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, Jul 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STEER IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS TOO HIGH AND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OVERLY SENSITIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105.
Steering, Jul 24, 2014
I RECENTLY LEASED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX AND WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWED HAZARDS WITH THIS VEHICLE: - DRIFTING - PULLING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT - DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING STRAIGHT COURSE AND FEELING LIKE THE CAR WAS "ALL OVER THE ROAD" - INSTABILITY WHEN DRIVING IN WINDY CONDITIONS - EXTREMELY SENSITIVE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT CONSTANTLY AND WAS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CAR WOULD DRIFT IN LANES AND IT WAS CONSTANT WORK TO GET IT TO GO STRAIGHT WHICH SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. HIGH GUST WINDS MADE IT SEEM LIKE MY WAR WAS GOING TO MOVE INTO THE OTHER LANE. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH BY THEM, THEY SAID THEY COULD ELECTRONICALLY CHANGE THE MODE OF THE POWER STEERING. THERE SEEM TO BE 2 MODES AVAILABLE AND ONE OF THEM MAKES THE STEERING FLIMSY AND HARD TO HANDLE AND THE OTHER MAKES IT FEEL MORE STABLE LIKE A STEERING WHEEL SHOULD BE. I WOULD SUGGEST ANYONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TO CONTACT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ASK FOR THE MODE CHANGE. MOST DEALERSHIP STAFF DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS OPTION EXISTS AND SOME SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT EITHER BUT APPARENTLY IT DOES EXIST. I WOULD NOT HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IF THEY COULDN'T HAVE CHANGED THE POWER STEERING MODE BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A MODE FEATURE ON THE DASHBOARD OR A DISPLAY FUNCTION THAT SOME OF THE OTHER KIA MODELS HAVE. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY SOMETHING THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO DO ELECTRONICALLY AND THEY CAN DO THIS ON THE LX MODEL. ONE OTHER FEATURE I JUST DISCOVERED THAT I DON'T LIKE AND THINK MAY BE AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM IS THE RIDICULOUSLY LOW PASSENGER SEAT. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AT ALL AND I WILL BE INQUIRING WITH SERVICE ABOUT IT. *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2014
THE CAR WILL NOT STAY IN ITS LANE. IT WONDERS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR
Steering, Jul 21, 2014
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA FOR MY WIFE, I CHOOSE THIS CAR SINCE I ALREADY OWNED A 2011 OPTIMA THAT I HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH, ALMOST 50,000 MILES. SO I FELT I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING WITH THE 2014 OPTIMA. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST WEEK AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING, IT IS CHALLENGING TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A CORRECTION TO FOLLOW A CURVE IN THE ROAD, IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE OVER SHOOTS AND THEN YOU NEED TO CORRECT AGAIN, CAUSING YOU TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE, IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS HELD IN POSITION BY SOME ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT TAKES EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE IT FROM THIS POSITION . I AM CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE DRIVEN MY 2011 OPTIMA FOR 3 YEARS AND IT DOES NOT DISPLAY ANY OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS. KIA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS. *TR
Steering, Jul 17, 2014
AT ALL SPEEDS SINCE NEW - THE CAR HAS HAD NO PREDISPOSITION TO GO STRAIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDS CONSTANT INPUT AS THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDS EXCESSIVE INPUT TO MAKE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CORRECTION. AND, WHEN THE STEERING DOES RESPOND - IT OVER CORRECTS. THIS EFFECT HAS YOU WEAVING CONSTANTLY. IN THE TIME IT TAKES TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER TO CHECK TRAFFIC - YOU CAN BE IN THE NEXT LANE. RATHER THAN BEING ABLE TO MAKE A SMOOTH TURN - THE DRIVING LINE THROUGH A TURN LOOKS MORE LIKE A CIRCULAR SAW BLADE THAT A SMOOTH ARC. THE ELECTRIC ASSIST STEERING HAS A DIGITAL FEEL. IT'S AS IF THERE ARE PROGRAMMED DIGITAL POSITIONS THAT THE WHEEL CAN BE TURNED TO. ANYTHING IN BETWEEN THOSE POSITIONS HAS YOU FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO HOLD YOUR LINE. IT'S BAD DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. IT'S THE MOST DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON NARROW TWO-LANE ROADS - ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE WINDY. IT'S SUBTLE, BUT, YOU CAN FEEL DISTINCT FAVORED STEERING WHEEL POSITIONS TO EITHER SIDE OF STRAIGHT AHEAD(EXAMPLE: 2 AND 4 DEGREES TO EITHER SIDE). IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING CLICKS INTO THOSE POSITIONS. WHEN THE WHEEL IS IN ONE OF THESE POSITIONS - AND, THE ARC OF THE TURN MATCHES THE 2 OR 4 DEGREE STEERING ANGLE - YOU CAN GO AROUND CORNERS WITH NO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. IT FEELS ELECTRICALLY STUCK IN POSITION. IF A TURN IS NOT THE SAME ANGLE AS THE STUCK POINTS - YOU OFTEN FIND YOURSELF COUNTER-STEERING THROUGH THE TURN. EXAMPLE: YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A 3 DEGREE LEFT HANDER. THE STEERING WHEEL FAVORS A 2 OR 4 DEGREE POSITION. THE 2 DEGREE POSITION HAS YOU DRIFTING TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TURN. YOU CORRECT TO TIGHTEN IT UP. THE WHEEL CORRECTS BY GOING TO THE FAVORED 4 DEGREE POSITION. YOU HAVE TO HOLD PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT(COUNTERSTEER) TO HOLD YOUR LINE IN A LEFT HAND TURN. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO FAVORED POSITION FOR GOING STRAIGHT. DANGEROUS! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 7, 2014
VEHICLE DEMANDS CONSTANT CORRECTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO SAFELY REMAIN INSIDE A LANE. SMALL CORRECTIONS TO ONE SIDE WILL RESULT IN THE VEHICLE OVERTURNING TO THE OTHER SIDE AND VICE VERSA. IT IS PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTING TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE SAFELY ESPECIALLY ON LONGER DRIVES. DEALERSHIP DENIES THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN THERE CLEARLY IS. COULD POSSIBLY BE THAT THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS BUT DO WANT TO LOSE SALES BY ADMITTING TO IT. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITES SUCH AS CARCOMPLAINTS.COM ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES AND IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE PREVENTED. *JS
Steering, Jul 2, 2014
CAR DEMANDS CONSTANT CORRECTION OF STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY TIME OR STEERING WHEEL POSITION WHERE CAR WILL TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE LEAST CORRECTION TO THE LEFT WILL RESULT IN THE CAR MOVING LEFT PAST WHERE IT SHOULD BE TRACKING, NECESSITATING A SMALL CORRECTIVE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH RESULTS IN THE SAME OVER-CORRECTING. THERE IS NO CENTER NULL SPOT WHERE IT DOESN'T REQUIRE MORE AND CONSTANT ATTENTION. THREE SECONDS OF INATTENTION AND YOU COULD BE EITHER OVER THE CENTER LINE OR OFF ON THE SHOULDER. VERY TIRING TO DRIVE. IN ALL THE CARS I HAVE OWNED OVER MY LIFETIME, I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE THAT WAS THIS HARD TO HANDLE OR WAS AS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS. IT WAS PURCHASED FOR MY WIFE AND I AM AFRAID FOR HER TO DRIVE IT. KIA HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT BY TRYING ALL FOUR STEERING SETTINGS AND IT HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN CHECKED. KIA HAS GIVEN UP ON FIXING IT SAYING IT MEETS ALL THEIR SPECS, BUT OFFERED ME $400 AND A $50 VISA CARD TO JUST GO AWAY. PROBLEM IS THIS: IT WILL COST ME $5000 TO TRADE IT FOR SOME OTHER MAKE OF 2014 LIKE-EQUIPPED CAR, SO I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT BINDING ARBITRATION SINCE THAT IS PART OF THE CONTRACT I SIGNED EVEN THOUGH I PAID CASH FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, May 1, 2014
I RECENTLY FILED 2 COMPLAINTS WITH YOUR OFFICE BUT WOULD NOW LIKE TO AMEND OR RETRACT THESE. AFTER A LITTLE MORE THAN 1K ON THE ODOMETER I FIND I AM BECOMING MORE USED TO THE ELECTRIC (MDPS) TYPE OF STEERING. I ALSO BECAME MORE AWARE THAT AS MY SPEED INCREASED THE STEERING ALSO BECAME MORE NOTICEABLY TIGHTER AND ALSO RETAINED BETTER TRACKING. WITH MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL, AND NO OTHER CARS AROUND, IT WAS MOST OBVIOUS THAT THERE WERE NO ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS OR A SENSE THAT MY CAR WOULD SOON BE SWAYING INTO A DITCH. HOPE YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 25, 2014
THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. IF YOU CORRECT FOR ONE DRIFT YOU START GOING THE OTHER WAY. IN WINDY CONDITIONS OR WHEN LARGER TRAFFIC PASSES YOU, YOU BETTER HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA ROAD TO DEAL WITH. *TR
Steering, Apr 17, 2014
WHEN BUYING THE CAR I NEVER TESTED IT ON A HIGHWAY OR ABOVE 45MPH. AFTER BUYING I TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO USE EVERY MUSCLE IN MY BODY TO KEEP THE CAR ON A STRAIGHT LINE. IT WAS FIRGHTENING. WILL NOT EVEN LET MY WIFE DRIVE OT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS FINE AND PART OF THE NEW STEERING CONTROL SYSYTEM KIA DEVELOPED. EVEN TRIED NEW TIRES BUT THE CAR IS STILL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY ALSO CHANGED VIA SOFTWARE UPDATE THE STEERING TO "SPORT MODE" TO TOGHTEN UP THE STEERING. WHILE IT DID FEEL BETTER THE STEERING IS STILL FRIGHTENING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE WING GUSTS. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SERIOUS ISSUE.
Steering, Apr 17, 2014
2014 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING ISSUE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WANDER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPTED TO GET THE STEERING ISSUE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING MODE FROM NORMAL TO SPORT SETTING, WHICH MADE NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROBLEM. DRIVING THE VEHICLE DEMANDED CONSTANT CORRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. *JB
Steering, Apr 9, 2014
THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME CONTINUING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE STEERING ALWAYS PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CAR EITHER GOES 1 LEFT OF 1 RIGHT. THERE IS NO CENTER. IT IS A STRAIN TO TRY TO KEEP THE CAR IN A LANE AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Steering, Apr 7, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE PULLS SHE YOU TRY TO CORRECT IT GETS WORSE. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT. WHILE DRIVING ON LONG TRIP I AM EXHAUSTED FROM TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED BY THE STEERING OF THIS VEHICLE! *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
2014 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS TOO SENSITIVE, TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT KEEPING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE ISSUE, TEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY TRIED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BY ALIGNING THE FRONT END, AND EVEN REPLACING THE TIRES. BUT, TO NO AVAIL. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO RE-DESIGN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE HANDLED FINE. *JB
Steering, Mar 24, 2014
CAR DEMANDS CONSTANT CORRECTION OF STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY TIME OR STEERING POSITION WHERE CAR WILL TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE LEAST CORRECTION TO THE LEFT WILL RESULT IN THE CAR MOVING LEFT PAST WHERE IT SHOULD BE TRACKING, NECESSITATING A SMALL CORRECTIVE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH RESULTS IN THE SAME OVER-CORRECTING. THERE IS NO CENTER NULL SPOT WHERE IT DOESN'T REQUIRE MORE AND CONSTANT ATTENTION. ONE SECOND OF INATTENTION AND YOU ARE OVER THE LINE OR OFF ON THE SHOULDER. VERY TIRING TO DRIVE. CAR IS NOW FIVE MONTHS OLD AND HAS ONLY 3900 MILES ON IT BECAUSE WE ONLY USE IT WHEN WE HAVE TO. DEALER HAS TRIED TWICE TO FIX IT, BUT HAS MADE NO IMPROVEMENT. I NOTICE PAGES DEVOTED TO SIMILAR COMMENTS ON A CALIFORNIA WEBSITE SINCE MODEL YEAR 2011. HOW CAN KIA GET AWAY WITH SOMETHING THIS DANGEROUS AND ANNOYING WITHOUT IT BEING REPORTED IN SOME OF THE CAR MAGAZINES? I AM CONSIDERING BINDING ARBITRATION BUT DON'T EXPECT ANY HELP BECAUSE THESE RETIRED LAWYERS AND/OR JUDGES MAY BE GREAT LEGAL WIZARDS BUT DUMB AS A SACK OF ROCKS WHEN IT COMES TO MECHANICAL THINGS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Mar 13, 2014
I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE ROUGH RIDE AND HARSH RIDE BUT WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY. I THEN TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT AND I NEVER FELT CONFIDENT ABOUT THE STEERING ONLY TO SAY THAT IT DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AND IT WAS WORRISOME TO ME. IT SIMPLY DID NOT FEEL RIGHT TO ME. I'VE BEEN DRIVING 50 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER FELT THIS UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING/STEERING A CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GO STRAIGHT WITHOUT CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT. EVEN WITH CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT THE CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. *TR
Steering, Feb 18, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE HIGHWAY, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60+ MPH) AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TO MAINTAIN LANE POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT NEW LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO. THE STEERING IS VERY HYPER-SENSITIVE AT SPEED AND A CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT REQUIRES A CORRECTION TO LEFT WITH NO APPARENT "GRAY" OR MIDDLE CENTER AREA WHICH WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MOST OF THIS IS ON VERY STRAIGHT SURFACES WITH LITTLE TO NO CROWN & CAMBER ON THE ROAD. STEERING MODE WAS CHANGED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. (AT OUR REQUEST) FROM EX SPORT TO EX STANDARD, WITH MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT. WE REPLACED THE OEM TIRES, WITH UPGRADED TIRES. WHILE TRACTION AND TURNING PERFORMANCE HAVE IMPROVED, STILL NO NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE WANDER. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAYS, AS SHE FEELS FEAR, STRESS AND EXHAUSTION FROM THE CONSTANT CORRECTION DURING LENGTHY DRIVES. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2014
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.