2014 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 586 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 20 involved a crash and 42 involved a fire. 22 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 17, 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.
Campaign 22V093000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 21, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.
Campaign 20V100000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
60 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2018
A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK, THE REAR, RIGHT SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. I ALSO NOTICED, BEFORE THE DOOR ISSUE, THAT THE CAR SEEMED SLUGGISH GOING UPHILL, AND IT SEEMED LIKE I WAS GOING THROUGH GAS, A LOT QUICKER. A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHILE PARKED, MY CAR BATTERY HAD DIED. I HAD NO WARNING, AND WAS 4 HOURS FROM HOME. LUCKILY IT WAS ABLE TO BE JUMP STARTED. NOW, WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR, IT WON'T START. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN BACK IN PARK, BEFORE IT WILL START. NOW WHEN I START THE CAR, MY GAS GUAGE DROPS TO BELOW, WHAT I HAD WHEN I PARKED. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, IT WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO NORMAL.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2018
THE PUSH TO START BUTTONS ON KIA OPTIMA'S ARE NOT TURNING ON THE CARS ENGINES. I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONG KIA OPTIMA OWNERS. THE CAR WILL BE TURNED OFF AND PARKED, YOU WILL GO TO PUSH THE BRAKE AND START THE CAR AND YOU WILL GET NOTHING FROM THE ENGINE. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WILL WORK BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED "HACKS" TO FIX THE ISSUE SUCH AS WAITING IT OUT OR A CLEVER ONE IS TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK 2 TIMES AND THEN PUSH THE START BUTTON AND THE CAR HOPEFULLY WILL START. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GETS WORSE OVER TIME. I WAS IN THE WAITING IT OUT STAGE NOW I AM IN THE GEAR SHIFTING STAGE. ALL JOKES ASIDE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR A CAR THAT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR 4 YEARS. SIMPLY GOOGLE "KIA OPTIMA WON'T START," TO SEE MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS MYSELF.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 4, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH MY CAR HAS RANDOMLY STOPPED AND CUT OFF.. AFTER SITTING THERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART. HOWEVER I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2018
CAR WILL NOT START OCCASIONALLY- THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET COMMENTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO MANY KIA OWNERS- SOME REMEDY IS TO START IT IN NEUTRAL- SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE BACK TO PARK AND THEN TRY TO START IT- WIGGLE GIFT SHIFT ETC- DEALER CLAIMS THEY NEED TO REPRODUCE IN ORDER TO REPAIR BUT THEY ARE IGNORING THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE GETS STRANDED - I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY YET THEY REFUSE TO TRY TO REPAIR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 2, 2018
WE STARTED REPORTING ISSUES THIS PAST JULY TO OUR DEALERSHIP, KIA RIVERGATE IN MADISON, TN. THEY HAVE HAD OUR CAR IN THREE TIMES AND KEEP TELLING US THERES THINGS "WE" NEED TO FIX.MY CAR IS STILL ON WARRANTY AND IS UNDER A TOTAL ENGINE RECALL. THE CAR STARTED WITH A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND HAD ISSUES WHEN WE WOULD ACCELERATE. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AT ALL CAUSING US TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES. THEY TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO KNOCK AND STALL. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID NO, IT'S FINE. THEY SAID WE COULD TRY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL (AT OUR EXPENSE). THE CAR HAS HAD BATTERY REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THAT WAS THE ISSUE THE FIRST TWO TIMES. THE CAR HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT IN TO THEM THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL INJECTOR. ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE STATING THAT WE MUST PAY FOR IT. I'VE CALLED THEM BECAUSE THE CAR HAD HUGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK AND IS SHAKING EVEN WORSE. ONCE AGAIN THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I TOLD THEM WE ARE HAVING TO ADD OL 3 TIMES A WEEK WITH NO SIGNS OF A LEAK. MY CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I REPEAT, MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND IS ON A RECALL FOR SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING THE ENGINE. NOW MY CAR ISN'T DRIVABLE AT ALL. IT STARTED SHAKING TO THE POINT OF THROWING US FORWARD IN THE CAR AND SMOKES LIKE IT IS ON FIRE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AT ALL, SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S NOT AN ENGINE ISSUE? [XXX]. EVEN A FUEL INJECTOR WOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT HAS TO RUN THROUGH THE ENGINE TO MAKE THE CAR RUN. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY KIA IS NOT HONORING THEIR WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. MY NEXT STEP IS TO CALL AN ATTORNEY AND SUE KIA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,700.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KINGS KIA 9600 KINGS AUTO MALL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249 (513) 677-6700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE PERSISTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPORADIC TEMPERATURE GAUGE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 4, 2016
VEHICLE PERIODICALLY WILL NOT CRANK AFTER SITTING. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES RECENTLY AND DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 8, 2016, fire
MAY 9TH 2016, DRIVING TO WORK ON I-44 HEADING TO WORK, MY VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SHUTS OFF AND DIES, I START TO SEE WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I SAFELY PULL THE CAR OVER TO SHOULDER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL ROLLING. EXIT THE VEHICLE AND OPEN THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CATCHES FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CERTIFIED MECHANICS ALL WITH THE SAME ANSWER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I HAVE SINCE COMPLETED THE TOTAL LOSS PROCESS WITH MY INSURANCE. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS IT ONLY HAD JUST OVER 36000 MILES.
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2015
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 BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I ASKED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND IF IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS GIVEN NO CONCRETE ANSWER. I LOVED DRIVING THIS CAR, BUT MY CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE IS NOW LOST. *TR