10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,422 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2014 Kia Optima miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #51

Mar 012023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Pearl White paint has begun to peel and flake off. This vehicle has been well cared for and has 96k miles. It appears a defect in the paint has resulted in a lot of paint issues for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. This needs to be investigated and a resolution is warranted.

- Montclair, CA, USA

problem #50

Mar 132021

Optima

  • miles
The paint is bubbling and peeling from the hood, pillars, and the roof. So. Enough that will start to settle in. Kia refuses to acknowledge it is a manufacturer defect.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #49

Apr 222021

Optima

  • miles
The paint is bubbling and peeling after i wash the car and it rust after a while

- Longview , TX, USA

problem #48

Jan 012020

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Paint started peeling/flaking on passenger and driver pillars. Trunk paint is now peeling and sure the rest will peel over time

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #47

Sep 192022

Optima

  • miles
While driving around hand 35 miles per hour, I felt like the vehicles emergency brake came on. I had warning lights for AUTO HOLD, CHECK BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL, E- BRALE, vehicle self diagshows electronic brake system Check ABS/ESC condition. Breaks feel tighter and car doesn't brake as before plus you could feel the stability system not working. This has occurred 6 times in the last 2 weeks

- Los Alamitos, CA, USA

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problem #46

Aug 012017

Optima

  • miles
I have paint issues my paint. It-€™s actually peeling off my car it has been for a few years already, Kia refuses to do anything about

- Otherchula Vista , CA, USA

problem #45

Dec 012020

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The paint is defective/chipping. Now, rusting has occurred.

- Walker, LA, USA

problem #44

Apr 062022

Optima

  • miles
My partner was driving my car and the engine seized. We never miss an oil change and use full synthetic since I got it. We did notice little changes in the engine over time that were concerning. Out of nowhere my check engine and oil light came on at the same time and the engine seized. That-€™s the first time I ever seen my oil light come on. He was on the express driving, lucky he is still here.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #43

Dec 102021

Optima

  • miles
I-€™ve been smelling smoke inside the vehicle coming from the engine compartment while driving the vehicle this is a Kia Optima lx. I don-€™t know what causing it but worries me a whole lot. What should I do in this case

- Belle Glade, FL, USA

problem #42

Sep 232021

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle check engine light came on at 164000mi. Diagnostics confirmed trouble codes P2562 (Power train system) and C2130, C1611, C1612 (Anti-lock brake sytem). The begins to shake at 40mph and the turbo fails to run properly causing the car to accelerate poorly and make steering an issue.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #41

Sep 282021

Optima

  • 83,750 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the electric power steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,750.

- Newton Grove, NC, USA

problem #40

Sep 222021

Optima

  • miles
Car cut off whilst driving without warning

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #39

Jul 042021

Optima

  • miles
The engine seized up at 83,000 miles with all regular maintenance done. There is no specific cause of what caused that, as dismantling the engine would cost me more $. I have already spent $200 on the dealership and independents mechanic. I was merging on to the interstate and I lost all power, it was a narrow one lane, no shoulder section of the road, as it was also an interchange for a state hwy and the interstate. I had to limp over to the shoulder as traffic behind me began blaring horns. The shoulder I did find was a narrow gore, and I was very uncomfortable while getting a tow and ride setup. I was terrified I was going to be sideswiped at any moment. I was told by my trusted mechanic it was the Hybrid battery. The Dealership said the engine seized up, which also damaged the battery. In either case, my car does not travel forward under its own power. I had no warning until the event happened, I just lost power.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #38

Jul 092021

Optima

  • miles
I dont know if is the motor or what is it buet I was driving the car on the freeway when all of the sudden the car shut down N it doesnt want to start back up again

- Adelanto , CA, USA

problem #37

Jul 192021

Optima

  • miles
Brakes tend to lock up suddenly when applying minimal pressure to the pedal then jerks out of complete lock and then normal brakes. Engine HVAC system and AC suddenly stopped working and I have taken it to a shop for electrical testing with no luck.

- Pawnee City, NE, USA

problem #36

Jun 012021

Optima

  • miles
Traction control light has recently started coming on all the time and stays on. When you turn car off and it cools off then the light is off again. Another issue is when I place foot on brake the passenger side parking light comes on and the passenger brake light has had to be replaced 7 times since i bought car in February 2021

- Brunswick, MO, USA

problem #35

May 032021

Optima

  • miles
05/03/2021 I drove my vehicle to the local grocery store and upon leaving the store, I came to stop and the vehicle stalled and wouldn't start. I knew that it was not the battery, because all lights and dash board system was on. I tried starting the vehicle again and it would not start. My safety was put at risk because I had to figure out how to get the vehicle towed. The problem (PI 1803) with the engine is the problem and KIA Consumer Affairs verified that the previous owner never brought the vehicle in to get repaired. I was never notified to bring vehicle in. KIA Consumer Affairs verified that I did not have a profile and I was not notified because I was not in their system. It is my problem to get a rebuilt engine for $6000 to update software and extend the "Lifetime Warranty." It was inspected by Olathe KIA in Olathe, KS. They were not given any authority to repair this issue with the original engine failure. My insurance agent verified that they could not cover mechanical problems, only accidents. There were no warnings, no knocking (read other peoples statements on the PI 1803 KIA Forum testaments), no leaking, no smoke, or other signs. I had an oil change a week prior before this happen and there was no signs of any problems. My engine just gave out and never started again. KIA has ruined My Family's Life. We have no car to get to work. Losing my Job because I live 15-20 miles from my job. We only have 1 car. We are getting Evicted from our apartment. Domino affect with My Life. I still have a car payment and car insurance I have to pay for. Why, won't they fix their engines? It's there problem when the vehicle was manufactured. I see why they are trying to sell all kinds of KIA's even though there is a car shortage. So sad how many people are in my shoe's and many of lives are affected by this problem.

- Desoto, KS, USA

problem #34

May 232021

Optima

  • miles
On 5/23/2021, while driving my Optima on US94 in Indiana, I noticed a clicking sound. Uncertain if it was my car, or somerhing else, I turned off my media, and realized it was my car. I decided I would exit the next available exit, when I saw black smoke behind me. I realized I wouldn't make it the one mile to the exit, so I decided to pull off unto the shoulder of the highway. The instrumentation panel showed the coolant on normal, right in the middle of H and C. The Electrical Panel indicator was no longer in the middle as normal, which is right in the middle of H & L. Instead, it was berween the middle and Low. As I began to slow down, the panel showed a message of "Turn off Hybrid Now", then the red engine light appeared. I wasn't stopped yet, slowed to about 40 mph when I suddenly lost power. I coasted and brake to the shoulder, when I began to see smoke coming up from the hood. Mostly from the passenger side of the hood. I popped the hood of the car, then went out and opened the hood. I saw flames under the engine, more towards the passenger side of car. I grabbed my purse and ran to the field away from the car. The car burned up completely within about 5 to 8 minutes.

- Canadian Lakes, MI, USA

problem #33

Aug 012019

Optima

  • 50,000 miles
A clicking noise in the front end started when the wheel was turned to the right. This was about 2 years ago. The dealership replaced a joint and said it was fixed. A couple of weeks later the noise started again, became worse and the steering felt looser. The front left wheel also felt loose when going over bumps. They replaced the steering column and some other related parts. This time the steering was looser, they had to replace a bolt and said it was fixed. As soon as I left the lot I heard the same noise but very faint. The dealership said it wasn't an issue but it got worse over the next few weeks. The right wheel had the loose feeling when going over bumps again. By this time the noise happened when turning left or right. The dealership replaced the steering column and the same parts as before again. That same day I could hear the faint noise again, dealership said it was fine again. The clicking noise became worse just as before and nothing is being done. The service department said they didn't think it was a safety issue but they obviously don't really know what the problem is or they would have been able to repair it. It has been several months since their last attempt and it keeps getting worse. When going over the slightest bump the front wheels have a loose feeling which is also getting worse. This loose feeling in the front wheels happens when turning and going straight. Speed doesn't seem to be a factor in any of the problems.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #32

Mar 102021

Optima

  • miles
Fourth time this problem has occurred: While at speed, the engine turns off and I get a hybrid system warning. This time I was turning into a parking lot, speed about 10 mph. Car barely drifted out of the driving lane. I shut down the vehicle for 5 minutes. Upon restart, engine light is on. Very dangerous situation with these engines shutting off. It's been about 10 months since "repair" at a Kia dealership for this issue. Kia has failed to fix these issues and there are many reports of the exact same issue on various websites.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

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