9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$3,500.00
Average Mileage:
72,842 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace engine (2 reports)
engine problem
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problem #1
2010Sep 01
Optima LX V4
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I bought the car brand new, changed my oil and did all the things that I was suppose to do to the car to make sure that it last me for at least 10 to 15 years with no problem. the car started to make a loud noise every time I pushed the gas to go, the temp. gauge would go up to hot. I am sick of this call and will never buy another Kia as long as I am alive.
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Optima recall
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Oct 08
Optima LX 2.4L 4
I purchased this car nearly two years ago from a used car dealer, with 50,400 miles on it. It was actually pretty reliable until the engine mysteriously failed on October 8, 2011, at 75,684 miles, while I was out of state. I was returning to Connecticut with some of my family when it developed a loud clatter and soon, the oil warning light came on, along with the "check engine" light, and there was a loud "bang" from the hood, with accompanying debris and a smell of burning oil. When my mechanic looked at the car, he confirmed that there was a hole in the side of the engine. I have had seven cars, American and Japanese, in 21 years and this is the first engine failure. Those I kept for over three years, and the Buick I had for one year, all had at least 107,000 on the clock and no failure (the Civic had over 191,000). I change engine oil every 2,900 - 4,000 miles (generally 3,000) and generally shift at between 2,500 - 4,000 rpm depending on conditions, so I believe I drive and maintain cars properly - especially as this did not happen to the six other cars. This would have been a merely terrible inconvenience if Kia stood by its so-called 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Don't believe it, if you are buying used. You get the balance of 5 years or 60,000 miles. That would not be shabby if the car itself were reliable and you knew exactly what warranty you were getting, or they at least would meet you halfway. Who buys a modern car expecting the engine to expire at 75,000 miles when you regularly see ads for cars for sale with 200,000-plus miles? That's it for Kia - done!
Justin W.
Hamden, Connecticut, USA
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