CarComplaints.com Notes: 2020 is the last year for the Optima badge in North America, as its been rebranded to the K5 to match the international naming scheme.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,650 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.

2020 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #20

Oct 212023

Optima

  • miles

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

This is my 3rd or 4th complaint on here with NO RESPONSE, HELP, OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT! My 2020 finally got engine put in and car does not drive the same. Steering wheel acts weird, the engine has a sound, the anti collision lights went off twice, but could be due to weather. Kia told me that it's my responsibility since my yr is not on recall. I'm surrendering this car asap to give me piece of mind before another engine is due. I met several people at kia that are on their 2nd and 3rd engine and the mechanics told me they know I will be back for another engine! This is wrong and now I'm out of alot of money and surrendering this will add more negative factors. I have my receipts but im not posting publicly

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #19

Feb 152023

Optima

  • miles
I was driving my car and all of sudden it lost power. It would not go over 25-30 miles an hour. Then a loud, banging or knocking sound started. It has not been driven now for almost a year because of the knocking sound and no power. I-??m paying for a car that does not work and to no fault of mine. It seems to match the other recall complaints but mine isn-??t covered? This seems to be really unfair. If it is having the exact same issues as the year before mine it would seem to be the problem was never fixed. I will never buy another Kia due to this issue. It is such a huge safety concern and it seems like until someone is injured or worse then they might do something about it. They should be proactive on issues that seem to be going on with the same vehicle when it-??s the exact issue that is going on with the year/s prior to my car.

- Dexter , OR, USA

problem #18

Aug 012023

Optima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine consumed an excessive amount of oil and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid, knock sensor, and spark plugs needed to be replaced, and a complete fuel system cleaning was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #17

Oct 142023

Optima

  • miles

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

My 2020 Kia Optima had engine failure and engine is being replaced now. I've had this car for 1yr/84k miles. It went limp on the freeway 2 mos ago and I could've caused an accident when it shut down. Would not go over 30 mps, engine light kept blinking and had knocking sound. Diagnostic code as the other recalls, Engine is same for the other recalls 2.4 Theta, oil was black and almost empty & just had oil changeI called kia corporate and they told me that they are not covering it since its not a recall. I have extended warranty but CNA National Warranty will only approve a used engine and a new one I would have to pay $3,000! I have made 2 car payments for a car that is immobile, $200+ for deductible, and $600+ for car service, this is not right at all. How can I get Kia to correct this. I do not want this car or any other kia! I cannot afford xmas this year all because I chose the wrong car maker!!

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #16

May 152023

Optima

  • miles
Oil plug fall out at highway speeds, engine failure. Engine stalled while driving, got vehicle to side of road, called tow truck after attempting to restart. When tow truck driver pulled vehicle onto the flatbed a massive amount of oil came out. After driver towed vehicle home he looked for a hole in the block found where plug had fallen out and advised us to look in the skid plate to see if oil plug was there, if we were lucky we could put it back in, fill with oil and restart. That is when it became obvious that the oil came from drain plug site and oil plug was found. Put plug back in, filled with oil and let the vehicle sit for a while before attempting to restart. Engine would not crank. Had vehicle towed to KIA service center by neighbor and dropped off where it was"lost" for two weeks. After they "found" my vehicle they scheduled a time to look at it. They called needing permission to put in a new starter and told us if they installed the started and the engine failed the test, engine repair would be covered under "this campaign". They put in the starter, ran an engine test and confirmed a new engine was needed. They called later that day, said it was not covered under warranty or campaign. I could not afford the engine replacement so had it towed back home by neighbor after paying for the starter. Car is at home parked and has not been touched since getting it back here. Plug fall out was 4,000 miles after last oil change. Vehicle went into limp mode one time, did need a boost a few times and the day off plug fall out my son was on his way home from work, headed to auto parts store to have them check battery, starter and alternator.

- Coal City, WV, USA

problem #15

Oct 212023

Optima

  • miles
I purchased my 2020 kia optima 8/2022. On 10/21/23 I was on the freeway and the engine light started flashing, car made a knocking sound, went limp, speed dropped from 75 to 32 quickly while I was changing lanes, and Would not go over 32 mph. I made it home and started researching online and found out about the recalls. My car is not one since it's a 2020. I removed the car from my garage and parked it at end of my driveway and it's still sitting there as of today 11/13/23. I ordered a diagnostic reader and it stated code 1326 for engine. My car has done same things as the other recalled cars, same code, and same 2.4L Theta ll engine. I called Kia Corporate office on 11/13 (case #15978041) they stated my car is not one of the recalled cars, my warranty expired at 60k, and everything will have to be paid out of my pocket! I asked to speak to a supervisor and was given their voicemail. I called Kia here in Conway, Ark and they stated to bring car in for them to test it. Towing and testing would be at my expense. My insurance might cover towing and since I have extended warranty then they will need that information. I am not involving my insurance since alot of companies will not cover my vehicle due to the recent theft issue defect. They could drop my car to avoid possible liabilities. I should not have to involve my extended warranty since this is a Kia problem and I do not have money for a deductible for new engine. They knowingly put those same raggedy engines in the 2020 kia's, settled the recall case and now expect the consumer to come out of pocket for their fraud. Kia needs to come tow this car, provide me a rental, and replace the engine. They need to pay my car note and insurance for the months its not driveable, but thats legal issue I will address

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #14

Sep 252023

Optima

  • 123,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact's husband was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with DTC Code: P0304 -??Cylinder # 4 misfire). The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #13

Sep 302023

Optima

  • miles
My engine is failing as of right now. It has yet to completely fail, but I was told by KIA today that it-??s failing and they don-??t know how long it has left. I just thought I would try and get a re call on it to get it fixed instead of putting myself or others at danger if/when the engine does fail.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #12

Sep 282023

Optima

  • miles
I was told by me dealership recently that the Kia Optima is not designed for high mileage. It-??s been consuming oil and my dealership was aware of the issue. Yesterday smoke came out from under the hood and the engine and front half of the car was engulfed in flames.

- Highland , IN, USA

problem #11

Feb 132023

Optima

  • miles
My engine needs to be replaced

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #10

Jul 042023

Optima

  • miles

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

On July 4th 2023, I was driving with my son in car, when unexpectedly the check engine light came on and car lost power. We were on a highway with a 65mph speed limit. I was able to pull over to side of road. Car did Start back up, however was missing and misfiring. Shaking especially under acceleration. My engine has been consuming oil for many thousands of miles, it is documented; however only an oil consumption test was performed. Hyuandai and Kia has serious engine issues and they know it. This could've been worse. Luckily I still had some brake pressure to get off the road. With this stalling on the highway, it is very dangerous.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #9

Jun 012023

Optima

  • miles
Dealers claim pistons are bad and engine is stalking eating through 2 quart every thousand miles or less. Properly maintained and everything not sure why the pistons would be bad already, also replaced a pcv sensor to fix problem but did not change anything.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 012023

Optima

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an oil consumption test. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #7

Feb 282023

Optima

  • 129,999 miles
The passagen side seat belt comes on and beeps and stays on sometimes and other times it dont Then the check engine one day started flashing on me lost of power wouldnt do no more then 60mph

- Bessemer, AL, USA

problem #6

Feb 202023

Optima

  • miles
Car burns through 3 quarts of oil per week with just normal usage. Confirmed there are no oil leaks.

- Ewing, NJ, USA

problem #5

Dec 262022

Optima

  • miles
2020 Kia Optima with 39,000 miles. Check engine light came on for knock sensor and put into limp mode. Before the check engine light came on I've been noticing a faint noise during acceleration from the engine. Waiting to hear back on the overall problem.

- Sahuarita , AZ, USA

problem #4

Feb 242022

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle was tampered before purchasing, transmission mounts broken, evap hose gas tank and engine.. car was claimed as a lemon vehicle, dealership sold me a vehicle that-€™s unsafe to operate. Dealership refuses to fix-€¦

- Orland Hills, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 252022

Optima

  • miles
The Kia optima 2020 2.4 every 3000 to 4000 miles oil change is metal shavings in the old oil. The clicking noise stared it around the 10000 miles mark and now is getting worse with 60000 miles, everytime I hit the gas and goes over 30 miles loose a lot of power and a clicking noise come out, now is getting worse. Is a new car. Already change a ABS pump and I keep my oil change to the date. I m afraid the car is breaking. Help.

- Milford, NJ, USA

problem #2

Sep 052021

Optima

  • miles
I was driving in the freeway nearby San Jose, CA with my family in the car. I was doing 67mph. It was high elevation curvy road. I experienced engine stalling. The car suddenly stop accelarating and speed drop to 35mph despite pressing on gas.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1

Jun 182021

Optima

  • miles
Owner's manual states the 1.6Turbo requires 4.75 qrts of oil with filter change. The car reads full after adding 4 qrts. Still reading full after double checking after 250 miles..Owner's manual typo". Incorrect dipstick during final assembly?.Following the manual could lead to overfilling/foaming issues and thus engine failure/safety issues. Perhaps a TSB needs to be done" Note: I used a Fram filter. Slightly smaller dimensions than original but in no way accounting for 3/4 qrts.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

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