2015 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,008 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 31 involved a crash and 74 involved a fire. 23 people were injured and 1 person 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
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 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
Representative owner complaints
1,008 reports, newest first.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 24, 2018
MY VEHICLE IS RANDOMLY DISPLAYING 'GOODBYE' ON THE DASHBOARD AND IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS STARTED FROM NOWHERE WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNALS. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS LESS THAT 30,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER I'LL READ ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO HOW KIA SUGGESTS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I AM SOMETIMES HEADING TO WORK, GOING ABOUT 65 MILES OR MORE OR THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST STOPS. IT IS NOW BEGINNING TO SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER CRANKING, AND A NOISE IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE METAL IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE REFRAINED FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, DUE TO FEAR OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE SUDDEN STOPPING OF THE VEHICLE HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS GOING ABOUT 30-40 MPH, AS WELL AS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH.
Structure, Jan 5, 2018
FRONT GLASS PANEL OF SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Dec 28, 2017
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY FROM MISSISSIPPI TO PENNSYLVANIA, WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED THERE WAS NOT ANY OIL IN THE CAR. MY SON HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST WALMART, PURCHASED 3 QUARTS, AND CONTINUED. FOUR HOURS DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.HEI WAS CLOSE TO BIRMINGHAM AROUND 11 AT NIGHT. HE STAYED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY UNTIL MORNING CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK TO RIVERSIDE KIA WHERE AN ENGINE ANALYSIS WAS DONE. HE TOLD MY SON THE IS OWNER NEGLIGIENCE. HE TOLD HIM ACCORDING THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE HE SHOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST 9 OIL CHANGES, BUT THERE WHERE ONLY 3 RECEIPTS IN THE CAR. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE HIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE OTHER RECEIPTS. HE HAD THE OIL CHANGED 3 WEEKS BEFORE THIS (OCT 29, 2016)
Structure, Wheels, Dec 23, 2017, crash
WAS AT LIGHT THEN PROCEEDED ONCE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TRAVELING ON LEFT LANE ON A 2 LANE CITY ROAD. USED TURNING SIGNAL TO MOVE TO RIGHT LANE WHEN ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD TURNED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON TO THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING ON. I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AFTER TURNING TO LOOK DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT IN REAR OF MY CAR. AT THE TIME I HIT THE OTHER CARS FRONT LEFT FENDER/TIRE AREA CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. I WAS TICKETED FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE EVEN THOUGH I TURNED MY SIGNAL ON & LOOKED. I NOW HAVE TO GO TO TRAFFIC SCHOOL TO KEEP POINTS OFF MY LICENSE & PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIR DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER CLOSE CALLS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT AREA IN MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Dec 8, 2017
ON 11/29/17 AT AROUND 1:30PM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON INTERSTATE 80 WEST BOUND I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM ABOVE. THE BANG WAS SO LOUD THAT IT STARTLED ME. I THEN FELT AIR RUSHING IN FROM ABOVE MY HEAD. IT WAS THEN THAT I KNEW THE SOUND WAS THE EXPLOSION OF MY SUNROOF. I THEN EXITED THE FREEWAY AND TOOK PHOTOS OF MY CAR. MY SUNROOF WAS CLOSED WHEN IT EXPLODED, SO FORTUNATELY THE BROKEN GLASS DID NOT FALL INTO THE CAR. THE GLASS BROKE DIRECTLY ABOVE MY HEAD. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT WAS AT SPEED LIMIT (65MPH) IN THE CITY OF PINOLE, CA BETWEEN EXITS APPIAN WAY AND RICHMOND PARKWAY. AT THE TIME OF THE SUNROOF EXPLOSION, I WAS NOT UNDER AN UNDERPASS, THE FREEWAY WAS NOT UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND I WAS NOT BY TRUCKS. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A CLEAR SKY DAY AND IT THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 60S. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES AND WAS LEASED FROM THE KIA OAKLAND LOCATION. TODAY IS 12/8/17 AND IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER A WEEK, AND KIA STILL HAS YET TO ASSIGN SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY CAR AFTER SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO INVESTIGATE THE CLAIM. MY CAR HAS STILL NOT FIXED AS OF TODAY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2017
SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Engine, Nov 21, 2017
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 24,300 MILES I PURCHASE MY CAR BRAND NEW FROM SOUTHWEST KIA . I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD OIL CHANGE AT WALMART 700 MILES LATER MY OIL LIGHT STARTED APPEARING. I TOOK IT TO KIA BECAUSE RECENTLY HAVING OIL CHANGE AND CAR WAS NO LONGER REGISTERING OIL. KIA WENT ON TO TELL VERY LITTLE OIL WAS IN MY CAR I INFORMED THEM THAT I HAD JUST HAD OIL CHANGED 700 MILES AGO. SO FROM THERE DEALERSHIP DID OIL CHANGE. I WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WEEK LATER WITH SAME ISSUE. SERVICE STATED THAT HE FOUND SLUDGE AND I STATED THAT I HAVE HELD UP MY END OF THE DEAL WITH OIL CHANGES AS WELL AS I PROVIDED MY RECEIPT OR OIL CHANGES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO HOLD UP THERE 100,000 POWER TRAIN WARRANTY STATING THAT I WAS NOT GETTING OIL CHANGED IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH IS BS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND I FOUND OTHER 2015 KIA OPTIMA OWNER WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS I AM HAVING WITH CAR EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE,OIL SLUDGE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS AS I AM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA CONSUMER DEPT FOR HELP. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHANNEL 11 AND CHANNEL 4 CONSUMER JUSTICE DEPT. I HAVE ATTACHED COPIES OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. YOU WE WORK HARD TO PAY FOR AND TO HAVE A RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO HOLD UP THERE END OF THE DEAL. I BELIEVE THAT KIA IS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND NEGLECTING TO HELP THE BUYERS WHO HAVE PURCHASE THESE CARS. IT'S STRANGE THAT I FOUND TEN OTHER 2015 KIA OPTIMA OWNERS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE. 2014 MODELS HAVE ALREADY HAD A RECALL I THINK 2015 MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED TO THE RECALL. I HAVE ATTACHED OTHER KIA OWNERS COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL CAR.
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2017
TIRE SENSOR KEEPS GOING OFF. NO DAMAGES TO TIRE OR NO LOSS OF AIR. WHEN I PUT AIR IN IT GOES OFF. A FEW DAYS LATER SENSOR GOES ON AGAIN. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A MONTH.
Engine, Oct 30, 2017
THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, THEN STALLED. UPON INSPECTION AT AUTO SHOP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND WAS A COMPLETE FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR HAS HAD ALL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND I CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION AS TO THAT
Steering, Power train, Wheels, Oct 9, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: THE TIRE LOW LIGHT ON HE DASH IS ALWAYS ON NO MATTER WHAT I DO. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY TIRES CHANGED FROM THE DEALER NEVER FROM A THIRD PARTY. THIS IS INCONVENIENT FOR ME BECAUSE THIS IS THE IDENTIFICATION FOR A LOW TIRE. SO ANYTIME I SUSPECT A LOW TIRE I HAVE TO STOP MY VEHICLE WHERE EVER I MAY BE GET OUT AND WALK AROUND THE VEHICLE TO MANUALLY TEST THE PRESSURE IN MY VEHICLES TIRES..
Engine, Oct 2, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER CUT OFF, - COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER. LIGHTS/RADIO ETC ALL WORK, SO NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE SPECIFIC TO ENGINE FAILTURE.
Engine, Aug 15, 2017
ENGINE SEIZED UP AT 35K MILES. KIA DID NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND SAID IT WAS DUE TO MY PERSONAL MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT IF I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO KIA EVERYTIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME JUST TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER RECALL COMES OUT AND I WOULD GET MY 6000 DOLLARS BACK
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2017
WHEN TURNING ON THE A/C SYSTEM I GET A REALLY STRONG MILDEW/HORRIBLE SMELL FROM THE VENTS. I BELIEVE IT RESULTS IN WATER ACCUMULATING IN IT, PROMOTING THE GROWTH OF THE MOLD, AND WHENEVER YOU TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS GET HIT WITH A BLAST OF MOLDY AIR ALSO, WHEN A/C IS OFF IT HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL AS WELL WHICH I NEED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS BECAUSE IT GETS ME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE AND IT'S A HEALTH HAZARD. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH KIA CARS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED TO KIA, BUT KIA HAS NOT TAKEN AN APPROACH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT CAN BE FIXED FOR $150.00, BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. I'VE MADE A COMPLAINT TO KIA MOTORS AMERICA COOPERATE, BUT HAS ADVISED THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOT VERY HELPFUL. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT.
Engine, Aug 11, 2017
CAR APPEARED TO STALL WHILE ON HIGHWAY. SAFELY PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. LOCAL SHOP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEXT DAY A VERY LOUD KOCKING STARTED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME OF THE ENGINE RECALL. WHILE MY YEAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE ENGINE ONCE I PROVIDE RECEIPTS SHOWING MY OIL CHANGES DONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR LOCATION.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2017
KEEP HEARING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE IS MORE SO WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND EARLY MORNING. HAS GONE TO THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS ISSUES AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN PROVIDED A RECORDING OF THE SOUND. ALSO THE RADIO COMPLETE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES NOW. ONCE AGAIN HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT DUPLICATE IT'S SELF. THE PASSENGER WINDOW GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP. I GOT THIS CAR JULY 21. 2017. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOW TWICE. FIRST TIME FOR A WEEK. SECOND TIME 6 DAYS. STILL NO SOLUTION. WAS TOLD BY LEMON LAW TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THEM SERVICE IT AGAIN. HAS TO BE SEEN BY DEARER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL HELP.
Engine, Jul 28, 2017
YOUR SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE CAR JUST STALLS/TURNS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THIS ACTUALLY JUST STARTED TODAY. AFTER LOOKING IT UP, IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING QUITE A BIT & NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY KIA. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT TO MENTION SCARY! IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!
Engine, Jul 8, 2017
MY VEHICLE STARTING DRIVING SLUGGISH AND MAKING AN INCREASINGLY KNOCKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND 2 WEEKS LATER CHECKED IN A NORMAL RIDE TO WORK I REALIZED MY VEHICLE WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD FROM THE EXHAUST AND A HORRIBLE SMELL OF BURNT OIL FILLED THE INTERIOR. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT. LESS THEN A WEEK LATER I GET A RECALL LETTER FOR THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN TO KIA THEY RAN A TEST MY ENGINE HAS BLOWN THEY PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR 16 DAYS THIS BEGAN 6/20/17. I CAME TO GET MY CAR ON 7/8/17 AND DIDN'T EVEN GET DOWN THE STREET BEFORE GETTING PULLED OVER AND NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR IS ROARING SMOKE THE EXHAUST AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT BACK. THEY DROVE IT WITH ME AND ALSO AGREED IT WAS STILL SMOKING AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH OLD OIL BURNING OFF AND NOW MY A.C. IS ACTING WEIRD. THEY PLACED ME BACK IN A RENTAL AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD OPEN A TICKET. TO BE VERY HONEST I'M TRYING TO KEEP PRESENT BUT I'M VERY VERY SCARED AND CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING BACK IN THE CAR. I FEEL TRAPPED AND I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON SOMETHING I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE AND FEEL UNSAFE IN.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME DURING TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A WHOLE YEAR. ON JULY 3,2017 MY MOTHER AND I WAS COMING HOME ON THE FWY AND ONCE AGAIN, DURING TRAFFIC FLOW, MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO GET A SAFE SPOT BEFORE I CRASHED BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY CARS COMING BEHIND ME SO FAST AND THE SIDE RAMPS WE'RE VERY NARROW. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICING BUT FOR SOME REASON, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE TAKING IT IN AND EVEN LEFT WITH THEM FOR ALMOST A WHOLE MONTH AT ONE TIME AND STILL NO DIAGNOSIS. RENTAL CAR AFTER RENTAL CAR. THEY INSTALLED A DATA RECORDER IN MY CAR AND THE FIRST TIME THEY FOUND NO DATA, THEN THEY INSTALLED IT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. SO THEY INSTALLED A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY IN MY CAR. A FEW WEEKS LATER MY CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN ON THE WAY COMING HOME AND IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY MOTHER AND 2 YEAR NEICE. WE WE'RE ALMOST KILLED. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND SAYS "GOODBYE" WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING THIS IS HOW I KNOW THAT THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND WE ARE IN DANGER. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR CUT ON AND OFF TOO.
Engine, Jun 30, 2017
ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN OR CONTINUE. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM SENSE 2015
Tires, May 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H724 TIRES, SIZE: 225/45R/18 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIVE STAR TIRES ON MERIDIAN ROAD IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ABNORMAL WITH THE TIRES AND THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROAD DAMAGE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,310.
Engine, May 28, 2017
MY CAR STARTED SMOKING ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 25-30MPH IT WAS SO BAD PEOPLE STARTED YELLING!!! GET OUT .. GET OUT ..YOUR CAR ON FIRE..I PULLED OVER SO EMBARRASSED.... AND I GOT OUT...THE SMOKE HAD THE BACK OF THE .CAR BLACK...FROM THE SMOKE OUT OF THE TAILPIPE.SO I WAITED 30-45 HAD CAR TOWED BACK HOME ...I STAY 35 MINS FROM KIA DEALERSHIP SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT DAY TO TAKE OVER THERE. AND SURPRISELY THEY TOLD ME SLUDGE OIL.AT THIS POINT IT WAS ONLY 32,000 MILES. I ASKED HOW CAN I FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID..THEY DONT FIX SLUDGE OIL... AND MADE IT VERY CLEAR THEY WAS VOIDING MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FROM PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES. AND THIS COME FROM LACK OF MAINTENANCE... OK. SO I GOT OIL CHANGES EVERY 2,000 PROBLEM SLOWED DOWN.. NO SENSORS WAS ON OR NOTHING.... ONE DAY WENT TO STORE CAME HOME AND PARKED NEVER CRANKED...55K MILES TOWED TO ST.AUGUSTINE KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENGINE IS SHOCKED...IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY NOISE COMING FROM ANYWHERE.. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY OR STARTER..KIA SAID ENGINE I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND..
Steering, May 14, 2017
VEHICLE TENDS TO STEER ITSELF AND CAN AT TIME OF FREEWAY SPEEDS BE HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE IN A STARING LINE. VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL CAN GET STIFF AND WITH AND MOVEMENTS THE VEHICLE TENDS TO OVER CORRECT ITSELF. WHILE GOING DOWN A FREEWAY OR LONG STRAIGHT AWAY THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS BEING HELD TIGHT ON ONE PLACE.
Engine, May 11, 2017
THE OPTIMA HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. WHEN THE CAR STALLS EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND IT'S IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN THE CAR DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC A COUPLE TIMES WHILE THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE CALLED BOTH KIA CORPORATE AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE WAS PURCHASED AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR IS STALLING. AFTER 3-5 WEEKS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE KIA CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE FINALLY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
Engine, May 10, 2017
ENGINE LOCKED UP DURRING ACCELERATION TO 40 MPH WHY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FOUND OUT ENGINE HAS A BENT ROD. OIL AND COOLENT WHERE SUFFICINT BUT KIA WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE. COULD OF CAUSED MY WIFE TO CRASH OR BE HIT BY TRAFFIC
Engine, May 3, 2017
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE OIL LIGHT. I STOPPED TO CHECK OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND NONE. I ADDED 2 QUARTS. THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT WOULDN'T REPLACE IT. IT WOULD COST ME $7200. SO I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME, AND IT QUIT.THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. THIS WAS IN NOVEMBER 2016. AND IT IS STILL DOWN. THEN I HEARD KIA IS GETTING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM, FOR OIL FLOW ISSUES. I'M STILL PAYING ON THE CAR. I FINANCED THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION. SO THEY ALREADY GOT THERE MONEY. I THINK THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SCREWING ME OVER. TO BE CLEAR I HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT QUIT. IT NEVER MADE A SOUND, THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT 3 DAYS.