NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Optima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL LIGHT, AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CALAVAN KIA WEST (1301 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122, (678) 715-5399) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
I WAS HEADED TO KY DECEMBER 2020 TO VISIT MY FATHER. THE CAR STARTED MAKING RATTLING NOISE. AS I HIT THE GAS PETAL, THE CAR WAS STOPPING IN ON COMING 1-65 TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS NEARLY 50 MILES FROM BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY (12-23-20). I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND WE SET UP ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOWING TO PICK UP THE NEXT MORNING (LESS THAN 24 HOURS- CHRISTMAS EVE). WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS, THE CAR WAS IMPOUNDED BY KENTUCKY POLICE NEAR GLASGOW, KY. AFTER PAYING TOWING FEES AND TICKETS, I FINALLY GOT MY CAR TO AUTO COMPANY TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. AFTER COMPLETION, I FOUND OUT THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH MORE STUFF. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR (KIA-HUNTSVILLE, AL) TO ASK FOR ADVICE ON NEXT STEPS. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE NEAREST KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEAR WHERE THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO MARTIN KIA (BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY). THEY PUT ME IN LINE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND COMPLETELY FIXED. ON JANUARY 4, 2021 THE VEHICLE WAS IN KIA POSSESSION TO FIX RECALL REPAIRS. MARCH 6, 2021 I WAS SCHEDULED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PROMISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, I HAD TO WAIT 45MINUTES BECAUSE MY CAR WAS LOCKED AND TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS PULLED TO SIDE AND TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY BRAND NEW EMPLOYEE AND TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE A ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON BECAUSE IF SO, IT'S PROBABLY THE NEW HIRE FAULT FOR IT MESSING UP. AFTER ALL OF THAT, I WAS HEADED HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED A SECOND TIME! AFTER CONTACTING LOCAL POLICE, I WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO KIA TO RETURN THE KEYS AND MAKE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE TO GET IT OFF OF THE INTERSTATE.
When I drive my car it smells just like it is burning or melting in the motor, it comes thru the vents and smells awful. It has only smoked a couple of times when I have turned it off. I have had it looked at but at first they couldn't find the problem. The second time I had it checked out they said that the changed the HECU on my car but it still smells like it is burning. It has been doing it for about 3 months.
THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA COVER COMES OFF DURING HIGH SPEED AND MY IMPACT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
I purchased a kia turbo optima from bob's lamphere's beaverton oregon kia dealership 9 days later I felt the acceleration awkwardly bi wanted to return it or exchange but was told no contract was only within 5 days. I took it to kia dealership for diagnostic 3 times I had it for 9 months the last 6 weeks was the 3rd time until Feb 28th It was totaled by a uninsured motorist memes william benton penny lll Or. Driver lic# 1289466 Of 1633 n.e. 76th portland oregon 97213 he was speeding illegally bypassing on a bridge into on coming traffic which was me he ending totally the back end of my kia. No air bags deployed I had no airbag warning light on I suffer injuries whiplash in my neck shoulder and back to this day Wild willy seemed to have injured his leg to the point of amputation ... Portland police report# 21-54465 which is the report that wild willy gave a false identity. Later the officer text giving his real identity. To this day I haven't been compensated for bodily or auto damageby wild willy or Geico my insurance. And lost my kia in a junk yard with a remaining of a bill of 12,000 of 25,500.
I was driving in rush hour traffic I'm my 2015 kia optima when it just cut off while I was driving almost causing me to hit another car. Unsure of what was happening I had it towed to akin and bobs auto repair. They inspected the car and it needs a new engine. I had not had any issues with car before. Now I see there is a recall that is causing issue like I experienced that day.
MY ENGINE IS TICKING AND TAPPING DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE GOT MY OIL CHANGE IT'S IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE02
WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROAD APPROACHING REDLIGHY AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO STIFF AND CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ROLLING. COULD NOT GET TO START AGAIN AND SMELT ELECTRICAL BURNING SOMEWHERE. HAD TO BEG CAR TOWED HOME. TRIED JUMPING WITH A JUMP BOX TO ELIMINATE BATTERY AND IT WAS NOT ISSUE. ALMOST REAR ENDED VEHICLE INFRONT AND WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF MAIN ROAD.
CAR ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ROAD RANGER ATTEMPTED TO JUMP CAR OFF BUT SPARKS CAME AND MULTIPLE CABLES WERE BURNT OUT.. CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP AND WAS ADVISE TO CONTACT KIA FOR RECALL
DID AN OIL CHANGE AND AFTER THAT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND SHE HAD RUN A RED LIGHT, SHE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PARTIALLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED 2 BROKEN RIGHT RIBS, LEFT COLLAR BONE WAS SPRAINED, THE RIGHT KNEE AND RIGHT FOOT WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF ANYONE WAS INJURED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER MIKE MILLER AUTO PARK (2007 W PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615: (309) 693-1222) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TOWED TO VICTORY KIA (5101 N. NAVARRO ST, VICTORIA, TX 77904, (361) 333-4542) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON THE 405 AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOWED SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND 2 OTHERS, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND ONLY HAD BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO SHUFFLE OFF THE MAIN FREEWAY TO AN OFF RAMP WHERE I PULLED OVER TO ATTEMPT TO POWER THE CAR BACK ON. THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED TO BECOME APPARENT AND I WENT OUT TO LIFT THE HOOD AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT THE OPENING. I RUSHED TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE BATTERY CABLE OFF TO TRY TO SALVAGE IT FROM CATCHING FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO WIGGLE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF BUT SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY DROPPED OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP CAR PROS KIA IN GLENDALE AND IM BEING INFORMED THE STARTER WAS THE ISSUE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IM UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS SINCE THE EVENT OF THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL POWER OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING .
I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON I96 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO AN EXIT BUT THE CAR CUT OFF RIGHT AT THE EXIT RAMP AS I STOPPED TRAFFIC FOR A MILE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I HAD IT LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS A 2015 WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 100,000 MILES. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE. THE LAST CAR SHOP SAID THAT SOMETHING CAME LOOSE IN THE ENGINE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE RAMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH KIA AND HYUNDAI MOTORS.
My car had started acting weird about 5 months after I got it, I believe Jan 2020. Only had it till Jan 2021 and they said my engine Barrings broke and it was going to cost me 10000. I didn’t have it. I was never informed about the recall. It messed up my whole credit and I still have not been able to get a car since. I moved and I was just now able to get the mail!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING AN ODOR APPEARED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, GET OUT THE VEHICLE, LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND WITHIN SECONDS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WENT UP IN FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION LOT. NO MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
ROD BEARINGS WENT BAD AND SEIZED THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE . HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER . HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY
WHEN I REVERSE MY CAR OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT IT STOPS LIKE MY BRAKES LOCKS. I HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS A LITTLE FOR IT TO GO. ALSO MY BRAKES OR WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT MY BRAKES LOOKS GOOD
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF AN WOULDNT START BACK.. A SHOP TOLD ME THE MOTOR WAS LOCKED UP AS WELL AS THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN. IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES AN SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WHAT SO EVER ALREADY!!! ONE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE 6-11,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT! ANOTHER KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DO HAVE A RECALL ON THE MOTOR LOCKING UP AND THAT THEY MIGHT FIX IT? IF THERE'S A RECALL IT SHOULDN'T BE A MIGHT THEY SHOULD FOR SURE FIX IT I FEEL.. ALSO, I DO HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY LIKE IM SUPPOSED TO.
IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, I TOOK MY KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A STALL OUT AND TURNED OUT MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE A WEEK LATER AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. WELL A MONTH LATER, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND I'M HEARD A POP UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE. A MIN LATER MY CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES. NONE OF MY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAR HAD A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WARNING LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND UNDRIVABLE.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both front headlight bulbs, as well as the rear taillight bulbs, had repeatedly stopped working while driving, without warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that she had to replace the bulbs several times during the year. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers who were unable to determine the cause for the failures. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
HEAD LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP SHORTING OUT MAKING IT HARD FOR YOU TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EVEN DURING THE DAY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE JAMS AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO SLIDE IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFULLY IN THE RAIN AND SNOW
CUT SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, BEGAN SMOKING AND NOW WILL NOT START. IN CHAMBLEE GA
VEHICLE HAD SERVICE LIGHT ON FOR ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S OK TO DRIVE TODAY UNTIL THEY SERVICE IN THE MORNING. THEY HAD A SENSOR SHOW FOR THE HEUC. I DROVE 10 MILES APPROXIMATELY HALF ON FREEWAY AND AT FULL 65MPH THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD ELECTRICAL NOISE AND LOST FULL DRIVE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY AVOID GETTING HIT AT FULL FREEWAY SPEEDS IN RUSH HOUR AND ABLE TO GET ON SHOULDER AND EXIT RAMP. CAR TURNED BACK ON AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 15MPH AT THE LIGHT AND WAS TOWED TODAY DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INQUIRY.
ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME THAT DAY THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. LATER THAT SAME DAY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REAPPEARED AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT FALL UNDER ANY RECALL THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING.
ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND I WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME MAYBE A DAY OR TWO THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND I REGAINED STEERING. SINCE THEN IT HAS COME BACK ON AGAIN AND I HAVE HAD NO POWER STEERING SINCE THIS PERIOD I KNOW THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THIS AND BELIEVE THIS IS PART OF IT, HOWEVER I AM TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THE SAFETY ISSUE FIXED ON MY OWN.
ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF. BUT DOESN'T GIVE A CODE WHEN I TAKE IT TO GET SERVICED. TOOK IT UP TO KIA TO TELL THEM THAT ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THAT MY WALL CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRUNK FROM THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE BULBS.BACK LIGHTS GO OUT CONSTANTLY AFTER THE BULBS ARE CHANGED OR THE SOCKET HAS BEEN CHANGED.
DRIVING THE 15 KIA OPTIMA WHEN THE VEHICLE START LOSS THE POWER AND ENGINE DIE, TRY TO START AND ENGINE START HARD. TOWING TO A MECHANIC SHOP, EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE, NO CODES, START THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE CAME, ENGINE IS NOCKING.
**This complaint isn't directly related to the safety of the car** However, due to outstanding number of similar cases i've witness online. I would like to formally make a complaint for the defective White paint on my Kia vehicle. Like many other "white" Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the white paint is bubbling and peeling from multiple areas of my vehicle all at once. I have always taken care of and hand washed my car, so i know the paint isn't peeling because of user/owner damage. Road debris would also only cause paint damage on the front bumper and/or hood, which doesn't explain the bubbling and peeling happening on all the other parts of my car.
PEELING PAINT ON HOOD AND SIDE PILLARS. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH KIA AND SWP WHITE PEARL PAINT.
ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDNT START.I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE.I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE TURBO SYSTEM WHICH HAD A RECALL ON IT IN 2016THAT WAS FOR THE KNOCK SENSORSYSTEM ON 2018/
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SHE BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE RECENTLY, HE NOTICED THAT THE HIGH FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PARKWAY FAMILY KIA LOCATED AT 22555 US-59, KINGWOOD, TX 77339, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. *LN*DT*JB CONSUMER STATED DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP.*JB*JB
KNOCK SENSOR DETECTOR IS MALFUNCTIONED. THE ENGINE VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE NOW.
AS I WAS COMING UP TO AT STOP LIGHT IT FELT AS IF THE CAR HAD LOSS POWER I LOOK DOWN AT MY DASH TO SEE ALL MY INDICATOR LIGHTS ON I TRIED TO PUSH ON THE GAS BUT ALL IT DID WAS STUTTER WITH VERY LILTTLE POWER DID WANT TO GO SO I PULLED TO SIDE TURN KEY OFF FOR 5 MINS OR SO CHECKE ALL FLUIDS CAPS AND LINES ALL WAS OK STARTED RIGHT BACK UP BUT IT WAS A SLIGHT THUMP SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE BUT DIDN'T THINK NOTHING OF IT CAUSE IT WASN'T LOUD ENOUGH I THOUGHT TO BE CONCERN FEW MINS INTO DRIVING SOUND KINDA FADED. VERY NEXT DAY MAYBE 15 MILES INTO DRIVING SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN LOSS POWER INDICATOR. LIGHTS COME ON I PULL OVER ONLY THIS TIME I SIT WAIT 5 10 MINS TRY TO START CAR AGAIN IT DOESN'T EVEN CRANK OVER 20 MINS GO BY I TRY TO START IT AND IT DOES ONLY TO HEAR THAT SAME THUMPING SOUND BUT LOUDLY THIS TIME SO I PUT CAR IN DRIVE SOUND FADES AS I START SLIGHTLY PUSHING CAR THE THUMP SOUND BECAME A LOUD METAL SOUNDING NOISE LIKE SILVERWARE BOUNCING IN A BUCKET I TURN IT OFF AN IT'S BEEN SITTING SINCE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH AT AT ABOUT 65 MILES A HOUR AND MY CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WOULDN'T START. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND GOT IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY GOT BACK TO ME ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER AND SAID MY ENGINE WAS BLOW BUT IT WAS ON RECALL BUT MY CARFAX ONLY HAVE ONE OIL CHANGE DONE SINCE I BOUT THE CAR. I PROVIDED THEM WITH UP TO DATE SERVICE RECORDS AND I TOLD THEM THE LAST TWO OIL CHANGES I DID WERE ON MY OWN. THEY JUST GOT BACK TO ME AND SAID I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL IF IT'S A RECALL I THINK IT SHOULD BE FIXED I'M 19 YEARS OLD AND I STILL OWE 12000 ON THE CAR AND IT'S MY FIRST CAR I EVER BOUGHT ON MY OWN AND MY ONLY WAY OF TRANSPORTATION. THANK YOU
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS OFF APPROX 20 MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE STARTED TO DIE DOWN. AT THAT POINT, I WAS TO SCARED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON TO SEE IF I COULD DRIVE IT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. WHILE THE CAR WAS AT KIA THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS NOT AN ENGINE ISSUE HE THINKS IT MAY BE FROM A SLUDGE BUILD UP FROM OIL (BECAUSE HE REALLY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE). I HAD JUST TAKEN MY CAR FOR ITS OIL CHANGED THAT SAME DAY. WHICH THEY DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ANY KIND OF BUILD UP. THE KIA EMPLOYEES WERE RUDE WHEN I CALLED AND REQUESTED A LOANER CAR. THEY AT FIRST TOLD ME TO COME DOWN AND PICK UP A CAR, ONCE I DROVE IN, THEY DENIED ME FOR A LOANER CAR AND TOLD ME I COULD RENT ONE FOR 35 A DAY. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THEY CAN'T GET A CODE TO COME UP ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH KIA THEN IS TELLING ME IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHEN ASKED WHY THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENGINE, THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE BUILD UP THEY HAVE TOO, WHEN REALLY THEY DON'T TECHNICALLY KNOW FOR SURE WHAT CAUSED THE SMOKE ISSUE. SO NOW KIA IS EXPECTING ME TO PAY 7,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE, WHICH WOULD BE COVERED IF THEY CAN GET A CODE TO COME UP. SO, NOW I AM FORCED TO PAY THIS TO GET MY CAR UP AND RUNNING SO I DON'T LOSE MY JOB (WHICH I HAVE ALREADY MISSED SEVERAL DAYS DUE TO NOT HAVING A VEHICLE). MY FATHER AND I MET WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE IS UNDECIDED WHAT THE ISSUE, OR CAUSE IS AT THIS TIME. THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE, AND KIA TOLD HER THE SAME THING THAT IT WAS CAUSED FROM A OIL SLUDGE ISSUE, BUT AFTER MONTHS OF ARBITRATION, KIA COMPENSATED HER FOR THE DAMAGES.
8/27/2020 CAR HAD BEEN AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS BEFORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE...CAR SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY AFTER 'CHECK HYBRID CHARGING SYSTEM' LIGHTS FLASHING 'SHUT DOWN ENGINE' LIGHTS FLASHING. KIA HAD DETERMINED CAR JUST NEEDED A 'HYBRID BATTERY UPDATE' FAST FORWARD...I WAS DRIVING TO VISIT MY MOTHER IN IDAHO, DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED: 'CHECK HYBRID CHARGING SYSTEM, SHUT OFF ENGINE.' ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, AND 'POSSIBLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ISSUE' DIAGNOSTIC FLASHED ON THE RADIO SCREEN. THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER BEFORE LOCKING UP COMPLETELY, WHEEL LOCKING, SHUTTING OFF AND SPINNING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY ANOTHER OTHER CARS WERE CLOSE BY OR ELSE THIS WOULD HAVE EASILY TURNED INTO A FATAL CRASH. 3 HOURS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A $450 TOW INTO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS 2 HOURS AWAY.. AND I FIND OUT IT'S A BLOWN HEV FUSE AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM/BATTERY HAS FAILED COMPLETELY. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A DEAD CAR. FAILED AT AROUND 79,500 MILES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST KIA OPTIMA HYBRID TO DO THIS!!! RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE THEY KILL SOMEBODY!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A 5 YEAR OLD CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND LOCKING UP ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. IT HAS THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH KIA IS SAYING COVERS NO PART OF ANY REPAIRS. ODD SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE HYBRIDS!! RECALL THESE DEATH TRAPS!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER BROTHER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED SMOKE. THERE WAS FIRE IN THE TRUNK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BROTHER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RETRIEVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DIRECTED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. PUT ON LIMP HOME MODE. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND IT TURN OUT THE KNOCK SENSORS AREN'T WORKING AND I NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering column was previously replaced due to power steering failure. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality inadvertently, and veered to the right lane unintendedly. The anti-skid and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the earliest availability for diagnostic testing was September 8, 2023. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND CAN'T PICK UP SPEED OVER 60 MPH AND KNOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING, SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES. IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE HOME, SO I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME.
AT ABOUT 1500 MILES ON THE CAR, I HAVE 2200 NOW, I STARTED TO NOTICE A GRINDING AND A ROUGH CONTACT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS KIA HAS HAD AOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES ON THE STINGER SINCE INTRODUCTION. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALERSHIP SOON BUT PER THE RESEARCH, KIA DOES NOT HAVE FIX OTHER THAN REPLACING REPEATEDLY.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STALLED ON ME OUT OF NO WHERE. I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED. ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY DASH BOARD CAME ON AND MY CAR WAS MAKING A BAD RATTLING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, STILL STALLING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BLOW. I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. IT NEVER MADE A NOISES BEFORE OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE MY ENGINE WAS GOING OUT. I GOT MY PILES CHANGED ON 8/11/2020 AROUND 2:30PM AT MURPHYSBORO, IL WALMART. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 8/13/2020.
'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, FIRST WITH MY BREAK LIGHT SWITCH, THEN MY A/C CONTROL PANEL WENT OUT . NOW. AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY FOOD IN THE DRIVE THROUGH LANE MY CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF BUT MY CAR WAS STILL ON, I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND GET MY ENGINE GOING AGAIN.I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE MY ENGINE WON'T START BUT MY CAR WILL TURN ON ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS I OFTEN FEEL MY CAR JITTER A LITTLE. I HAD MY BATTERY CHECKED BUT THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT I WENT TO TAKE OFF AND LOST ALL POWER. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE FACILITY WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND I WAS JUST TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX WITH 64,000 MILES.
HI MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA ON 08/07/2020 I PUT THE RECOMMENDED GAS IN MY TANK AND THEN GOT ONTO THE INTERSTATE AFTER ABOUT 5-15 MINS IT STARTED LOOSING POWER AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE PAST 60. ALSO NOW WHEN I START DRIVING IT JERKS REALLY BAD AND WON'T GO PAST 2 ON THE RPMS. WHEN IT JERKS I'M ASSUMING THAT IT IS THE GEARS TRYING TO CHANGE. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE HAS ACTED WEIRD EVER SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IT COMES AND GOES AND JUST RECENTLY IS WHEN IT STAYED ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN THE LOSS OF POWER AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY ISSUE BEGAN
AS I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, I PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND I THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER COMING UP BEHIND ME WITH MY 80-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER IN THE CAR. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH LOW MILES AND I HAVE OIL IN IT AND OUT OF NOWHERE THERE'S IT'S LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SOMEHOW MY OIL IS BACK LOW AGAIN. THIS SO TOTALLY ON KIA SO MANY COMPLAINTS NOT ENOUGH RESOLUTION.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL BECAUSE I HAD NO BREAKS. THEN I HAD A TOW TRUCK COME AND PULL ME OFF THE FREEWAY TO SEE IF I COULD START MY VEHICLE HOWEVER IT DID NOT START ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH ON AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND SMELL LIKE FIRE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE IS FRIED BECAUSE THE OIL PUMP WAS NOT BEING PUMPED INTO THE MOTOR THEREFORE IT LOCKED UP HE SAID I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME REASON I CHECKED THE RECALL AND THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SYSTEM THAT A 2015 KIA OPTIMA IS UP FOR RECALL. I BELIEVE KIA NEEDS TO REFUND THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY 88,000 MILES IN THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED KIA NEEDS TO CALL ME
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.