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: engine
296 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Feb 23, 2020
I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY AT 67 MPH ON FREEWAY 99 NORTH FROM LA TO BAKERSFIELD CA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STALLED. I WAS ON THE FAST LANE AND REACTED IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON BUT CARS BEHIND ME WERE SO SHORT INTO REAR ENDING ME I CRIED BECAUSE I WAS JUST SHOCKED AND SCARED FOR MY SON. LUCKILY MY AUNT WAS TWO CARS BEHIND ME SINCE WE HAD TOOK A SHORT FAMILY TRIP AND THEY HELPED ME OUT. I HAD JUST TOOK MY CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO KIA HADDAD OF BAKERSFIELD WHERE THEY ALSO FIXED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME ENGINE FAILURE HAPPENS TO THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JUNE OF 2017 THAT'S WHAT KIA TOLD ME THAT'S WHY THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THE BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY REPLACED IT AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE SECOND WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME IN 2018. SAME THING HAPPENED CAR STALLED WITH MY SON WITH ME. MECHANIC SAID I NEEDED A ENGINE WHICH HE ENDED UP REPLACING I PAYED FOR THAT. NOW THIS HAPPENS AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME ? I'M JUST SO OVERWHELMED I'VE BEEN SO LUCKY I HAVEN'T CAUSED NO ACCIDENT. NOW I'M SCARED TO EVEN FIX THIS CAR AGAIN AND DRIVE IT.
Engine, Jan 26, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM LAS VEGAS TO CALIFORNIA ON THE I15 SOUTH, WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE STAULED OUT AND STARTED HICCUPING AND STARTED LOOSING POWER VERY QUICKLY SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. I SAT THERE IN DISBELIEF, LIKE WHAT JUST HAPPENED...THEN I STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT STARTED NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT STARTED HICCUPING AGAIN AND WHAT FELT LIKE MY ENGINE WAS BEING CHOKED OUT AND IT WASNT ACCELERATING AND THERE WASN'T ANY POWER. IM JUST GLAD THAT I DIDNT LOOSE CONTROL OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT FROM THIS MYSTERIOUS INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THIS INCIDENT HAS ALREADY LOST ME A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MY WORK. THE 2 JOBS I WORK ARE BOTH TRANSPORTATION ORIENTATED.
Engine, Jan 22, 2020
MY VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF IN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE I HAVE PURCHASED FROM KIA BEING THAT THEY INSISTED ON MY ENGINE WASN'T FALLING UNDER RECALL UNDER MY VIN NUMBER SO I HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ENGINE AND LABOR . I'VE CONTACTED 1-800 KIA BUT THEY INSIST THAT I HAVE HAD A LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON MY ENGINE THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE COME OUT OF POCKET FOR A NEW ONE THE FIRST TIME DUE TO DEFECTS I STILL HAVE YET HEARD BACK FROM KIA CONSULTANTS I AM COMING OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL CAR AND AS WELL AS TOWING AND THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME MY ENGINE HAS FAILED WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ENGINE WHEN THE CAR HAS A DEFECT I'M JUST SO READY TO BE DONE WITH KIA I'M ALMOST DONE PAYING ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND EVE TONE IS PRACTICALLY PLAYING HOT POTATO WITH ME
Engine, Jan 14, 2020
TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND SPUTTERING. HE SAID THERES A RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYJNG THE ENGINE ISSUES ARE FROM SLUDGE AND CHANGED MY OIL. I BELIEVE THEY DIDNT DO THIS RECALL CORRECTLY SC147
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 12, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, MY KIA OPTIMA STOPPED ACCELERATING, WE WERE LUCKILY NEAR AN EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS AND MUSIC STAYED ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THERE WAS NOTHING HAPPENING UP TO THE POINT THAT WOULD HAVE WARNED US THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. I HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME.
Engine, Jan 7, 2020
CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND WE GOT TO A LIGHT AND IT JUST STOPPED.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (KIA ATLANTA SOUTH; 7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLACK BOX DID NOT CAPTURE THE INCIDENT DETAILS. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE BUT 3 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE BEING RETURNED, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DETERMINED ON ANY INSPECTIONS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIGHT SHOULDER AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CAPITAL ONE BANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
I HAVE A 2014 KIA OPTIMA THAT I PURCHASED 3 YEARS AGO. MY CAR LOST ALL POWER ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE MOTOR IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY KIA DEALER WHO ALWAYS DOES MY OIL CHANGES AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR BUT NO RECALLS ARE FALLING U SEE MY VIN IN THEIR PAPERWORK. EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS UP TO DATE ON MY VEHICLE OIL CHANGES TO DETAILING ONCE A WEEK AND THIS HAPPENS OUT OF NO WHERE BUT MY INSURANCE STATES THAT UNDER MY VIN I HAVE 2 RECALLS ONE FOR THE MOTOR AND MY KIA DEALER IS REFUSING TO CHECK OR REPLACE IT AFTER MY COMPLAINT I HAVE CONTACTED KIA 1-800 NUMBER AND THEY HAVE ALSO STATED THAT I HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MY MOTOR AND THAT I HAVE IN FACT 2 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT INTO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER BUT I HAVE DONE THAT AND THEY DENIED ME
Engine, Dec 24, 2019
80,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND ENGINE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA AND DETERMINED ENGINE FAILED.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2019
I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA 2014 KIA OPTIMA LOVE MY CAR. THERE'S ONLY ONE BAD THING I GO DO MY RECALL ON MARCH 28 2019 IT SAYS EVERYTHING HAD PASSED BUT IN REALITY. THE SERVICE THAT THEY DID WAS CARELESS 9 MONTHS LATER MY CAR IS BAD MOTOR. HAS 130,000 THAT'S WHAT 20,000 DOLLAR IS WORTH WOW. THEY DID MY OIL KIA CHANGE THEY PUT THE WRONG OIL 5-30 REALLY THAT FOR KIA TURBO AND KIA OPTIMA 5-20 NOW MY CAR IS IN A MECHANIC. I NEED MY CAR FIX , I DID MY RECALL THOUGHT IT WAS FOR A CAUSE BUT I GUES IT WASN'T . I NEED MY CAR FIX ! MY CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE IFF THE 57 SOUTH FREEWAY .. KIA OPTIMA IN POMONA CA
Engine, Dec 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED JEFF WYLER FAIRFIELD CADILLAC KIA NISSAN (LOCATED AT 5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, (513) 682-2500) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,871.
Air bags, Engine, Dec 8, 2019
SINCE PURCHASE THIS CAR HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE ENGINE ISSUES , OIL ISSUES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF. IT'S A REAL CONCERN TO ME AND SINCE THIS CONTINUES THE AIR BAG SENSORS KEEP COMING ON. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2017 FROM DEALERSHIP. THIS STARTED OCCURRING MID JANUARY 2018 AND HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSING. THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL. I RECEIVED A RED RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME ! THIS CAR OBVIOUSLY HAS SERIOUS ISSUES. THE VEHICLE IS READING THIS AS THERE ARE MESSAGES ALERTING ME ON THE DISPLAY AND THROUGH THE DIGITAL SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2019
I HAVE A 2014 KIA OPTIMA AND I KEEP UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND ALSO THE RECALLS ON MY CAR THE ONLY THING I HAVEVREALL HAD TO REPLACE THAT WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO ME WAS THE BATTERY SO FAR BUT I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL FOR THE BEARING AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND THEY CHANGED MY OIL FOR FREE LESS THAN 5 MONTHS LATER I AM BACK AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 6 AM COLD RAINING AND SLEETING AND MY CAR LOSES POWER ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FLASHING SO I PULL OVER TURN OFF THE ENGINE THEN WAIT A MINUTE TURN IT BACK ON SAME THI G SO I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WILL CHECK OUT MY CAR AND WITHIN 20 MINUTES TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE SO NOW THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DOES NOT TURN ON AND OFF LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY IF I DONT TURN THEM OFF OR ON THEN THEY WON'T BE OFF OR ON I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERSIDE HEADLIGHT BULB FOR THE SECOND TIME NOW AND WHEN I'M DRIVING IT LOOKS SO DIM SO NOW I HAVE TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY EVERY MONTH ON A BULB THAT ISN'T CHEAP MY BACK PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT LIKE EVERY 3 WEEKS THE KIA OPTIMA HAS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND KIA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND GET THEM ALL FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE ENCOUNTER A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND KIA HAVE A MUCH SERIOUS ISSUE ON THEIR HANDS.
Service brakes, Engine, Oct 31, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT AND THEN TOWED TO KIA ATLANTA SOUTH (7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260, (770) 968-3400); HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Engine, Oct 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Sep 28, 2019
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING UP THE HILL ON A HIGHWAY MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, I WAS GOING 70 MPH. CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY SAID IT MIGHT NEED A NEW ENGINE
Engine, Sep 27, 2019
THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT, AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE THE WARNING SIGN TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM CAME OB. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS GOING UP A HILL. I HAD TO TOW TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THAT'S WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Sep 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Engine, Sep 18, 2019, fire
DRIVING TO FROM AUSTIN TO HOUSTON ON 290 EAST ON 9/15/2019 AT AROUND 12:00 NOON. I WAS GOING AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR AND I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE AND I SAW WHITE SMOKING COMING FROM THE HOOD AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND OPEN THE FRONT HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, I ACTUALLY SAW FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS TURN OFF AND I GOT AWAY FROM THE CARE AND IT DID STOP SMOKING. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO AUSTIN AND IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER WERE CARE WAS PURCHASED.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEAK KIA NORTH (1111 S. GATE DR, WINDSOR, CO) WHERE THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT NO SERVICE CODES WERE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE REQUEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 9, 2019
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, SAME ROUTE SAME TIME, WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND A CURVE. "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE, PULL OVER AND TURN OFF ENGINE" WAS THE ERROR. I WAS ABLE TO COAST AROUND THE CURVE AND TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO TOW IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT FIRST, AND TRIED TO JUMP IT. (I HAD A PROBLEM IN 2017 WITH THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH ON MY BATTERY, REPLACED SAFETY SWITCH/BATTERY AT THE COST OF 1K AND A MONTH DUE TO THE SAFETY SWITCH BEING AN ASPECT OF THE RECALL FOR THE NON-HYBRID OPTIMAS). BATTERY WAS PERFECT, CAR WAS ABLE TO TURN ON, RADIO, AC, EVERYTHING BUT THE ENGINE. TOWED IT TO FREDY KIA (GREAT SHOP BY THE WAY!), BY THE TIME IT GOT THERE, THEY STATED THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THEY REPLACED, THEN TRIED TO TURN THE ENGINE BOTH MECHANICALLY AND BY HAND. ENGINE SEIZED PER DEALERSHIP. (I KNOW IM AN IDIOT FOR SAYING THIS BUT..) THIS IS NOT THE FIRST KIA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO WITH THE SAME RECALL. I HAD A 2014 KIA SPORTAGE IN JANUARY HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS (OIL CHANGES EVERY 3500 MILES, ANY BELTS/CHANGES,ETC.) WERE PRESENTED TO KIA OF WHICH THEY RECALLED THE 2014 SPORTAGE ENGINE. WITH MY OPTIMA HYBRID (SAME THETA II ENGINE AS THE RECALL FOR THE NON-HYBRID OPTIMAS PER KIAS OWN "INVESTIGATIONS" SINCE 2017) AFTER CONTACTING KIA HEADQUARTERS, THEY ARE STATING THAT THIS IS NOT THE SAME ISSUE BUT ARE WILLING TO "WORK WITH ME". SINCE THEN KIA HEADQUARTERS HAS TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITH 0 RESPONSE, OR UPDATE ON WHATS NEXT. I CURRENTLY BOTH HAVE AND DONT HAVE A CAR. MORAL OF THE STORY, PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THESE CARS! OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE FLAWED (MY "SEIZED" ENGINE IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED AT ALL DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE BARRINGS, ONLY FIX IS A SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR MY LONG BLOCK ENGINE THEN FABRICATE THE HEADERS, ETC.)
Engine, Sep 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BREWBAKER KIA (334-319-8343, LOCATED AT 222 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SIMPLY OUT OF OIL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN ALERT IN 2016 REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,300.
Engine, Sep 1, 2019
ENCLOSED IS A LETTER WITH A DETAILED COMPLAINT.
Engine, Aug 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE I REALIZED MY CAR (IT HAD BEEN SET ON CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE NOTHING HAPPENED REALIZED IT HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. PULLED TO SHOULDER. FIRST TIME RESTARTING FAILED SECOND TIME I STARTED AND HIT THE GAS IT STARTED UP BUT HAD A TERRIBLE KNOCKING SOUND AND CAN BARELY ACCELERATE. DROPPED OFF AT KIA DEALERSHIP. IT'S SUNDAY SO WAITING TO HERE BACK TOMORROW.
Engine, Aug 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.