Page 15 of 21 · complaints 701–750 of 1,010

2015 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 2015 record →

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2020TN

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 IN TENNESSEE AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I WAS IN RIGHT LANE AND I PULLED OFF TO SHOULDER. A DOT EMERGENCY REPAIR TRUCK STOPPED AND TRIED TO JUMP MY CAR, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, NOT EVEN A NOISE OR ANYTHING. CALLED AAA FOR A TOW.

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 202058,400 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT EVERY FEW SECONDS AND WAS GETTING WORSE THE WHOLE WAY TO THE SHOP, WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST ONE I COULD FIND AS SOON AS IT STARTED DOING IT. THE SHOP RAN THE ERROR CODE AND GOT A KNOCK SENSOR ERROR. I HAD KIA COME PICK IT UP AND TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THE SHOP PERFORMED A BEARING CLEARANCE CHECK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS SO THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD DUE TO "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE". WHILE REPLACING THE ENGINE THEY FOUND THE TURBO HAD PLAY AND SO THEY INSTALLED A NEW TURBO ASSEMBLY. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY FOUND THE STARTER SEIZED, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY PERFORMED THE ECU UPDATE AND RESET ADAPTIVE VALUES, THEN PERFORMED WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK WHICH STARTED OK. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AREA. SHOP ENDED UP REPLACING CALIPER AND WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH NEEDING AN ALIGNMENT. ALL HAPPENED AROUND 58K MILES. LUCKILY STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SHOP SAID IT WAS JUST A BAD ENGINE. NOTHING I COULD OF DONE COULD OF CAUSED IT.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 202055,000 milesIL

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 2020LA

I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THEM HOW MY BRAKES MAKE A NOISE JUST WHEN I BACK UP AND THEY KEEP SAYING MY BRAKES ALRIGHT BUT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT TO ME...

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 16, 202058,556 milesKY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 2020138,000 milesAR

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.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 25, 2020117,284 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER LANGDALE KIA (1508 N ASHLEY ST, VALDOSTA, GA 31602; (229) 242-0715) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE DRASTICALLY INCREASED, THEN, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,284. *LN*JB

Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2020150,000 milesIL

THE CAR SPED IS FASTER THAN WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER DAY. THE CAR JERKS WHEN YOU ARE SITTING IDLE. THE OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WHEN THE OIL STICK SHOW THAT'S ITS OIL IN THERE. CAR DON'T PICK UP SPEED FAST ENOUGH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Jun 22, 2020123,000 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH ON DRY STREET IN THE FAR LEFT LANE (FAST LANE), MY CAR STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE METAL CLICKING AND THEN CAR STARTED SMOKING. MY HUSBAND GETS OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND THE SMOKE GOES FROM GRAY TO BLACK AND WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD UP FLAMES COMING FROM REAR AND PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE! LUCKILY SOMEONE PULLED OVER AND HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE AND POLICE BOTH ARRIVED ON SCENE AND REPORTS MADE. VEHICLE TOWED HOME; WAITING TO TOW TO DEALER TO FIND OUT CAUSE OF FIRE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP ON THE VEHICLE AND NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS JUST FIRE. KIA KNOWS THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES AND CHOOSE TO ONLY RECALL CERTAIN YEARS WHEN THEY BASICALLY KNOW ANY VEHICLE BETWEEN 2011 AND 2018 CAN BE AFFECTED. DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE BUT VERY UPSET THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND KIA STATES SINCE IT'S OVER 100,000 MILES THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2020MI

MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK CARE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS AND ULTIMATELY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. NO RECALL REPAIRS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE ON MY CAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. RECALL IS FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE AND THE DOCUMENTATION STATES IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 11, 202063,500 milesCA

P1236 KNOCK SENSOR CODE. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 11, 2020130,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIKE MURPHY KIA (6150 ALTAMA AVE, BRUNSWICK, GA 31525) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR APPROVAL TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT FAILED AND THAT ANOTHER ENGINE NEEDED TO BE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 8, 2020LA

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND STARTER TWICE DUE TO OIL LEAKING THROUGH EXHAUST. NO OIL LEAKS ON GROUND WERE VISIBLE. NO LIGHTS WARNING LOW OIL. BOTH TIME CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. ABOUT TWO YEARS APART. WE REPLACED PARTS WITH USED MOTORS AS THAT'S WHAT WE COULD AFFORD. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 202087,992 milesAL

ENGINE LIGHT JUST STARTED FLASHING AND NO ACCELERATION WHATSOEVER. TAKES FOREVER JUST TO GET UP TO 30 MPH. CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A RECALL OR NOT ON THAT YEAR. NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I'M AFRAID FOR MY DAUGHTER TO EVEN DRIVE IT NOW AND IT'S HER ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 3, 202099,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR MADE A NOISE AND THE GAS WOULDN'T GIVE THE CAR POWER. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND WHILE DOING SO THE CAR SHUT OFF. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC THEY SAID IT IS A SEIZED ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND KIA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO!! *TR

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Jun 3, 202050 milesCA

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE! HAD PICKED THE KIA OPTIMA UP THE DAY BEFORE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY HAD INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE, BELTS, AND HOSES. HAD DRIVEN 40 MINUTES FOR A DOCTOR APPT. GOT OFF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LIGHT (ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM FREEWAY), NOTICED GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE. WITH A BROKEN LEFT ARM, HAD TO GET OUT AND ACROSS TRAFFIC. SAW THE FLAMES AS I WAS CROSSING THE STREET. IN UNDER A MINUTE, THE FRONT OF CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

Engine
Filed May 29, 202085,000 milesAZ

MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA SXL TURBO IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS. IT ALSO STALLED ON ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. SOLENOID ALSO HAD TRACES OF METAL SHAVINGS. *TR

Engine
Filed May 27, 2020107,000 milesOK

MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA SXL TURBO IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS. IT ALSO STALLED ON ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR

Engine
Filed May 27, 2020129,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE ENGINE HAS A DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF. MAKES A STRANGE NOISE WHEN TURNING. SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING OIL AFTER DRIVING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE NEED TO REPLENISH THE ENGINE OIL. OIL IS EXTREMELY DARK. SOMETIMES THERE IS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. HARD TO ACCELERATE ON THE FREEWAY AT TIMES. *TR

Equipment
Filed May 20, 202080,000 milesCA

ANTENNA FIN BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING.. AND BROKE MY BACK WINDOW TOO. I TOOK TO DEALER WONT COVER UNDER WARRANTY YET I SEE ALL COMPLAINTS THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL . DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE HAS TO BE FULL UNIT ALTHOUGH RADIO WORKS FINE I NEED THIS REPLACED AT KIA COSTS OR I WILL OPEN A CLASS ACTION CASE FOR DEFECT. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MUCH AND 2016 GOT THE RECALL IT'S THE SAME ANTENNA SHARK FIN CAP. *TR

Engine
Filed May 11, 202066,000 milesMA

ENGINE SEIZED UP METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN OIL PAN SOLENOID ALSO HAD TRACES OF METAL SHAVINGS. *TR

Engine
Filed May 8, 202047,700 milesNY

ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 47,700 MILES CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE CODE DTC P1326 WILL DROP OFF AT A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC OF ENGINE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 23, 2020119,402 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE DESTINATION. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DTC CODES USING A DTC SCANNER TOOL. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CODES WERE INCORRECT. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,402.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 15, 2020GA

MY CAR HAS A FOUL SMELL IN IT I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT HAS BACTERIA GROWING UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND THE ENGINE AND THAT'S WHY IT SMELL LIKE MOLD WHEN I TURN ON THE A/C I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO FROM DRIVETIME IN COLUMBUS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 15, 202082,794 milesCA

MY 16 YEAR OLD SON SAVED HIS MONEY (SINCE 13 YEARS OLD) AND PURCHASED BACK IN OCTOBER 2019 THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH 79546 MILES ON THE CAR. ON FEBRUARY 18, 2020 ON HIS DRIVE HOME FROM SCHOOL HE NOTICED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. HE WAS NOT SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHATSOEVER. HE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK HAD NO OIL ON IT. THE CAR AT THIS TIME ONLY HAD 82794, IT'S LAST OIL CHANGE BACK WHEN WE PURCHASED IT IN OCTOBER AT 79546 MILES. HOW DOES A CAR BURN THROUGH SYNTHETIC OIL IN A LITTLE OVER 3K MILES AND 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHICH STATED THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEARING FAILURE. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH HYUNDAI AND KIA BUT IT APPEARS THE HEARING FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. I WISH AS A PARENT WE WOULD HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE OF RESEARCHING ABOUT THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF KIA VEHICLES BECAUSE KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW, I WOULD HAVE NEVER ALLOWED THIS PURCHASE. I FEEL COMPLETELY SCREWED AND NOW MY POOR 16 YEAR OLD HAS NO CAR BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE 6K TO FIX IT. WHAT A TERRIBLE FIRST CAR PURCHASING EXPERIENCE FOR MY SON. PLEASE GET KIA CORPORATION TO DUE THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD. THEY NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IN REGARDS TO THE DESIGN OF THEIR ENGINE.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 202033,000 milesUT

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 .

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 8, 2020IA

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 ME

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 202095,000 milesPA

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

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 11, 202044,000 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THIS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A SMOOTH WAY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY SCARY. ANTENNA COVER ON TOP OF CAR FLEW OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. READ THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER 2015 OPTIMA MODELS. BACK UP CAMERA IS FOGGY AND I CAN NO LONGER USE IT WHEN REVERSING. BACK TAILLIGHTS HAVE CONDENSATION IN THEM. I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE OF THEM REPLACED EARLY ON.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 10, 20207 milesGA

BOTH BACK BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME AND WE REPLACED LIGHTS AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME

Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2020TX

MY STEERING WHEEL IS STICKING AND MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY HAVE CHECKED IT AND SAID IT NEEDS STEERING COLUMN. THEY GAVE US A PRINTOUT SAYING FOLLOWED TSB CHA 090 PREFORMED EFFORT MEASUREMENT TEST. MEASUREMENT 4.6 NM SUPPOSED TO BE 3.3 NM NEEDS STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $1400.00 WITH A 10% DISCOUNT BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH WE THEN DECLINED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM PERRY-ELLIS KIA WE GOT A BUMPER TO BUMPER UNLIMITED WARRANTY "AT LEAST THAT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING" THROUGH FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICES, INC. SO WHEN LARA WHO WORKS IN THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS NOW PREMIER KIA GAVE ME THE WARRANTY PER MY SHE IS NOW TELLING ME THE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF RECALL PERFORMED STATING SA188 SERVICE ACTION SA188 '15 QF STEERING FEEL IMPROVEMENT DEALER CODE TX137 REPAIR DATE JULY 10, 2015 DEALER TYPE RD. WHICH RAISES CONCERN TO ME NOW THAT I AM STILL HAVING STEERING PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER THIS SERVICE CAMPAIGN SINCE THE PROBLEM ALREADY EXISTED THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER STATED THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY. YOUR COOPERATION INTO THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *LN CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WERE MADE REGARDING FRONT END SHAKING AND NEW TIRES BALANCE

Engine
Filed Mar 6, 202095,000 milesTX

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. NO VISIBLE LEAKS, TOOK TO THE DEALER ONCE AND THEY REPLACED THE PCV VALVE. SINCE THAT POINT THE CAR USES A QUART WITHIN A WEEKS TIME. NO LEAKS, NO SMOKE. USED FOR ORDINARY EVERYDAY HIGHWAY DRIVING. 40 MILES A DAY ROUND TRIP

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2020105,000 milesLA

WHILE IN IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR COMPLETED STOP ACCELERATING , (WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS IT WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN . THEN IT FINALLY DID 20 MINUTE LATER BUT THE GAS WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAT 55 MPH AND IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP , I GET MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON TIME MY CAR NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD AND I TOOK IT TO A SHOP APPARENTLY MY ENGINE HAS CEASED UP DUE TO THE LUMINAL BLOCKS . NOW THAT IS 6300 DOLLARS AND MY CAR WAS JUST FINE AND I HAVE PREVIOUSLY DISCOVERED ON LINE THAT MY KIA OPTIMA WAS NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN.

Engine
Filed Mar 1, 202074,600 milesGA

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLED FOR AROUND 5-6 SECONDS THEN DROVE FINE. EVER SINCE THEN IT WILL RANDOMLY FEEL LIKE IT HESITATES WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING BETWEEN 45-65 MPH.

Engine
Filed Feb 23, 202097,000 milesOH

MY CAR A 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX 2.4 GDI WHICH ONLY HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT AND WHILE DRIVING HOME THIS PAST FRIDAY EVENING MY ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK REALLY LOUD. NOW THE CAR IS JUST SETTING AT MY HOUSE AND WHEN YOU START THE CAR UP, IT STILL HAS A HORRIBLE KNOCK. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR.

Engine
Filed Feb 20, 202068,000 milesKY

HAD MY OIL CHANGED WHEN SUPPOSED TO THEY ADVISED MY CAR WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY, AFTER CHANGED I HADN'T DROVE IT ABOUT 1,000 MILES AND I NOTICED IT WHITE SMOKE WHEN I STARTED IT COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, CHECKED MY OIL AND IT WAS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL. I'M HAVING TO PUT OIL IN EVERY FEW DAYS AND ITS SUPPOSED TO BE 2000 MORE MILES TIL TIME TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH NOW, ITS NOT LEAKING OIL, JUST BURNING IT. NOW WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IF I TRY TO GIVE IT GAS TO ACCELERATE MY CAR STARTS LOSING POWER AND A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT THE PIPE. ITS STILL DRIVABLE AS OF NOW BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE ISSUE WITH THESE MAKE/MODELS FOR THE 2015'S. I'M TAKING TO A DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM

Engine
Filed Feb 18, 202065,000 milesCA

VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED THE STEERING CAPABILITY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injured
Filed Feb 15, 202046,600 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING, BELOW SPEED LIMIT, THE BACK TIRE SLID ON SOME SLUSH. WHEN I TAPPED THE BREAK THE ELECTRONIC SLIP CONTROL KICKED ON, LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO CUT OFF WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN OR CHANGING GEARS, AND THE BREAKS INSTANTLY STARTED JUMPING, I AT THIS POINT HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD, HITTING A CEMENT POST, MY HEAD BOUNCED OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CONTINUED TO CRASH FORWARD COMING TO A REST ON TOP OF A ROCK WALL, THAT IS WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING A SEVERE NECK SPRAIN. AT THIS TIME THE REAR WHEEL WAS NOT EVEN ON THE GROUND AS I HAD BEEN LAUNCHED TO A TEETERING POSITION, THE ENGINE HAD BEEN CRACKED, FLUIDS LEAKING EVERYWHERE WHEN I NOTICED A STRANGE COLORED SMOKE AND THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. A WITNESS QUICKLY ADVISED ME TO CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I WAS ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH IN A 35 ZONE ON A LEFT HANDED CURVE, THE CAR WAS LAUNCHED OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT.

Engine
Filed Feb 10, 202051,500 milesIL

OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER, RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISES. ENGINE BLEW SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WAS UP TO DATE ON NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 4, 202056,000 milesFL

THE MIRROR INSIDE THE LOW BEAMS IS NOT WORKING. IT DOES NOT ALLOW MY HEADLIGHTS TO PROJECT OUT. I BARELY SEE AT NIGHT. ONLY LIGHTS I HAVE ARE MY FOG LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS

Air Bags
Filed Jan 28, 202065,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG AND DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY ALTHOUGH NO COLLISION HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE HOME. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2020TX

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH NO LEAKS VISIBLE

Engine
Filed Jan 24, 202074,000 milesNM

I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 74,000 MILES. AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED SHAKING AND RELEASED BLACK SMOKE PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. A VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD TO BRAKE AND SWERVE TO MISS HITTING ME. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 10, 2020. I RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMING THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO KNOCK SENSOR AND COMPRESSION ISSUES. ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS DAMAGED. I CONTACTED KIA AND INITIALLY THEY STATED IF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A KNOCK SENSOR ISSUE, IT WOULD BE COVERED. AFTER WAITING NEARLY 20 DAYS KIA IS STATING THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ANY ADVICE ON REMEDIES OR WHAT COULD BE DONE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

EngineFire
Filed Jan 23, 202064,080 milesGA

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR , WHEN HE HAD TO PULL OVER AND REALIZE THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAT WAS JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED 3WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH PAULDING CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. A DOWN PAYMENT WAS MADE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE

Wheels
Filed Jan 20, 202061,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING APPROX 5-8MPH WITH 2 KIDS, PULLING INTO LIBRARY PARKING LOT. NEXT THING I KNOW I HEAR A LOUD THUMP AND FEEL MY TIRE GONE FLAT. AFTER PULLING INTO THE FIRST PARKING SPOT I GET OUT AND SMELL RUBBER. MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD POPPED. I LOOKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AREA WHERE I PULLED IN AND DIDN'T SEE ANY NAILS OR ROAD HAZARDS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS POP. THIS TIRE IS PRACTICALLY NEW. I PURCHASED BASED SOLELY ON THIS TIRE'S ADVERTISEMENT OF APPROX 60,000 MILE LIFE (OR 6 YEARS). THIS TIRE HAS ONLY GONE A TOTAL OF JUST UNDER 27,000 MILES IN 1.5 YEARS. THE OTHER TIRE (SAME BRAND, SAME DAY PURCHASED) SEEMS FINE. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF TREAD LEFT. THE POP CAME FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SUNNY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 20, 202087,046 milesNJ

THEIR IS A CONTINUOUS SOUND COMING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH BOARD, WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE. THIS SHARP SOUND SOMETIMES OCCURS TIME TO TIME TO COURSE DISCOMFORT TO ANYONE INSIDE THE CAR. THIS SHARP SOUND OCCUR SOME TIMES AND NOT ALWAYS. BUT WHEN OCCUR IT TAKES THE FULL DAY AND DOES NOT STOP FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS. THEIR IS ALSO LOT OF COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SOUND ON YOUTUBE WITH KIA OPTIMA CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME SOUND COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH BOARD, WHEN THE ENGINE IS START. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REVIEW COMMENTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS FROM GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE REGARDING THE PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Jan 17, 202065,000 milesFL

WHEN TAKING OFF AT A STOP LIGHT OR GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE (BASICALLY WHEN ACCELERATING) THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT HAS NO POWER. YOU CAN HEAR A WEIRD NOISE AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL SMELL BURNT OIL OR SOMETHING BURNT. ALSO, I HAD A RECENT OIL CHANGE AND WITHIN THE MONTH I HAD TO ADD OIL AGAIN. THERE IS NO SIGN ON MY DRIVEWAY THAT THERE IS A LEAK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2020130,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (DENNIS EAKIN KIA 5200 E CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY, KILLEEN, TX 76543) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 202079,000 milesGA

DRIVING CAR ; JUST WENT DEAD , NOT THE BATTERY : NOW WON'T CRANK JUST CLICKS ; CAR HAS RECALL FOR EXCESSIVE CONNECTING ROD BEARING DAMAGE

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2020CA

ENGINE SOUND VERY LOUD SOUND ANY TIME I START THE ENGINE SINCE BRAND NEW.

Reading these

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 2015 Kia Optima → · Every Optima year → · How the figures are calculated →