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: steering
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL TAPPING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD CAR KIA SOUTH (7915 INTERSTATE 35 ACCESS RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224, (210) 305-5658) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,389.
Steering, Wheels, Apr 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND STARTED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEP BOYS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,901.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN REVERSE, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALSO, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT CALLED HENDRICK KIA OF CONCORD (7550 HENDRICK AUTO PLAZA NW, CONCORD, NC 28027, (704) 467-8591) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED UNTIL MARCH 18, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,338.
Steering, Mar 6, 2019
MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA IS MAKING THE SAME KLUNK NOISE AS MY PREVIOUS KIA OPTIMA 2012, BUT THE 2014 DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE AS MY PREVIOUS OPTIMA HAD. BUT IT'S THE SAME NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEARING WHEEL.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 13, 2019
2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DECELERATING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR DISPLAYED A FAULT ON THE SCREEN AS A "POSSIBLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILURE." WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN. HAD LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL (ELECTRICAL/OPTICAL STEERING). HAD TO SLOW TO STOP, PLACE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR IN PARK BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ALLOW RESTART. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 3 HOURS THEN EXTINGUISHED BY ITSELF. BMS WAS UPDATED AT COST TO CUSTOMER.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2018
TAKATA RECALL'. WHEN DRIVING 70 MILES THE CAR GETS UNCONTROLLABLE AT TIMES SO YOU HAVE TO LOWER YOUR SPEED , WHEN PARKED AN I PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE THERE'S A TICKING NOISE AN YOU CAN FEEL PRESSURE . THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TICKING A LOT MORE AM HESITANT I KNOW A LOT OF COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE STEERING AN IT'S GETTING OUT OF HAND ! THE CAR IS NOT SAFE ON THE HIGHWAY COULD RESULT IN CRASH
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 20, 2018
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IT PULLS EXTREMELY BAD ALMOST CAN'T CONTROL IT , ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S ANY WIND BLOWING . VERY HARD TO DRIVE IT FOR A LONG TIME ON THE INTERSTATE
Steering, Mar 12, 2018
AS MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE STATED, 2014 KIA OPTIMA DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TAKES CONSTANT CORRECTION TO KEEP IN LANES > 55 MPH. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I OWNED CAR, BUT HAS WORSENED AS OF 2016. JUNE 08, 2016 - COMPLAINED TO DEALER THAT CAR DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. REPLY WAS IT IS OK. APRIL 4, 2017 - DEALER TEST DROVE, SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. APRIL 19, 2017 - CONTACTED KIA USA AND OPENED COMPLAINT. # K3421611 NO HELP. KIA SAID AS LONG AS THE TECH FELT IT DID NOT DRIFT, THEN NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MAY 3, 2017 - PURCHASED 4 NEW CONTINENTAL TIRES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT PROBLEM TO NO AVIAL. SO IT IS MY WORD AGAINST THE TECH AND I AND 35 OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE CARS THAT DRIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOP FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENT OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, LOCATED ON DELSEA DR, VINELAND NJ, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CABLE DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH THE FAILURE AND WAS TO GO THROUGH THE VEHICLE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Steering, Jul 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THE STEERING WAS UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Steering, Jun 8, 2016
DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 - 85 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, CAR BEGINS TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT CAUSING DRIVER TO TRY TO CORRECT. THIS CREATES DRIVER TO OVER STEER AND MAKING CAR TAKE A HARD SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. CONSTANTLY TRYING TO STEER AND CORRECT THE CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. AT THESE LISTED SPEEDS CAR WILL NOT CONTINUE ON A STRAIGHT LINE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO GO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKING AT LISTED SPEEDS ABOVE. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT LISTED SPEEDS, IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN THE DESIGNATED LANES. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY ADJUSTING LEFT OR RIGHT IT THE CARS BEGINS TO WANT TO LOSE CONTROL.
Steering, Feb 8, 2016
IF I DRIVE OVER 35-40 MPH MY CAR BEGINS TO SWERVE AND I OR MY HUSBAND CAN'T CONTROL THE STEERING. I CAN'T DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF MY CAR SWERVING UNCONTROLLABLY DESPITE MY CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. I HAVE ALMOST HIT COUNTLESS CARS BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. WINDY DAYS ARE THE WORST, I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR OVER 20 MPH. I'VE ALSO BEEN PULLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF THE CAR SWERVING. MIND YOU I JUST PURCHASED MY CAR IN OCTOBER 2015, I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS BUT I'M READY TO GET RID OF IT. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I AM SCARED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. I'VE TALKED TO MULTIPLE OPTIMA OWNERS AND WE ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS IS A RECALL?
Steering, Jan 29, 2016
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING PANEL. I ASKED WHY I DID NOT GET A NOTICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM THAT I WOULD NEED TO CALL KIA MOTORS. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT SEND THEM OUT ALL AT ONCE...CERTAIN TIMES. THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE I ASKED IF ONE HAD BEEN OUT TO ME AND THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL. SHOULDN'T EVERYONE RECIEVE NOTICE WHEN THERE A PROBLEM?
Steering, Apr 2, 2015
THIS IS MY SECOND KIA OPTIMA, THE FIRST ONE WAS AN OPTIMA EX FULLY EQUIPPED. I NEVER DROVE OVER 60 MPH, SO NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY WRONGS WITH MY STEERING, I WAS TRULY HAPPY WITH IT. WHEN I GOT MY SECOND KIA JUST A FEW MONTHS BACK, I DECIDED TO GET THE SX TURBO, AGAIN FULLY EQUIPPED. IT WAS DEFINITELY NOT A WISE DECISION, THIS CAR HAS MANY ISSUES BUT I WILL CONCENTRATE ON "STEERING AT HIGH SPEEDS". WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OVER 65 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR TRIED TO STEER TO THE LEFT SO A 4 HOUR DRIVE BETWEEN MIAMI EN ORLANDO BECAME A WORKOUT, TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. WHILE SWITCHING LANES, THE CAR WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. I THOUGH MAYBE THE TIRES AIR PRESSURE IS HIGH, SO I STOPPED TO CALIBRATE THEM, BUT NO THEY WERE OKAY. LONG STORY SHORT I DID SLOW DOWN TO BELOW 60MPH, BUT MY QUESTION REMAINS, WHY A TURBO IF YOU CANT DRIVE IT AT HIGH SPEEDS (OVER 70), I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GUESS WHAT I GOT BACK HOME CAUSE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM THE DRIVER, I KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG, I EXPLAINED THE ISSUE WITH DETAILS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO FIND THE ISSUE AND SOLVED IT. KIA IF THIS WAS A SURVEY. 1 START OUT OF 5 I AM UNHAPPY. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2015
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR STRAIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING STICKS AND IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SMALLEST CORRECTION, YOU HAVE TO OVER-CORRECT. THIS RESULTS IN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN AN S PATTERN. IT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS. I JUST TOOK A 3 HOUR TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AND BY THE TIME I FINISHED I WAS EXHAUSTED FROM THE AMOUNT OF CONCENTRATION REQUIRED TO SIMPLY DRIVE THE CAR IN MY LANE. *TR
Steering, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,050.
Steering, Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 9, 2015
HI MY NAME IS [XXX]I HAVE 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX. I HAVE THE CAR SINCE IT HAD 2 MILES AND NOW HAS 14700. WHAT IS RIDICULOUS IS THE STRUTS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE CAR CHANGES LANE BY ITS SELF. YOU CAN HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER AND THE CAR GOES TO THE LEFT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL. LIES ALL LIES . PLEASE TELL ME HOW MY STRUTS HAVE A SMALL LEAK BUT NOT ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT I THOUGHT IT WAS A NEW CAR. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WAS MADE POORLY AND RUSHED. I ALSO FEEL AS IF KIA IS LYING ABOUT GAS MILEAGE AGAIN. THE STEERING FEELS TERRIBLE WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY. THEY ARE A SAD EXCUSE FOR A CAR COMPANY AND AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEM. THE REFUSE TO HELP TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OPTIMA STEERING I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WITH A 2013 KIA OPTIMA LX WITH THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. SO TELL ME HOW DO THEY HAVE THE SAME STEERING ISSUE IF THE 2014 WAS REDESIGNED. THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT LEAKS AIR INTO THE CABIN THEY SAY OTHER WISE. I'M NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER AND WON'T BE TILL THEY PUT A RECALL FOR MPG. SUSPENSION. STEERING AND BRAKES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Dec 16, 2014
AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS A DELAYED RESPONSE. AS YOU TORQUE THE STEERING TO HOLD A POSITION ON A CROWNED ROAD SURFACE, THE STEERING FINALLY RECOGNIZES A STEERING INPUT COMMAND AND IMMEDIATELY JUMPS TO THE NEW POSITION. NOT ONLY IS IT DISCONCERTING, BUT DEPENDING ON THE ROAD CONDITION (TRAFFIC, LANE WIDTH, OVERALL SPEED) THESE "DIGITAL" JUMPS IN POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE FOUR CARS, THIS IS THE ONLY "FLY BY WIRE" CAR OF THE LOT. ALL OTHERS HAVE "ANALOG" STEERING WHICH ENABLES CONTINUOUS PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN POSITION ON THE ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. I HAVE THE TURBO OPTIMA. THE DEALER "SOLUTION" WAS TO "TAKE THE STEERING OFF SPORT MODE" AND PUT IN STANDARD MODE. I DIDN'T BUY A TURBO VEHICLE TO BE FORCED TO OPERATE IT LIKE A STANDARD OPTIMA. THE STEERING PERFORMANCE IS FAR LESS IN STANDARD MODE AND MAKES THE VEHICLE RESPONSE SLUGGISH. *TR
Steering, Dec 3, 2014
TRAVELING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK DAILY CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE HIGHWAY..CAR DRIFTS LEFT TO RIGHT .CONSTANTLY TRYING TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY BY TURNING VEHICLE LEFT RIGHT....LEFT RIGHT!!!!!STRESSFUL!!!!! I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE! *JS
Steering, Nov 17, 2014
THIS IS NOT A NEW COMPLAINT AS I SEE MANY OTHERS!!!! I PURCHASED A KIA OPTIMA 2014 ON NOVEMBER 8, 2014 WITH 175 MILES. I DID TEST DRIVE BUT NOT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. THE FIRST TIME I DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE, AT SPEEDS 70-80 MPH, I NOTICED I WAS REALLY HAVING TO "STEER" THIS CAR. FIRST LEFT, THEN RIGHT AND NEVER STOPPING UNTIL SPEEDS DROPPED BELOW 60 MPH OR SO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NEXT HIGHWAY DRIVE WAS 90 MILES EACH WAY AND THE CAR IS DEFINITELY "ALL OVER THE LANE", SO MUCH SO I ACTUALLY GOT MOTION SICKNESS AND ALMOST HAD TO STOP TO VOMIT. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND STARTED RESEARCHING, I FOUND A SITE WWW.ARFC.ORG AND TO MY SURPRISE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE JUST NOTIFIED THE DEALER, ALTHOUGH FROM READING OTHERS EXPERIENCES, I AM NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT KIA FIXING IT. I IMPLORE YOUR ORGANIZE TO FORCE KIA'S MANAGEMENT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS INVOLVED. IT IS TRULY AN UNSAFE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHICH SADLY, IS THE BULK OF MY DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Engine, Nov 17, 2014
I PULLED OFF A FRONTAGE ROAD ON TO THE HIGHWAY INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25-30 MPH MY HAZARD LIGHTS CLICKED ON WHEN MY BLINKER WENT OFF, I REALIZED MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND I WAS LOOSING CONTROL. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND REALIZED MY ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. SCARED ME TO DEATH! IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING FASTER OR GOING AROUND A TURN I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER! I GATHERED MY THOUGHTS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID TO TRY AND SIMPLY RESTART THE CAR. IT STARTED ON THE FIRST TURN W/ NO HESITATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING AND IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A GLITCH AND THEY TRIED TO SEND ME HOME IN IT! THAT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM TO ME! I BELIEVE I DESERVE AN EXPLANATION AND A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN TOLD IT PROBABLY WONT HAPPEN AGAIN, SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! AFTER SPENDING 4 HOURS AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE CAR FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS AND PUT ME IN A RENTAL. I PRAY THEY FIND THE CAUSE SINCE I DON'T FEEL SAFE UNTIL THEY DO. *TR
Steering, Oct 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Steering, Sep 12, 2014
VEHICLE DRIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. CONSTANT CORRECTIVE STEERING REQUIRED. *TR
Steering, Sep 6, 2014
THE STEERING WANDERS SIDE TO SIDE. IT IS A CONSTANT BATTLE TRYING TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE.THERE IS NO "SWEET SPOT" YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT A LITTLE LEFT THEN A LITTLE RIGHT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ALSO AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TWICE. CAR ONLY HAD 200 MILES ON IT. AND AGAIN AT 350 MILES. *TR
Steering, Aug 14, 2014
AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA (51 MILES ON IT AT DELIVERY), IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THERE WERE MAJOR ISSUES WITH ITS STEERING AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPHS. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHIN A LANE ON ITS OWN AND I WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT INPUT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP IT WITHIN A LANE. MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WAS TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP DOWN THE STREET. THE DEALERSHIPS FIRST ATTEMPT WAS TO CHANGE THE STEERING COMPUTERS SETTING TO MORE OF A SPORT MODE (TOLD EX MODEL ONLY HAS 2 STEERING SETTINGS) AND I WAS OUT OF THERE IN 15 MINUTES. THE CHANGE DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND RE-EXPLAINED THE STEERING ISSUES I WAS HAVING. AFTER RECEIVING A PHONE CALL FROM A SERVICE ADVISOR, I WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP HAD CONTACTED KIA REFERENCE THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX THE SIDE TO SIDE DRIFTING ISSUE. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 DAYS TO HAVE A MAJOR PART REPLACED. UPON A CALL FROM THE SERVICE REP. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED AND IT WAS READY FOR PICKUP. IT WAS THE NEXT DAY THAT I GOT THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY ONLY TO FIND I WOULD STILL DRIFT LEFT AND RIGHT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE A DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC WHO SIGNED OFF ON THE REPAIR. I DROVE WITH THE MECHANIC AND SHOWED HIM THE DRIFTING ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. HE AGREED IT SHOULD NOT BE DOING IT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PENDING COMPUTER FIX KIA WAS WORKING ON. I ASKED WHEN THIS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE 1 MONTH OR UP TO 8 MONTHS. NOW I'M THINKING ABOUT USING THE LEMON LAW IN MY STATE TO RETURN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES AND I WON'T LET ANYONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVE IT BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE. *TR