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.
Brake lights stayed on when car was off cruise control light stayed on problems with acceleration took to dealer they said it needed new brake pedal sensor $160 to replace
I first noticed a problem with my vehicle when the cruise control would randomly disengage while going down the interstate. Then a couple of weeks later I was making a left turn across a two lanes of traffic on a city street. When I first pushed the accelerator the car started to go and then suddenly I lost all acceleration. I let my foot off the accelerator and then pushed back down and was able to go. This was a very dangerous situation as I was stuck in the middle of two lanes of traffic for several extra seconds longer than necessary. A similar situation happened a couple of more time and when I parked the vehicle at home I noticed that brake light was staying on after I got out of the car. I took the car to the local Kia dealership and they replaced the brake sensor which fixed all of the above problems. I would like to not that Hyundai issued a recall on the nearly identical sonata for this same issue and did so years ago and yet nothing for the Optima.
Brake pedal releasing as I am pushing down on it coming to a stop. Hard to get the car to come to a stop at times. Car is missing on acceleration. Camera does not work 80-90% of the time. A/C stops working when sitting still or parked.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving downhill with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle abruptly accelerated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to engage the emergency brake, but the vehicle decelerated and returned to normal after the accelerator pedal was applied with caution. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 23,538. Updated 10/25/17 consumer stated: While driving down hill, with brake pedal depressed, getting ready to stop at stop sign, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly to a speed of 30 to 35 mph. I did not engage the emergency brake. I did shift the vehicle from drive to neutral. Engine continued to race uncontrollably. I tapped the accelerator pedal with my foot at which time the engine returned to normal. This was the third time this type of incident had occured. I did take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic test on Aug.11,2017. No problems were found. Updated 10/3/18
- North Huntingdon, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My Kia Optima ABS system will randomly make a crunch sound when I step on the brakes, and I lose some engine power immediately after to the point that my car will not accelerate past 40 mph. It has happened several times on busy highways where I have to fear causing a major accident. Kia dealer cannot figure out the issue, they had my car for a day and repaired the steering column and sent me home, only for the problem to occur again the following week.
On April 5th 2017, my Kia Optima started to make a horrible sound. I was on hwy 26 headed into portland or. Going through the tunnel, as I was going into the tunnel the horrible knocking noise started. There was cars in front of me and cars behind me. This was at 4:30 am.. all the lights on the dash came on, I had no brakes, no steering and no way to accelerate. Drifted to the side and had it towed.
2012 Kia Optima caught fire while driving 45 mph & was unable to accelerate/brake. Recently was taken for service with no items that would cause the issue...updated 10/04/16
Just bought my car this year with 26350 miles on it. When it got to 30000 needed new tires. The car check engine light keeps coming on. I have took it to the shop and they turn it off. Then when I drive it and it comes back on again. It has broke down on the road four times. Twice I called road side help the other two times someone has helped me. It runs hot because it is bubbling if I drive for more then a hour. Bought the car from power of bowser
I have a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid of which I purchased at the local Kia dealer (Ontario, ca) and even purchased an additional "platinum 100K mile protection." On December 31st my car started to move while in park and the ignition on. I hit the breaks and there was no break pressure at all. The car started to flash codes regarding the brakes and I had to engage the emergency break to stop the vehicle. The dealer could not find the issue and returned the car. Another month later the car did the same thing and I video taped it. The gauges started illuminating and delluminating repeatedly and all the lights on the dash started to flash. The "check brake" code came up again! I now have proof of the vehicle doing this and brought my car back to the dealer now they have admitted something is wrong but they're still unable to duplicate the error. They are keeping the car for further diagnosis but have not done anything but tell me they do not know what is wrong with it yet and that my warranty "may not" cover it. They have told me repeatedly that they will not be able to fix it or do anything for me until they know what is wrong, nor have they offered me a rental car. I want my car back but it is unsafe! what if the brakes go out at a high rate of speed?! please help me NHTSA so we can save lives of others that may experience this problem as well.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the tire pressure sensor, ABS, and the stability control warning indicators illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure occurred when driving through a car wash and during rainy weather conditions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
While moving forward at approximately 5mph, brakes were applied to stop vehicle and brake warning light illuminated. So far the dealership has replaced the brake boost pump- 3 times, the brake vacuum pump- 1 time, and the parking brake switch- 1 time. None of these fixes has fixed the problem.
While making a left turn from traffic signal, brake warning light illuminated. Dealership had just replaced brake boost pump because of same problem. Parking brake was not engaged, no other indications were noted. Vehicle being reported to the state under the lemon law.
While traveling in traffic at 40mph the brake warning light illuminated. Parking brake was not engaged and no other indications were noted. Light reset when vehicle was restarted. No stored codes for the fault. Still waiting for Kia motor company to correct this defect. Dealership does not have an answer to the problem and Kia contact on website is inoperable, so unable to contact manufacturer.
While accelerating to 45 mph, brake warning light illuminated. Parking brake was not on. No other indications noted. Dealership was contacted immediately. Dealer suggested that new brake boost pump may be defective and wants to replace it again. Part is on order.
While accelerating away from stop light the brake light illuminated. No other indicators, no other malfunctions. Parking brake was not on. Dealer was contacted immediately, but had no solutions to the problem. This is a recurring problem. The dealer has tried several things to fix problem with no results: 1st time- checked for stored code. No codes stored. Reset light by restarting car 2nd time- disconnected/reconnected electrical connector at brake boost pump. Reset light 3rd time- replaced brake boost pump 4th time- replaced parking brake switch at the current time, dealership has no solutions, or possible fixes for the illuminating brake indicator light. Awaiting contact from dealership with possible solution.
While accelerating away from a stop light the brake light illuminated. Emergency brake was not on. Dealership had just replaced the brake boost pump less than 300 miles earlier because of the same problem. I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership where they replaced the parking brake switch.
06/18/12- while accelerating from a stop light the vehicle brake light illuminated. Light would not go out until ignition was turned off and vehicle restarted. Car taken to dealer who had no solutions. 06/27/12- while accelerating up a hill, 30mph, the vehicle brake light illuminated. Light would not go out until vehicle restarted. Took to dealer with light illuminated, no stored codes, and no solutions. 07/02/12- while accelerating from stop light, the vehicle brake light illuminated. During sudden stop, due to traffic, antilock brakes failed to engage, vehicle rear brakes locked up, and car started to fishtail left. Call made to dealer. Was told someone would respond. No response.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gilbett, AZ, USA