ENGINE LOCKED UP DURRING ACCELERATION TO 40 MPH WHY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FOUND OUT ENGINE HAS A BENT ROD. OIL AND COOLENT WHERE SUFFICINT BUT KIA WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE. COULD OF CAUSED MY WIFE TO CRASH OR BE HIT BY TRAFFIC
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 LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE OIL LIGHT. I STOPPED TO CHECK OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND NONE. I ADDED 2 QUARTS. THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT WOULDN'T REPLACE IT. IT WOULD COST ME $7200. SO I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME, AND IT QUIT.THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. THIS WAS IN NOVEMBER 2016. AND IT IS STILL DOWN. THEN I HEARD KIA IS GETTING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM, FOR OIL FLOW ISSUES. I'M STILL PAYING ON THE CAR. I FINANCED THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION. SO THEY ALREADY GOT THERE MONEY. I THINK THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SCREWING ME OVER. TO BE CLEAR I HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT QUIT. IT NEVER MADE A SOUND, THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT 3 DAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOURTH PISTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN CAUSED SLUDGE TO ENTER THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY DUE TO THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE UP, AND STARTED TO HEAD DOWN A BUSY ROADWAY THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE SEIZED UP AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE ONLY REASON BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER ARE GIVING ME ITS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE BUT THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON DECEMBER 16 2016, AND I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS FUNCTIONING. THIS SAME PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY GOING ON WITH THE 2011-2014 VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE BUT THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LATER VERSION MY HAVE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.
WE PURCHASED OUR 2015 KIA OPTIMA NEW IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. AT ABOUT 11,000 MILES OUR PROBLEM STARTED. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS REAL JERKY AND LOCKS UP. I HAVE TO JERK IT TO GET IT TO RELEASE AND THEN IT GOES THE OTHER DIRECTION. I HAVE TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL TO CONTROL IT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT COULD EASILY CAUSE A TERRIBLE HEAD ON ACCIDENT. OUR DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AFTER DRIVING IT A COUPLE MILES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, STRESSFUL, AND MAKES MY SHOULDERS HURT SEVERELY. WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY AND NEED THIS FIXED. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES TO GET THEM FIXED.
TAKATA RECALL: DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN IT SUDDENLY CEASED TO ACCELERATE. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED AS IT COASTED INTO A SIDE STREET TO GET OFF THE BUSY ROAD. I COULD SMELL WIRES BURNING AS A ELECTRICAL FIRE.I IMMEDIATELY GOT MYSELF AND FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR AFRAID IT WAS ON FIRE. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED WITH ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE. I CALLED THE 360 KIA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I BOUGHT A "GOLD" WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY LITERALLY LOST MY CAR FOR SIX DAYS AND THEN CALLED ME WANTING MY SERVICE RECORDS STATING THE CAR HAD NO OIL IN THE MOTOR. THIS IS A OUTLANDISH LIE! MY CAR HAD PLENTY OF OIL IN IT ...I NEVER SAW A ENGINE LIGHT COME ON INDICATING THAT I HAD MOTOR PROBLEMS NOR DID I SMELL OIL . THIS WAS A "SUDDEN " MALFUNCTION. MY CAR NEVER RAN HOT NOR DID MY GAUGES EVER INDICATE A PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR FOR RIGHT AT 40K MILES AND HAD A OIL CHANGE DUE AGAIN AT THE END OF APRIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
THE VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ROUGHLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STOPPED AT THE NEAREST AUTOMOBILE CENTER, THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THERE MAYBE A DEFECT TO THE ENGINE AND THAT MY ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO MAINTENANCE RELATED ISSUES AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I HAVE TWO KIA, ONE 2013KIA SOUL, AND KIA OPTIMA 2015, FIRST THE KIA SOUL WON'T START, LOOKS LIKE NO BATTERY AT ALL, DEALER SAY IT WAS A BAD BATTERY, BUT THE PROBLEM START AGAIN, JUST THIS TIME LOOSE ALL POWER WHEN RUNNING, THEY TOWING BACK TO THE DEALER THIS TIME, THEY SAY THIS TIME WAS CRANK PISTON SENSOR, NO COST AT THIS TIME, THIS HAPPEN ON 08/01/2016, NOW THE KIA OPTIMA, SAME, I DRIVE ALL MORNING, THE DAY WAS HOT, AND I STOP AT THE STOREFOR WATER, DON'T TAKE MORE THEN 5MIN. WHEN I GET BACK TO MY CAR, CARS UNLOCK THE DOOR, BUT HAVE NO POWER AT ALL, I CHECK THE BATTERY WITH A FLUKE MULTIMETER, READS 12 VOLTS WHEN I DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST, AND 6 VOLTS WHEN I CONNECTED BACK TO THE BATTERY, THEN MY FRIEND STOP BY, AND JUMPSTART MY CAR, SAME THING, I DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST AND I TAKE CHASSIS GROUND FOR THE JUMPSTART, SAME THING, THEN I TOOK OF THE BATTERY FROM A CHEVY 2002 SILVERADO, MY FRIENDS TRUCK, AND I CONNECTED DIRECT TO MY CAR, SAME THING, I ENDED TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR KIA MOTOR, TO TAKE IT TO THE KIA DEALER, THE TOWING TRUCK DRIVER SAY, THEY PICKUP A LOT OF KIA'S CARS FOR THE SAME REASON, THIS TIME HAPPEN ON 04/05/2017, I DID CLAIM TO KIA MOTOR, THEY SAY WAS THE BATTERY, AND I JUST THINK THEY WANT SALE A 300 AND SOMETHING BATTERY, AND A HAVE TO BUY A NEW BATTERY EVERY TWO YEARS, WITH THE NEW KIA AND HYUNDAI RECALLS I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS TWO CARS!!
ENGINE FAILURE WITH MY NEW 2015 KIA OPTIMA AT 42,000 MILES. KIA DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVE ALL OIL CHANGES. KIA ALSO DENIED KNOWING THERE WAS AN ENGINE DEFECT ON THIS 2.4L GDI ENGINE. TODAY I SEE AN ENGINE RECALL FINALLY FROM KIA, HOWEVER THEY STOPPED PREMATURE AT THE 2014 MODEL. I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY A BATTERY WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ACROSS MY DASHBOARD AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER. I DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT WITHIN SPEEDING TRAFFIC TRYING TO REACH THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T MAKE AND MY VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXIT OFF RAMP. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS SWERVING AND COMING TO ABRUPT STOPS TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STOOD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IN FEAR OF BEING KILLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. A POLICE OFFICER PUT OUT FLARES AND THEN STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION EMERGENCY TOW, MOVED MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, OUT OF THE WAY OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED BY KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITH "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND BURNT OUT STARTER, REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE AND STARTER. I HAVE PROVIDED ALL SERVICE RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES CONDUCTED AS REQUIRED WHICH WERE ALL PROVIDED BY KIA. CAR IS BRAND NEW UNDER WARRANTY, TWO YEARS OLD, WITH 18,561 MILES AND NO HISTORY OF WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 2-3 BUSINESS DAYS FOR A DECISION. IT'S BEEN 6 BUSINESS DAYS AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A LOANER/REPLACEMENT VEHICLE NOR APPROVAL FOR THE REPAIR.
WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY, ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD BOOM, SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW BLACK STUFF FLYING OFF THE BACK END OF THE CAR INTO THE STREET. THEN HEARD WIND AND FELT WET, SO OPENED THE INTERIOR SHADE TO MY SUNROOF AND THERE ARE A HUGE OPEN HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SUNROOF.. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME. IT WAS RAINING, BUT A LIGHT MIST TYPE RAIN. THE SOUND THAT I HEARD SOUNDED LIKE A EXPLOSION OR GUNSHOT AND THE ROOF'S GLASS WAS MISSING AND SOME CAME INTO THE CAR WHEN I OPENED THE SHADE. THE GLASS LOOKS AS IF IT BLEW OUT FROM INSIDE.. IT WAS MUSHROOMED NOT CAVED IN.
I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT THAT MY ENGINE WAS BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ALTHOUGH THE SEAT WARMER IS NOT ON, I ALSO NOTICED THE SEAT SEEMS TO BE HEATING. I NOTICED WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AFTER HAVING DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE OR SO.
VEHICLE CUTOFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE CUT LOST SPEED AND CUT OFF.
RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED AS IT PASSED OVER A MANHOLE COVER ON A STREET BEING RESURFACED. MY DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED A LOT. I WAITED NINE WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. I LOST $1,100.00ON CAR RENTALS. CAR'S TRANSMISSION CASE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND.
20K MILES- 2015 KIA OPTIMA- WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE- VEHICLE CUTTING OUT /ALMOST STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. NO INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED REGARDING OIL OR ENGINE ISSUE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP- DIAGNOSED WITH "SLUDGE" AND TOLD NEED NEW ENGINE -QUOTE $6500-$8000 AND WAS TOLD MY OPTIONS WERE A.) FIX IT OR B.) DON'T FIX IT- PROVIDED OIL CHANGE RECEIPT HAD ON HAND- HAVE TO DIG & RESEARCH TO OBTAIN PAST SERVICE- WARRANTY CLAIM DENIED- KIA- UNWILLING TO ASSIST- BAD BUSINESS-
I HAVE HAD MY 2015 KIA FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND JUST STARTED TO NOTICE MY STEERING WOULD STICK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE TO JERK ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE! I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, ALSO HAD THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM I WAS ENCOUNTERING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR CAR JUST NOT MY CAR. ALSO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AND CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AS UNSAFE AS IT MAY SEEM UNTIL THERE WAS A RECALL. I WAS NOT VERY HAPPY. I COULD BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANY OTHER LOCATION, ANYTIME I GO OVER 45 I NOTICE THIS ISSUE. *TR
2015 KIA OPTIMA WAS OUT OF OIL @ 22,000 MILES AND NO INDICATOR LIGHT HAD GONE ON WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO AN OIL CHANGE. THE OIL CHANGE PLACE WAS THE ONE THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO OIL IN IT. IT STARTED MAKING SOME RATTLING NOISE SPECIALLY GOINT UPHILL SO I TOOK IT IN TO KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO PROVE 3 PREVIOUS RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES OTHERWISE THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I DO NOT HAVE THOSE RECEIPTS AND 16 DAYS LATER TOOK IT TO THE SAME PLACE I DID MOST RECENT OIL CHANGE BECAUSE OIL LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE AGAIN HAD NO OIL IN IT. THE TOPPED IT OFF BUT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL FOR SUCH A RECENT MODEL TO BE BURNING OIL. VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING BUT MAKES RATTLING NOISE ONCE IN A WHILE, PRODUCES WHITE SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE AND I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND NEEDS A RELIABLE VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK.
VEHICLE VEERS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP CORRECTING THE WHEEL. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER AND THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS BUT WAS NO BETTER. I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID THAT'S ALL THEY CAN DO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUIDE WIRE AND A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEFT ARM AND LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COMING OFF AN OFF RAMP ON GREENBRIAR SOUTH IN CHESAPEAK VIRGINIA, I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD NOR WAS THERE ANY POT HOLES. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT I CONTINUED TO DRIFT RIGHT. I THEN LANDED INTO A GUARD RAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A WITNESS BEHIND ME THAT CAN ATTEST TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIE ROD END HAD BROKEN CLEAN IN HALF AS IF IT WAS CUT WITH A PAIR OF SICCORS WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY THEN ULTIMATELY CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE GUARD RAIL. BASICALLY DESTROYING MY FRONT END AND THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND CURVED TURN ON AN OFF RAMP. OFF HIGHWAY 64.
WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO "STICK" AND THE WHEEL HAS TO BE JERKED A LITTLE TO MAKE STEERING FLUID ONCE AGAIN. I HAD THE WHEELS CHECKED TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T NEED AN ALIGNMENT AND IT IS BEING CHECKED NOW FOR THE STEERING ISSUE. *TR
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE PREVIOUS DAY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND AN AUDIBLE CLICKING OR TAPPING NOISE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OFF INTO A LOCAL BUSINESS AND PARKED THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY ADVISED THERE WAS "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND WE HAD NOT BEEN MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. OFFERED TO PRODUCE RECORDS BUT THEY ADVISED THEY STILL WOULD NOT COVER IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ *TR
DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE LAST NIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND STALLING, A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM MY EXHAUST PIPES. I PARKED IT CALLED MY DAD AND HE TOLD ME TO CHECK THE OIL. THERE WAS BARELY ANY OIL ON THE DIPSTICK EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST GOT MY OIL CHANGED 10 DAYS EARLIER. I HAD THE COMPANY THAT CHANGED MY OIL CHECK IT OUT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNALLY CAUSING THE OIL TO BURN OFF THEREFORE IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE ONLY HAD IT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
ENGINE FAILURE AT 15 MONTHS OLD AND 42,000 MILES. KIA DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE BECAUSE I COULD NOT PROVE OIL CHANGES. SAME COMPLAINT AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA VEHICLES, HAPPENED ABRUPTLY, CAR STARTING MAKING LOUD RATTLING NOISE ON ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING, SLUDGE IN ENGINE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM KIA OR MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PORCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA HAS 23000 MILES.. I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED,BUT I WAS DRIVING ON 75 COMING FROM FLA. THE AC STOP WORKING AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN I GOT IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED .BECAUSE THE SAID I COULD NOT PROVE THAT THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED,THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. ONLY HAD IT 15 MONTHS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY SIGNS OF TROUBLE .KIA WILL NOT FIX IT, THEY WANT ALMOST 8.000 TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE.
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 OPTIMA TO THE STORE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR AND HEARD A RATTLING OR TICKING SOUND, THIS WAS ON LABOR DAY, SO I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. DUE TO HOLIDAY THE SERVICE DEPT WAS NOT OPEN. I CALLED THEM AGAIN ON TUESDAY SEPT 6TH AND WAS ADVISED THEY WOULD HAVE IT TOWED. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON TUESDAY EVENING STATING MY MOTOR HAS SLUDGE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
2015 KIA OPTIMA, ONLY 47K MILES....ENGINE FAILURE...THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS SLUDGE... AND I HAVE TO PROVIDE ALL MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS. IT STARTED WITH WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE AND LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATED, THEN THIS PAST SATURDAY, IT STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON . I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. THIS IS KIA'S FAULT!!! NOT MINE. I'VE DONE THE SAME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY TOYOTA AND HONDA WHICH HAD OVER 100K MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS! I AM BEING TOLD BY KIA THAT IT WON'T BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
BOTH ESC AND AUTO HOLD LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY GO YELLOW AT THE SAME TIME. USUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER SOME PERIOD OF TIME. THIS STARTED MAYBE COUPLE MONTHS AGO. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY ERROR CODES.
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN FATAL ACCIDENT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A STANDING TREE THEN OVERTURN ONTO IT ROOF THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DRIVER AND PASSENGER NEVER DEPLOYED VERY CONCERNING
MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA HAS 26,456 MILES. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED AT 26,064 MILES. ON 6/4/16 WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 50MPH IN 3 LANE TRAFFIC THE ENGINE SEIZED UP, CAR SHUT DOWN AND INTERIOR FILLED WITH SMOKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA. WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE OIL. KIA IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I CANNOT PRODUCE RECEIPTS FOR PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MANY OTHER KIA VEHICLES ARE HAVING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILES! THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG THAT KIA IS NOT AWARE OF OR IS JUST NOT WILLING TO ADMIT. NOT ONLY WILL THEY NOT FIX MY VEHICLE BUT I FEAR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED. I INFORMED KIA OF MY CONCERN BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT YOU HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. IT VEERS TO THE LEFT AND WHEN CORRECTED, THEN VEERS TO THE RIGHT, THIS CONTINUES AS LONG AS YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 75 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN THE CAR FEELS LOOSE AND SWAYS EASILY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.
WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA AND GO TO SLOW DOWN AT 20 MPH (ONLY AT 20 MPH AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN) MY CAR DOES A JERK OR LURCHING MOTION, WITH A HARD DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR.THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER WHERE IM DRIVING. FROM WHAT IVE BEEN TOLD THERES A TRANSMISSION UPDATE SOFTWARE WHICH WHEN UPDATED. AFTER BEING UPDATED THE DEALER HAS TO RSET/LEAR THE RELEARN PROCEDURE. BOTH STEPS MUST BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THE LURCHING/JERKING. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
RECURRING, INTERMITTENT LACK OF ENGINE RESPONSE TO PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR; PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT AT A BREAK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ENGINE ACTS AS IF STALLING, THEN RECOVERS AFTER A SECOND OR TWO DELAY. KIA DEALER SERVICE ADVISES THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT ADJUSTMENT IS POSSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE MAY BE STATIONARY OR MOVING A LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT APPARENTLY RELATED TO FUEL OR CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. RESULTS IN DRIVER UNCERTAINTY IN ANY GIVEN TURNING SITUATION WHETHER THERE IS SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE THE TURN; SEVERAL NEAR CRASH EPISODES HAVE OCCURRED WHERE LACK OF ENGINE RESPONSE TO POWER DEMAND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW RATHER THEN ACCELERATE. CONDITION OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY DURING CITY DRIVING, BUT MAY ALSO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY TURNING SITUATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED BEFORE ATTEMPTING A TURN.
THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE STEERING OF THE CAR WHEN IT GETS TO 45MPH AND HIGHER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AT THE 12:00 POSITION AND TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO JERK IT OUT OF POSITION WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR JERKING AT LEAST 2' TO THE SIDE YOU HAVE TO JERK IT EVERY TIME. YOU CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE A NORMAL CAR AND IT'S NOT SAFE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT INTO KIA MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. CORPORATE EVEN CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND IT IS ACTING "NORMALLY". IT IS NOT THE WAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE HER CAR WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD IN IT ON THE HIGHWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRE LINE: OPTIMO H431, AND TIRE SIZE: 225/45/R18V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXHIBITED BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS OF THE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS 11,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE STREERING WILL PULL TO EITHER SIDE ESPECIALLY AT 55MPH OR BETTER. MADE SEVERAL CALL TO THE DEALER IN MEDIA AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. TOOK THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE IN BEDFORD OHIO AND THE CLAIMED THERE IS NO PROBLEM,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PROVIDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE AND ALSO INDICATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BE UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO RESPOND TO THE REQUEST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58.
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN THE GREATER SAN DIEGO AREA BACK IN JUNE 31. 2015. HAVE APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE AROUND 3K MY CAR WOULD JERK WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIME (AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH).AND TODAY 10-27-2015, MY CAR ONCE AGAIN JERK BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE MADE A UNFAMILIAR SOUND. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.MY CAR HAS RECEIVED ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE; PER OWNER MANUEL. IT HAS PASSED ALL KIA CERTIFED DEALER/MECHANIC INSPECTION WHEN TAKEN IN. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE WAS SIGNED IT DID NOT GET A FULL INSPECTION AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING AND THE APPROPRIATE STAFF FOR INSPECTION HAD LEFT FOR THE DAY. NOTICE WHEN I GOT HOME THE FRONT PASSENGER SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY NEW CAR FIXED AND HAD TO WAIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 DAYS FOR THE REPAIR, AT THAT POINT IT ALSO PASSED THIER INSPECTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
THE BLUE TOOTH FOR THE PHONE IF ALLOWED TO RING CAN CAUSE ONE TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE RING CAN GO WELL PAST 100 DB. IF WE FORGET TO TURN OUR BLUE TOOTH OFF IT ACTUALLY HURTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A LAKE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE LAKE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NO LONGER SHIFTED COMPLETELY INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,680.
WHEN DRIVING OUR 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 900 MILES VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE EXCEPT FOR SMALL TRIPS AROUND TOWN BUT ON A SMALL VACATION TRIP, I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS NOT STABLE AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND KEEPING MY VEHICLE STRAIGHT AT 60 MPH OR MORE. I NOTICED IT WOULD GO LEFT THEN I WOULD CORRECT IT THEN IT WOULD GO RIGHT. VERY UNSTABLE TO CONTROL HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. I HOPE SOME ONE LOOKS INTO THIS KIA PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO GET IT REPAIRED HOPEFULLY! THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION ON THERE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, I COULD TELL IT IS A PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS ISSUE A.S.A.P. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR*JB
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT OR PULL TO THE LEFT. THEN WHEN I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY AT FASTER SPEEDS I HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY FIGHT WITH THE STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WOULD JUST VEER TO THE LEFT AND AFTER PULLING IT BACK STRAIGHT IT WOULD GO LEFT AGAIN. YOU NEVER KNEW WHICH DIRECTION THE CAR WOULD GO. IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH THE STEERING.
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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 2015 Kia Optima → · Every Optima year → · How the figures are calculated →