This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I bought a 2015 Kia optima in February of 2023. In October the engine completely seized with zero warning. The vehicle was always properly serviced while in my possession. The engine seized and the car went into limp mode during the first snow storm of the year on one of the deadliest mountain passes of North Idaho. I, a young woman, was stranded almost an hour outside of town on the side of a freeway on a mountain during a snow storm. The power in my car shut off so I was unable to use the heat system. I waited approximately 3 hours in these conditions for a family member to arrive. I then had the vehicle towed 40 miles back to town and have been without a vehicle since. Kia USA has only offered $40 a day in rental reimbursement to assist with the situation. However, due to my age I am unable to rent a vehicle. My personal dealership where I purchased the vehicle from has denied letting me rent a vehicle from them. The Local Kia dealership has not provided me with a loaner vehicle despite being on the list for over two months. Since dealing with all of this, I have learned that there is not only 1 but 2 recalls on my vehicle and one is not even going to be fixed due to Kia not having the replacement parts ready, meaning my vehicle can explode at any given time.
I bought a 2015 Kia optima in February of 2023. In October the engine completely seized with zero warning. The vehicle was always properly serviced while in my possession. The engine seized and the car went into limp mode during the first snow storm of the year on one of the deadliest mountain passes of North Idaho. I, a young woman, was stranded almost an hour outside of town on the side of a freeway on a mountain during a snow storm. The power in my car shut off so I was unable to use the heat system. I waited approximately 3 hours in these conditions for a family member to arrive. I then had the vehicle towed 40 miles back to town and have been without a vehicle since. Kia USA has only offered $40 a day in rental reimbursement to assist with the situation. However, due to my age I am unable to rent a vehicle. My personal dealership where I purchased the vehicle from has denied letting me rent a vehicle from them. The Local Kia dealership has not provided me with a loaner vehicle despite being on the list for over two months. Since dealing with all of this, I have learned that there is not only 1 but 2 recalls on my vehicle and one is not even going to be fixed due to Kia not having the replacement parts ready, meaning my vehicle can explode at any given time.
There seems to be some oil burning off when I drive. But none leaking on the ground. My car is consuming oil. Also if I press the gas to speed up, my car will stall a bit and then some black smoke will exit my exhaust.
On Nov 22 2023, while driving my car the engine light came on and within 10 mins the car shut off while moving in traffic. Using the residual speed I was able to safely pull over and after multiple attempts to restart, there was smoke coming from the engine. Had the car towed and approx 3 weeks later (multiple attempts to contact the dealership and reaching out to the manufacturer) the dealership accepted the car to try to assess the issue. When this happened, it was only then I was aware of the recall which seemed to be related to this exact issue. The manufacturer and dealer have then slowly worked on trying to resolve the issue. This complaint is solely for informational purposes at the moment as it's been almost a week since I was able to contact anyone. My car is currently at the dealership with no feedback on the outcome.
Engine is using excessive amount of oil. It has been changed on a regular basis have documentation bought the car new. I have noted that there are several complaints of the rings going bad in this model engine of the rings letting oil blow by. When is the NHTSA going to demand a recall as this can cause the motor to blow up and causes much more carbon emissions. Please make this a priority recall before more people get hurt and the emissions put out more pollutants/carbon in the air..
- Limestone, TN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My car has been consuming lots of oil. I took it in for an oil change and while test driving two of the mechanics stated the oil light came on and it ran out of oil on the test drive. Instead of saying anything about a possible issue with the engine, they went ahead and put oil in it and sent me on my way. Since, my car is still consuming loads of oil. I've taken it into the dealership several times for the same issue and each time they told me they can't do anything about it until it runs out of oil. One person advised to not put oil in it. Now the engine light came on, so I took it in again and this time I was told the cylinders have gone bad and one person that worked there said to let it run out of oil, but you didn't hear that from me, and they will replace the engine for free. I said, so I'm supposed to let the car die while I'm driving it, what happens if the car quits running in the middle of a turn and I get hit, the guy looked at me and said nothing. In addition, he asked if I had an extended warranty as its covered under an extended warranty. I'm pretty sure I did buy one, but I couldn't remember, so I called up the dealership I purchased it from and they said they couldn't tell me either since, they don't keep any paperwork after 7 years, and its been 8 years.They also said it wouldn't matter as it wouldn't be covered because of mileage. I have been complaining about the oil way before my mileage was over and I'm pretty sure I read something about mileage ext on Kia for this same issue.The last time I drove it, I was sitting idle in my car and the oil light came on, so I called the dealership, they asked if it started back up and I wasn't sure, so I tried and it started back up and the oil light went back off again, so I didn't have it towed down there. Now my understanding there is a new recall on the car with the fuel and it could catch fire and was stated to park it, so its been sitting for three months with nothing fixed.The car needs a new engine.
1. While stepping on the brakes my car has revved up as if I was pressing the gas. So I let my foot off the pedal and pressed the brakes again. This happened 2 times that week. And another time while I was coming to a stop light as I pressed the brakes, my car revved up but didn-??t actually make my car speed up. I had to press the brakes again for it to stop. 2. My battery was smoking and I replaced it. 3. My car is consuming oil. The dealership did a series of oil consumption testing due to the exhaust leaving extra carbon residue on my car. They said it was fine but I don-??t think they solved the issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the engine seized. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that there was metal in the intake and exhaust cam shaft. There were metal shavings in the oil. The contact was also informed that the pistons were off by twenty-four degrees. There was an indication that cylinders #1, #2, and #4 had misfired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 102,589.
I have a 2015 Kia optima GDI, I never had any issues with this vehicle and I kept with my oil changes, but one day in November I was driving on the highway doing about 65 my car shut off in the middle of the highway, I only had the car for 2.5 years. I took it to advance auto got the battery and alternator checked which said that I had a bad alternator, and a code of p1326. The alternator was changed but I am still not able to drive my car, I took it to my local Kia dealership and hopefully they-??ll be able to replace the engine. I never had any issues with this car but paying on a car that I can-??t drive is very stressful. I will never buy a Kia vehicle again
engine died while driving 45 on highway, tow to garage and was told to take to dealership because of a recall for my engine. towed the car to the dealership and they check and are telling me that my car engine wasn't covered and I would have to paid for the repair. I was told the problem was the engine manufactured with the rod bearing issue. My safety was at risk because car died on a state highway.
engine died while driving 45 on highway, tow to garage and was told to take to dealership because of a recall for my engine. towed the car to the dealership and they check and are telling me that my car engine wasn't covered and I would have to paid for the repair. I was told the problem was the engine manufactured with the rod bearing issue. My safety was at risk because car died on a state highway.
The engine is being to make a sound. When I checked it-??s the rod knock. In the end of September my wife drove the car to work where it stopped working. That-??s when I heard and seen what it was. It-??s my understanding that many optimas have been having engine problems. I was told to take it to a dealership and Kia would fix it that there was a recall. Please let me know if this is true or any help you can provide.
While driving on Hwy 19 the vehicle shut down. The motor turned off and I was able to slowly roll to the side of the road. The car did not start again.
When driving down the highway car will beep a message on dashboad to pull the car over and turn engine off. the HEV light will be flashing. you can turn engine off and re start in a minute or so. the check engine light stays on and tells me to check hybrid system this willl ocur at random once a week or two times in a month. Kia dealership has not fixed the issue. I dont trust driving the car or safe when pulling off a busy highway. ON hand held obd did get a trouble code P0A37 Generator Temperature Sensor Hi Range.
The contact leased a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window, the rearview camera, and the brake lights were intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle shut off. The contact shifted into neutral(N) and was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of several bystanders. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was leased, and it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light and the steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and drove to the residence, where the vehicle remained parked. The vehicle was not repaired. The Kia dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine failure & fuel leak. Also oil was burning extremely fast. I had taking it to the dealership while back ago for a recall and said it was fixed. Few months later gas started running out fast. A check light engine came on saying there was an evaporation leak. I did call the dealership to see what exactly they fixed, emailed them. They kept telling me they would call me back and never did. Wouldn-??t get any emails back. I took it upon headquarters to let them know about the oil burning fast and emailed. And called them. Apparently there was nothing they can do and told me I have to call the dealership. I took the car to my mechanic because I trust him more than the actual dealership at this point. And I brought up concerns about my safety being in that car. No one heard me out or seemed to care. And now forward months later after check light engines on and the pcv valve getting changed, purge valve. The light stopped coming on after changing the purge valve got change which linked to the code that showed up. I started seeing online that Kia optima-??s have so many engine problems, misfires etc. and now my Kia has an engine failure. I tried to contact Kia again by entering the info for a settlement and I was told there is nothing they can do about it. So now I-??m left with $5,500 to finish paying off my loan for the car and can-??t even drive the car anymore. I havnt felt safe In my car for months and no one would hear me out.
I was driving when the vehicle began to shake and then the check engine light came on. I stopped at a red light and when the light turned green and I processed to go the car shut off while in traffic. I then waited to see if the car would turn back on and it did just long enough for me to get out of the roadway. I had the car towed back to the dealer from whom I purchased the car from. He had his mechanic check the vehicle out and informed me that the engine seized. He then had it towed to a repair shop and they also confirmed the engine seized. When I purchased the vehicle 9 months ago it came with a warranty. The warranty company is now saying that I am responsible for the cost of the diagnostic testing which is $2,500 before they will replace the engine. I reached out to Kia and they are also saying that I am responsible for the diagnostic testing and that the warranty company can choose a new or used engine replacement. I asked Kia if the engine was ever replaced during the first engine recall but representative refused to say if it was or wasn't. My car is still at the repair shop. These matter needs to be addressed as there may be others going through the same issue. This is the second time this has happened to me. I previously had a 2011 Kia Sportage that did the same exact thing. I returned it to the dealer whom I purchased it from and that vehicle was added to my credit report as a repo and resold at an auction. I hope and pray the issue was repaired before it was sold.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road however, the vehicle was not able to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by the engine seizing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Post Falls, ID, USA