Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2018 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

232 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

45,325 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2018 model year. Data updated: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 131 of 232 complaints (56.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation2711.6%
Braking behavior2410.3%
Electrical and battery issues177.3%
Steering behavior125.2%
Fuel system concerns93.9%
Transmission and shifting73.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
131
Unknown Or Other
37
Electrical System
31
Power Train
18
Service Brakes
17
Exterior Lighting
13
Fuel/Propulsion System
13
Steering
12
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine131
Unknown Or Other37
Electrical System31
Power Train18
Service Brakes17
Exterior Lighting13
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Steering12

Engine: 131; Unknown Or Other: 37; Electrical System: 31; Power Train: 18; Service Brakes: 17; Exterior Lighting: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Steering: 12

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
26
25,000 to 49,999
12
50,000 to 74,999
13
75,000 to 99,999
9
100,000 to 149,999
13
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00026
25,000 to 49,99912
50,000 to 74,99913
75,000 to 99,9999
100,000 to 149,99913
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 159 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2018
6
2019
17
2020
20
2021
17
2022
32
2023
43
2024
35
2025
44
2026
18
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20186
201917
202020
202117
202232
202343
202435
202544
202618

2018: 6; 2019: 17; 2020: 20; 2021: 17; 2022: 32; 2023: 43; 2024: 35; 2025: 44; 2026: 18

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11063913 · 2018-01-20 (January 20, 2018)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 18:55(APPROXIMATELY) AMHERST MASSACHUSETTS, 39 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT PARKED CAR, PULLED KEYS AND EXITED CAR TO HELP MY MOTHER EXIT. PARKED ON INCLINE, VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK DOWN DRIVEWAY HAD KEYS IN POCKET AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE TRIED MOVING BACK TO DRIVER DOOR WHICH HAD LOCKED OR WAS STUCK USED ALL STRENGTH TO TRY TO KEEP VEHICLE STATIONARY, WITHOUT MUCH H SUCCESS FINALLY, MOTHER WAS ABLE TO OPEN DRIVER DOOR FROM INSIDE I AM 53, WITH MILLIONS OF MYLES UNDER MY BELT....MOTHER IS 73 BOTH OF US STRAINED…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,770 miles reported. Look up ODI 11063913 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11110921 · 2018-07-12 (July 12, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS NOT WARNED OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORITZ KIA FORT WORTH, 8501 I-30 WEST, FORT WORTH, TX) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO S…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110921 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11122109 · 2018-08-24 (August 24, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACTS DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER AND THE DRIVER WERE INJURED AND TREATED AT A HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11122109 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11153087 · 2018-11-21 (November 21, 2018)

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, SLID ON WATER AND CRASHED INTO A STEEL POLE. THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK AT ALL AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE THE BREAK PADS WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LIKE THEY HAD JUST FALL OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY FRIEND'S HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS TOTALED.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,418 miles reported. Look up ODI 11153087 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11154609 · 2018-11-28 (November 28, 2018)

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FROM INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. MY KEYS WERE STUCK INSIDE THE TRUNK THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN IT. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT RESPOND. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE TRUNK ITSELF DOES NOT RESPOND. THE REAR SEATS CANNOT FOLD FROM THE INSIDE EITHER, BECAUSE IT CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED FROM THE TRUNK

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154609 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11163260 · 2018-12-24 (December 24, 2018)

WHEN REVERSING THE BRAKES TAKE 5 TO 10 SECONDS TO RELEASE, ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11165394 · 2019-01-05 (January 5, 2019)

THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 TIMES SO FAR. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP THE TANK, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, AND MY CAR DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN I FINISHED GETTING GAS, I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED. I WAS 20 MILES FROM HOME FORTUNATELY SOMEONE WAS AT HOME TO BRING A SPARE KEY FOR ME TO OPEN THE TRUNK, PUSH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS DOWN AND CLIMB THRU TO THE FRONT TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURED THIS PAST WEEK WH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11165394 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11173043 · 2019-01-30 (January 30, 2019)

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 4 MONTHS AND 3800 MILES WHILE DRIVING ST LOCAL STREETS, KIA DEALERS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173043 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

18V161000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Reported: 2018-03-08 (March 8, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch

Reported: 2023-08-24 (August 24, 2023)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

232 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

31.5%Usable mileage73 / 232 records
100.0%Valid incident date232 / 232 records
100.0%Valid filing date232 / 232 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates232 / 232 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Engine
74.5%
ODI 10460873 · 62,000 mi

AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE, THE CAR WAS RUNNING HORRIBLY, MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. HAD AN EPISODE WHERE THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE ABOUT DIED, SO I HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED FOR MONDAY MORNING. THE SATURDAY BEFORE, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, HAD THE EPISODE OCCUR AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY SINCE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, KIA WON'T HONOR IT WITH ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. I AM FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I KNOW OTHERS…

Look up ODI 10460873 at NHTSA ↗

169.6%
ODI 10462303 · 98,000 mi

I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT WHEN I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AS I PULLED OVER THERE I NOTICED A THICK CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE OUT OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND AIRCONDITIONER AREA OF THE CAR. FLAMES CONTINUED UNTIL THE INTERIOR BEGAN BURNING AND WINDSHIELD BROKE. *JS

Look up ODI 10462303 at NHTSA ↗

1913.2%
ODI 10458486

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND A FATALITY WAS REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL CAME IN THE MAIL ON APRIL 12. 2012. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 0…

Look up ODI 10458486 at NHTSA ↗

1412.1%
ODI 10458183 · 18,970 mi

THE FIRST SIGNS OF ANY TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE STARTED IN FEBRUARY/MARCH OF 2011 WHEN THE SHIFTING ON THE VEHICLE WAS ERRATIC ON TAKEOFF AND ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN, ROUGHLY SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. IT TOOK TWO OCCASIONS TO "FIX" THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SHIFTING APPEARED TO SUBSIDE IT STILL HAD THE OCCASIONAL ISSUE ON TAKE-OFF. THE ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY GOT TO THE POINT WHEN I LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER WHILE CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC, ALMOST GETTING HIT. I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT NO MATTER …

Look up ODI 10458183 at NHTSA ↗

912.0%
ODI 10861976 · 80,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DAY IN DECEMBER 2015, EACH TIME I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT, YIELD SIGN OR SLOWED TO A LOW SPEED (LESS THAN 15 MPH), MY VEHICLE WOULD SHUT-OFF MULTIPLE TIMES. MY IN MOTION SPEED WAS APPROX 45 MPH WHEN NOT APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR YIELD SIGN. IT HAPPENED BOTH WHEN I WAS TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT ON MAIN ROADS WITH 2-4 LANES. THE DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER ASME CERTIFIED MECHANIC BOTH STATE ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED BY KIA AND HYUNDAI AROUND THIS YEAR UP TO 2015.

Look up ODI 10861976 at NHTSA ↗

25643.2%
ODI 10512071 · 12,500 mi

SUDDEN ACCELERATION! HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO AND AGAIN ON MAY 10TH. GOING SLOWLY TOWARDS A STOP SIGN WHILE BRAKING TO STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT CAR KEEPS GOING. PUT SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING AND AFTER ABOUT 2 SECONDS THE ENGINE SLOWLY DROPS TO IDLE. NO ACCIDENTS CAUSED BECAUSE NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER ON MAY 15TH AND THEY COULD FIND NO CODES PRESENT AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *TR

Look up ODI 10512071 at NHTSA ↗

39843.3%
ODI 10463247 · 970 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB, CAUSING THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ACTUATOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 970.

Look up ODI 10463247 at NHTSA ↗

61244.3%
ODI 10511798 · 6,600 mi

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE, ENGINE MADE LOUD, CLANKING NOISE. PUSHED ON GAS AND NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED. TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS AND WORKED WAY OVER TO OUTER LANE AND FINALLY TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN HAPPENED; CAR SLOWED WAY DOWN. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT NOISE STILL OCCURRING. A WEEK LATER, INFORMED HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. WEEK LATER ENGINE, AND NOW PARTS, WERE ON BACK ORDER. FOLLOWING WEEK, INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP, KIA WOULD…

Look up ODI 10511798 at NHTSA ↗

28348.3%
ODI 10560127 · 5,000 mi

MY KIA OPTIMA 2014 STARTED A NOISE NEAR THE ENGINE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLAPPING NOISE. THE FIRST KIA DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT IT IS NOT TO WORRY AND IS PART OF THE KIA ENGINEERING DESIGN. THE SECOND KIA DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THE NOISE IS BAD NEWS AND AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JUST 5,000 MILES INTO THE LIFE OF MY BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA 2014. I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE THAT IF YOU HEAR A CLAPPING NOISE NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE THAN PLEASE TAKE IT INTO A KIA DEALER IMMEDIATE…

Look up ODI 10560127 at NHTSA ↗

62261.7%
ODI 10682178 · 10,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE NOISE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Look up ODI 10682178 at NHTSA ↗

42556.2%
ODI 10934131 · 25 mi

WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 6 OR 7 SECONDS. I THINK IT HAS STALLED, THEN IT STARTS AGAIN BY ITS SELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY.

Look up ODI 10934131 at NHTSA ↗

16464.3%
ODI 10986336 · 3,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT A FAILURE CODE WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

Look up ODI 10986336 at NHTSA ↗

13156.5%
ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

Look up ODI 11217052 at NHTSA ↗

8942.8%
ODI 11223068 · 2,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2019 OPTIMA BRAND NEW BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING ON ME. I GET THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, NOTHING COMES UP ON THE COMPUTER WHEN THEY PLUG IT IN. THEY SAY, "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, CALL US AND WELL TAKE IT IN". BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND MY PAYMENTS BEING THAT OF A RANGE ROVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. TO TOP IT OFF, THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS SLIPPING DOWN. I AM OVER THIS CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. BUT, MY FI…

Look up ODI 11223068 at NHTSA ↗

9967.8%
ODI 11421398

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.

Look up ODI 11421398 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
2012.9%
ODI 10207631 · 26,616 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TPMS ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SENSOR MALFUNCTION FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW TPMS INDICATOR, BUT THE FAILURE STILL CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE …

Look up ODI 10207631 at NHTSA ↗

116.6%
ODI 10368330 · 108,000 mi

WHILE PARKING 2007 OPTIMA I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK OR TAKE OUT THE KEY. THE SHIFTER LINKAGE AND CABLE HAD BROKEN. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (SUMMIT KIA, WATERFORD, MI) THEY REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTING LINKAGE AT A COST OF $750.00. THE DEALER STATED THE CABLE BROKE AND WHEN I ASKED IF THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS ON THE 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS 108,000 MILES. IN 40 YEARS AND MANY VEHICLES I HAVE NEVER HAD TH…

Look up ODI 10368330 at NHTSA ↗

139.0%
ODI 10233048 · 50 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN MOTION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS DEACTIVATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENOR DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHS LESS THAN 105 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

Look up ODI 10233048 at NHTSA ↗

1210.3%
ODI 10360753 · 914 mi

MY CONCERN INVOLVES ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN DRIVING ON A BRIGHT DAY, THE PANEL ILLUMINATION IS SO DIM THAT THE ODOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN WITHOUT MOVING MY HEAD ALMOST NEXT TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEEDOMETER, AND OTHER GAUGES, ARE ALSO DIMLY ILLUMINATED. AT NIGHT AND ON OVERCAST DAYS, THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE. *TR

Look up ODI 10360753 at NHTSA ↗

1317.3%
ODI 10554972 · 40,000 mi

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH OUR 2010 KIA OPTIMA, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. THE TPMS, (!) AND THE AIRBAG "OFF/ON" LIGHTS ALL GO OFF AND ON CONTINUALLY. THEY WILL BE ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN GO OFF AND STAY OFF FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE BRAKES ALSO JERK OUR CAR VERY ROUGHLY FORWARD WHEN WE ARE BRAKING. EVEN IF WE ARE GOING 5 MPH, WE PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR GIVES A BIG JERK BEFORE IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR

Look up ODI 10554972 at NHTSA ↗

6310.6%
ODI 10432995

DEFECTIVE KEY FOBS. THEY CANNOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND YOU BECOME STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF STARTING THE AUTO. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED FOUR TIMES TO REPROGRAM THE KEY FOB WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE IS NO WAY TO START OR OPERATE THE CAR WITH THE MECHANICAL KEY. CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE IN AN ISOLATED AREA! *TT

Look up ODI 10432995 at NHTSA ↗

12113.2%
ODI 10452528 · 200 mi

UPON THE PURCHASE OF MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX I NOTICED A PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IS APPROX. 80 MILES FROM MY HOME, DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE TUG AND THE CAR'S INCLINATION TO VEER LEFT. I FELT A CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO VEER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO AND HAD THE SERVICE DEPT. CHECK THE VEER. OF COURSE, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO VEER. THE CAR CONTINUES TO STRAY, NOW AT 3500 MILES. THE CAR WILL BE GOING IN FOR SERVICE NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANO…

Look up ODI 10452528 at NHTSA ↗

14310.3%
ODI 10534335 · 11,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED AND WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Look up ODI 10534335 at NHTSA ↗

5910.1%
ODI 10706237 · 7,800 mi

WE HAD TAKEN OUR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE. THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND FIXED WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS. WE FOUND THE FUSE COVER ON THE DASHBOARD. 1 DAY LATER, THE SYMBOLS ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO LIGHT UP AND THE CAR FROZE, LOCKED AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. THIS CAR HAS 7800 MILES ON IT AND IS A YEAR OLD. IT WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I COULDN'T EVEN GET MY FLASHERS ON…

Look up ODI 10706237 at NHTSA ↗

12812.7%
ODI 10779703 · 500 mi

THE BLUE TOOTH FOR THE PHONE IF ALLOWED TO RING CAN CAUSE ONE TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE RING CAN GO WELL PAST 100 DB. IF WE FORGET TO TURN OUR BLUE TOOTH OFF IT ACTUALLY HURTS.

Look up ODI 10779703 at NHTSA ↗

10013.2%
ODI 10939963 · 10,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 15 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,700. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ UPDATED 08/29/2017*JS

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239.0%
ODI 11019438 · 4,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER KIA (LOCATED AT 5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH THE CONTACT. …

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3113.4%
ODI 11165394

THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 TIMES SO FAR. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP THE TANK, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, AND MY CAR DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN I FINISHED GETTING GAS, I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED. I WAS 20 MILES FROM HOME FORTUNATELY SOMEONE WAS AT HOME TO BRING A SPARE KEY FOR ME TO OPEN THE TRUNK, PUSH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS DOWN AND CLIMB THRU TO THE FRONT TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURED THIS PAST WEEK WH…

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2210.6%
ODI 11223068 · 2,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2019 OPTIMA BRAND NEW BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING ON ME. I GET THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, NOTHING COMES UP ON THE COMPUTER WHEN THEY PLUG IT IN. THEY SAY, "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, CALL US AND WELL TAKE IT IN". BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND MY PAYMENTS BEING THAT OF A RANGE ROVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. TO TOP IT OFF, THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS SLIPPING DOWN. I AM OVER THIS CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. BUT, MY FI…

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128.2%
ODI 11462706

After changing the bulbs and fuses . The lights flicker and sometimes don’t come on at all .

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Unknown Or Other
95.8%
ODI 10327423

2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TELEPHONE REQUEST FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FILING AN INJUNCTION TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR FALSE ODOMETER READINGS AND/OR FRAUD *TGW THE ODOMETER MOVED SLOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED A HAND HELD DEVICE AND STATED NOTHING INDICATED A MALFUNCTION. *JB

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42.4%
ODI 11040608

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE VISORS FAILED AND ARE FLOPPING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VISOR IS OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW, AND HITTING MY HEAD. I CAN'T SEE. THE FAULTY PART HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED....WHY NO RECALL??? I HAVE INSTRUCTED MY FAMILY THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO SUE KIA SINCE THEY HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS!!! PASSEGER SIDE 2010, DRIVER'S SIDE 10/2017. I AM HOLDING THE VISORS UP WITH BUNGEE CORDS!!!! THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE KIAS!!!!!

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85.6%
ODI 10560769 · 123,000 mi

THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR, YET MY CAR IS NOT COVER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN A DIFFERENT AREA. HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS CAUSED BY THE RECALL ON THE PART THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT. I WANTED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE COST TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED NOT AFFORDABLE FOR ME AT THIS MOMENT AND I FEEL IT IS UNJUST THAT I HAVE TO PAY THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SEEING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REGARDING THIS PART AND THIS ISSUE WITH THIS …

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21.7%
ODI 10609060 · 71,936 mi

KIA OPTIMA IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULDN'T TURN CAR ON AND WHEELS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *JS

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45.3%
ODI 10934080 · 118,000 mi

WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN MY VEHICLE JERK EVEN WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO OR IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH ALL OF THE REPORT I DON'T SEE HOW KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

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396.6%
ODI 10387028

CAR PULLS TO LEFT 100% OF THE TIME. CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY KIA SERVICE AND MEETS ALL FACTORY SPECS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. KIA REQUIRES ALL 2011 OPTIMA'S TO BE REALIGNED PRIOR TO BEING SOLD. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT ONE OF HER TEC. REPS. DRIVES A 2011 OPTIMA AND IT ALSO PULLS LEFT.

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879.5%
ODI 10460082 · 1 mi

THE VEHICLE STEERING SEEMS TIGHT WHICH IS FINE, BUT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-45 MPH THE VEHICLE VEERS OFF TO THE LEFT. I AM READING THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE AND I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

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18613.4%
ODI 10537029 · 8,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SEEM TO REACT WELL WITH TURNING OF THE VEHICLE. PARKING THE VEHICLE IS UNEVEN AND NOT ALIGNED TO THE CENTER OF PARKING STALLS. STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AS IF STEERING A BOAT ON A WATERWAY. *TR

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8815.0%
ODI 10703965 · 10,000 mi

THE PROBLEM IS SPORADIC BUT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. IF I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE MY SPEED, WHETHER FROM A STOPPED POSITION, OR TO PULL INTO A BUSY ROADWAY, OR TO INCREASE MY SPEED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CAR WILL START TO GO THEN CHOKE, SO THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, THE RPM STAY THE SAME AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND WILL NOT SPEED UP. IF KIA DOESN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS - BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT OPTIMA VEHICLE YEARS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS - SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. I HAVE…

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13913.8%
ODI 10670519 · 121 mi

PAINT ON HOOD ROOF TRUNK HAD SPOTS IN PAINT ORANGE PEEL IN PAINT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR

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12116.0%
ODI 11003963 · 6 mi

SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN AUG2016 BRAND NEW WHEN I GIVE IT GAS THE VALVES PING AND PEAK EXTREMELY BAD NOT MATTER WHAT FUEL I USE ALSO THE AC KEEPS LOOSING POWER IT WILL BLOW FINE THEN IT ALMOST GOES OFF WHILE STILL DRIVING THE SAME SPEED. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE A MISS OR HESITATION IN THE ENGINE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A POP NOISE IN THE BACK END WHEN I STOP OR SLOW DOWN SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR 6 TIMES TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN CHAS WV WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CAN'T DIGNOSE THE PR…

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3312.9%
ODI 10971009 · 1,980 mi

WE LEASE A 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID WITH TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE. IT HAS 1986 MILES AND IS THREE MONTHS OLD. LAST WEEK THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROADWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY WIFE WAS ABLE GET OFF THE ROAD BY CONSTANTLY RESTARTING THE CAR. AFTER ALMOST ONE WEEK WE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE THE MAIN BATTERY.

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3715.9%
ODI 11154609 · 25,000 mi

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FROM INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. MY KEYS WERE STUCK INSIDE THE TRUNK THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN IT. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT RESPOND. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE TRUNK ITSELF DOES NOT RESPOND. THE REAR SEATS CANNOT FOLD FROM THE INSIDE EITHER, BECAUSE IT CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED FROM THE TRUNK

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4220.2%
ODI 11223068 · 2,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2019 OPTIMA BRAND NEW BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING ON ME. I GET THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, NOTHING COMES UP ON THE COMPUTER WHEN THEY PLUG IT IN. THEY SAY, "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, CALL US AND WELL TAKE IT IN". BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND MY PAYMENTS BEING THAT OF A RANGE ROVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. TO TOP IT OFF, THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS SLIPPING DOWN. I AM OVER THIS CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. BUT, MY FI…

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1611.0%
ODI 11441181

When I accelerate the car jerks as if is going to cut off. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can not find any thing wrong. After searching the internet, I find I am not the only one with this issue. I just want my car fixed so that I feel safe driving it.

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Steering
10.6%
ODI 10464270 · 116,039 mi

2006 KIA OPTIMA NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND + MILES (NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 60,000 MILES OR SOONER), BUT ONE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY JUST CAME OFF AND THEN THE BELT CAME OFF A COUPLE PULLEYS BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BELT ACTUALLY LOOKS FINE, BUT THE PULLEY FAILURE CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF. THIS BELT RUNS SEVERAL THINGS SO THE INITIAL LOOSE PULLEY CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING, BATTERY LIGHT TO TURN ON, THE A/C FAILED, ETC., AND THEN THE INNER PART OF THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND THE OUTER RING (MAGNETIZED) FELL AN…

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21.2%
ODI 10535335 · 82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN PLACED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY SEIZED. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE IGNITION KEY BEGAN TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

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42.8%
ODI 10225780 · 1 mi

HAD IN POSSESSION FOR 2 DAYS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA, PULLED TO THE RIGHT. COULDN'T BE FINANCED. RECEIVED A 2008 KIA OPTIMA RIGHT OFF OF DELIVERY TRUCK,IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT EVEN WORSE. TOLD DEALERSHIP OF PROBLEM. TOLD IT WAS MOST LIKELY LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND SENT IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT. STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. I WAS TOLD AS A JOKE TO TURN ON BLINKER IF I WAS TO LET GO OF WHEEL! THE FRONT END OF BOTH NEW CARS, FROM 2 DIFFERENT YEARS, LOOKING DOWN ON THE HOOD, ARE TWEAKED. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS FLUSH AND PASSENGER SIDE IS OFF AND SITS FUNNY. NO ACCIDENTS YE…

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76.0%
ODI 10562910 · 23,233 mi

AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS WHICH [XXX] SAYS HE DID REPLACE BOTH BACK PADS WITH GENERIC PADS EVEN THOUGH MY RECEIPT SHOWED SOMETHING DIFFERENT; I WENT TO GET THE CAR APPRAISE TO SEE HOW MUCH I COULD GET FOR IT ON A TRADE-IN VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEED FRONT BUSHINGS SO THAT KNOCKED $900 ON THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD GIVE ME FOR IT. BUSHINGS, ON A CAR BARELY DRIVEN AND I HAVE A 10 YEAR WARRANTY THAT COMES WITH IT, A 10 YEAR WARRANTY I PURCHASE AND A 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? I CAN'T. I GUESS IF I DR…

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22.7%
ODI 10562433 · 63,150 mi

WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER HIT MY KIA SO HARD, I HIT THE MUSTANG IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. KIA WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WERE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE (I.E. STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, WHEEL SHAKING, ETC). THIS WAS THE EVENING OF 01/23/2014. ON 01/29/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE (TOTALING THE KIA) @ 28-30 MPH. AGAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE IMPACT LIFTED ME UP AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THE…

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9916.7%
ODI 10384874 · 74 mi

SINCE THE DAY THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, ON THE EXPRESSWAY, IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. DEALER DECLARED THAT IT WAS FIXED. ON THE DRIVE HOME, THE PULL TO THE LEFT PERSISTED AS IT HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. ANOTHER ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER PERFORM A THOROUGH TEST DRIVE TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE WAS REPAIRED. THE GENERAL MANAGER PROMISED THIS WOULD HAPPEN, AND ALSO PROMISED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD …

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18620.2%
ODI 10446929 · 150 mi

I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON 1-13-12 AND IMMEDIATELY DISCOVERED IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND TODAY (2-5-2012) THE DEALER BOUGHT IT BACK. I LOST $5,000 BY SELLING IT BACK BUT I AM JUST GLAD TO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. KIA SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR BUY THE CARS BACK AT THE SELLING PRICE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OR FORCED TO DRIVE IT TO AVOID THE LOSS. THIS PULL LEFT ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE KIA FORUM SITE. I JUST WISH I HAD CHEC…

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21315.4%
ODI 10484776 · 25 mi

NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WANDERS (DRIFTS) LEFT OR RIGHT. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I NO LONGER TAKE A MUG OF COFFEE WITH ME AS I DRIVE TO WORK. I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD AHEAD, ONLY GLANCING BRIEFLY IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR SIDE MIRRORS TO CHECK TRAFFIC. IT ALSO DOES THIS AT LOW SPEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS. HELP! I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE…

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9416.0%
ODI 10561751 · 100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

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696.8%
ODI 10651606

AS THE FIRST OWNER OF THE CAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED STEERING ISSUES THAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS FEELING AS IF THE STEERING DOES NOT PROPERLY CENTER. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. THE ISSUE BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED AS THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES. THIS RESULTS IN A FEELING OF LACK OF SAFETY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN MODERATE - HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS OR ON NARROW ROADS. I INFORMED THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED THE …

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243.2%
ODI 11141309 · 2,843 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, A CLICKING NOISE WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE CONTACT TO TURN APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL EVENTUALLY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH SHORE KIA (1128 SUNRISE HWY, COPIAGUE, NY 11726, [phone removed]) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT …

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114.3%
ODI 11277726

I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS MOVING.

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125.2%
ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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62.9%
ODI 11280619 · 33,000 mi

LANE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM MAKES UNUSUAL TURNS WHILE I'M DRIVING RESULTING ME HAVING TO CORRECT. IN SOME SITUATIONS VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED INTO CARS IN NEARBY LANE. INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BOTH ON SURFACE STREETS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 55 MILES PER HOUR AND ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 55 MILES PER HOUR

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21.4%
ODI 11560695

Steering wheel bearing broken. Had replaced in November and again now needs to be replaced. Major safety concern that Kia should fix properly so the car runs efficiently

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Air Bags
3220.6%
ODI 10237038 · 46,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. ON AUGUST 3, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. DURING THE FIRST REPAIR, THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRE SHORTAGE. DURING THE SECOND REPAIR, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN.…

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4929.3%
ODI 10212517 · 11,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, DROVE INTO THE EMBANKMENT, AND STRUCK A TREE. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND A TREE CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PRESUMED TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. KIA STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS AND ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE WIFE SUSTAINED BRU…

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4430.6%
ODI 10334030 · 32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE STARTED PRIOR TO HAVING AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT IN ORDER FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. …

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2824.1%
ODI 10439921 · 38,076 mi

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER. THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AS A RESULT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO TREAT NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,076.

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1621.3%
ODI 10415342 · 5,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR, ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE AIR BAGS UNDER WARRANTY. THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THEY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF …

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315.2%
ODI 10448847

I WAS TRAVELING 55MPH BEHIND A VEHICLE WHO SUDDENLY SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME I STRUCK THE BLACK JEEP LIBERTY IN THE REAR BUMPER MORE TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE WITH THE THE PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER OF MY CAR. ( KIA OPTIMA) MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I DID STRIKE MY HEAD, ALTHOUGH I AM NOT SURE IF I HIT IT ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE GLASS TOP. MY CONCERN IS MY SEATBELT DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY ALLOWING ME TO STRIKE MY HEAD. AND AGAIN THAT THE AIRBAGS DID…

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475.1%
ODI 10461910 · 6,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT TO LOCK HER IN, WHICH CAUSED HER TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE PILLAR NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

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604.3%
ODI 10523248

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF NECK INJURIES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

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162.7%
ODI 10617634 · 2,675 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A FIRE TRUCK. THE FRONTAL, SIDE, AND REAR AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES AND CAME TO REST ON A CURB FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT SEND THEM PHOTOS AND THE POLICE REPORT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 12/3/2014 *…

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252.5%
ODI 10874683 · 28,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN FATAL ACCIDENT VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A STANDING TREE THEN OVERTURN ONTO IT ROOF THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DRIVER AND PASSENGER NEVER DEPLOYED VERY CONCERNING

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233.0%
ODI 10837282 · 800 mi

I WAS INVOLVE IN A BAD ACCIDENT WITH 10K IN FRONT END DAMAGE AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HALF OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR CAME APART IN THE DAMAGE

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52.0%
ODI 11021617 · 300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESELOH KIA CARLSBAD (LOCATED AT 5331 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008 AT [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VOLTAGE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO WESELOH KIA CARL…

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93.9%
ODI 11122109

TL* THE CONTACTS DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER AND THE DRIVER WERE INJURED AND TREATED AT A HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

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125.8%
ODI 11244735 · 46 mi

PURCHASED 2019 KIA OPTIMA EX ON 4/27/2019 FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN,MD. AFTER RESEARCH ON THIS WEBSITE WE FIND OUT THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION FOR AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON THIS VEHICLE IN CRASHES. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS INITIATED BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. HOW IS A DEALERSHIP ALLOWED TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE? A DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE TO LET THE PURCHASER KNOW BEFORE THEY BUY THE VEHICLE. WE WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS!

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74.8%
ODI 11374574 · 21,148 mi

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT

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Power Train
106.5%
ODI 10347956 · 64,200 mi

THE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS VISION IMPAIRMENT. THE SWITCH FOR THE BOTH SEATS DOES NOT WORK. THE WHEEL BEARING IS BAD. THE TIRE PRESSURE WHEEL SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SPEED ADJUSTMENT SENSOR ARE BAD ON THIS 2006 KIA OPTIMA , CONSTANTLY BULBS FOR TAILLIGHT BLOW. *TR

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106.0%
ODI 10233969

2007 KIA OPTIMA WITH SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2008, 5 WEEKS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. IN APRIL MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE #1 ENGINE BRACKET BOLT WAS MISSING. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. *JB

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1611.1%
ODI 10606605 · 171,001 mi

MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WAS A GOOD CAR WIITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL SO WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF ON I 95 DURING RUSH HR. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. AS I WAS ENTERING THE RAMP FOR I-95 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . I HAD A CLICKIN NOISE IN ENGINE BUT WITHIN LESS THEN 2 MIN. AS I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC MY ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO DEALER ,EVERYONE INCLUDING DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR BECAUSE OIL WAS FINE AND NOTHIN WAS WRONG.. THE DEALER SAID HE COULDNT FIND ANYTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE TO …

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2925.0%
ODI 10440377 · 54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO HAVE A RE-LEARN PROCEDURE PERFORMED. AFTER THE PROCEDURE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE T…

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2432.0%
ODI 10334436 · 1,750 mi

TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A RENTED 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE GEAR SHIFT HAD LOCK UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL OR THE PARK POSITION. SHE STATED THE MANUAL READ TO START CAR, THE GEAR SHIFT MUST BE IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE FOOT MUST BE ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE SLIGHTLY MOVED THE KEY, THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED HEAD …

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233.9%
ODI 10397675 · 3,600 mi

ON 4/11/11, WE WERE DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD GONE FOUR MILES FROM OUR HOUSE, WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD HIT A DEER! THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND AND LURCHED VIOLENTLY, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, FRIGHTENING US BOTH. THE LURCHING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT IT MAY WELL HAVE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE CRASHED. WE THEN FOUND THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT OF OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX. WE BOUGHT THE KIA NEW AT O'BRIEN AUTO PARK IN CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, ON 1/8/11. THE CAR HAD 3600 MILES ON IT AT THE TIM…

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535.8%
ODI 10469678 · 13,800 mi

WAS SITTING AT LIGHT AND WENT TO TAKE OFF CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD A LOUD ROUGH GRINDING NOISE, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ONE. BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT, ETC AND NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE WORKING. I STOPPED AT THE STORE AND WENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD START UP BUT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR, IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAD JUST HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM 1 WEEK AGO WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE GAUGES WEREN'T WORKING AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD…

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644.6%
ODI 10476362

2013 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING TO THE RIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, SOMETIMES THE BELT MADE A SQUEAKY NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. UPDATED 01/22/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS MANY SERIOUS ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 06/27/2017*JS

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193.2%
ODI 10638606 · 2,680 mi

WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN .RED LIGHT OR A DRIVE WAY . SOME TIMES THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED.HAS A DELAY OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS .HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE IT GO. VERY BAD WHEN OTHER CARS ARE BEHIND ME. BOUGHT CAR MAY 30 2014 . HAD 5 OR 6 INCIDENTS ALREADY. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM CAN'T GET IT FIXED. SUSPECT ECONOMY SYSTEM IS PROBLEM. THE INTERNET HAS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

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484.8%
ODI 10779782 · 1,680 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A LAKE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE LAKE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NO LONGER SHIFTED COMPLETELY INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,680.

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729.5%
ODI 10934131 · 25 mi

WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR HESITATES UP TO 6 OR 7 SECONDS. I THINK IT HAS STALLED, THEN IT STARTS AGAIN BY ITS SELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY.

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218.2%
ODI 11311542 · 34,000 mi

MISSFIRE ON CYLINDER 3, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P0303. AT 34,900 MILES.

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187.8%
ODI 11063913 · 14,770 mi

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 18:55(APPROXIMATELY) AMHERST MASSACHUSETTS, 39 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT PARKED CAR, PULLED KEYS AND EXITED CAR TO HELP MY MOTHER EXIT. PARKED ON INCLINE, VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK DOWN DRIVEWAY HAD KEYS IN POCKET AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE TRIED MOVING BACK TO DRIVER DOOR WHICH HAD LOCKED OR WAS STUCK USED ALL STRENGTH TO TRY TO KEEP VEHICLE STATIONARY, WITHOUT MUCH H SUCCESS FINALLY, MOTHER WAS ABLE TO OPEN DRIVER DOOR FROM INSIDE I AM 53, WITH MILLIONS OF MYLES UNDER MY BELT....MOTHER IS 73 BOTH OF US STRAINED…

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178.2%
ODI 11186816

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS. IT CURRENTLY HAS 1600 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE AND I AM STILL EXPERIENCING STUDDERING AND SHAKING. HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT ON 3/15. EVEN HAVE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE INVOLVED.

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2718.5%
ODI 11498453

On Thursday, I was leaving to drive my son 5 miles up the road and my check engine light started flashing with no warning. My car slowed down and started jerking. I took it to auto zone (on limp mode) to receive a code and it came back with p1326. My car only has 64,216 miles and I also just recently got the oil changed. I have not taken it to a dealer yet but I wanted to report this because my car is only 2 years old and shouldn’t have engine/power train issues.

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Structure:Body
63.9%
ODI 10436371 · 45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

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31.8%
ODI 10486014 · 145,404 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPMITA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRUNK LOCK FAILED PREVENTING HIM FROM UNLOCKING OR LOCKING THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE LOCK SYSTEM FAILED, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE IF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,404.

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42.8%
ODI 10521781 · 689,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH A DEER RAN INTO THE SIDE OF MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED IN ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIDOW WAS DESTROYED INFLICTING CUTS ON THE DRIVER AND WITH THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE INCLUDING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER EVEN WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT OF WHICH KIA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED AND THE EXPLANATION W…

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10.9%
ODI 10789825 · 95,000 mi

WHILE HITTING SEVERAL TREES IN MY KIA OPTIMA, GOING ABOUT 45MPH, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE AND FROM LOOKING AT THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR, THEY ALSO THINK THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, NOBODY WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, NO THANKS TO THE AIR BAGS.

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22.7%
ODI 10749374 · 80,000 mi

VARIOUS DOORS WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK/UNLOCK FROM THE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND THE KEY FOB. THIS IS AN INTERMENT FAILURE AFFECTING MULTIPLE DOORS IN THE VEHICLE. DIFFERENT DOORS LOCKS ARE FAILING AT DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. BASED ON MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS AFFECTS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 2005 TO 2010 OPTIMAS. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE OCCUPANTS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY.

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183.0%
ODI 10425614 · 5,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A STORM HER VEHICLE WAS FLOODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE VENTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO LET WATER OUT BUT SINCE IT WAS SITTING IN THE WATER IT SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.

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343.7%
ODI 10505723 · 14,518 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SOUND OF GLASS RATTLING. AT FIRST I THOUGH I HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF MY TIRES, SO I MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I THEN DID A WALK AROUND OF MY CAR AND SAW THE BUSTED SUNROOF. THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD NOR DID I SEE ANY FLYING ROCKS OR DEBRIS AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. THERE WAS NOTHING OTHER THAN THE EXPLOSION. THE GLASS WAS BUBBLED UP LIKE IT BLEWOUT AND NOT IN. THERE WAS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF. THERE WERE NO ROC…

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1198.6%
ODI 10566798 · 14,000 mi

THE SUNROOF ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EXPLODED OUT WARDS RAINING BROKEN GLASS DOWN ON MY HEARD. THE CAR WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT AND NO CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT CREAKING NOISE AND THEN A VIOLENT EXPLOSION LEAVING AN UP TURNED CRATER IN THE GLASS ROOF. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY SUNROOFS DISPUTE THE RECALL ON SIMILAR ROOFS ON OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. *TR

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488.2%
ODI 10565194 · 1,000 mi

DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A GUNSHOT. MOMENTS LATER, I HEARD THE SOUND OF AIR RUSHING PAST FROM ABOVE MY HEAD AND DEBRIS VIBRATING ON THE INTERIOR SUNROOF SCREEN. I LATER FOUND THAT IT WAS BROKEN GLASS CRACKLING AND FALLING AGAINST THE INTERIOR SUNROOF SCREEN. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK THE ROOF FOR DAMAGE. WHAT I FOUND WAS A GAPING HOLE (8-12 INCHES IN DIAMETER) IN THE GLASS OF THE FRONT SUNROOF. I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASS OR WORK TRUCKS, NOR DID I EVER OBSERVE ANYTHING STRIKING THE CAR …

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757.4%
ODI 11056174 · 25,240 mi

WAS AT LIGHT THEN PROCEEDED ONCE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TRAVELING ON LEFT LANE ON A 2 LANE CITY ROAD. USED TURNING SIGNAL TO MOVE TO RIGHT LANE WHEN ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD TURNED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON TO THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING ON. I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AFTER TURNING TO LOOK DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT IN REAR OF MY CAR. AT THE TIME I HIT THE OTHER CARS FRONT LEFT FENDER/TIRE AREA CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. I WAS TICKETED FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE EVEN THOUGH I TURNED MY SIGNAL ON & LOOKED. I NOW HAVE TO GO TO TRAFFIC SCHOOL TO KEEP POINTS O…

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395.2%
ODI 10992202 · 4,300 mi

ON MAY 30, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 1200HRS EST, WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS NEGATIVE FOR THE ANY EXTERIOR DEBRIS AS CAUSE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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52.0%
ODI 11233869 · 44,000 mi

WHILE MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OUR CAR BEGAN SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE CAR; WITHIN SECONDS WE SEEN FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO WARNING, OUR CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED, THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR OTHERS DISPLAYING ON THE DASH, NO LEAKS OR OVERHEATING TO CAUSE THIS.

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73.0%
ODI 11153087 · 7,418 mi

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, SLID ON WATER AND CRASHED INTO A STEEL POLE. THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK AT ALL AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE THE BREAK PADS WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LIKE THEY HAD JUST FALL OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY FRIEND'S HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS TOTALED.

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146.7%
ODI 11271129 · 2,500 mi

I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING 40-50MPH AND DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND REAR ENDED ME AND PUSHED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

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10.7%
ODI 11286741 · 6,300 mi

THERE IS A VERY LIMITED AND INADEQUATE SPACE BETWEEN THE THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH CAN IMPEDE A DRIVER FROM MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP.THE SAME LACK OF SPACE BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL.NOTHING HAPPENED IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.

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Fuel/Propulsion System
53.2%
ODI 10475367 · 58,000 mi

MY VEHICLE KEEPS ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS. CAN ACCELERATE ON. ITS OWN AND SLOW DOWN WHEN MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON FOR A MONTH AND NOW IT HAS APPEARED. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.IF A LESS CAPABLE PERSON WAS DRIVING. MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS OF THIS.MODEL REPORT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN THE ISSUE FOR COUNTLESS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND. IT SHOWED THE SAME CODES POINTING TO…

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21.2%
ODI 11183310 · 146,000 mi

THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS GATHERING SOOT BUILD UP ACCORDING TO THE GARAGE. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON.

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32.1%
ODI 11161480

2008 KIA OPTIMA FUEL PUMP BODY FAILURE. THE PUMP BODY CRACKS AND THE COMPUTER SETS EVAPORATED. LEAKAGE CODE. WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF THESE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.THIS SHOWS A PATTERN OF DEFECTS AND IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IF THIS CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE FUEL WILL BURST OUT OF THE TANK AS A RESULT THIS FUEL SENDER CRACKING.

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10.9%
ODI 11312041 · 140,000 mi

DRIVING AT 70 MPH, ENGINE DIED AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED TO SHOULDER, FRONT END OF CAR CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED WITH FOAM. CAR A TOTAL LOSS.

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11.3%
ODI 10934080 · 118,000 mi

WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN MY VEHICLE JERK EVEN WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO OR IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH ALL OF THE REPORT I DON'T SEE HOW KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

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233.9%
ODI 10947131

I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE CAR. THE FOUND OUT THAT IS RELATED TO ENGINE TIMING ISSUE. WHICH IS STRANGE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 60K MILES WOULD HAVE ENGINE RELATED ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THIS PAST YEAR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE ENGINE IN MY CAR WAS USED IN OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS AND MAY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE ISSUE AND RESPOND BACK

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424.6%
ODI 10466784 · 12,738 mi

FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS, NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE AT IDLE WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AND THE CAR IS STOPPED (E.G., FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL). THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE WENT FROM IDLE (ABOUT 800 RPM) TO RAPID (SURGING) ACCELERATION, OFTEN WITH SCREECHING TIRES. THIS OCCURRED EACH TIME I STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION DURING A 493-MILE TRIP. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AFTER I REACHED MY TARGET DRIVING SPEED. *TR

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936.7%
ODI 10584219 · 10,000 mi

THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, AND JUST THE THIRD THIS PAST WEEKEND SO I AM FINALLY WRITING A COMPLAINT. MY KIA HAS A FAULTY MAP SENSOR, THE DEALER SAYS, AND WHEN IT GOES OUT (ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS) MY CAR COMPLETELY DIES ON ME; I HAVE NO ACCELERATION, BRAKES LOCK UP AND MY POWER STEERING IS GONE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE TWO OF THE THREE OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I AM FORCED TO YANK THE STEERING WHEEL TO A SHOULDER AND LET THE CAR COME TO A STOP. SOMETIMES IT RESTARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT.…

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427.2%
ODI 10638606 · 2,680 mi

WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN .RED LIGHT OR A DRIVE WAY . SOME TIMES THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED.HAS A DELAY OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS .HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE IT GO. VERY BAD WHEN OTHER CARS ARE BEHIND ME. BOUGHT CAR MAY 30 2014 . HAD 5 OR 6 INCIDENTS ALREADY. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM CAN'T GET IT FIXED. SUSPECT ECONOMY SYSTEM IS PROBLEM. THE INTERNET HAS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

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464.6%
ODI 11090116 · 46,000 mi

MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 46,000 MILES STARTED SMOKING AND RUNNING ROUGHLY; I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN GUNNED THE ENGINE VERY HARD UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. LATER THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR 7K AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE I DID NOT GET OIL CHANGES WITH THEM. I TOLD THEM I CHANGE MY OWN OIL OR GET IT DONE AT A LOCAL PLACE IN TOWN BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE WAITING FOR 3-4 HOURS FOR OIL CHANGES AT THE KIA IN GLENDALE CA WHERE BTW THE SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED L…

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537.0%
ODI 11016121

SHUTTER/HESITATION UPON TAKE OFF. I SIGNED MY LEASE ON 9/29 AND WAS AT THE SERVICE DEPT FIRST OF 7 TIMES ON 10/4. AT FIRST I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD TO "LEARN THE WAY I DRIVE" THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY CAR. SINCE THEN THE DEALER HAS "RESET" THE TRANSMISSION, CHANGED FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND NOW HAS DONE 'SEVERAL UPDATES' (SERIOUSLY?) THIS CAR HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN I ASKED THE TECH IF HE WOULD DRIVE HIS FAMILY IN THIS CAR I GOT NO RESPONSE. I HAVE ASKED ON THE LAST 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER F…

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207.8%
ODI 11118626 · 11,000 mi

WHILE ON AN HOUR'S DRIVE THE BSD (BLING SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM) CEASED TO OPERATE. THE ACTUATOR SWITCH WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT AN ERROR EXCLAMATION POINT APPEARED ON THE DASH NOTING THE BSD FAILURE. I DROVE ON FURTHER UNTIL I CAME TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, ALSO. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLED THE KEY. I WAITED 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THEY SYSTEM CAME BACK ONLINE. FURTHER ALONG ON THE DRIVE IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HILLY ROAD. WHEN I WENT TO GIVE THE CAR MORE GAS, THE CAR DID …

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135.6%
ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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167.7%
ODI 11556499

The morning of 9/26/2023 as I was driving on the freeway road and I experienced an intermittent reduction in engine power and had to pull over on the side of the freeway road. This was a very traumatizing experience and I was very lucky that I was not hit while awaiting to be towed. After my mechanic inspected my vehicle we received error code P1233 and advised me to call the dealership as this is something covered under an extended warranty. I scheduled an appointment for 9/27/2023 however, I dropped my car off on 9/26/2023 since I was able …

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117.5%
ODI 11430771

Fuel line had a quick detachment have to be replaced

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Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine23,768–99,750 mi69,000 mi34
ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

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ODI 11218043 · 12,098 mi

TAKARA RECALL VEHICLE POWER DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MOTION THEN POWERED BACK UP WITHOUT ME TURNING THE IGNITION.WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE

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ODI 11241806 · 14,900 mi

ON 03/29/2019 WAS TRAVELING TO WORK. ON INTERSTATE 53 SOUTHBOUND CAR WENT TO LIMP MODE. NO POWER. MANAGED TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TRIED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR 1 MONTH AFTER THEY TOLD ME THAT ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED THEY MANAGED TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS. AFTER 1 MONTH IT WAS DONE. I TOOK CAR BACK. 1 OR 2 WEEKS LATER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. FILED A CLAIM WITH KIA AND BBB TO RESOLVE IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY HAD IN INSPECTIONS ON MY VEHICLE AS THEY STATED FROM KIA CALIFORNIA HQ AND FROM KOREA HQ WITH NO LUCK TO REPA…

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Unknown Or Other22,450–43,000 mi25,000 mi9
ODI 11154609 · 25,000 mi

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FROM INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. MY KEYS WERE STUCK INSIDE THE TRUNK THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN IT. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT RESPOND. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FROM THE TRUNK ITSELF DOES NOT RESPOND. THE REAR SEATS CANNOT FOLD FROM THE INSIDE EITHER, BECAUSE IT CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED FROM THE TRUNK

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ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

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ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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Electrical System16,778–43,713 mi36,826 mi7
ODI 11218043 · 12,098 mi

TAKARA RECALL VEHICLE POWER DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MOTION THEN POWERED BACK UP WITHOUT ME TURNING THE IGNITION.WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE

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ODI 11241258 · 14,356 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AND SIDE SENSORS FAILED TO IDENTIFY TWO PEOPLE WALKING PAST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNSET KIA OF AUBURN (3401 AUBURN WAY N, AUBURN, WA 98002, [phone removed]) WHO STATED THAT THE SENSORS WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,356.

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ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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Power Train14,114–60,750 mi26,475 mi8
ODI 11063913 · 14,770 mi

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 18:55(APPROXIMATELY) AMHERST MASSACHUSETTS, 39 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT PARKED CAR, PULLED KEYS AND EXITED CAR TO HELP MY MOTHER EXIT. PARKED ON INCLINE, VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK DOWN DRIVEWAY HAD KEYS IN POCKET AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE TRIED MOVING BACK TO DRIVER DOOR WHICH HAD LOCKED OR WAS STUCK USED ALL STRENGTH TO TRY TO KEEP VEHICLE STATIONARY, WITHOUT MUCH H SUCCESS FINALLY, MOTHER WAS ABLE TO OPEN DRIVER DOOR FROM INSIDE I AM 53, WITH MILLIONS OF MYLES UNDER MY BELT....MOTHER IS 73 BOTH OF US STRAINED…

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ODI 11173043 · 3,800 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 4 MONTHS AND 3800 MILES WHILE DRIVING ST LOCAL STREETS, KIA DEALERS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

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ODI 11206044 · 12,145 mi

2018 KIA 12,000 MILES HAD RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY GETTING ON INTERSTATE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY SPEED AT TIME WAS PROBABLY 60 MPH CANT PUSH THE GAS CAR JUST STALLS 18 WHEELER BEHIND BLOWING HORN I PULL CAR TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE GOT CAR TO CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP I ASK WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY STATED THEY USE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR BUT NOW THEY JUST PUT A PART CALLED A HARNESS ON IT PART WAS NOT IN THEY HAVE TO KEEP CAR SEVERAL DAYS

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Service Brakes13,450–40,525 mi29,913 mi8
ODI 11153087 · 7,418 mi

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, SLID ON WATER AND CRASHED INTO A STEEL POLE. THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK AT ALL AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE THE BREAK PADS WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LIKE THEY HAD JUST FALL OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY FRIEND'S HEAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS TOTALED.

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ODI 11163260 · 8,800 mi

WHEN REVERSING THE BRAKES TAKE 5 TO 10 SECONDS TO RELEASE, ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING.

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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Exterior LightingToo few reports for a range32,663 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 11339940 · 20,000 mi

I HAVE THE KIA OPTIMA SX WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE THAT COMES EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-LEVELING AND AUTO-BENDING LED HEADLAMPS. I BELIEVE THAT THE AUTO-LEVELING FUNCTION IS WORKING INCORRECTLY. WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE CAR (MORE PASSENGERS) THE BEAM PATTERN AUTO ADJUSTS ITSELF TO POINT EVEN LOWER INSTEAD OF HIGHER. THIS CAUSES AN ADVERSE EFFECT. THINK OF IT THIS WAY, THE BEAM HAS A DEFAULT SETTING TO WHERE IT POINTS TO WHEN THERE IS NO WEIGHT ADDED TO THE CAR. WHEN TWO PASSENGERS SIT IN THE CAR, THE BEAM SHOULD NOT POINT LOWER, INSTEAD IT…

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ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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Fuel/Propulsion SystemToo few reports for a range68,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11525549 · 68,000 mi

High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

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Steering35,913–53,500 mi42,100 mi7
ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

7 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-104None
ODI 11617527 · 76,270 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was an abnormal growling sound coming from under the floorboard, and the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that the RPM gauge was revving high while depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle w…

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ODI 11619614

Engine is burning oil at a high rate have to add at least three quarts twice a week and headlights and brake lights got out twice a month

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ODI 11621162

While driving at night if the headlights will randomly turn completely off

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2024-112None
ODI 11627235

Check engine light began flashing halfway down the highway. Oil changes and maintenance are done regularly. Vehicle handling seemed to be unsafe. Vehicle would not accelerate. Had inspection done in September.

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ODI 11627569 · 111,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine …

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2024-123None
ODI 11628268

I drove the car to the park about 6 miles round trip with family. I came back home and started having lunch for about 25 minutes. I then attempt to start the engine to go to my appointment but then car didn't turn on. On third attempt I had a weird noise coming out of the hood and I went back inside the house to get my gloves. When i came outside of the house, the hood of the car was in flames. I called 911 to turn off the fire. The car is now at a total loss.

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ODI 11631816 · 106,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

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ODI 11632125

Increased oil consumption with needing oil added and or changed half way before date or milage stated, oil changes performed by Kia dealer. Car staling and engine knocking while driving. Burnt smell while driving.

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2025-012None
ODI 11636731

It burns oil constantly. I constantly have to get new filters put on because they become black very quickly same with the oil itself. The engine has a tic and I know other people with optima’s that have the same problem. I burn through 4 quarts in two weeks- less than 600 miles.

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ODI 11637108

My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I’ve had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can’t afford a new car I’m 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have spoken to many mechanics and they all say the same thing “it’s a Kia it’s gonna burn oil” ITS A KNOWN ISSUE. And yet Kia will not resolve it bc they don’t …

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2025-022None
ODI 11644266

Passenger seat belt goes off when no one is sitting there.

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ODI 11644939

Complaint-Car misfired, oil leaking on spark plugs causing an Engin Replacement that was first complained to Gossett Kia Covington Pike,1900 Covington Pike, Memphis, Tn 38128 on [XXX].On [XXX] complaint car shakes, misfire. Complaint to Gossett Kia South 2680 Mt.Moriah Rd, Memphis, Tn 35115. This date car stayed at dealership 3 days invoice a diagnostic was performed total amt $913.38. On 12/26/24 Mr.Macias on Mt.Moriah asked me to bring my vehicle in for another diagnostic test, amt to be charged $251.00 this time a tune up, replaced #4 spark…

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2025-032None
ODI 11649251 · 109,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured valve in cylinder #1. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confi…

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ODI 11651118 · 100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal oil consumption. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a spark plug misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to a local independent service center, and the spark plugs were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was repaired …

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2025-043None
ODI 11652695

Kia is aware of the engine oil consumption causing misfires, failed emissions test, blowing a rod and engine lock up. THEIR SOLUTION WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT STATE ONCE THE CAR IS LOCKED UP OR ROD HAS BLOWN THROUGH THE ENGINE THEN THEY WILL FIX IT. I have had to replace the spark plugs multiple times in last 12 months due to misfires while driving. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY CANT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THEY SUGGEST THAT I DRIVE WITH NO OIL AND LOCK THE ENGINE UP EVEN THOUGH IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH…

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ODI 11653766

Oil consumption and engine code P200A

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ODI 11654394

Mi Kia Optima 2018 con motor 2.4L GDI presenta consumo excesivo de aceite, un problema que he visto reportado por muchos otros propietarios del mismo modelo. En solo 700 millas recorridas, el aceite baja hasta el punto “Low” sin fugas visibles. Este consumo anormal puede causar fallos en el motor si no se revisa constantemente. El concesionario Kia ya revisó el vehículo, pero como no hay recall abierto, no ofrecieron solución, a pesar de que este motor ha sido identificado en boletines técnicos por este problema. Solicito que este caso sea co…

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2025-056None
ODI 11659714

Vehicle engine shut down without warning while driving on the interstate on April 27,2025. I had the vehicle towed and come to find out a "campaign" was issued for the vehicles engine in July of 2018. I purchased the car used in March of 2021 and was not aware of the "campaign" in which the vehicles engine was defective and could possibly cause a fire. I have reached out to KIA to see if they could help me in resolving the issue with the engine, but have yet to hear back from them.

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ODI 11660200

Burning oil prematurely causing engine to go and need replacement.

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ODI 11660558

I am the current legal owner of a 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ), which has an open safety recall under campaign number SC218Y3 (DTC P1326 – Knock Sensor Detection System / ECU Update / Possible Engine Repair). I attempted to schedule the recall repair with Martin Kia in Newark, Delaware. However, the service department refused to perform the recall service on the basis that I purchased the vehicle from an auction and do not have prior service records. This denial is a clear violation of federal recall regulations. As stated by NHTSA, a…

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2025-063None
ODI 11664974

There is already the theta 2 campaign on my Kia optima but Kia is not upholding their warranty for a new engine. Kia customer care told me that untill my car actually throws a rod then they will not fix it. So I could be doing 80 down the freeway and jeopardize not only my safety but everyone else's for them to uphold their lifetime warranty? Also upon doing further investigation and I don't know how many cars this pertains to but the fuse box in my 2018 actually belongs to a 2016 which if you look it up yes they are comparable but don't offer …

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ODI 11666542

Subject: Urgent Request for Engine Replacement – 2018 Kia Optima Dear Kia Consumer Affairs, I am writing to formally report a recurring and increasingly dangerous engine issue with my 2018 Kia Optima, and to request immediate assistance, including consideration for an engine replacement due to ongoing safety and reliability concerns. Since June 2024, I have routinely visited the Kia dealership on a near-monthly basis for service due to persistent problems with excessive oil consumption and spark plug failures. Each visit has resulted in ser…

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ODI 11667034

Got an oil change, and they advised that it was low on oil. (I had just replaced it recently) I took it to the dealer and they advised a part was bad, that they replaced. I was driving and the check engine light and oil light came on . I had to tow car. Dealer said the engine was burning oil, and that the engine is covered, but I would have to drive it until it got worse.

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2025-076None
ODI 11671015

The 2.4L Theta II engine in my 2018 Kia Optima is failing, exhibiting excessive oil consumption, with oil loss documented at over 1 quart per 1,000 miles, leading to secondary failures in the catalytic converter, clogged with oil carbon and breaking into pieces that may damage the cylinder walls, and the spark plugs, which are fouled with carbon, causing misfires. The engine and related components remain intact and un-repaired, pending Kia’s required 3,000-mile consumption test. Safety of drivers have been put at significant risk. The excessive…

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ODI 11672225

The car is literally burning through oil so bad every other week I am putting more in, the electrical system continues to fail and shorts, the motor sounds like it is ticking now due to the oil consumption.

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ODI 11672508

Purchased car about 4 months ago, before warranty ran out, the shop looked at it told me it was fine, it wouldn't accelerate. Few weeks later same issue but all my oil was gone, they found 11 things wrong with the vehicle, told me warranty wouldn't take care of it unless the engine blow up. The salesman Scottie Mitchell told me check Kia for recalls, called Kia 3 recalls, they were trying to finance another car higher, back wanted to know why the dealership didn't know about recalls, Kia place did call a Robert. One of the owners did know abou…

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2025-083None
ODI 11678073

My 2018 Kia Optima went into limp mode while exiting the freeway. I had it scanned and received a P1326 code, which is directly tied to the known engine knock sensor / bearing wear issue in Kia models. The engine light came on and the car lost power suddenly. This created a very unsafe situation. I contacted Kia, and they confirmed that my VIN is not included in the engine recall (KSDS campaign), even though my symptoms exactly match the covered vehicles. I am now stuck with an undriveable car and no recall coverage, even though I’m facing the…

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ODI 11681328 · 10,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact's friend initially inspected the vehicle and discovered that the engine oil was empty. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the mechanic discovered oil around the engine; however, the source of the leak was not discovered. The contact was informed that an engine valve was sealed and…

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ODI 11681636

My cars bulbs have been blowing on a regular basis for two years..some of the bulb connections are catching fire and exploding .Ive changed on numerous occasions but doesn’t matter even with new fittings…obviously an electric problem

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2025-097None
ODI 11684905

Car suddenly stopped working; it was struggling to stay on. Mechanic stated cylinder is not functioning at full force.

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ODI 11685738

My 2018 Kia Optima has a cracked oil pan, which caused an excessive oil leak , up to 5 quarts in a matter of hours. This eventually led to my engine going out.

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ODI 11687988

Car would convulse and shake very wildly metal parts spread around engine. It has very rough idle. 4th cylinder went out and car only has about 99060 miles. The valve went out. My safety was very bad as car was not driving safely and shaking like a person having a seizeure each time it would stop. Vehicle has been inspected by a Kia dealer. This problem I had seems to get an issue many other people with Kia Optima have.

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2025-102None
ODI 11691928

I’ve had my car for 6 months and it constantly burns oil I’ve had 4 oil changes because it Is completely disappearing but my mechanics can not find any leaks. Then I changed all my spark plugs and two were completely burnt and they were changed a month ago and now one of them went again and this time is completely covered in oil

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ODI 11693147

Trunk latch broke leaving it impossible for someone in the trunk to get out and very difficult for someone on the outside to open the trunk

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2025-114None
ODI 11697664

On August 26, 2025, I brought my 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid to an authorized dealer for recall SC218 (engine inspection and KSDS software update). The dealer verbally stated both SC218 and SC278 recalls were completed, and the repair order (RO #XXX) lists them as performed. In September 2025, Kia America emailed me showing recall SC218 still open, and a warranty coverage report dated September 26, 2025, again listed SC218 as unclosed. On November 4, 2025, NHTSA’s official VIN lookup confirmed the recall remains “Incomplete.” On October 21…

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ODI 11701737

Car keeps stalling while driving

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ODI 11701751

I was rearended, all air bags deployed except steeringwheel

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2025-124None
ODI 11702775

Paint on all four door handles are bubbling and chipping. I rarely use the backseat handles and passenger door, which makes it more likely to be a malfunction in whatever paint was used for the handles. There is no fading, chipping, or bubbling on other parts of my car.

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ODI 11704303

While driving my 2018 Kia Optima S, the car suddenly jerked, lost power, and stalled in traffic. Multiple warning lights came on at the same time including the oil light, battery light, and check engine light. I had no acceleration and the brakes became very hard to press. The vehicle had to be towed for safety reasons. The Kia dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed internal engine failure due to “cylinder failure” and stated the engine needs complete replacement. This failure occurred without any external leaks and without warning oth…

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ODI 11706817

My engine is under the Kia class action lawsuit for the KDS with the rod bearing clearance issues. I have done all my oil changes with paper work available. I got the update to the ECU several years ago as needed to be covered. Now my engine has failed and I took to the dealer to check but they said I didn't have a specific code and that they can't do any testing to verify it would be under the warranty. I called Kia Customer Care and have talked to them several times. They have told me there wasn't a need for the code and that the dealer coul…

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2026-013None
ODI 11709524

I was sold an unsafe vehicle at J and J Auto house 6446 Wilshire Bl LA,CA 90022. Dealer withheld condition of car . Had car three months and was stranded on highway. Car was towed to Kia dealer and diagnosed with complete engine failure. Dealer will not honor limited warranty, shady sales practices withheld recall info during sale, won’t allow his mechanic to look at car, dodged calls, denied request to return car for refund

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ODI 11709575

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to get the car started and brake pedal back to normal and no lights. Recently, I left the car on to run into a shop real quick and come back out. When I got back to the car, the power steering light, battery, and warning light?(amber triangle with ! In the center of it) were all on. I rev the engine and the issue went away for a quick second but then came back on. To avoid turning my car off and bein…

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ODI 11710029

It started with the oil. I constantly have to add oil. when it first started that’s what I was doing just adding oil. Then it got worse the engine light started to come on and it no longer gives me the low oil warning. I took it to the dealership and it was there for about three weeks. They said that the car needed a system update, they updated it and i took it home after that. Its been about a year since then and my car is still having the same issue and getting worse. I had to change the spark plugs a few times since then i also have oil comi…

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2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-033None
ODI 11722839

About a month ago my paint on my 2018 Kia Optima snow white pearl car started bubbling, then it turned into peeling and has since then been coming off more and more. It is occurring right under the back seat of the drivers side window. Reading into this issue more, it is happening to many who own a Kia Optima owners, especially those who own the snow white pearl color. Kia is not helping customers who are out of warranty but since this is a manufacturer defect they should be, even if they are out of warranty.

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ODI 11723632

My teenage daughter regularly drives this vehicle. The vehicle began experiencing significant oil consumption, oil leaks, and intermittent loss of power. During an early inspection at an independent repair facility, a check engine code P1326 was identified. Due to the symptoms and diagnostic code, the repair facility advised that the vehicle could be heading toward engine failure and recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealership because potential engine issues may fall under manufacturer warranty coverage. The vehicle was t…

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ODI 11725280

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced the battery twice within the past 4 years. However, the problem has continued. In January, the vehicle began shaking and shutting down again. I took it to a mechanic, who diagnosed the issue as faulty spark plugs and an ignition coil. The diagnostic co…

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2026-042None
ODI 11731478

Consuming fuel to the amount of roughly 1/2 quart per 150 miles. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic and the oil pan, oil filter, and PCV valve has been replaced and engine oil UV dye added and cycled with no leaks found. The risk is that if not rigorously checked often, the engine will malfunction because the car runs out of oil. I have had my mechanic checking this car since I purchased it in January 2026. We have had to replace the oil pan and do two full oil changes with three separate quarts of oil being added in between all of that…

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ODI 11734333

2018 Kia Optima LX, 2.4L GDI Theta II engine. Approximately 128,000 miles. Reporting severe internal oil consumption that has progressed to engine misfire and shaking, consistent with late-stage Theta II connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive and has been parked. Timeline: Purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in December 2021. Excessive oil consumption began shortly after purchase. For approximately 4.5 years I have added about 1 quart of oil every 2 weeks to keep the engine from running dry. No external leaks…

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2026-051None
ODI 11736008 · 121,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a standing start the vehicle had experience sever jerking and hesitation. Also, the vehicle has experience oil consumption problems and the contact constantly added engine oil. The cause of the failures were not determine. Also, the hood latch had malfunctioned and the hood could not opened to add oil to the engine. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures but no assistance was of…

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2026-063None
ODI 11743257

2018 Kia Optima Dealer Ed Voyles Kia Smyrna began Recall SC340. Vehicle drove in running. Dealer flashed ECM software, discovered non-original engine/ECU. Vehicle now won’t start. Dealer document states 'will not start after recall.' Dealer refuses to restore to running condition citing prior repairs. This violates 49 USC 30120

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ODI 11745997 · 1,500 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor and a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The issue persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was later returned to the dealer to be repaired under a service campaign involving the engine control unit (ECU). Shortly after the vehicle was repaired, the ECU failure message was displayed. The veh…

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ODI 11746528

The car burns oil within a week of getting an oil change. It was only driven a 200 miles before all of the oil was burned out. This has been a consistent issue with this car that the oil burns at an extreme rate. This is a safety risk as it could lead to engine overheating, the engine could stall out due to the fast burning of the oil, or a potential fire hazard while driving. The oil light will come on for a second and at that point, the oil is already EXTREMELY too low. I brought the car to the mechanic and they have told me multiple times th…

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2026-074None
ODI 11748040

Purchased vehicle from a used car dealership. Had it a few months before brake pedal started losing pressure and going to floor. Had master cylinder replaced. A few months later, brake light started coming on when accelerating. New master cylinder had leaked into brake booster. Had master cylinder replaced along with brake booster. A few weeks later and brake pedal is losing pressure again

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ODI 11749282

I’ve had my 2018 kia optima for round about two years.I only got this car because they refused to replace my previous engine on my 2015 Kia optima,even though I had a warranty but that’s another story(Kia on the Blvd).This car have given me problems from the start.Going through oil in less than a month,which they can never find a leak,not being able to go over a certain speed before I start to hear noises.Ive complained about noises,they act like they can’t hear,and said nothing is wrong with the engine when previously checked.My check engine l…

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ODI 11751435

I was run off the road by a drunk driver I hit a tree at 35MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT LOCK!!!! I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE INJURIES I HAVE BROKEN BONES ALL THROUGHOUT MY FACE!!!!! A SEVERE CONCUSSION!!!!! Any time I call the the customer care center and try and get information or call someone I either get hung up or gave the run around and then hung up on my mother in law has also tried calling and have received the same response this is so unacceptable and unprofessional.

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2026-081None
ODI 11758363 · 136,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and failed to exceed 52 MPH. The vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the engine was running rough while stationary and the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle was in LIMP Mode with knock sensor codes displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileag…

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2026-09 (partial)1None
ODI 11762830 · 126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The failure persisted while driving, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be repaired under an unknown recall for an engine software update and key fob replacement; however, the dealer failed to honor the recall repair and recommended purchasing a new vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and …

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Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 249 reports

2019: 49 complaints · 2020: 30 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2019133049
202071430
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
201920800
202014501

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngineUnknown Or OtherElectrical SystemPower TrainService BrakesExterior LightingFuel/Propulsion SystemSteering
Engine—
13
ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

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ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11472646

Me and my family just returned home from the laundry mat and took 2 children inside our house and turned around for our belongings and clothing/bedding for the family as the wheels spun out being followed by a silver hyundaii. Just a matter of seconds to 2 minutes. The keys were not in the vehicle. 2 childrens carseats and almost ALL of my family's belongings were stolen inside of the vehicle. 2018 kia optima dark slate grey in color with dark tinted windows and sun strip at the top of windshield, black rims. CR 21077 IL LICENSE PLATE This seem…

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13
ODI 11218043 · 12,098 mi

TAKARA RECALL VEHICLE POWER DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MOTION THEN POWERED BACK UP WITHOUT ME TURNING THE IGNITION.WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11466164

My car has been at the dealership since February 10th. The dealer has been giving me the run around. Didn’t have any transportation for over two months and car hasn’t moved since the day I dropped it off. I’m really getting impatient, as I am making monthly payments on a car that I can’t even use. Nearing four months and I’m totally lost on what to do. Thank you for any assistance

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8
ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11463963

Engine overhead and stopped working in addition to it consuming massive amounts of oil without physically putting oil in. I've went to 2 dealerships who refuse to provide me with a new engine even though I'm covered under the engine extension warranty due to me having the knock sensor update done. I am now involving my attorney and will go to the news channels to inform how kia manufacturer has become a disgrace with not providing quality engines in their vehicles and don't want to be responsible for it. there's already a settlement going on fo…

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3
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11390809 · 40,000 mi

LOUD RATTELING WHEN CRANKING, CONTINUOUS RATTELING WHEN ACCELERATING UNDER DRIVERSIDE FLOOR BOARD MADE A CLUNK SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND NOW ITS LIKE A SLIDING SOUND BEFORE IT CATCHES BRAKE

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ODI 11709575

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to get the car started and brake pedal back to normal and no lights. Recently, I left the car on to run into a shop real quick and come back out. When I got back to the car, the power steering light, battery, and warning light?(amber triangle with ! In the center of it) were all on. I rev the engine and the issue went away for a quick second but then came back on. To avoid turning my car off and bein…

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0
7
ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11524617

-Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - I Was driving with my infant son in the backseat. I was going 70 mph when my car started rapidly losing speed. This happened again with just myself after receiving the car from mechanic. There was heavy traffic and I had to swerve to avoid being hit by an 18-wheeler. - I can see on the website where I received the car from, there is a recall for my exact make and model with the same code but they say there is no recall for my specific car. - The check engine light started flashing and …

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ODI 11525549 · 68,000 mi

High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

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6
ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11443512

We would like to know what Kia is planning to do to address the fact that Kia built a car without the basic immobilizer circuit making it very easy to steal. Over the last few months, local and national news reports, as well as many social media sites, have reported on this security flaw which likely emboldens others to attempt a theft of a Kia and/or Hyundai. As I do not live in Milwaulkee, I would like to know how the company will fix this problem for the rest of us. It will not be restricted to just one city. There are numerous articles by…

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Unknown Or Other
13
ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

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ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11472646

Me and my family just returned home from the laundry mat and took 2 children inside our house and turned around for our belongings and clothing/bedding for the family as the wheels spun out being followed by a silver hyundaii. Just a matter of seconds to 2 minutes. The keys were not in the vehicle. 2 childrens carseats and almost ALL of my family's belongings were stolen inside of the vehicle. 2018 kia optima dark slate grey in color with dark tinted windows and sun strip at the top of windshield, black rims. CR 21077 IL LICENSE PLATE This seem…

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—
9
ODI 11165394

THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 TIMES SO FAR. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP THE TANK, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, AND MY CAR DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN I FINISHED GETTING GAS, I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED. I WAS 20 MILES FROM HOME FORTUNATELY SOMEONE WAS AT HOME TO BRING A SPARE KEY FOR ME TO OPEN THE TRUNK, PUSH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS DOWN AND CLIMB THRU TO THE FRONT TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURED THIS PAST WEEK WH…

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ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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ODI 11365705 · 19,200 mi

2018 KIA OPTIMA EX. SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO START, UNTIL TODAY. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIT UP BUT NO IGNITION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I HEARD CLICKING NOISE. HAD SOMEONE JUMP MY BATTERY AND THE CAR STARTED UP, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON ALL NIGHT, CAR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH HANDLE. I AM CONTACTING THE DEALER THIS AFTERNOON TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

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3
ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11451302

I purchased my Kia optima brand new I believe it had 7 miles on it when I purchased it, shortly after it was purchased it started having a problem with the transmission, I would go to takeoff and it was lunch and jerk pretty hard to where it was very noticeable. I took it into the shop they thought that it was something a computer program could reset they performed that I did not fix it, I don’t drive my Kia very much I barely have 25,000 miles on it right now I am a real live in care provider so I don’t drive very much my job is at home. I hav…

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ODI 11524862

Ever since I got my car I’ve had black oil since the start . Second my car breaks on its own at times 3rd my car system keep breaking down as the sparks leaking in some where has this issue since bought it 2 years ago low miles

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2
ODI 11298131 · 23,000 mi

RANDOMLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY KIA OPTIMA FREEZES AND IM UNABLE TO APPLY AND STOP VEHICLE IT HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IT HAPPENED ON HWY AND ONCE ON CITY STREET. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS IN DEALERSHIP SINCE JAN 2ND AND DEALER STATING THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE

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ODI 11301256

3 TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA FROZE AND TO IT WONT BRAKE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD. I HAVE ONLY 22.000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEAREST KIA DEALER TWICE. ACCORDING TO THEM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COMPUTER NOT READING ANY ERROR CODES VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE

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1
ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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1
ODI 11725280

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced the battery twice within the past 4 years. However, the problem has continued. In January, the vehicle began shaking and shutting down again. I took it to a mechanic, who diagnosed the issue as faulty spark plugs and an ignition coil. The diagnostic co…

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0
Electrical System
13
ODI 11218043 · 12,098 mi

TAKARA RECALL VEHICLE POWER DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MOTION THEN POWERED BACK UP WITHOUT ME TURNING THE IGNITION.WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11466164

My car has been at the dealership since February 10th. The dealer has been giving me the run around. Didn’t have any transportation for over two months and car hasn’t moved since the day I dropped it off. I’m really getting impatient, as I am making monthly payments on a car that I can’t even use. Nearing four months and I’m totally lost on what to do. Thank you for any assistance

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9
ODI 11165394

THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 TIMES SO FAR. I WAS AT A GAS STATION FILLING UP THE TANK, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, AND MY CAR DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN I FINISHED GETTING GAS, I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED. ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED. I WAS 20 MILES FROM HOME FORTUNATELY SOMEONE WAS AT HOME TO BRING A SPARE KEY FOR ME TO OPEN THE TRUNK, PUSH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS DOWN AND CLIMB THRU TO THE FRONT TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURED THIS PAST WEEK WH…

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ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

Look up ODI 11342855 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11365705 · 19,200 mi

2018 KIA OPTIMA EX. SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO START, UNTIL TODAY. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIT UP BUT NO IGNITION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I HEARD CLICKING NOISE. HAD SOMEONE JUMP MY BATTERY AND THE CAR STARTED UP, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON ALL NIGHT, CAR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH HANDLE. I AM CONTACTING THE DEALER THIS AFTERNOON TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

Look up ODI 11365705 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 11664974

There is already the theta 2 campaign on my Kia optima but Kia is not upholding their warranty for a new engine. Kia customer care told me that untill my car actually throws a rod then they will not fix it. So I could be doing 80 down the freeway and jeopardize not only my safety but everyone else's for them to uphold their lifetime warranty? Also upon doing further investigation and I don't know how many cars this pertains to but the fuse box in my 2018 actually belongs to a 2016 which if you look it up yes they are comparable but don't offer …

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3
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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ODI 11709575

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to get the car started and brake pedal back to normal and no lights. Recently, I left the car on to run into a shop real quick and come back out. When I got back to the car, the power steering light, battery, and warning light?(amber triangle with ! In the center of it) were all on. I rev the engine and the issue went away for a quick second but then came back on. To avoid turning my car off and bein…

Look up ODI 11709575 at NHTSA ↗

5
ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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ODI 11460136

The headlights on my 2018 Kia Optima have been turning off and on randomly by themselves while in motion. Each time it's happened has been in different areas at different times of the night. The headlight switch is kept in the auto position most of the time. When the headlights turn off, the screen in the dash for the headlight function switches from auto to off by itself. Sometimes if the turn signal switch is jiggled the lights will come back on. Other times the headlight switch, located on the end of the turn signal switch, has to be tu…

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ODI 11484676

When headlight switch is set to automatically come on, the light will sometimes randomly turn off. No warning or indicator on the dash appears showing that they are off. Technicians are unable to reproduce the issue in the shop. Have recommended replacing the entire headlight switch on the turn signal stick.

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2
ODI 11697664

On August 26, 2025, I brought my 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid to an authorized dealer for recall SC218 (engine inspection and KSDS software update). The dealer verbally stated both SC218 and SC278 recalls were completed, and the repair order (RO #XXX) lists them as performed. In September 2025, Kia America emailed me showing recall SC218 still open, and a warranty coverage report dated September 26, 2025, again listed SC218 as unclosed. On November 4, 2025, NHTSA’s official VIN lookup confirmed the recall remains “Incomplete.” On October 21…

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ODI 11725280

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced the battery twice within the past 4 years. However, the problem has continued. In January, the vehicle began shaking and shutting down again. I took it to a mechanic, who diagnosed the issue as faulty spark plugs and an ignition coil. The diagnostic co…

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4
ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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Power Train
8
ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11463963

Engine overhead and stopped working in addition to it consuming massive amounts of oil without physically putting oil in. I've went to 2 dealerships who refuse to provide me with a new engine even though I'm covered under the engine extension warranty due to me having the knock sensor update done. I am now involving my attorney and will go to the news channels to inform how kia manufacturer has become a disgrace with not providing quality engines in their vehicles and don't want to be responsible for it. there's already a settlement going on fo…

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3
ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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ODI 11451302

I purchased my Kia optima brand new I believe it had 7 miles on it when I purchased it, shortly after it was purchased it started having a problem with the transmission, I would go to takeoff and it was lunch and jerk pretty hard to where it was very noticeable. I took it into the shop they thought that it was something a computer program could reset they performed that I did not fix it, I don’t drive my Kia very much I barely have 25,000 miles on it right now I am a real live in care provider so I don’t drive very much my job is at home. I hav…

Look up ODI 11451302 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11524862

Ever since I got my car I’ve had black oil since the start . Second my car breaks on its own at times 3rd my car system keep breaking down as the sparks leaking in some where has this issue since bought it 2 years ago low miles

Look up ODI 11524862 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11664974

There is already the theta 2 campaign on my Kia optima but Kia is not upholding their warranty for a new engine. Kia customer care told me that untill my car actually throws a rod then they will not fix it. So I could be doing 80 down the freeway and jeopardize not only my safety but everyone else's for them to uphold their lifetime warranty? Also upon doing further investigation and I don't know how many cars this pertains to but the fuse box in my 2018 actually belongs to a 2016 which if you look it up yes they are comparable but don't offer …

Look up ODI 11664974 at NHTSA ↗

—00
2
ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11537251

I'm reporting these issue pertaining to the engine within the first 3 weeks AFTER the engine replacement recall was serviced and completed. The vehicle was exhibiting the same defects and major health and safety hazards as before the new engine. Intermittent engine failure, even worse, while i was trying entering the hwy at speeds of 45-50 miles it jerked very violently and loss total power while vehicles were behind me nearly rear ended. Prior to this I reached out multiple times to have it serviced at again. The original service department di…

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0
Service Brakes
3
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11390809 · 40,000 mi

LOUD RATTELING WHEN CRANKING, CONTINUOUS RATTELING WHEN ACCELERATING UNDER DRIVERSIDE FLOOR BOARD MADE A CLUNK SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND NOW ITS LIKE A SLIDING SOUND BEFORE IT CATCHES BRAKE

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ODI 11709575

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to get the car started and brake pedal back to normal and no lights. Recently, I left the car on to run into a shop real quick and come back out. When I got back to the car, the power steering light, battery, and warning light?(amber triangle with ! In the center of it) were all on. I rev the engine and the issue went away for a quick second but then came back on. To avoid turning my car off and bein…

Look up ODI 11709575 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 11298131 · 23,000 mi

RANDOMLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY KIA OPTIMA FREEZES AND IM UNABLE TO APPLY AND STOP VEHICLE IT HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IT HAPPENED ON HWY AND ONCE ON CITY STREET. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS IN DEALERSHIP SINCE JAN 2ND AND DEALER STATING THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE

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ODI 11301256

3 TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA FROZE AND TO IT WONT BRAKE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD. I HAVE ONLY 22.000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEAREST KIA DEALER TWICE. ACCORDING TO THEM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COMPUTER NOT READING ANY ERROR CODES VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE

Look up ODI 11301256 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

Look up ODI 11287697 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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ODI 11709575

I turned the car off, it had difficulty turning back on and the brake pedal got really hard. I had to wait about 30-45 minutes and then I was able to get the car started and brake pedal back to normal and no lights. Recently, I left the car on to run into a shop real quick and come back out. When I got back to the car, the power steering light, battery, and warning light?(amber triangle with ! In the center of it) were all on. I rev the engine and the issue went away for a quick second but then came back on. To avoid turning my car off and bein…

Look up ODI 11709575 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 11672508

Purchased car about 4 months ago, before warranty ran out, the shop looked at it told me it was fine, it wouldn't accelerate. Few weeks later same issue but all my oil was gone, they found 11 things wrong with the vehicle, told me warranty wouldn't take care of it unless the engine blow up. The salesman Scottie Mitchell told me check Kia for recalls, called Kia 3 recalls, they were trying to finance another car higher, back wanted to know why the dealership didn't know about recalls, Kia place did call a Robert. One of the owners did know abou…

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2
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

Look up ODI 11287697 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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Exterior Lighting0
1
ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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5
ODI 11342855 · 45,325 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE

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ODI 11460136

The headlights on my 2018 Kia Optima have been turning off and on randomly by themselves while in motion. Each time it's happened has been in different areas at different times of the night. The headlight switch is kept in the auto position most of the time. When the headlights turn off, the screen in the dash for the headlight function switches from auto to off by itself. Sometimes if the turn signal switch is jiggled the lights will come back on. Other times the headlight switch, located on the end of the turn signal switch, has to be tu…

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ODI 11484676

When headlight switch is set to automatically come on, the light will sometimes randomly turn off. No warning or indicator on the dash appears showing that they are off. Technicians are unable to reproduce the issue in the shop. Have recommended replacing the entire headlight switch on the turn signal stick.

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00—
1
ODI 11482644

Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle

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0
Fuel/Propulsion System
7
ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11524617

-Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement - I Was driving with my infant son in the backseat. I was going 70 mph when my car started rapidly losing speed. This happened again with just myself after receiving the car from mechanic. There was heavy traffic and I had to swerve to avoid being hit by an 18-wheeler. - I can see on the website where I received the car from, there is a recall for my exact make and model with the same code but they say there is no recall for my specific car. - The check engine light started flashing and …

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ODI 11525549 · 68,000 mi

High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

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1
ODI 11725280

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced the battery twice within the past 4 years. However, the problem has continued. In January, the vehicle began shaking and shutting down again. I took it to a mechanic, who diagnosed the issue as faulty spark plugs and an ignition coil. The diagnostic co…

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2
ODI 11697664

On August 26, 2025, I brought my 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid to an authorized dealer for recall SC218 (engine inspection and KSDS software update). The dealer verbally stated both SC218 and SC278 recalls were completed, and the repair order (RO #XXX) lists them as performed. In September 2025, Kia America emailed me showing recall SC218 still open, and a warranty coverage report dated September 26, 2025, again listed SC218 as unclosed. On November 4, 2025, NHTSA’s official VIN lookup confirmed the recall remains “Incomplete.” On October 21…

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ODI 11725280

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and persistent mechanical issues with my vehicle since the time of purchase. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off unexpectedly, creating a serious safety concern. Initially, I suspected the issue might be related to the battery, and I have replaced the battery twice within the past 4 years. However, the problem has continued. In January, the vehicle began shaking and shutting down again. I took it to a mechanic, who diagnosed the issue as faulty spark plugs and an ignition coil. The diagnostic co…

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2
ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11537251

I'm reporting these issue pertaining to the engine within the first 3 weeks AFTER the engine replacement recall was serviced and completed. The vehicle was exhibiting the same defects and major health and safety hazards as before the new engine. Intermittent engine failure, even worse, while i was trying entering the hwy at speeds of 45-50 miles it jerked very violently and loss total power while vehicles were behind me nearly rear ended. Prior to this I reached out multiple times to have it serviced at again. The original service department di…

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1
ODI 11672508

Purchased car about 4 months ago, before warranty ran out, the shop looked at it told me it was fine, it wouldn't accelerate. Few weeks later same issue but all my oil was gone, they found 11 things wrong with the vehicle, told me warranty wouldn't take care of it unless the engine blow up. The salesman Scottie Mitchell told me check Kia for recalls, called Kia 3 recalls, they were trying to finance another car higher, back wanted to know why the dealership didn't know about recalls, Kia place did call a Robert. One of the owners did know abou…

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1
ODI 11482644

Trying to cut off and jerks when stopping vehicle

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1
ODI 11525549 · 68,000 mi

High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

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Steering
6
ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11443512

We would like to know what Kia is planning to do to address the fact that Kia built a car without the basic immobilizer circuit making it very easy to steal. Over the last few months, local and national news reports, as well as many social media sites, have reported on this security flaw which likely emboldens others to attempt a theft of a Kia and/or Hyundai. As I do not live in Milwaulkee, I would like to know how the company will fix this problem for the rest of us. It will not be restricted to just one city. There are numerous articles by…

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0
4
ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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0
2
ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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ODI 11383186 · 36,826 mi

I HAVE 63,826 MILES ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA S AND I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND ALL MY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR BUT AFTER GETTING A NEW ALTERNATOR I THEN DROVE IT TO GET DINNER A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TWO NEWBORN BABIES, A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 10 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND HAD I WRECKED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IT COULD H…

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0
1
ODI 11525549 · 68,000 mi

High injector fuel pump top engine mount went out at 68000 miles. It caused the vehicle to stall and lose power and basically cut the car off while driving.

Look up ODI 11525549 at NHTSA ↗

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Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

8 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

47 mentions · 20.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 77,000 mi (25 usable records).

ODI 11217052 · 18,000 mi

WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP T…

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ODI 11245776 · 22,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHSTAR MITSUBISHI PARTS (41-05 34TH ASTORIA, NY 11101) AND AWAITING KIA INSPECTOR FOR A DIAGNOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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ODI 11254060 · 22,450 mi

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BO…

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

46 mentions · 19.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 99,000 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 11398642 · 98,000 mi

I ORIGINALLY LEASED MY 2018 OPTIMA WITH 98 MILES ON IT AND BOUGHT IT OUT AT THE END OF MY LEASE THIS WAS MY SECOND OPTIMA, I ALSO HAD 2 HYUNDAI SONATAS. SINCE I'M IN SALES I HAD THE ADDED MILEAGE ON IT. AT 98,000 MILES THE ENGINE STARTED TICKING. I ORIGINALLY HAD A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT WHEN IT HIT 105,000 STARTED TICKING ONLY TO FIND THAT IT WAS BURNING OIL (1.5 QUARTS A WEEK) SO I WAS HESITANT ABOUT ANOTHER KIA BUT THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT KIA HAD BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD FIXED IT. GUESS WHAT?! IT HASN'T. I TOOK M…

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ODI 11468187

2018 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLIMINATED OIL LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED OIL QUICKLY, BUT WITHOUT ANY LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED DRIVING 1000 MILES AND THEN RETURN TO THE DEALER TO BE FURTHER INSPECTED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE DEALER STATED IT COULD BE DUE TO SPILLED OILED THAT OCCURED DURING THE OIL CHANGE. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED.

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ODI 11483363

Excessive oil consumption. Dealer says it is normal to burn a quart every thousand miles. At that rate I would have no oil left before my next oil change. That is not normal and could cause overheating and engine lock up. The car only has 45,000 miles.

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Matching rule\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Stalling or loss of power

28 mentions · 12.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,800 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 11206044 · 12,145 mi

2018 KIA 12,000 MILES HAD RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY GETTING ON INTERSTATE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY SPEED AT TIME WAS PROBABLY 60 MPH CANT PUSH THE GAS CAR JUST STALLS 18 WHEELER BEHIND BLOWING HORN I PULL CAR TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE GOT CAR TO CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP I ASK WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY STATED THEY USE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR BUT NOW THEY JUST PUT A PART CALLED A HARNESS ON IT PART WAS NOT IN THEY HAVE TO KEEP CAR SEVERAL DAYS

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ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

16 mentions · 6.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 68,135 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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ODI 11424542

Back in September of 2020, my car randomly went to limp mode while driving at highway speeds. Had the car towed to the dealer. Dealer advised of apparent “software issue” to correct the problem. Well this happened two more times after that twice the software was updated which didn’t work. The third time the replaced the knock sensor and so far I haven’t went to limp mode, however, the car has not drove the same and seems to get worse each passing day. Rough shifting, engine vibrates more than usual. Car struggles at times to go up hills, when…

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ODI 11428618

While driving at highway speed my children (11, 7, & 5) and I were almost rear-ended when my Kia Optima 2018 (79k) without ANY warning loses power, jerks and then regains power. A number of vehicles behind us had slam on their brakes to avoid a pileup. My Optima almost resembled the feeling when a vehicle runs out of gas but much more abrupt. The drink my son was holding was thrown out of hand due the vehicle jerking to an almost stop and jerking back to power. No warning light, battery & alternator both test good and tank was half full. Two da…

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Steering assistance concerns

7 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 36,826 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 11265744 · 22,500 mi

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WA…

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ODI 11282081 · 57,000 mi

HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LI…

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ODI 11287697 · 42,100 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUS…

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

6 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 21,100 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 11298131 · 23,000 mi

RANDOMLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY KIA OPTIMA FREEZES AND IM UNABLE TO APPLY AND STOP VEHICLE IT HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IT HAPPENED ON HWY AND ONCE ON CITY STREET. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS IN DEALERSHIP SINCE JAN 2ND AND DEALER STATING THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE

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ODI 11301256

3 TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA FROZE AND TO IT WONT BRAKE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD. I HAVE ONLY 22.000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEAREST KIA DEALER TWICE. ACCORDING TO THEM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COMPUTER NOT READING ANY ERROR CODES VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE

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ODI 11365705 · 19,200 mi

2018 KIA OPTIMA EX. SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO START, UNTIL TODAY. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIT UP BUT NO IGNITION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I HEARD CLICKING NOISE. HAD SOMEONE JUMP MY BATTERY AND THE CAR STARTED UP, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON ALL NIGHT, CAR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH HANDLE. I AM CONTACTING THE DEALER THIS AFTERNOON TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 19,200 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11365705 · 19,200 mi

2018 KIA OPTIMA EX. SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO START, UNTIL TODAY. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIT UP BUT NO IGNITION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I HEARD CLICKING NOISE. HAD SOMEONE JUMP MY BATTERY AND THE CAR STARTED UP, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON ALL NIGHT, CAR WAS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH HANDLE. I AM CONTACTING THE DEALER THIS AFTERNOON TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

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ODI 11743257

2018 Kia Optima Dealer Ed Voyles Kia Smyrna began Recall SC340. Vehicle drove in running. Dealer flashed ECM software, discovered non-original engine/ECU. Vehicle now won’t start. Dealer document states 'will not start after recall.' Dealer refuses to restore to running condition citing prior repairs. This violates 49 USC 30120

Look up ODI 11743257 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 11416530

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES IT HAS A BURNING SMELL/GAS SMELL. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES OIL.OIL AT LOW LEVEL BEFORE DUE. THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. IT HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. WHY WERE CONSUMERS ALLOWED TO BUY THIS CAR. PROBLEMS ARE ACTIVE AND ONGOING. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR OR CLOSE TO A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON . THE DEALER WANTS TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD.

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ODI 11553112

THE FUEL PUMP HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL. TOOK ITIN TO DEALER AND WE ARE BEING ADVISED KIA WILL NOT COVER THE COST. THEY HAVE AN ARTICLE OUT THAT CLEARLY STATES THEY WILL COVER THE COSTS. THE CAR WREAKS OF THE SMELL OF GAS AND WE ARE SCARED IT WILL CATCH FIRE.

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Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b