2018 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 232 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 24, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Campaign 23V594000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemMar 8, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Campaign 18V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
232 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE IN AUTO MODE
Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2020
I HAVE THE KIA OPTIMA SX WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE THAT COMES EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-LEVELING AND AUTO-BENDING LED HEADLAMPS. I BELIEVE THAT THE AUTO-LEVELING FUNCTION IS WORKING INCORRECTLY. WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE CAR (MORE PASSENGERS) THE BEAM PATTERN AUTO ADJUSTS ITSELF TO POINT EVEN LOWER INSTEAD OF HIGHER. THIS CAUSES AN ADVERSE EFFECT. THINK OF IT THIS WAY, THE BEAM HAS A DEFAULT SETTING TO WHERE IT POINTS TO WHEN THERE IS NO WEIGHT ADDED TO THE CAR. WHEN TWO PASSENGERS SIT IN THE CAR, THE BEAM SHOULD NOT POINT LOWER, INSTEAD IT SHOULD AUTO-LEVEL ITSELF TO A HIGHER POSITION TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOW LOWER WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BY DEFAULT ARE POINTED A BIT LOW, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (CONCORD KIA IN CONCORD, CA) TO HAVE THEM RE-ADJUSTED. ALAS, NO BETTER RESULT WAS ACHIEVED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE AUTO-LEVELING. OFTEN WHEN DRIVING IN THE CAR WITH MY FIANCE (A COMBINED WEIGHT OF ABOUT 600 LBS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT SEATS), THE LED LOW-BEAMS APPEAR TO REACH A MAX DISTANCE OF 40 FT ON LEVEL LAND, AND AROUND 70 FT. GOING UP A HILL. WHEN ONE IS GOING DOWNHILL, THE PROJECTED LED LIGHT REACHES A DISTANCE OF AROUND 25 FT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE 2017-2020 KIA OPTIMA SX MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-LEVELING AND AUTO-BENDING LIGHTS HAVE RECEIVED A FANTASTIC RATING. I AM SURE WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING AT OPTIMAL CONDITIONS (1 PERSON IN THE CAR WHO MAY WEIGH UNDER 200 LBS) THE LIGHTING CAN BE GREAT. HOWEVER, I ENCOURAGE THE NHSTA TO RE-CONDUCT A THOROUGH TEST UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: SEAT TWO PEOPLE IN THE FRONT WHO WEIGH AT LEAST 200 LBS. FIRST SEAT ONE PERSON, NOTICE THE BEAM PATTERN AGAINST A WALL ABOUT 50 FT. AWAY, THEN SEAT ANOTHER PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE HOW THE BEAM PATTERN IS LOWERED. I ALSO ENCOURAGE THE TESTERS TO DRIVE THE AROUND A BIT.
Service brakes, Jul 13, 2020
THIS HAS HAPPED NOW 5 TIMES!! WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL GETS FIRM WHICH LITTLE TO NO REDUCTION IN SPEED! THEN PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WHEELS LOCK UP, COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP! EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING! EACH TIME I WAS APPROACHING A STOPS SIGN OR COMING UP TO AN OFF RAMP! BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT FOR HOURS AND THEY DID NOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING BUT TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPORT IT! SO STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL I CAN SAFELY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!!! BUT OF COURSE KIA WON'T DO THE EXTRA WORK TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!
Engine, Jun 25, 2020
I LEASED 2018 KIA OPTIMA EX. AT 6399MILES AND 9650MILES ENGINE LIGHT ON AND CAR VIBRATES A LOT. FIRST SERVICE REPLACED SPARK PLUG AND SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS AWARDED AS BEST INITIAL QUALITY AWARD WHICH HAS ENGINE ISSUES. KIA SAYS THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF ANYTHING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING CAR BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEY WILL REPLACE ENGINE OR REPAIR IT. KIA IS NOT CONFIDENT THAT REPLACED ENGINE WILL NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Jun 17, 2020
ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING, GOING STRAIGHT, IN CITY. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Mar 6, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T LOCK WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY.
Structure, Wheels, Service brakes, Feb 6, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND STARTED TO HEAR AN NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHILE I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 45 MILES AND MOVED OVER ONE LANE TO THE RIGHT AND FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW - HAD LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON CAR. I GOT THE TIRE REPLACED AT A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WHEELS ALIGNED. THEN,DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, 45 MPH A FEW WEEKS LATER, GOT TO A PASSING ZONE, AND PASSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AFTER ACCELERATING TO 65 DURING THE SHORT PASSING ZONE. AFTER PASSING THE CAR I TAPPED THE BREAKS TO SLOW BACK DOWN TO 45 AND THE TRACTION, BRAKE, AND TMZ LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. WHEN BRAKE ENGAGED, CAR DID NOT BRAKE AS NORMAL AND A ODD NOISE LIKE A GRINDING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA. TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS, SAID IT WAS A 'MISS-TRIPPED' SENSOR AND CLEARING IT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. I DROVE MY CAR LESS THAN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE BRAKE ON A 40 MPH ROAD AT A STOP LIGHT, ALL THREE LIGHTS CAME RIGHT BACK ON. HAD TO CALL AND TAKE CAR BACK IN AND THEY ENDED UP KEEPING MY CAR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE SAYING I HAD A BAD TIRE SENSOR, BUT CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DROVE AGAIN, TO A NEIGHBORING CITY AND HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 40 MILES AND FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW. GOT IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID TIRES BLOWING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CENSOR. GOT TIRE CHANGED AND ROTATION. PICKED UP CAR AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON -LOW PRESSURE. NITRO WAS ADDED BY DEALERSHIP AND LIGHT WENT OFF. TURNED MY PRESSURE READER ON AND 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WENT FROM 37 TO 45 PSI. I THINK BAD SENSOR IS CAUSING OVER INFLATING OF TIRES AT THE DEALERSHIP LEADING TO BLOWN TIRES.TESTED PRESSURE WITH SEPARATE PRESSURE READER AND TOO HIGH SO LET SOME AIR OUT, DROVE DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH AND CAR 'BOTTOMED OUT' ON A ROLLING DIP IN THE ROAD SCRAPPING THE PLASTIC PROTECTION PIECE BEHIND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE UNDER THE CAR
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2020
3 TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2018 KIA OPTIMA FROZE AND TO IT WONT BRAKE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD. I HAVE ONLY 22.000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO NEAREST KIA DEALER TWICE. ACCORDING TO THEM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COMPUTER NOT READING ANY ERROR CODES VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 9, 2020
RANDOMLY BRAKE PEDAL ON MY KIA OPTIMA FREEZES AND IM UNABLE TO APPLY AND STOP VEHICLE IT HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IT HAPPENED ON HWY AND ONCE ON CITY STREET. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS IN DEALERSHIP SINCE JAN 2ND AND DEALER STATING THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE
Power train, Dec 24, 2019, crash
THE CV AXLE ASSEMBLIES SNAP LIKE THE 2016 MODELS DO KIA'S RECALL NUMBER SC139.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 7, 2019
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I GET MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED SO IT'S ODD THAT THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING. ON DECEMBER 6TH I WENT TO MOVE MY CAR. I CRANK THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT KIND OF HESISTATED SLIGHTLY, BUT CONTINUED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PARK IT STALLED AND ABOUT 5 OR 6 OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND AS 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO THE SPOT BECAUSE I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE MOMENT I DID THAT THE CAR CUT OFF. IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BESIDES CLICK WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AGAIN. I EVENTUALLY ASKED SOMEONE FOR A JUMP AND MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I GOT UP AND DROVE AS I NORMALLY WOULD AND THATS WHEN THE ELETRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THAT LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR BECOMES HARD TO MANEUVER. THANKFULLY THAT TIME IT WENT OFF AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AS IT WOULD NORMALLY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SO AT ANY MOMENT I COULD BE DRIVING AND THE CAR CAN STOP ON ME. I HAVE 4 KIDS AND LIVE IN A REALLY BUSY AREA SO EVEN THE THOUGHT OF THIS HAPPENING HAS ME SECOND THINKING EACH TIME I HAVE TO MOVE MY CAR!! I'VE SEEN MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND I NOTICE OUR VIN #'S ARE SIMILAR SO SOMETHING SHOULD REALLY BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS IT SEEMS THIS IS A TREND WITH THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF THIS CAR.
Engine, Dec 6, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY OTHER MOTORISTS THAT FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT AND A PEDESTRIAN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE AT THE SCENE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHSTAR KIA (46-05 NORTHERN BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101, (877) 244-0989) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019, crash
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019 @ 6:38 PM IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA ON 59TH AVE HEADING WEST I WAS IN A VERY TERRIBLE CAR COLLISION WHERE I WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED BY A TOYOTA TACOMA GOING 45-60 MPH, UPON IMPACT I WAS FORCED FORWARD AND HIT THE BACK OF A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 24, 2019
HELLO I AM NYCHOLE AND IN OCTOBER OF 2017 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA . NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL FRI NOV 22. AS I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK MY CAR DID A VERY ABRUPT JERK THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE MY GAS LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. BUT TODAY WHICH IS SUNDAY MY CAR'S EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT FLASHED. WEIRDED OUT I LOOK AT THE MANUAL IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. AS I EASED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX THE CAR DID THAT SAME JERK, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT HARD TO MANAGE/STEER AND 6 OTHER LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING( PARKING BREAK LIGHT,EPB LIGHT ,ABS LIGHT,ESC LIGHT ,BATTERY CHARGE LIGHT, AND THE MASTER MALFUNCTION LIGHT) . I COULD NO LONGER MANIPULATE MY WHEEL SO I PULL FORWARD ONTO A OPEN SPOT AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE MOMENT I DID THIS THE CAR CUT OFF. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER, IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BESIDES TICK. I HAVE BEEN GREAT WITH MAINTENANCE BECAUSE IT WAS EITHER FREE OR DIRT CHEAP SO I ALWAYS TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ MORE REVIEWS OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH SIMILAR THINGS. JUST IMAGINE IF I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR, ON THE INTERSTATE AND COULD NO LONGER CONTROL MY STEERING WHEEL OR THE CAR JUST DYING MID DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE HOW DANGEROUS THIS ISSUE IS. MY CAR IS BASICALLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAT 50 K. IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED , TOWED OR DAMAGED STILL PRACTICALLY NEW. I HAVE ALSO READ SIMILAR RECALLS ABOUT ELECTRONIC ISSUES THAT ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO THE HYBRIDS . THE RECALL SEEMS SIMILAR.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 2, 2019
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA IN NOVEMBER 2018. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 22,500 MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH UPDATED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE PER THE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. ON SATURDAY 9/28 I DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, AND AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN AND IT GOT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY 9/29, IT DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR CITY ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP, AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO BE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AT THIS TIME SO I CALLED THEM FIRST THING MONDAY 10/1 TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND DROPPED IT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING TO BE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE SO READY TO GIVE ME THE CAR BACK. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE TO PUT OUR LIVES AT RISK TO WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE ANY RECOURSE CAN BE TAKEN. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT IS VERY COMMON FOR THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO BE ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO UNABLE TO PROVIDE A FIX. KIA HAD 5+ YEARS OF ENGINE STALL PROBLEMS THAT WERE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED UNTIL MANY YEARS LATER, AND THE DEALERSHIP CERTAINLY WILL NOT VALIDATE THIS. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BOTH GO OUT, SO YOU HAVE NOTHING BUT PRAYERS TO RELY ON TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 9, 2019, fire
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE STREETS; ITS AN 2018 KIA OPTIMA.ON AUGUST 2,2019 MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER DRIVERS STOP TO ALERT ME THAT THEY SAW FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR.THEN WHILE DRIVING I START TO NOTICE EXTREME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD SO MUCH I COULDNT NO LONGER LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING.I PANICKED AND MIND WAS RACING Q HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I GOT THIS CAR NEW LAST YEAR MAY 1,2018. WHEN I JUMPED OUT TO LOOK AT THE HOOD I SAW MY ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES.NEARBY DRIVER THREW ME A BOTTOLE OF WATER,LUCKILY I HAD JUST BOUGHT 24 CASE OF WATER, ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OVER AND WAS HELPING ME POUR WATER TO REDUCE THE DAMAGE OF THE FIRE.NO ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON OR ANY OTHER WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE FIRE AND I HAD MY RECENTLY OIL CHANGE.
Engine, Aug 22, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHSTAR MITSUBISHI PARTS (41-05 34TH ASTORIA, NY 11101) AND AWAITING KIA INSPECTOR FOR A DIAGNOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Engine, Aug 5, 2019
ON 03/29/2019 WAS TRAVELING TO WORK. ON INTERSTATE 53 SOUTHBOUND CAR WENT TO LIMP MODE. NO POWER. MANAGED TO GET TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TRIED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR 1 MONTH AFTER THEY TOLD ME THAT ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED THEY MANAGED TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS. AFTER 1 MONTH IT WAS DONE. I TOOK CAR BACK. 1 OR 2 WEEKS LATER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. FILED A CLAIM WITH KIA AND BBB TO RESOLVE IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY HAD IN INSPECTIONS ON MY VEHICLE AS THEY STATED FROM KIA CALIFORNIA HQ AND FROM KOREA HQ WITH NO LUCK TO REPAIR IT. AS MANAGER TOLD ME THEY DONT HAVE ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX IT. WANT KIA TO BUYBACK MY VEHICLE AND LET ME GET AWAY FROM THIS LEASE WITH REIMBURSEMENT ON PAYMENTS BECAUSE CAR NOT IN MY POSESSION FOR 128 DAYS AND COUNTING. THEY SWITCHED ME 3 LONERS.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AND SIDE SENSORS FAILED TO IDENTIFY TWO PEOPLE WALKING PAST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNSET KIA OF AUBURN (3401 AUBURN WAY N, AUBURN, WA 98002, (855) 474-9626) WHO STATED THAT THE SENSORS WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,356.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 5, 2019
TAKARA RECALL VEHICLE POWER DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MOTION THEN POWERED BACK UP WITHOUT ME TURNING THE IGNITION.WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 31, 2019
WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE CAN ON. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK, BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THIS WAS/IS A NEW CAR. I HAVE LESS THAN 19K MILES ON MY CAR. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. THE MAX THAT I COULD DRIVE WAS 60 MPH. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. SO I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO INFORMED ME THAT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY THAT THEY HAS PLACE A SAFTEY FEATURE ON MY CAR TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM BLOWING UP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THERE IS POSSIBLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, HOWEVER, THEY ARE STARTING OUT BY CHANGING THE WIRING FIRST. I CAN NOT EXPLAIN HOW DIFFERENT THIS DRIVES SINCE THE WIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED. IT IS THE WORST DRIVE. THE CAR IS VERY LOUD IT DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED WHEN IT SHOULD AND IT DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AS FAST AS IT USE TO. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND SEEMINGLY EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS, THE CAR GETS WORST. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A NEW/USED KIA AGAIN.
Seat belts, May 31, 2019
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT. OFTEN TIMES THE ALARM GOES OFF WHEN NO ONE IS SEATING IN THE SEAT ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SIT IT OVERLY LOCKS NO MATTER THE SPEED OF THE CAR, THUS CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HAVE TO UNDO AND REDO THE SEAT BELT WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT BELT HAS ITS OWN MIND.
Power train, May 7, 2019
2018 KIA 12,000 MILES HAD RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY GETTING ON INTERSTATE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY SPEED AT TIME WAS PROBABLY 60 MPH CANT PUSH THE GAS CAR JUST STALLS 18 WHEELER BEHIND BLOWING HORN I PULL CAR TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE GOT CAR TO CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP I ASK WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY STATED THEY USE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR BUT NOW THEY JUST PUT A PART CALLED A HARNESS ON IT PART WAS NOT IN THEY HAVE TO KEEP CAR SEVERAL DAYS
Structure, Mar 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC AROUND THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THEN A RUSH OF AIR INTO THE DRIVER/PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THANKFULLY I HAD THE INTERIOR SHADE (PANEL) CLOSED AND WAS NOT RIDDLED WITH BROKEN GLASS.
Power train, Jan 30, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 4 MONTHS AND 3800 MILES WHILE DRIVING ST LOCAL STREETS, KIA DEALERS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.