Page 5 of 6 · complaints 201–250 of 257

2017 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 2017 record →

Engine
Filed Mar 20, 2021CA

ENGINE HAS TOO MUCH OIL CONSUMPTION , WENT TO DO MY OIL CHANGE 200 MILES BEFORE IT WAS DUE AND THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OIL ON MY DRIP STICK. ALSO HAVE A RATTLING NOISE IN MY ENGINE WHEN I ACCELERATE. NOISE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A PROBLEM.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 4, 202174,200 milesTN

THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED IN MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA IN 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. KIA REPLACED MY ENGINE JANUARY 2020 BECAUSE IT WAS CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK IN JANUARY 28, 2021 WITH A SUPPOSEDLY NEW ENGINE. ON MARCH 3, 2021, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD THE OF THE CAR. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR BURNED. THANKFULLY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THE FIRE OUT AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2021100,000 milesTX

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF NO MATTER IF THE SWITCH IS ON AUTO OR NORMAL ON. THE LIGHTS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, IT HAPPENS ON THE STREET, HIGHWAY, AND EVEN IF THE CAR ISN'T MOVING. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY DAMAGE OR WRECKS TO MY CAR.

Power Train
Filed Mar 2, 202136,500 milesPA

I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR. IT IS AN LX WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE GDI. IT'S THE STANDARD ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED "OFF" AFTER A FIRMWARE UPDATE. PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR REALLY PERFORMED AND ROLLED NICELY. BY THAT I MEAN, THERE WAS NO DETECTABLE DRAY WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. IN DRIVING THE CAR NOW, THE CAR JUST SEEMS TO LUG, AS IT TAKES MORE ACCELERATION TO GET THE CAR MOVING. THE TRANSMISSION "HANGS UP" AT AROUND 40MPH, WITH NO LOAD ON THE ENGINE. THE TACH AT 40MPH OR THEREABOUTS, READS AROUND 1900-2200RPMS. THIS IS FAR TOO HIGH IN MY OPINION, BEFORE I GO A LITTLE FASTER, AND THE TRANS FINALLY SHIFTS TO THE NEXT GEAR, LOWERING THE RPMS TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE AT 40 MPH. GAS MILEAGE IS DOWN APPROX. 20% TO WHAT I ENJOYED BEFORE THIS STARTED. I DID HAVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, FRED BEANS IN LANGHORNE PA, FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICE WRITER. OF COURSE (AND I MEAN THIS WITH ALL DUE RESPECT), THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE EXPERIENCE. WHAT THE DID DO WAS WIPE THE TRANSMISSION MEMORY CLEAN AND WE STARTED FRESH. THE IDEA BEING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RELEARN MY DRIVING HABITS. I DON'T PROFESS TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT A TRANS LEARNING HABITS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE TRANS SHOULD NOT HANG UP BETWEEN GEARS FOR ANY REASON. DUE TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE. WILL MENTION IT AGAIN. OUT OF REGULAR WARRANTY BUT I DID PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 6, 202124,000 milesCA

THE WIRING IN THESE CARS ARE COATED WITH SOMETHING THAT SMALL RODENTS LIKE TO EAT THEY CHEW THROUGH THE TAPE THEN THEN WIRING. CAUSING HYBRID ENGINE NOT TO WORK LITES COME. LUCKLY NO FIRE YET. DEALER SAY SORRY THAT WILL BE $ THE CARS WIRING HYBRID PART . RODENTS LIKE TO EAT IT KIA HAS COATING ON IT THAT ATTRACTS THEM THEN IT COSTS YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM CAUSE IT'S NOT COVERED BY THEM. LUCKLY THE CAR DID NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE YET.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Nov 23, 202037,300 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE HOUSE SHE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BOOMING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,300.

Engine
Filed Nov 10, 202018,000 milesCA

I'VE TAKING MY LEASES VEHICLE INTO CARSON OF KIA 3 TIMES FOR OIL LIGHT THEY REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH TWICE OF THE 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CARS WARMS UP I GET TICKING NOISE YOU CAN HEAR THE BETTER WHEN WHEN DRIVING NEXT TO A RETAINING WALL AT THIS I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND AFTER REVIEWING THE WORK ORDER FROM THE DEALER ALL THEY OFFER ME WAS 2 MONTHS OF CAR PAYMENT WHICH I DECLINE SO I'M CONTRACTING NHTSA FOR HELP AND ADVISE

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 202020,526 milesAL

WITHIN A WEEK BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED. RESULTING IN A PROMPT ON DASH AT START UP AND CONSISTENTLY DISPLAYED FOR AEB SYSTEM SERVICE AFTER VEHICLES AUTOMATIC SYSTEM SCAN AN SEE DIFFERENCE IN MILEAGE IN ATTACHED PICTURES. KIA TECHNICIAN SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND SEES ATLEAST 4-5 VEHICLES PER WEEK WITH THIS PART FAILURE.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 20, 202096,500 milesGA

MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE ON OCTOBER 15, 2020. I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE AND HEARD A TICKING SOUND AND SOME NOISES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I PULLED OVER IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE ON THE HIGHWAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND SAW FLAMES. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 1, 202086,000 milesTX

THE CAR STALLS AND HESITATES AT TIMES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED

Engine
Filed Sep 5, 202068,000 milesNM

BOUGHT MY KIA 1 AGO & ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM W/HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS TURNING ON & OFF WHEN IN AUTO MODE. TRUNK LATCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE LATCH NOT LOCKING WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE TRUNK. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY GET 20-30 LATCH ISSUES W/MY MAKE & MODEL OF KIA EVERY WEEK. AFTER VEHICLE STARTS CAR JUST DIES & ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AT TIMES CAR WILL STAY ON BUT STUTTERS LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE.

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 202017,500 milesFL

I JUST PURCHASED MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA TWO MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TODAY IN THE CENTER LANE ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. OUT OF NOWHERE WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR SHUTTERS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ACCELERATION AND GOT DOWN TO ABOUT 45 MPH AND WAS FALLING FAST. CARS WERE FLYING AROUND ME AND I WAS AFRAID FOR MY LIFE, I HAD TO FIGHT MY WAY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY TO GET TO SAFETY. I WAS LOOSING SPEED THE WHOLE TIME AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I GOT INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE CAR REST. I CHECKED ALL MY FLUID AND OIL AND EVERYTHING WAS FULL/ FINE. I DECIDED IT WAS A FLUKE AND TO TAKE A BACK ROAD TO WORK. BIG MISTAKE. THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH AND I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN WITH NO LUCK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR WORKED AND MY CAR SPED UP TO 25 MPH FROM 15. THIS WAS ALSO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I PULLED BACK OVER AND CALLED RICK CASE KIA. MY BOYFRIEND USED HIS CODE READER AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR. THATS WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE LAWSUIT. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND GOT A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED I MENTIONED WHAT HAPPENED AND SAID THAT I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE LAWSUIT FROM THIS ISSUE. THE ONE SERVICE MANAGER FREAKED OUT THAT I MENTIONED THE LAWSUIT IN FRONT OF OTHER CUSTOMERS AND JUMPED TO EXPLAINING HOW MY CAR WAS ALREADY HANDLED AND THIS ONE ISSUE IS COVERED FOR LIFE. THIS MEANS THEY ADMITTED TO KNOWING ABOUT THIS LIFE THREATINING RECALL WHEN SELLIN

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 26, 2020MS

ABS LIGHT AND TRAC LIGHT ON. RIGHT REAR HUB BEARING NEEDS REPLACING. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES.

Engine
Filed Jul 27, 202061,000 milesCA

A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE CAR 61K MILES..BASICALLY THE DEALSHIP IS SAYING THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 26, 202073,200 milesOH

WHEN CAR IS DRIVING, OR SITTING THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. LIKE WHEN ITS DARK THEY WILL SHUT OFF. THEN COME BACK ON, SWITCH IS ON AUTOMATIC MODE. THEN WHEN YOU SWITCH TO TURN LIGHTS ON IT WILL DO ON AND OFF. BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, FINALLY DID IT ON MY HUSBAND HE WAS THINKING I HAD LOST MY MIND.

Engine
Filed Jul 21, 2020960,000 milesIN

2.4 L HAVE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL

Power Train
Filed Jul 18, 202045,000 milesSC

POWER TRAIN; SHIFT LOCK SPECIFICALLY: HAD TO USE THE RELEASE CONTROL MORE THAN ONCE. WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENS, I FEEL A SURGE/ DECLINE IN ACCELERATION(SOMETHING I REQUESTED BE CHECKED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, BUT KIA SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE MY DESCRIPTION).CONTINUES TO DRIVE BUT SLUGGISH TO ACCELERATE. ONCE I PUT INTO "PARK" I CANNOT GET IT OUT OF PARK EXCEPT TO USE RELEASE. IT DID RESET(?) WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. SUSPENSION; FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR I PERIODICALLY HEARD A CREAK IN REAR SUSPENSION HERE AND THERE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY/GUTTER SLOPE. HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASED CREAKING AND MORE BOUNCE WHILE DRIVING OVER TIME BUT HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED CAR MORE THAN 2 YEARS.

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 202078,000 milesCA

A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. CAR WELL MAINTAINED.

Engine
Filed Apr 27, 202010,500 milesCA

DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP &' THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR A WEEK GAVE IT BACK &' SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. VEHICLE ONLY HAD ABOUT 10.5K MILES

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Apr 2, 2020NJ

I CAN NOT SEE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT IF I WANT TO SWITCH LANES ON A HIGH WAY. IN TRAFFIC I GET NOT ZOOM IN AND OUT OF LANES, EITHER I (THE DRIVER) OR THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO TURN THEIR HEAD IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVER TO TURN RIGHT. I TRIED THE LITTLE MIRRORS THAT YOU STICK ON BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. WHEN I TEST DROVE IT, I DID NOT REALIZED IT FOR I DROVE IT REGULAR ROADS

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 27, 202075,000 milesMS

THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA COVER JUST BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING

Engine
Filed Mar 10, 202030,000 milesFL

WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS ENGINE KNOCK NOISES. THERE MAY BE A BLUE SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE IS USING OIL AT A RATE OF 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1100 MILES.

Engine
Filed Mar 9, 202029,000 milesFL

ENGINE IS USING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1100 MILES

Power Train
Filed Feb 25, 202034,000 milesTX

MISSFIRE ON CYLINDER 3, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P0303. AT 34,900 MILES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 17, 202068,000 milesCA

MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT NUMEROUS TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT STARTS TO RIDE ROUGH LIKE IT IS IN THE WRONG GEAR, SEEMS LIKE IT IS READY TO DIE OUT WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO FEELS LIKE IT WON'T PICK UP SPEED. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY MOST OF THE TIME AT SPEEDS FROM 40 TO 70 MPH. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN. I AM CRYING OUT FOR HELP. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. I COMMUTE IN THE MID MORNING HOURS AND VERY UNSAFE IF I BREAK DOWN . MY LIFE IS AT STAKE. THANK YOU

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 202041,800 milesOH

BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW FROM RICART KIA IN COLUMBUS, OH IN 2018. VEHICLE HAS 41,917 MILES NOW. VEHICLE DEVELOPED FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY REDUCED POWER TO 1800-2000RPMS. VEHICLE WILL RUN AND DRIVE BUT WILL JERK VIOLENTLY AT 1800-2000RPMS TO LIMIT ENGINE REVOLUTIONS. TOOK VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP WHERE BOUGHT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED DTC P1326. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED WIRING INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF KSDS (KNOCK SENSOR). RELEASED VEHICLE TO CUSTOMER. IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEPTION OF VEHICLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND VEHICLE EXHIBITS SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED BEFORE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP WITHIN 24 HOURS. VEHICLE IS INSPECTED AND DTC P1326 IS DISCOVERED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP PERFORMS ECU UPDATE FOR KSDS. VEHICLE RELEASED BACK TO CUSTOMER. WITHIN 48 HOURS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, LIMITS POWER, AND SPEED. CURRENTLY SCHEDULING 3RD APPOINTMENT FOR SAME CONCERN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING EACH TIME AFTER BEING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR ROUGHLY 20 MINUTES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY AT RICART KIA. ALL PAPERWORK/RECALLS PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 202015,450 milesIL

BOUGHT ON 9-12-2019 WITH APPROXIMATELY 15,400+ MILES. IT NOW HAS 15,750+ MILES. IT HAS STALLED/POWERED OFF ON ME TWICE. FIRST TIME WAS OCT 7, 2019, PARKED ON THE CURB WHEN I WAS PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL, WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND I WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF FROM THE CURBSIDE AND WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I REALIZED THE POWER OFF SO I SWITCHED THE IGNITION TO OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A LITTLE GLITCH. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCT 26, 2019 WHEN I WAS ON THE DRIVE THRU OF TACO BELL. I WAS WAITING IN LINE AND AGAIN, WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MOVE FORWARD, IT WOULDN'T MOVE BECAUSE THE POWER HAD JUST SHUT OFF AGAIN. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE. I COMPLAINED TO MY SON ABOUT THE CAR BUT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THE 7 DAY EXCHANGE OR RETURN. BUT PLANNED TO BRING IT UP ON MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE UNLESS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I WAS ALWAYS CAUTIOUS AND WORRIED THAT I WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR WORSE, WHILE DRIVING. MOSTLY THE REASON WHY I'VE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR LESS THAN 300 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT IT ABOUT 4.5 MONTHS AGO. THEN YESTERDAY MORNING, JAN 28, 2020, ON MY ERRANDS TO TWO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, THE PASSENGER SEATBELT SIGN WAS BEEPING AND FLASHING THE WHOLE TIME I DROVE AROUND THAT DAY, WHEN THERE WAS NOBODY WITH ME IN THE CAR. IT FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND AFTER I PICKED MY PRESCRIPTIONS FRO

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 19, 201981,000 milesTX

THE CAR STALLS AND INTERSECTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON SO FAR IT HAS STARTED EVERY TIME.

Engine
Filed Dec 18, 2019FL

2017 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT THEN WOULD RESTART. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE*JS *JS

Engine
Filed Nov 7, 201940,000 milesNC

THIS IS MY NEW CAR, I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE MY GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH THE 2 KIA SPECTRA WE BOUGHT FOR WORK MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND BECAUSE THE BEAUTIFUL SHAPE AND COMFORD INSIDE. BIG MISTAKE !!! WHEN YOU ARE IN A DATE WITH SOMEBODY IS BETTER TO WAIT , BEAUTY SEXY BODY NOT ALWAYS COME WITH A GOOD SOUL OR ENGINE. ONE WEEK BEFORE MY FIRST CAR PAYMENT DRIVING CHARLOTTE OCT. 20 , DOWN I-77 MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FEW SECONDS LATER THE BATTERY LIGHT AS WELL, LOW OIL LIGHT, ALL THE ALARMS GO ON LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. IN MIDDLE OF THAT CHAOS LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE FRONT DRIVE TIRE HIT A POTHOLE AND CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE BOTTON OF THE CAR. FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND I MOVED IT TO A BUSINESS PARK WHERE IT DIED 100 % . I PAID TO A TOW COMPANY TO MOVE IT TO MY HOUSE AND NEXT DAY TO THE KEFFER KIA DEALER HERE IN MOORESVILLE WHERE I BOUGHT IT. IF THIS HAPPENS DRIVING AT THE MOUNTAINS I CAN KILL SOMEBODY OR KILL MY FAMILY WITH A FAULTY CAR AND THE DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THE ENGINES PROBLEMS BUT THEY NOT TAKE AND REFUSE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CARS, NOW THE SECOND CAR PAYMENT IS COMING AND IS NOT WAY TO GO TO WORK WITHOUT A CAR. BECAUSE ALL THE INFO. FROM THE CAR COMPUTER IS GONE THEY SAY IS MY FAULT. ANY IDEA WHAT TO DO?

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2019MA

I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS MOVING.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 30, 201945 milesGA

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC HAD TO PUSH THE GAS TO THE FLOOR TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR. CAME TO A STOP LIGHT ONCE GREEN PRESSED ON THE GAS THE CAR WENT TO 25MPH JERKED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25MPH. SOMEONE CAN BEEN KILLED.

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 201954,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE PINT OF OIL EVERY ONE THOUSAND MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALMART FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF ANDERSON (5281 US-76, PENDLETON, SC 29670, (864) 328-0542) THREE TIMES WHERE THEY TOPPED OFF THE OIL AND ADDED MORE OIL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER ONE THOUSAND MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER THE ONE THOUSAND MILES WAS TRAVELED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW ONE HALF OF A QUART. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPEAT THE SAME PROCEDURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE RESULT WAS THE SAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ENGINE COMPRESSION AND OTHER UNKNOWN TESTS WERE COMPLETED AND THE INFORMATION WAS SENT TO KIA SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 12, 2019100 milesSC

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS SITUATED TOO LOW, CREATING A LARGE BLIND SPOT IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. OFTEN, AT A 4-WAY STOP, THE CAR APPROACHING FROM THE RIGHT IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED OUT. DRIVER IS FORCED TO CROUCH DOWN SO AS TO LOOK UNDER THE MIRROR IN MANY DRIVING SITUATIONS. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A NUMBER OF TIMES.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 30, 2019TN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT NIGHT TIME FOR ABOUT A WEEK STRAIGHT MY HEAD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF BY THEIR SELVES WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD BE SITTING IN MY PARKING SPACE AND MY NEIGHBORS TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WOULD JUST BE ON ALL NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD BE LOCKED AND EVERYTHING AND ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND I COULDN'T EVEN UNLOCK IT TO GET IN IT SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT'VE BEEN MY CAR REMOTE BATTERY DIED AND SO I ASKED A NEIGHBOR THAT WORKS ON CARS TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE THEY POPPED MY HOOD AND CHECKED MY CAR BATTERY AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME A JUMP WHICH WAS JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO UNLOCK AND GET INTO MY VEHICLE BUT MY CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY FRIED DUE TO HEADLIGHT SENSOR.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 12, 201932,000 milesSC

SEAT BEAT SOUNDS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND SEAT BELT IS FASTEN. IT DINGS AS IF THE SEAT BELT IS NOT ON. SECONDLY, RADIO PLAYS BUT NO LIGHTS NO CAMERA WORKS FROM TIME TO.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 26, 201955,000 milesTX

WHEN ON AUTOMATIC MODE, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON AFTER A MOMENT, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING, IN BOTH DAY AND NIGHT CONDITIONS.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Jul 22, 201944,000 milesCA

WHILE MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OUR CAR BEGAN SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE CAR; WITHIN SECONDS WE SEEN FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO WARNING, OUR CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED, THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR OTHERS DISPLAYING ON THE DASH, NO LEAKS OR OVERHEATING TO CAUSE THIS.

Engine
Filed Jun 27, 201942,000 milesKY

WHEN U START THE CAR THE ENGINE MISSES.IF U GIVE IT GAS IT DOESN'T PICK UP LIKE IT SHOULD.MISSING AND NO POWER.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 17, 201939,000 milesCA

WHILE I WAS DRIVING PROBABLY ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR OR SO MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE REALLY HARD THEN IT SHUT OFF. ONCE IT SHUT OFF THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE LOW BATTERY LIGHT AS WELL. AFTER THAT THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. I TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TIREDNESS IT BACK ON WITH WITH NO PROBLEM. FOR MY CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR STREET CAUSES MAJOR CONCERNS. ONE WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 15, 20198,800 milesFL

THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HIT NOTHING, JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

Engine
Filed May 7, 201940,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE BY ALM KIA SOUTH (4310 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291). AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE JANUARY 30, 2019 AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY OFFERED TO DELETE FIVE PAYMENTS OFF THE ORIGINAL LOAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 14, 201915,000 milesTX

SEAT BELT WILL NOT SNAP CORRECTLY IT KEEPS UNSNAPPING UNTIL YOU PUSH DOWN ON RELEASE BUTTON AND THEN IT STAYS SNAPPED.

Engine
Filed Dec 13, 201846,000 milesFL

MY 2017 KIA OPTIMA BROKE DOWN ON 10/7/2018 AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA. THEY REQUESTED A COPY OF MY LAST 3 OIL CHANGES BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS GUNK IN THE ENGINE. I SUBMITTED THE RECEIPTS AS REQUESTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. THE CLAIM WAS DENIED ON 10/17/2018 BECAUSE INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE. I CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO ASK WHY IT WAS CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE. THE REP COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT TELL ME WHY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE WOULD HELP ME KEPT REFERRING ME TO THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT. THEY AGREED TO SUBMIT AN APPEAL SO THE DISTRICT MANAGER WOULD REVIEW MY CLAIM BUT THAT WAS DENIED WITHIN 24 HOURS STATING THREE OIL CHANGES WERE NOT ENOUGH. I ONLY SUBMITTED THE LAST THREE RECEIPTS AS THEY REQUESTED. IN TOTAL, I HAD SIX RECEIPTS. I DID THE RUN AROUND AGAIN AND AFTER STATING I WOULD NEED EVERYTHING IN WRITING (CLAIM DENIAL, WARRANTY INFO, ESTIMATE OF DAMAGES) FROM KIA AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANYTHING IN WRITING. I ADVISED THEM I NEEDED IT TO GET LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THEN THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ESCALATE MY CLAIM ON 10/22/2018 AND I SHOULD HEAR FROM MY CLAIM SPECIALIST IN THREE BUSINESS DAYS. THEY ALSO REQUESTED THE ADDITIONAL THREE RECEIPTS, WHICH I SUBMITTED TO THEM WITHIN 24 HOURS. I CALLED THE ESCALATION DEPARTMENT WEEKLY TO TRY TO GET A STATUS ON MY CLAIM AND THERE WAS ALWAYS A REASON WHY IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. ON 12/11 TAMMY SHAMBURGER CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 27, 201812,000 milesAZ

WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TUNNEL WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP, AND THEN THE SOUNDS OF GLASS SHATTERING AND WIND. THE SUN ROOF OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. THE INTERIOR SUN SHADE WAS THE ONLY THING THAT PREVENTED ME FROM HAVING A GLASS SHOWER.

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 201812,750 milesCA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 KIA OPTIMA IN FEB OF 2017 AND ON JULY 17 2018 I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP SO A CAR CAN BACK OUT WHEN THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHOOK THEN SHUT OFF. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART IT BUT JUST SHOOK AGAIN AND TURNED OFF. MY HUSBAND PUSHED ME TO THE SIDEWALK WHERE I TRIED AGAIN TO RESTART IT AND IT FINALLY STAYED ON WITH NO LIGHTS SHOWING UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON A TOW TRUCK AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY AND SAID I CAN PICK IT UP IT'S PERFECTLY FINE. I HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH KIA AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE THE CODES WILL ERASE AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. I TOLD KIA I WILL NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE AND I HAVE CHILDREN. THEIR RESPONSE IS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT ONLY TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO WORK FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND ON AUGUST 13 2018 WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET ANY GAS SO I WAS JUST COASTING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK BUT I ALSO TOOK A VIDEO OF WHAT LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME SHOWING THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR ON. I HAVE A RENTAL FOR 2 WEEKS AND A FIELD TECH IS GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR 1 WEEK TO TRY AND DUPLICATE THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT ALREADY HAPPEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. NOW I'M WAITING ON WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 201824,989 milesCA

WHEN DRIVING THE 2017 KIA OPTIMA LX THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL START FLASHING INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE ENGAGED ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO ONE SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES CONTINUOUSLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE THEN TURNS OFF. THIS INDICATION CAN HAPPEN AT DIFFERENT STAGES IN THE DRIVING PROCESS FROM BEING PARKED TO DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 8, 201811,000 milesPA

WHILE ON AN HOUR'S DRIVE THE BSD (BLING SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM) CEASED TO OPERATE. THE ACTUATOR SWITCH WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT AN ERROR EXCLAMATION POINT APPEARED ON THE DASH NOTING THE BSD FAILURE. I DROVE ON FURTHER UNTIL I CAME TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, ALSO. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLED THE KEY. I WAITED 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THEY SYSTEM CAME BACK ONLINE. FURTHER ALONG ON THE DRIVE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HILLY ROAD. WHEN I WENT TO GIVE THE CAR MORE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I FLOORED THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT RESPOND, WHILE THE BSD MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. IT WAS SIMULTANEOUS. ADDITIONALLY, THE SYSTEM ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATES WHERE THE SHIFTER IS WENT DARK AND THE EXACT SAME TIME AS THE FAILURE IN BOTH CASES ON THIS DAY. OF COURSE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE ISSUE. THEY CALLED KIA CORPORATE TO SEE IF THERE WERE SIMILAR REPORTS WITH A FIX THEY MIGHT KNOW OF. THE FACTORY SENT A CYA RESPONSE TO THE DEALER STATING THAT KNEW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD GONE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SCORES OF SIMILAR BSD FAILURES IN BOTH KIA AND HYUNDAI WHICH ARE SISTER COMPANIES. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE BSD MODULE IS MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER FOR BOTH COMPANIES. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS IN THE AREA OF THE DEALERSHIP I WOULD DRIVE THE CAR THERE SO THEY COULD SEE AND POSSIBLY COME UP WITH A DIAGNOSTIC CODE WHILE THE FAILURE WAS IN PR

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 23, 201812,000 milesIL

TAKATA RECALL BREAK LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. I NOTICED I HAD A NOTIFICATION COME ON MY DASHBOARD THAT READ ''CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS' AND BOTH OF MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON THE IMAGE OF THE CAR ON THE DASH. IT WOULD COME OFF AND ON RANDOMLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I CAN SMACK MY BREAK LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, AND ONCE I PRESS MY BREAK THEY GO BACK OFF.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 201810,000 milesFL

MY CAR HESITATE WHEN PULLING OUT IN THE STREET ..HAPPENS OFTEN AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT NORMAL TEMP, NOT WHEN COLD. IT STARTS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 FEET THEN THE ENGINE STALLS, DOES NOT QUIT RUNNING, JUST STALL FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS. GIVE IT GAS AND NOTHING, THEN ALL AT ONCE IT TAKES OFF. VERY DANEROUS. SOME DAYS IT PERFORMS GREAT THEN THE NEXT IT STARTS THE HESITATION AGAIN. MAKING AN APPT TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED NEXT WEEK.

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.

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