR WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEED. THE STEERING FROZE WITH THE WHEELS TURNED, SENDING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH. NO INJURIES BUT THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, FENDER, HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, ETC. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF STEERING ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FULLER KIA (540 AUTO PARK DR, CHULA VISTA, CA 91911) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN THE NEXT WEEK. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE AND THEN TO FULLER KIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER FAILED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. BOTH COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE); THEREFORE, THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STARTER FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE CONTACT ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE STARTER FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, SO THE CONTACT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE STARTER REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,437.
IN APRIL 2014 I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2013 KIA OPTIMA FROM LOMAN AUTO SALES IN WOODBRIDGE, NJ. OVER THE LAST YEAR THE CAR HAD 2 OR 3 INSTANCES WHEN IT WOULDN'T START. I WOULD HAVE IT 'JUMPED' AND IT WOULD WORK FINE AGAIN. ON JUNE 13, 2017 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN THE CAR MADE A STRANGE NOISE, THE DASHBOARD BEGIN TO FLICKER, AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED, BUT I FIGURED PERHAPS THE CAR JUST NEEDED A JUMP. I CALLED MY FAMILY MECHANIC AND HE ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO JUMP THE CAR; WITH NO SUCCESS. AS HE BEGAN OBSERVING THE CAR HE STATED THAT IT WASN'T THE BATTERY BUT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE ENGINE. HE ADVISED ME TO CONTACT KIA BECAUSE HE HAD A CUSTOMER WHOSE CAR RECENTLY DID THE VERY SAME THING (HYUNDAI SONATA) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER CAR DUE TO THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED GATEWAY KIA IN NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ. I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER THERE AND HE ARRANGED FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THEIR LOCATION. FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS IT WAS A BUNCH OF BACK AND FORTH CALLS BEING MADE TO THE DEALER. I BEGAN TO GET ANNOYED ESPECIALLY AFTER TELLING THEM THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T JUMP, THEY INSISTED THAT BEFORE THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT I PURCHASED A BATTERY AND BROUGHT IT TO THEM (A HUGE INCONVENIENCE) ALL FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT WASN'T THE BATTERY BUT INDEED THE ENGINE. ALL OF THIS TIME I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM KIA REG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (LOCATED AT 5740 SIEGEN LANE BATON ROUGE, LA 70869 225-490-7604) WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS COMPLETED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,477.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK PAIN, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE FAILED TO CALL BACK AS PROMISED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF PORTLAND (307 NE BROADWAY ST, PORTLAND, OR 97232) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN TO KIA OF PORTLAND WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AGAIN. KIA OF PORTLAND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE), BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *TT
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2013 Kia Optima → · Every Optima year → · How the figures are calculated →