2020 Kia Optima Complaint Log

2020 Kia Optima with 39,000 miles. Check engine light came on for knock sensor and put into limp mode. Before the check engine light came on I've been noticing a faint noise during acceleration from the engine. Waiting to hear back on the overall problem.

2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to leak oil stall and is dangerous to drive12/24/2022

On Thursday, I was leaving to drive my son 5 miles up the road and my check engine light started flashing with no warning. My car slowed down and started jerking. I took it to auto zone (on limp mode) to receive a code and it came back with p1326. My car only has 64,216 miles and I also just recently got the oil changed. I have not taken it to a dealer yet but I wanted to report this because my car is only 2 years old and shouldn’t have engine/power train issues.

2020 Kia Optima Exploding Sunroof. While driving home from work on the highway I heard a loud pop that startled me. Once stopping I found my sunroof was broken. Nothing had hit it, and after inspection at the dealership no mechanical issues were found. On Google many other Kia owners with different years and model cars have experienced the same exact thing I went through. On top of my monthly note I have never been late on. I have to pay to get this fixed when Kia should have actually footed the bill. Will never purchase another kia after this. The whole situation has caused tons of stress and anxiety.

I believe the engine could possibly be failing. My engine light will come on & flash, when it does this it is slowing down at speed ranges of 60 mph. Another thing, the GDi engine that is in this vehicle burns oil EXTREMELY fast. It is quite aggravating having to constantly get oil changes every 2-4 weeks & have only driven 0-1500 miles. This is not normal. The engine has this crackling noise as if it’s chopping metal.

I purchased my car used in 2022. It had a metal clanking noise in the engine. I took it to KIA they said there was no recall open for them to check it. The sound is getting worse and the engine is now burning oil but KIA won’t do anything unless I pay them $1,200 to clean the heads and another $187 an hour to scope the engine. This has been a problem since I purchased the car and I am sure it has to do with the engine recall but they refuse to fix it or look at it. I have had regular oil changes and maintenance done at appropriate intervals.

The Kia optima 2020 2.4 every 3000 to 4000 miles oil change is metal shavings in the old oil. The clicking noise stared it around the 10000 miles mark and now is getting worse with 60000 miles ,everytime I hit the gas and goes over 30 miles loose a lot of power and a clicking noise come out ,now is getting worse. Is a new car. Already change a ABS pump and I keep my oil change to the date. I m afraid the car is breaking . Help.

The vehicle is incredibly easy to steal. A simple flat head screw driver in the hands of a child will steal this vehicle. My car was stolen from Daytona Beach Florida on July 8 2022 by 2 14 year and one 15 year old kids. No key, no fob needed, who knew it'd be so easy to steal? They learned it on TikTok. This is a problem nation wide and social media seems to spread the issue even further. I provided a link to one of many news stories regarding this problem below. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2022/06/30/police-rise-car-thefts-kia-hyundai/7776099001/

The driver side seat It goes off whenever sometimes for a few seconds other times a few minutes and this is when I'm driving

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts jerked. The car stuutered and shut off and every light on the dashboard went insane. I purchased the car with 34 miles on it. Now…fast forward I’ve been having the car engine check, consumption oil tests performed and more since 60xxx miles or so. I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do with returning the car for testing and every time I’m told I just need to wait until the engine fails. They clean the engine up make it look pretty after the second test and run some cleaner through then I’m back in a couple of weeks to months for the same thing. The engine valve cover has been replaced many times, spark plugs keep going out, and a ton more engine work that was done under warranty. Brain the service man told both me and my husband it’s what we have TJ deal with, at Suntrup, and doesn’t matter if I’m driving or not wait until the engine blows before Kia can replace the full engine. He said if you’re outta warranty that’ll be your issue. Well when I talked to Kia they said I better not drive it that way, with no oil in the car regardless how it’s brining and keep taking it in. But Bryan every time seems to not want to deal with it. Test after test and he said i just need TJ fault before we replace it. The service department has deemed this a bad engine ever trip. But I’m told it MUST PASS KIA TEST. However, I’m 7,000 miles outta warranty now and I’m praying they cover it because I did everything I’m supposed to do. I have every record however, Lou Fuze has failed to reproduce my records and I’ve requested them by text many times.

Vehicle was tampered before purchasing, transmission mounts broken, evap hose gas tank and engine.. car was claimed as a lemon vehicle, dealership sold me a vehicle that’s unsafe to operate. Dealership refuses to fix…

The passager side seat belt goes off by itself

Car has been excessively consuming oil for the past year. Black smoke blowing out of exhaust pipe. Engine siezed up which almost caused an accident, had to veer off the road to keep from causing myself and the other party harm. Kia is stating no recall but there is tons of motors having this same issue. The actual motor in car is a 2019 model engine.inspected by Kia dealership with no help stating out of warranty even though this has been going on for over a year.

After changing the bulbs and fuses . The lights flicker and sometimes don’t come on at all .

Cat consumes excessive oil. Smokes.

UNKNOWN But the passenger side seat belt start chumming on its on and won't stop until I connect the seat belt

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel and lose consciousness. The vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for a concussion and was later diagnosed with early signs of onset dementia. A police report was filed and the contact was taken to jail under the assumption that she was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the contact was not aware if it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags should not have been deployed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

I was driving in the freeway nearby San Jose, CA with my family in the car. I was doing 67mph. It was high elevation curvy road. I experienced engine stalling. The car suddenly stop accelarating and speed drop to 35mph despite pressing on gas.

Fuel line had a quick detachment have to be replaced

Owner's manual states the 1.6Turbo requires 4.75 qrts of oil with filter change. The car reads full after adding 4 qrts. Still reading full after double checking after 250 miles. .Owner's manual typo? . Incorrect dipstick during final assembly? .Following the manual could lead to overfilling/foaming issues and thus engine failure/safety issues. Perhaps a TSB needs to be done? Note: I used a Fram filter. Slightly smaller dimensions than original but in no way accounting for 3/4 qrts.

When I accelerate the car jerks as if is going to cut off. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can not find any thing wrong. After searching the internet, I find I am not the only one with this issue. I just want my car fixed so that I feel safe driving it.

FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE BEEN FEELING A LEFT TO RIGHT MOVEMENT AT TIMES WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SO AFTER FURTHER CHECKING I NOTICED IT MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN MOVED BY HAND MY CAR ONLY HAS 36128 MILES SO WHY IS THIS COMING LOOSE ALREADY?

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic braking system engaged without warning to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the cruise control failed to operate as needed and the vehicle intermittently failed to turn on while using the "Push to Start/Stop" button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Kia of Cape Coral (404 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33909) however, both dealers could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.

MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING WHEN A FORD 150 PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. FORWARD COLLISION WORKED & SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO 35MPH. I HIT THE TRUCK DOING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHAT SO EVER.

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT

I purchased in July 2020, from sept 2020 I've had it at the dealership with shuddering, stalling and loss of acceleration. I originally thought fuel pump or transmission but kia said no. then in 2022 I received a letter from kia corporate stating low pressure fuel pump failure. so i called the dealership and told them the letter states everything I had been in to see them about numerous times. made an appointment they said they found an error but had no fix. I complained heavily due to the fact I sat there for 4 hours, and they knew they had no fix as of yet. It was too dangerous like this. so the Manager said he'd just replace it with a whole new fuel pump but it could also fail. I sent the car in for 4 days just to find out they did not replace it. they only changed the fuel filter. stating kia wont let them put in a new pump due to their system not showing any other issue. The problem persisted and multiple visits to kia to no avail. Then on top of that my air bag light came on Jan 4, 2024. They said it was my responsibility it's not covered 1138.67 it would cost me. Then in Feb kia corporate sent me a letter about airbags. I did not go back because the light eventually went off by itself without a fix, then April 17, 2024 the original problem got even worse, shuddering, lack of acceleration , stalling feeling. Dec. 10, 2025 back to Kia. they have a code for dual clutch and flywheel so they ordered it & had my car for 19 days. I called numerous times to see about progress. I was told they are trying to chase down a code with a tech line. 7 days after that I picked it up & they said they did not change out any parts because there was no code. They only did a cap discharge. I have my car back now after 19 days & it's still not fixed. I called Jan5, 2026 and they said if kia is to fix it they need a code to be present or it'll cost me several thousand, even if its a known issue. so far it's been in the shop 9 times and 24 days total.

I OWN A 2020 KIA OPTIMA (MY SECOND ONE IN LESS THAN A YEAR). THREE WEEKS AGO, I APPLIED MY BRAKES BEFORE ENTERING A CURVE. IN THE PROCESS, I HIT A BUMP (NOT A POT HOLE) IN THE ROAD'S AND MY BRAKES DISENGAGED AND I THOUGHT I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE THE BRAKE WERE GOING TO ENGAGE IN TIME FOR ME MISS A HIT ON COLLUSION. THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN, YESTERDAY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH A KIA OPTIMA. IN MY 2016, THE SAME THING WAS OCCURRING. THE SERVICE SHOP REPLACE A ROD OR SOMETHING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD A LOANER KIA OPTIMA (2019). I COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS IN BRAKE PADDLE WHEN I DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SAME OCCURRED IN THE FIRST 2020 KIA OPTIMA THAT I PURCHASED LAST OCTOBER. KIA COUNTRY SAVANNAH TRY EVERYTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY, THE DEALERSHIP TRADED ME I OUT OF THAT VEHICLE BEFORE MY FIRST PAYMENT AND WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL MY CURRENT VEHICLE WAS LOCATED AND DELIVERED FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. NOW, I EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE WITH YOUR COMPANY'S VEHICLE. I WAS FORCED TO TRADE-OUT OF 2016 CAR DUE TO KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS.

THE FCW FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT GET ACTIVATED UNDER ANY CIRCUSNSTANCES. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SYSTEM TO ALL LEVELS AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. IT NEVER WARNS YOU OF AN COLLISION.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL IF THE SHOE SIZE IS US10+. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE KNEE AIRBAG MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

THE FCW FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT GET ACTIVATED UNDER ANY CIRCUSNSTANCES. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SYSTEM TO ALL LEVELS AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. IT NEVER WARNS YOU OF AN INMINENT COLLISION. THE CAR IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN I TRIED THE SYSTEM

THERE IS A VERY LIMITED AND INADEQUATE SPACE BETWEEN THE THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH CAN IMPEDE A DRIVER FROM MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP.THE SAME LACK OF SPACE BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL.NOTHING HAPPENED IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.