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
586 reports, newest first.
Steering, Aug 10, 2023
The steering column shakes violently between 60 MPH and 75 MPH. I have taken it to two different mechanics and they both said the same issue is the cause. There is a joint down in the steering column that has a rubber piece in the middle of it for securing the joint to keep it from shaking. That piece wears out and then it's metal on metal; hence the shaking. It always makes a loud clanking noise when I hit any bump, pothole, etc.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 8, 2023
Driving from arquette, I to St. Ignace, I on Saturday, August 6, 2023 when I was passing a slower moving car on -28 Eastbound, when the engine stalled and had to be towed to idas Muffler Shop at 2192 US Hwy 41 W., arquette, i, 49855. Upon further evaluation it was discovered that the engine had seized and is frozen up. There is currently a recall for engine seizures, Reference Number 17V224000, and Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Engine, Aug 1, 2023
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON JUNE 22ND 2023 AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND THERE WAS NO ADVANCED WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO BRYAN GAMBLE AUTO AND DIESEL WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 11, 2023
Today, 7/11/23, I was traveling on the interstate with no issue. Upon exiting the interstate up a slight hill, there was one car in front of me, I let off the gas and began to roll backwards I hit the brake and didn't think anything of it at first. The car in front of me pulled forward and I took my foot off of the brake and began to roll backwards again, I hit the gas and nothing happened, during this I also heard what sounded like a clunk noise. At this point I put my flashers on and looked at the dashboard, I saw three lights that have never appeared before. (Oil light, battery light, and check engine light) I placed the car in park and sat for a moment. The car was still on but not running, I pressed my start button and the car turned over the lights went off and I drove about 3 miles down the road to a lot. Once the car cooled I checked the oil and the level was fine no smoke nothing strange. I went to pull out and drive again and the same exact thi g happened again. However, a few hours later my fiance drove it home and had no issue. If my car had rolled back I could have hit someone or been hit. It's something unknown and is dangerous. This all just happened today and it has not been taken anywhere yet.
Structure, Jul 11, 2023
The pain is delaminating (peeling) throughout the vehicle. The pain color is white pearl, it starts bubbling up then peeling off in large areas.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2023
Paint is peeling off in substantial amounts. The door pillars/roof rails are almost completely bare metal. There is a large paint bubble on the trunk that will come off soon. The roof, hood, doors all have paint delaminating and coming off. Its all getting worse by the day. I've discovered that this is a common issue with Kias in my year range (2014), model (Optima) and color (white) particularly. The paint started to delaminate about maybe a year ago and I let my local Kia dealership know and they said there was nothing they could do. It got so bad I went to a body shop in my area about 4 months ago, JJ paint and body shop in Bakersfield, CA, and he told me it should be covered by Kia, so I went through Kias customer care program with them intaking my information, getting photos, quotes and service records, only for them to take 10 weeks to deny rectifying this paint issue citing that the paint was out of warranty (3 years 36, 000 miles). I appealed to the BBB Auto Line and they took several weeks as well to come to the same result citing the warranty. This widely known paint defect is Kias fault, I know Toyota has had paint issues of the same type and they warranty it for 10 years. I wash my cars regularly and keep them up to date on service. It is unfathomable to me that I should bear the financial responsibility to repaint my vehicle. There's more damage than I could show, being limited to only 10 pictures. I'm hoping that this organization can give me recourse.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2023
Paint is white peeling on my 2014 Kia, after googling looks like a lot of others are having the same problem with the white color paint peeling
Engine, Jun 25, 2023
Rod knock on the engine
Engine, Jun 19, 2023
Vehicle has been burning oil consistently since 100,000 miles and Kia dealership denied coverage. Now I have a knock sensor code and the Dennis eakin dealership in Killeen is claiming it’s a bad rod bearing and denying their 200k mile warranty coverage due to me not being able to provide 10 years worth of receipts even though this was a known issue.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2023
Vehicle paint is chipping / peeling off in large parts . Mainly roof and area surrounding windshield
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2023
I have a snow white pearl painted Kia optima that has peeling paint on the pillars by the windshield. It started out really small but now it’s almost down the entire pillar.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, May 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact had taken the vehicle to two dealers for the recall repairs. The contact stated that one charged her a fee for the recall repair however, there was no evidence that the recall repair was completed. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to another dealer who did not perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2023, fire
The contact's sister owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it spontaneously caught fire. The ABS warning indicator light had previously been turned on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. A police report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, crashes, or air bag deployments. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Engine, May 10, 2023
The car was last inspected/service on 11/23/22. There were no warning lights, no noises, no odors, no indication that anything was going bad or anything. Drove car over 600 miles to visit family. Upon leaving to return home, the car stalled after about 100 miles. We pulled over and restarted the car. Now it began making a noise and the engine came on then started blinking. This was around 5am on the side of the highway in pitch black with two young women traveling alone in very isolated/low population area. Long story short-the engine failed and had to be replaced (had the car towed to the nearest dealer in Rolla, MO). The engine was replaced by Kia and covered completely by Kia. This was at 78,000 miles. This is the 3rd engine for this one car. First replacement occurred just under 10,000 miles.
Engine, May 4, 2023
My car was unable to accelerate and ultimately had a broken rod, which required total replacement of the engine. Since I am the second owner and the original owner or dealer did not request the warranty extension in 2017, KIA refuses to reimburse any amount towards the repairs.
Service brakes, Engine, Apr 30, 2023
I was driving the Kia Optima 2014 down the highway. Without any warning or indication that something was wrong my tires locked up, causing the car to chirp twice and then the engine just died. I had to pay 250$ for a tow company to pick up the car and bring it home. The whole situation was very dangerous. Now I am having trouble with the Kia owner website. It will not even let me report the issue or schedule a maintenance appointment with any Kia Dealer to determine if this is due to a recall issue, or anything.
Engine, Apr 25, 2023
Since August of 2021 Ive experienced engine oil burning that results in me having to add oil every 10 days after a Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 . Ive gone into Lokey Kia in Clearwater FL numerous of times for this issue, and numerous recalls. There is no visible leak, but that had me pay for the Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 - Lokey Kia told me again today 4/24/23 that I needed the same repair done again. Over the phone the Lokey Kia service rep. told me he could not find my previous repair in the system and that I should NOT have to fix this repair this soon, but when I came in with a receipt, they stated "oh, things wear our=t faster than we think". Ive taking my car across the street to Fitzgerald Hydauni, tried to explain to them. Paid for vehicle check, completed oil change, found no visible leak, but within a week I had to go back because my car was literally almost out of oil. I called Kia claims today claim# 14751760, on hold for 2 hours and they say I have to spend several hundred dollars 3 times for a oil consumption tests before I can qualify for engine replacement because the recall for this DEFECT is not attached to my VIN, but is a KNOWN issue for the 2016. Ive sat in the waiting area and other consumers have gotten engine replaced, but for me Im brushed to the side. AAA states they've so many Kia's like mine breakdown due to this issue.
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2023
My car was nearly stolen. My neighbor interrupted the thieves before they could steal my car. They broke my rear driver side window by smashing the window frame 4 times, climbed inside, opened the driver door from the inside and broke my steering wheel column cover.
Engine, Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption with the check engine warning light constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the engine and catalytic converter were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,111.
Engine, Apr 5, 2023
My 2014 Kia Optima engine started seizing on 03/25/2023. I called to the Kia dealership and explained to them what my car was doing was told they could not get to my car until Monday 04/03/2023. I had my insurance tow my car to Kia on Monday 04/03/2023. The service guy called me and said he couldn't start the car due to the engine being locked to update the KSDS system, and with that being said Kia would not cover the engine. I told him I never received that KSDS recall because, I was not the previous owner who had this car. He gave me an estimate for $5422.17. He said to reach out to Kia Headquarters and talk with them to see if they would approve for the engine to be replaced. I call Kia Headquarters and spoke with a lady and explained to her what my car was doing. She then stated that she would look over the claim and she put me on hold. She then came back to the phone and said unfortunately my engine would not be covered because the previous owner they sent the letter to about recalls never responded to the recall in reference to KSDS, I was not the previous owner. She also stated they only send the recall letter out once. She also stated when you buy a used car you buy all the issues that come with it. So that was her way of saying Kia still not replacing the engine. I purchased my car on 02/01/2021 from a used car dealership. I did not know anything about a recall on the KSDS. I'm trying to understand how I can be held accountable for something the previous owner did not do. Kia needs to be held responsible for these defective engines. Thank God my son and I were not out on the highway when the engine start seizing. How can Kia get away with this is beyond me? Something needs to be done about this ASAP before somebody gets killed in one of these Kia Optimas while driving and the engine locks up. Please investigate this!!
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2023, fire
March 15, 2023 I Ania Covington as well as my mother Ramona Allen went to the Kia dealership in Southern Pines, NC at 10am to get a recall fixed on my car (fuel line), an oil change, air filters changed, as well as a valve gasket replacement (recall was free, everything else paid out of pocket). I received my car back at 4pm the same day, when I pulled off the lot not even a mile away my car was smoking from the exhaust pipes. I went back to ask them was it going to continue to do that, the mechanic as well as the advisor told me it’s just the old oil burning off. As I was driving home I began seeing smoke come from my engine as and still from the pipes I was still thinking it was the old oil burning off hence that’s what I was told. I decided to go to the gas station to get gas for the remaining of the week, and my car burst into flames while I was pumping gas. The fire had originated from my engine. I went back to the dealership the following day to show them pictures, the service manager(Thomas) told us to reach out to Kia corporate. It’s almost one month later, no one has been answering calls from me nor my mother. We went back to the dealership 3/31 the service manager took our information again and told us he’d reach out and still haven’t been informed on anything.
Structure, Mar 30, 2023
Paint on vehicle on top of trunk has chipped off like a whole section out of no where.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 30, 2023, fire
The car caught fire last night and burned up while parked.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2023
The Pearl White paint has begun to peel and flake off. This vehicle has been well cared for and has 96k miles. It appears a defect in the paint has resulted in a lot of paint issues for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. This needs to be investigated and a resolution is warranted.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2023
The paint is bubbling and peeling from the hood, pillars, and the roof. So. Enough that will start to settle in. Kia refuses to acknowledge it is a manufacturer defect.