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.
The antenna fin on my vehicle flew off at freeway speeds. Kia states it is not covered by the extended warranty. I have done research and have found 2014, some of 2015, and 2016 Kia Optima have been recalled for this reason. I have contacted Kia and they told me my vehicle was not part of the recall. The antenna fin on my vehicle has come off in the same manor as my of the vehicles reported and are a part of the recalls. I have attached a picture that shows the screws had been sheared off which you can see in the photo. This could have and may still cause a serious safety hazard to other drivers on the road.
I have a 2015 Kia Optima purchased in October 2017 with 34K miles approx. I am constantly putting oil in my car and it seems to evaporate in 2-3 days. There is no leak and we have no idea why the car is consuming so much oil. Lately the car has been knocking and when accelerating to merge onto highway, the vehicle starts to sputter and begins to stall. I do not feel safe in this vehicle with my children and no longer use this vehicle on a daily basis. After doing some research, I find that this year vehicle has the most overall consumer complaints and there still has yet to be a recall on the engine" I do not understand why Kia skipped this year?? let alone blame consumers that it's their fault for not following the maintenance schedule, yet when told the schedule has been followed, will find some other lame excuse so the manufacturer is not at fault. What is it going to take to have this engine recalled" we as consumers, myself, a single hard working parent, do not have the means to buy another vehicle just because Kia says it's not their fault. This problem started beginning of April 2019, my vehicle has 52K.
Intermitent ebgine light and goes on and off. Had in a local shop and they state its a calaytic converter. The vehicle does have slight tick only with excilaration on an uphill climb but not hardly noticeable. No loss of power or other issue. Car has approximately 76,700 miles.
Engine light plus triangle light keeps coming on and off part was replaced light stayed off for 1 day came back on and losses power I have my grandchildren this happened in traffic keep taking to dealershop they claim rhey are qaiting on qors from manufacturers no word for 2 months now they have been dodging my calls by putting me on hold or dropping my calls
The following happens anytime while driving the electronic control unit and software, sensors, actuators, warning lights, fault codes, and performance related concerns of the electronic stability control system. My passenger window won't go up once you put it down without a fight. I been to the dealer 4 times and it's not fixed.
- Laurel, MD, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
It seems that my lights always go out! I've replaced the front light 3 times in one year. And the back brake lights as well. I am always getting pulled over because of my light going out! the trim seems to fall off as well on back doors above window.
Was driving on the freeway at about 55 mph, got in lane 4 to exit the highway when my engine just turned off. I drifted to the side of the highway and tried to restart the engine. When I tried to restart the engine smoke started to come from the engine. Towed the vehicle to the dealership where they stated that they would call me with any updates (this was after telling me that it would cost $165 to diagnose). Just got the ECU updated approx. 6 months ago. No check engine light or anything popped up on the dash, just got the oil changed 06/15/2019. There are approx. 118K miles.
When I get in the car sometimes it cranks right up with no problem but on that same day or the next I can try and frank it but it won't frank it just clicks the dash board will light up and everything and after two or three attempts it it will cranks up and have no problems for a few hours then I check it and then it might frank right up and might just click a few times and then crank right up I think its in the ignition switch I don't understand this has been going on about 4 months
I own a 2015 Kia Optima. I have a panoramic sunroof that stretches he entire length of the car. I was driving down the highway during a very brutal winter where we had temperatures in the minus category a few times. While driving on the beltway doing approx. 55mph, there was a loud sound that sounded like a gun sh*t. When I was able to safely get somewhere so I could see what happened, I noticed that my sunroof had exploded and shattered. The cover was not open because it was winter, so luckily the shattered glass collected into on top of the cover, otherwise it would have blown throughout my car and whoever was in it at the time causing physical harm. I was told by the dealership that they had heard it happened before, and because of the temperature something made the glass expand.
On October 15, 2018, I purchased from pep boys four Goodyear all season 205/65R16 tires. On two separate occasions since then I have had a tire puncture and flatten immediately as a result of very little measurable side impact with a curb. After researching this matter online I have determined that others are having the same issue with this Goodyear style tire. I have written to Goodyear CEO richard kramer three times (see attached documents) and Goodyear's response to date has been lacking.
This complaint has nothing to do with my vehicle. It is about other people's vehicles that have the super-bright headlights. I get temporarily blinded by these late model vehicles with new technology headlights (hid or led) when they are coming toward me. I have long respected the oversight provided for vehicle safety in this country and have always trusted that proper considerations are made to ensure vehicles are safe. But I can't for the life of me understand how the super-bright headlights have made it past safety considerations, and that they have not been regulated out of existence. It shouldn't be that hard to define maximum limits for headlight intensity and effective lighting distance that would prevent the blinding of oncoming drivers. This is a major issue on american roads, and I'd be shocked if it hasn't already caused accidents, injuries, and death. Please rectify this oversight immediately to ensure that the reputation of american car/road safety is restored and to prevent needless injuries and death.
I was driving on my driveway going less than 10mph and all the sudden I heard a noise like I was being shot at. I immediately stopped and got out to see what the problem was and noticed my sun roof had exploded outwards
In the past 2 months I have noticed my car shudders and shakes a lot when it is stopped at a stoplight or when parked with the engine idling it used to be that I didn't even know the car was running in either of these positions.
At approximately 4:30 a.M. on November 12, 2018, the engine became fully engulfed in flames while the car was parked on the street in front of our house and turned off. No one had driven the car for several hours. The fire destroyed the entire front end of the car, melted the tires and filled the interior of the car with smoke. Fortunately, the fire department arrived and put out the fire before it spread to the gas tank.
Body paint is peeling on hood and rear bumper ; Kia dealer said Kia only warrants the paint job for only 3 years. I am contending Kia knows this and is deceiving its customers from day 1; unacceptable !
Engine ( and electrical systems ) shut down (3 times) completely and unexpectedly, while car was in motion at highway speeds( twice) and once while at tolls. Also noticed that when you turn key occasionally, its like battery is dead. I believe that first and second times I was flashing hi beams at highway speeds. After these events happen, the mileage guage resets, and clock is wrong. Also notice that the radio flickers, , and or turns off on its own. Also, not able to reset trip mileage, and noticed that shifter button intermittently will not depress.
Kia Optima 2015 with 20K miles caught fire. Engine stopped while at red light, in drive. Strong smell of burning plastic. Called 911. Vehicle behind me called reporting seeing flames coming from underneath vehicle. Kia replaced entire engine with no explanation as to why this happened.
The issue I am having, is my car completely shutting off while driving. This happened for the forth time since leasing the vehicle new in 2015. After the first two occurrences which took place a few months after purchase, I took into the dealership and they weren't able to find the problem. About two weeks ago while sitting at stop light it completely shut off. This morning while driving down the road it completely shut off. Luckily I was able to pull over safely put the car in park and restart the vehicle. It runs fine otherwise. I am always able to start the vehicle right back up. I believe there was a recall on the 2011 - 2014 Optima engine for a similar issue. I am taking the car into the dealership this afternoon. I am definitely don't feel safe in the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- California City, CA, USA