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 was driving my 2015 Kia Optima hybrid with around 77,000 miles on the interstate at 70 mph when the HCS, battery management system and other hybrid battery warnings flashed on the screen. The display said to pullover over immediately and turn off the engine. The hybrid battery charge display went from mid charge to zero charge. The car went into limp mode with very limited power. Fortunately, I was able to get off the highway as there was an exit ramp close by. After turning off the car, it would not start again. I disconnected the 12V battery hoping it would clear it out but that didn't work. Had to get car towed to the Kia dealership. They replaced the hybrid battery's high voltage 125 Amp fuse with a 150 Amp fuse and the problem was fixed (cost of $370). A search on the internet revealed that this is a common occurrence on 2011 to 2016 Kia hybrids and Kia knows about this faulty/inadequate fuse problem but refuses to issue a recall. Kia issued a TSB #PS-515 DTC P1B25/P1B77 -€" 125 AMP HV FUSE INSPECTION that states to inspect the resistance on the factory 125 A fuse and replace if less than 1 Ohm resistance with new 150 A fuse. This is a relatively simple fix for Kia that could prevent a dangerous situation if the car were to lose power on a crowded interstate.
I have my driver side tail light out, when I bought the car in 2019, they said I have 30 days to bring in my car so they can replace what needs fixing, well I hit day 32 and I-€™ve had to replace my tires, brakes, headlights and tail lights because they all went out on my own dime, now my brakes are making me nervous because sometimes it feels like my car isn-€™t slowing down to a stop and I have to slam them to stop sometimes.
Vehicle lots brakes while driving, smell of gas and caught fire under hood. Engine had been completely replaced due to recall in January 2022 Vehicle was a complete loss, luckily son was able to get out.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both front headlight bulbs, as well as the rear taillight bulbs, had repeatedly stopped working while driving, without warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that she had to replace the bulbs several times during the year. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers who were unable to determine the cause for the failures. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The Bluetooth Ring volume is ear piercing loud. When a call comes in on a paired phone it startles the driver and may be loud enough to damage hearing. If adjusted to a lower setting the call volume can-€™t be heard. When adjusting call volume to a usable level it increases the ring volume again so the next call has the load ring alert. Kia has a TSB# ELE 100 (REV4) on the issue but expects the customer to pay for diagnosis and software update to an out of warranty radio. Instructions in the TSB indicate this could be corrected with a USB software update. Most customers could install themselves from a software download if provided. In my opinion it is a safety issue and a recall should be issued.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
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The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact mentioned that the battery was drained from the engine not turning off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was undrivable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
When I drive my car it smells just like it is burning or melting in the motor, it comes thru the vents and smells awful. It has only smoked a couple of times when I have turned it off. I have had it looked at but at first they couldn't find the problem. The second time I had it checked out they said that the changed the HECU on my car but it still smells like it is burning. It has been doing it for about 3 months.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the driver's side front window was unable to close completely. The vehicle was taken to local dealer alm Kia South (4310 jonesboro rd, union city, ga 30291, (678) 261-8409) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated the vehicle was gain taken to alm Kia South to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact was driving at 75 mph, when she slowed down to 50 mph to switch lane then attempted to accelerate however, the vehicle would not exceed 60 mph. The vehicle was driven for about 2 more miles before it was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced however, the vehicle failed to restart. The independent mechanic then contacted a Kia dealer and was informed by the dealer that there was a recall for the vehicle with NHTSA campaign number: 20V519000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was then towed to parkway family Kia (22555 us-59, kingwood, tx 77339) to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer determined that the failure was due to the recall. The dealer then sent the diagnostic findings to the manufacturer for the recall repair approval however, the manufacturer informed the dealer that because the contact had not done the manufacturer communications product improvement upgrade: Vpi1802 (engine) the recall would not be honored. The contact stated that she never received the notification from the manufacturer about the product improvement upgrade because it was sent to an old address that she no longer lived at. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
When you accelerate, for example to pass another vehicle, the vehicle will completely shut off, all lights illuminating on the panel the vehicle. The vehicle must be placed in park and restarted. Sometimes it starts right away, sometimes it takes a few minutes.
On 3-14-2021 about 225pm I was attempting to merge onto the I10 freeway in Ontario California, while merging all the lights on the dash lit up and the car proceeded to shut off and my speed was going down. I attempted to pull over off the shoulder of the freeway, once I was stopped I turned the car off. The car than was engulfed with smoke and flames I jumped out the car and the car lit up in flames. I called Ontario police and fire department.
I was headed to ky December 2020 to visit my father. The car started making rattling noise. As I hit the gas petal, the car was stopping in on coming 1-65 traffic heading North. I pulled over and had to call my insurance company to tow to the nearest auto repair shop. I was nearly 50 miles from bowling green Kentucky (12-23-20). I called my insurance and we set up arrangements for towing to pick up the next morning (less than 24 hours- christmas eve). Within less than 24 hours, the car was impounded by Kentucky police near glasgow, ky. After paying towing fees and tickets, I finally got my car to auto company to run diagnostics report. After completion, I found out the engine failed along with more stuff. I immediately called the dealer who sold me the car (Kia-huntsville, al) to ask for advice on next steps. He told me to contact the nearest Kia service department near where the car was immediately to get it fixed because of the recall on the vehicle. The car was finally towed to martin Kia (bowling green Kentucky). They put me in line to have the vehicle properly and completely fixed. On January 4, 2021 the vehicle was in Kia possession to fix recall repairs. March 6, 2021 I was scheduled to pick up the vehicle because it was promised that the vehicle is completed. After picking up the car, I had to wait 45minutes because my car was locked and tire light came on. I was pulled to side and told the vehicle was fixed by brand new employee and to check to make sure a engine light does not come on because if so, it's probably the new hire fault for it messing up. After all of that, I was headed home and the car stopped a second time! after contacting local police, I was told to go back to Kia to return the keys and make them tow the vehicle to get it off of the interstate.
Car engine stopped while driving on highway. Road Ranger attempted to jump car off but sparks came and multiple cables were burnt out.. car would not start. Took it to multiple automotive shop and was advise to contact Kia for recall
Engine lights keep coming on and off. But doesn't give a code when I take it to get serviced. Took it up to Kia to tell them that on my way home from the dealership, that my wall caught on fire in the trunk from the socket that holds the bulbs.back lights go out constantly after the bulbs are changed or the socket has been changed.
Was driving down main road approaching redlighy and brake pedal went to stiff and car shut off while rolling. Could not get to start again and smelt electrical burning somewhere. Had to beg car towed home. Tried jumping with a jump box to eliminate battery and it was not issue. Almost rear ended vehicle infront and was stranded on side of main road.
Driving North bound on the 405 at freeway speeds, the vehicle showed several warning lights on the dash. Check engine light, oil light and 2 others, the vehicle lost engine power and only had brakes. I was able to shuffle off the main freeway to an off ramp where I pulled over to attempt to power the car back on. The smell of electrical fire started to become apparent and I went out to lift the hood and smoke began to come out the opening. I rushed to get my kids out the vehicle and attempted to pull the battery cable off to try to salvage it from catching fire. I was able to wiggle the battery cable off but smoke continued to come out. The vehicle was eventually dropped off at the dealership car pros Kia in glendale and im being informed the starter was the issue and will need to be replaced. Im uncertain about the diagnosis since the event of the vehicle losing all power occurred during highway driving.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that all electrical indication in side the vehicle failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to mike shaw Kia (6802 S padre island dr, corpus christi, tx 78412(361) 204-2731) where it was inspected and diagnosed where it was determined that the rear passenger seat was burnt due to a wire harness connection. The vehicle rear passenger seat was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
About a month and a half ago my traction control light came on and I lost power steering. For a brief period of time that day the light went off and I regained power steering. Later that same day the traction control light reappeared and has been on since causing me to lose power steering. I have spoken with the manufacturer and they claim that this problem does not fall under any recall therefore they are not responsible for anything.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Simpsonville, SC, USA