2014 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE START PUSH BUTTON, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MATHEWS KIA, 595 EAST MAIN ST, CARTERSVILLE, GA) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *DT UPDATED 11/29/18*JB *JB

THE ANTENNAE FALLS OF, IT SNAPPED. IT IS ONLY PLASTIC AND IT LEAVES COMPONENTS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ROOF. ALSO IF IT SNAPS OF WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO THE CAR BEHIND YOU. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE OUT THERE THAT HAVE COME OFF. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, THEY ARE ASKING ABSORBENT PRICES TO REPAIR .IT HAPPENED WILL PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT.

IGNITION SWITCH NOT WORKING AT TIMES

TAKATA RECALL'. WHEN DRIVING 70 MILES THE CAR GETS UNCONTROLLABLE AT TIMES SO YOU HAVE TO LOWER YOUR SPEED , WHEN PARKED AN I PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE THERE'S A TICKING NOISE AN YOU CAN FEEL PRESSURE . THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TICKING A LOT MORE AM HESITANT I KNOW A LOT OF COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE STEERING AN IT'S GETTING OUT OF HAND ! THE CAR IS NOT SAFE ON THE HIGHWAY COULD RESULT IN CRASH

I have paint issues my paint. It’s actually peeling off my car it has been for a few years already, Kia refuses to do anything about it

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOP FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENT OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, LOCATED ON DELSEA DR, VINELAND NJ, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CABLE DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH THE FAILURE AND WAS TO GO THROUGH THE VEHICLE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

WE STARTED REPORTING ISSUES THIS PAST JULY TO OUR DEALERSHIP, KIA RIVERGATE IN MADISON, TN. THEY HAVE HAD OUR CAR IN THREE TIMES AND KEEP TELLING US THERES THINGS "WE" NEED TO FIX.MY CAR IS STILL ON WARRANTY AND IS UNDER A TOTAL ENGINE RECALL. THE CAR STARTED WITH A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND HAD ISSUES WHEN WE WOULD ACCELERATE. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AT ALL CAUSING US TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES. THEY TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO KNOCK AND STALL. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID NO, IT'S FINE. THEY SAID WE COULD TRY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL (AT OUR EXPENSE). THE CAR HAS HAD BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THAT WAS THE ISSUE THE FIRST TWO TIMES. THE CAR HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT IN TO THEM THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL INJECTOR. ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE STATING THAT WE MUST PAY FOR IT. I'VE CALLED THEM BECAUSE THE CAR HAD HUGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK AND IS SHAKING EVEN WORSE. ONCE AGAIN THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I TOLD THEM WE ARE HAVING TO ADD OL 3 TIMES A WEEK WITH NO SIGNS OF A LEAK. MY CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I REPEAT, MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND IS ON A RECALL FOR SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING THE ENGINE. NOW MY CAR ISN'T DRIVABLE AT ALL. IT STARTED SHAKING TO THE POINT OF THROWING US FORWARD IN THE CAR AND SMOKES LIKE IT IS ON FIRE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AT ALL, SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S NOT AN ENGINE ISSUE? [XXX]. EVEN A FUEL INJECTOR WOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT HAS TO RUN THROUGH THE ENGINE TO MAKE THE CAR RUN. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY KIA IS NOT HONORING THEIR WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. MY NEXT STEP IS TO CALL AN ATTORNEY AND SUE KIA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

ENGINE SEIZED

Summer 2017 The engine failed while driving with my family. The engine seized and a fire was engulfed. I was in the interstate and we feared for our life. Out of town visiting family we were stranded in another state for a month waiting for repairs. Kia took the vehicle and replaced the engine with another faulty engine that has seized several times while commuting. I have been living in fear and anxiety since this incident. I never know if I start my engine if I will loose my life. Summer 2023 3 teenagers watched a viral tic tok challenge and learned how faulty the cylinder that Kia installed was. The teens then trespassed into my home, broke the windows and stole my vehicle. I have lived in fear since this has happened. I have lost jobs, income, and peace due to The purchase of this vehicle. Kia has never assisted or kept the promises they made to restore the vehicle. These past 10 years agave been a nightmare and as an African American woman I believe I was targeted as a purchaser for this make and model. My life had been hell since the purchase of this vehicle. I have not been able to satisfy payment due to repairs, thefts, fires, and more. Please anyone. Someone. Help. This is the most heartbreaking experience as an American. I have worked for my country 20 years and do not feel like an equal citizen. I have been homeless, jobless, unstable, and watched my life and family life flash before me in near death accidents involving this car. When I purchased this car I had a great job, credit score, and home. Now I have more anxiety, fear, bills, and no help with this Kia.

BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW AT 30K MILES WHIITE SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT THE EXHAUST. TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FURNISH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS BC THERE WAS SLUDGE IN MY OIL. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR, A BRAND NEW CAR?! I WOULD ACCELERATE AND THE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT. JUST TODAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING. I RECENTLY WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIPS AND NOT ONE SALES REP MENTIONED THE RECALL, NOR THE OTHER 2 THAT WERE RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE.

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ENGINE RECALL. IT ONLY TOOK 10 MINUTES. NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT WAS THE PROCESS TO CHECK A RECALLED ENGINE. NO DETAILS ON HOW AND WHAT WAS DONE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THIS AN INDICATION THAT KIA IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY. ALSO NHTSA SHOULD INDICATE ON IT'S WEBSITE BEFORE THE REMEDY, INDICATE THE PROCESS BEING USED TO CHECK THE ENGINE. ALL THEY STATED WAS PASS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE RESTART THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE THEN PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD, HEARD A SCREW FALL AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED DUE TO THE CONTACT SWITCHING INSURANCE COVERAGE TO ANOTHER USED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ALERT THEM OF THE INCIDENT BUT THEY HAD NOT CALLED BACK SINCE THE ISSUE OCCURRED IN 05/31/17. THE UNKNOWN DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IT PULLS EXTREMELY BAD ALMOST CAN'T CONTROL IT , ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S ANY WIND BLOWING . VERY HARD TO DRIVE IT FOR A LONG TIME ON THE INTERSTATE

ENGINE RATTLES BETWEEN 1000 TO 2000 RPMS.

24,000 MILES. CLICKING/ TICKING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH ON THE DRIVER SIDE/CENTER OF DASH. NOISE STARTS WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND CEASES WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. NOISE IS CONTINUOUS DURING DRIVING. NOISE DOES NOT CHANGE IN VOLUME OR PACE DURING DRIVING.

SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NOTHING HIT IT OR WAS THROWN THROUGH IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MORITZ KIA FORT WORTH, 8501 WEST FWY, FORT WORTH, TX 76116 (817) 560-6000) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TURNSVILLER KIA (2900 NJ-42, SICERVILLE, NJ) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE PRIOR TO A FAILURE PER KIA POLICY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,783. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT NOTIFIED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER (KIA COUNTRY OF SAVANNAH, 1 PARK OF COMMERCE BLVD, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, (912) 335-4176) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KINGS KIA 9600 KINGS AUTO MALL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249 (513) 677-6700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE PERSISTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500.

RECEIVED PAPER THAT I HAD ENGINE RECALL FOR METAL SHADINGS AND SEIZESING ENGINE TOOK CAR TO DOWN TOWN KIA DEALER AND TOLD THEM I HAD SEEN PIECES OF METAL SHADING ON MY OIL AND THEY SAID NO IT'S FINE ....2 MONTHS LATER MY ENGINE SEIZED ON ME NOW THEY DONT WANNA DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I PASSED OVER 100,000 MILES

MY CARS ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE DURING IDLE AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE I DO NEED MY CAR EVERYDAY TO GET MY 18 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE AND THEN TO WORK. THE DEFAULT ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS "WE DON'T HEAR ANYTHING" WHICH IS TOTAL BS, YOU CAN CLEARLY HEAR IT KNOCKING. I DON'T WANT MY CARS ENGINE TO HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN I AM WITH MY DAUGHTER. THAT COULD CAUSE US TO BE IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHICH I DREAD. KIA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND GET IT FIXED AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE MONEY THEY WILL LOSE DUE TO FIXING IT. I AM GLAD NHTSA EXISTS, IT KEEPS BIG POWERFUL COMPANIES LIKE KIA IN CHECK. ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A KNOCK THAT COULD BE HEARD AT LOW RPM WHILE DRIVING OR STANDING STILL. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND I'M WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM, THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR DID SAY IT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL, BUT I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE OPTIMA 2.4L GDI ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED INTO PIECES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ENGINE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF BUSY HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD IN THE RAIN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER CALLS TO SAY ENGINE IS BLOWN AT 37K MILES. DEALER WAS LAST TO PERFORM OIL CHANGE. NO ISSUES WERE NOTED AT THAT TIME. AWAITING TO HEAR IF ENGINE IS COVERED BY EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY THAT WAS ISSUED BY KIA AS THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS KNOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

MAIN HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME 1/2 BIGHTNESS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. HIGH BEAMS DONT THE ISSUE, HAVE REPLACED BULBS THREE TIME IN LAST TWO YEARS, DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CANNOT SEE THE ISSUE. BUT THE CHROME REFLECTORS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS HAS PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. THIS MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE THROUGHLY RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES. THIS ISSUE STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE CAR HAD A HESITATION AND SMOKE CAME OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. NO ENGINE, OR OIL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR DROVE AND RAN AS IT ALWAYS HAS. GOT HOME CALL KIA OF DAYTON FOR AN APPOINTMENT. TOOK CAR IN, COUPLE DAYS LATER I WAS CALLED AND TOLD I HAD SLUDGE BUILT UP AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THEY WILL SUBMIT IT TO KIA FOR APPROVAL. KIA DENIED REPAIRS. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH SAME YEAR AND AROUND SAME MILEAGE. I EVEN SEEN WHERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS FILED OVER IT. KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WONT RECALL NOR FIX IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK BLACK SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER, LOCATED IN BATON ROUGE, LA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. GOT IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY CALLED SAID IT WAS MY STARTER. MY FIANCE STOPPED BY THERE SAID IT'S NO WAY IT WAS THE STARTER. THE SERVICE TECH PUT A BREAKER BAR ON THE MOTOR AND IT WAS LOCKED UP TIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE OWNER'S NEGLIGENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY OF 4 ON THE FREEWAY IN A DESOLATE AREA OF SANTA CLARITA ON 9/24/16 AT 3:15PM MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE WERE GOING 65 MPH, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. WE WERE IN THE 2ND LANE AND HAD TO USE THE MOMENTUM OF SPEED TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER, WE WERE ALMOST HIT. ONCE WE MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THIS BUSY FREEWAY, WE WERE UNABLE TO START THE CAR, PUT WINDOWS UP OR DOWN, OPEN THE TRUNK ETC. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE SAT WAITING FOR AAA AND HOPING NOT TO GET HIT. IT WAS 85 DEGREES OUT AND MY 74 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND DISABLED SISTER SAT IN THE CAR FOR 30 MINS UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. IF WE WEREN'T SO LUCKY OR IF WE WERE IN THE RIGHTER LANES OF TRAFFIC 4 LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN LOST THAT DAY. I AM VERY ANXIOUS AND NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN HOWEVER; I HAVE NO CHOICE IT IS OUR FAMILIES PRIMARY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD BE PREMATURELY THAT IT IS THE MOTOR HOWEVER; THE DIAGNOSIS IS NOT FINALIZED. I FEAR FOR THE SAFELY OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE CAR NOW, AND REALLY DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT GIVES ME MAJOR ANXIETY ESPECIALLY SINCE I DRIVE FROM CA TO AZ 4 TIMES A YEAR AND NOW FEAR THIS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR 19 MONTH OLD WITH 48K MILES CAN HAVE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. ACTUALLY I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY CAR ANY AGE AND MILES CAN HAVE THE ISSUE OF JUST SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN I HEARD THIS KNOCKING SOUND AT ABOUT 70 PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. I THEN CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TO THE CLOSET GAS STATION WHEN THE CAR JERKED HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND WOULD NOT START, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. LONG STORY SHORT CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY KIA SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN NOVEMBER 2015 WITH 16,725 MILES USED , IT CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 41,000 MILES (NOT KNOWING THAT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS ONLY 5 YEARS 60000 MILES IF YOU AREN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER UNTIL THE CLAIM WAS FILED). WHEN THE KIA SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME HE SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER HE HAS TO WAIT ON AUTHORIZATION. I WAS 166 MILES AWAY FROM HOME THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BUT WILL BE REIMBURSED. IT WILL TAKE A WEEK TO REPLACE WHICH MEANS PAYING FOR A RENTAL AND I HAVE TO GO PICK UP MY CAR ONCE IT IS REPAIRED SO I WILL BE TAKING OFF WORK. A DEFECTIVE MOTOR ALTHOUGH ITS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY IS COSTING ME. I WAS ENSURED THAT THE NEW MOTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED SO THAT I WILL NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM 40,000 MILES LATER. I WONDER IF THE WARRANTY IS GOING TO BE EXTENDED WITH THE NEW MOTOR. A RECALL NEED TO BE ISSUED. THE CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENGINE BECOMES TOO HOT EITHER IT SIEZES OR BREAKS. MY OPTIMA IS A TURBO I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE OTHERS.

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY WILL NOT CRANK AFTER SITTING. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES RECENTLY AND DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE.

ON 09/19/2016 I PURCHASED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX FROM KIA OF CERRITOS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORY BECAUSE ON 09/19/2016 I GOT HOME, PARKED IT IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE (STILL ON), AND IT SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND IT BLEW OUT WHITE SMOKE, I TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY, AND CALLED KIA THIS NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 9/20/16. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACED THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR WAS WORKING NORMALLY, NO DASH LIGHTS, OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD SIGNAL THE CAR BREAKING DOWN, KIA OF CERRITOS IS UNWILLING TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY'RE SAYING THE COST FOR REPAIRS IS $6,585 AND KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA DECLINED THE REPAIRS, I'VE BEEN WITH THIS CAR ONLY 2 1/2 YEARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL EXTREMELY FAST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LOW MAINTENANCE OF HAVING THE OIL CHANGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALL DOCUMENTS OF PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE. DUE TO NOT HAVING THE OIL CHANGES PERFORMED AT A KIA CERTIFIED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

FIRST OFF, HAD OUR KIA AT THE DEALER AT 27,000 MILES DUE TO OUR CAR NOT COMING OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES. WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AS WE WERE DRIVING ,OUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEIR WAS A HORRIBLE KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM OUR ENGINE. OUR KIA ONLY HAS APPROX. 30,500 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND SAID WE HAD A SPUN ROD AND WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I COULD NOT LOCATE ALL OF OUR OIL RECORDS SO THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. HOW DOES AN ENGINE GO THAT SOON! WE WERE CHARGED $222 FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. I ASKED FOR AN ITEMIZED RECEIPT OF WHAT WAS CHECKED OR TAKEN APART AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER GOT TO OUR HOME IT HAD AN OVERWHELMING GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND ALSO INSIDE THE CABIN. WE WERE WARNED NOT TO HAVE OPEN FLAME NEAR THE CAR. OUR HOUSE SITS CLOSE TO WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED SO I WAS PETRIFIED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND 6 HOURS LATER, THEY FINALLY RESPONDED BACK TO ME. CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE TECHNICIAN LEFT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE OFF AND THE VALVE COVER BOLTS. HE ALSO TOOK THE PUMP FUSE OUT. THE TECH ALSO FORGOT TO PUT THE UNDERBODY ENGINE COVER IN THE TRUNK. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE FOR THE TOW DRIVER AND US TO KNOW ABOUT THIS! I PAID TO HAVE IT PUT BACK TOGETHER AND NOW I HAVE TO RUN BACK UP THERE TO GET OUR UNDERBODY COVER??? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SOONER AND WHY WE HAVE ENGINE FAILURE AT SUCH LOW MILES!

CAR STARTED SMOKING SO TO HART KIA. THEY SAID THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL BREAKING DOWN. SINCE I COULD NOT PROVIDE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS, KIA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HOLDING UP WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BAD ENGINE.

CAR STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION MAKING TURNS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR COLLISIONS. MY CAR DID IT A FEW TIMES BEFORE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND HAD TOWED. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A CONNECTOR ROD BEARING DEFECT AND ULTIMATELY CAUSED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. KIA IS PUTTING THE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMERS TO PROVE THE DEFECT WASN'T CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO DEALERSHIPS. THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL KIA REPAIRS THE DEFECT IN THE ENGINE AND HUMAN LIFE WILL BE AT STAKE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A & B AUTO SALES (100 MARSHALL ST N, BENWOOD, WV 26031, (304) 233-1480) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN DOING 40 MILES PER HOUR--- -WAS TOLD ENGINE SEIZED --ENGINE BEING REPLACED NO POWER STEERING NO BRAKES BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT ON A HIGHWAY HEAVY TRAFFIC DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THE STEERING WAS UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MY CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO RESTART VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON BEFORE OR AFTER THE CAR TURNED OFF. WHITE SMOKE APPEARED. SO MUCH SMOKE I COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS FROM BACK OR FRONT OF CAR. I DROVE THE CAR A COUPLE MORE BLOCKS AND HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, CAR STARTED JERKING AND TRYING TO DIE/STALL AND AGAIN A TON OF SMOKE. I PARKED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SOMEONE FROM SERVICE DEPT CALLED AND SAID IT WAS A BAD BATTERY AND WOULD BE 350+ TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. HE LIED AND TOLD ME HE PUT A NEW BATTERY IN IT AND DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND IT WAS FINE. I SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE MY VEHICLE. I HAS OT PAY DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND WAS TOLD 5 DAYS LATER THAT IT WAS ENGINE FAILURE AND I NEEDED TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS. I TOLD THEM I HAD JUST MOVED AND THE ONLY RECEIPTS I COULD GET WERE THE ONES IN THE CAR UNTIL I COULD GET THROUGH THE BOXES IN STORAGE AND GARAGE. THEY SAID TO PROVIDE WHAT I COULD FIND. I WAS ABLE TO EASILY LOCATE 4 RECEIPTS (THEY WANTED 10, VEHICLE HAS 53,000 MILES) I EXPLAINED AGAIN THAT I KNEW THE CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND EXPECTED IT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS NOTIFIED 10 DAYS LATER THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY AND I ESCALATED MY CLAIM TO KIA CUSTOMER CARE. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL FILE VEHICLE ABANDONMENT ON MY CAR IF I DO NOT REMOVE OR REPAIR. I HAVE YET TO BE GIVEN AN EXACT AMOUNT OF COST TO REPAIR. I PROVIDED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT KIA MAILED OUT ON JUNE 10, 2016. IT WAS PUSHED BACK AT ME AND I WAS TOLD "THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT IT'S NOT COVERED" I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I WAS NOT ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ONLY ON SIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN IT OCCURRED AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. KIA KNOWS OF THE DEFECT AND DANGER IT POSES & REFUSES TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF POWER BRAKING, AND IMMEDIATE DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT POSED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR BOTH THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TRIGGERED. BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ENGINE ISSUE FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL OR HONORING THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS ~22,000 MILES AND ALL MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON TIME PER THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.

DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 - 85 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR BEGINS TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT CAUSING DRIVER TO TRY TO CORRECT. THIS CREATES DRIVER TO OVER STEER AND MAKING CAR TAKE A HARD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. CONSTANTLY TRYING TO STEER AND CORRECT THE CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. AT THESE LISTED SPEEDS CAR WILL NOT CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT LINE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO GO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKING AT LISTED SPEEDS ABOVE. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT LISTED SPEEDS, IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN THE DESIGNATED LANES. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY ADJUSTING LEFT OR RIGHT IT THE CARS BEGINS TO WANT TO LOSE CONTROL.

MAY 9TH 2016, DRIVING TO WORK ON I-44 HEADING TO WORK, MY VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SHUTS OFF AND DIES, I START TO SEE WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I SAFELY PULL THE CAR OVER TO SHOULDER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL ROLLING. EXIT THE VEHICLE AND OPEN THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CATCHES FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CERTIFIED MECHANICS ALL WITH THE SAME ANSWER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I HAVE SINCE COMPLETED THE TOTAL LOSS PROCESS WITH MY INSURANCE. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS IT ONLY HAD JUST OVER 36000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OIL NEEDED TO BE REPLENISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,550.

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH IN A BACK-STREET WHEN I DROVE OVER A STEADY BUMP, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE BUMP IN NATURE I WOULD SAY WAS NOT A ROUGH BUMP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AT SHAUMBURG KIA ADDRESS: 1100 E GOLF RD, SCHAUMBURG, IL 60173 PHONE:(847) 908-0502

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

ONE MORNING I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SAW BUNCH OF WHITE LIGHT BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE AFTER RUNNING THE ENGINE FOR FEW MINUTES SMOKE WENT AWAY DROVE IT AROUND NOTHING DROVE GOOD SO MONDAY I CALLED WEST COVINA KIA TOLD ABOUT THE SMOKE AND SAID IT WAS A BAD BATCH OF GAS SO THEY SAID PUT EJECTOR CLEANER IN THE TANK AND THAT SHOULD HELP IT OUT SO I DID RAN GOOD FOR A WHILE AND THE SMOKE STARTED UP AGAIN BUT NOW THE ENGINE MADE A RATTLING SOUND SO CALLED KIA OF WEST COVINA AND SAID BRING IT IN SO LEFT IT THERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID I HAD SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARVING FOR OIL SO THE BAD NEWS IS NO RECEIPT NO WARRANTY IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED SO THIS HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE WHICH IT'S GOING TO COST ME $6500 I DID MY OIL CHANGES BUT CAN'T SHOW PROOF OF IT SO I'M STUCK WITH THE BILL I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE ENGINES .I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I ONLY HAVE 19.000 MILES ON IT HAVE IT FOR 2 YEARS THERE SHOULDN'T BE PROBLEMS ON THIS NEW CARS BUT THIS GUY'S FOUND A LOOP HOLE AND NOW THEY ARE SCREWING WITH CONSUMERS THEY SHOULD MAN UP ABOUT THEIR FAULTY ENGINES THEY SHOULD RECALL THE ENGINES