UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning
NHTSA complaint #11750963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
41 of the 318 complaints about the 2019 KIA Optima are about the other systems — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 10,479 miles.
41
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning
NHTSA complaint #11750963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown was just driving to go to my husband to work and it came on when I was coming back home and when I went to pick my husband up from work and was stopped at a stop sign the lights came back on
NHTSA complaint #11750563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on my car is delaminating. There are bubbles throughout the car and a few huge bubbles have popped and now the bare body is visible. I have called Kia corporate and they have denied my request to repaint the car. They are telling me that the is a three-year warranty on the paint. My car is only seven years old, and the paint should not peeling/bubbling. I have taken my car to a collision center, and they believe it is caused by a defective manufacturer paint. After looking online, it is a nationwide chronic problem with snow white pearl. Kia is totally aware of this and doesn't want to address the problem. I do know there are many lawsuits against Kia for this particular problem. I am seeking help to get this resolved. Pictures attached.
NHTSA complaint #11747405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Even after regular oil changes car requires an additional 4 bottles of oil every 2 weeks. Now the car is jumping and having a misfire.
NHTSA complaint #11728158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our car paint started peeling out of no where and very bad. I just found out that it is a manufacturing issue with the bonding of the paint.
NHTSA complaint #11725400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is bubbling and falling off in spots. This is ruining our trade-in value. The dealer says it always happens to white vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11713252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car was affected by emergency theft system locked car down when moving and caused airbags to deploy in which fractured my spine vertebra causing spinal fusion
NHTSA complaint #11708483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint peeling off hood.
NHTSA complaint #11707354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this vin. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. Please help
NHTSA complaint #11703873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased this car off the show room floor in 2019 with only 10 miles on it. At some point in 2022 my car was slow to accelerate. I received the recall letter September 16,2022. no appointments until 08/09/2023. It didn't help .It was still stalling two weeks after. I have talked to the manager numerous occasions. He said it sounds like the transmission. The parts manager told me he will keep it overnight so his mechanics can drive it the following morning. That didn't happen. This car is a safety hazard. I can't pull out in front of anyone due to the car stalling. My family like to have lost our lives this weekend 05/31/2025 due to the car failing to accelerate(stalling). I have filed complaints with KIA head quarters twice. They keep telling me that if there's no warning lights on they can't identify the problem. On 01/06/2025, the manager and parts manager agreed to keep my car for a couple of days. I paid for my oil change/tire rotation and they sent me on my way. the bottom line is this car will be the death of me. God forbid!!
NHTSA complaint #11664182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My paint job is peeling away. I can not even wash my car with out it flicking off.
NHTSA complaint #11662000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2019 kia that is garage low milage 35,757 when not driving. the paint had a spot of paint missing on the hood and i ordered touchup paint to protect and before it arrived i noticed a larger spot. I drove to town and a large spot flaked. I call the dealer and they said they didn't handle that. I called kia customer service and they said would write a work order and i haven't heard any thing from them. i have gone to computer to see if any recalls and none. there are a lot of complaints from owners but no help from Kia . I read an article from Kia that they had stopped using the pearl white paint due to so many complaints. This need to be address and something done. I took to a reputable body shop today and received estimate and it was not just my hood found spots on right fender and trunk with estimate of almost $4,000.00 . I can not make Kia repaint my car and i can not leave it to rust nor can i afford a new car. Canada did recalls on this matter the United States needs to stand up for the people of the United States.
NHTSA complaint #11659098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD CAR FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS STARTING ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OIL LEAKING ISSUE. I NOTICED WHEN STARTING CAR AND MADE SHAKING SOUND BOUGHT TO MECHANIC AND TOLD ME THE OIL LEAKED HAVE TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE DONE ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW SEPT 2024, FEB 2025, 03-14-25 AND THIS MORNING 03-23-25. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR BESIDES COSTS FOR REPAIRS. THANKS APPRECIATE ANY HELP. MY MECHANIC SAID WHEN ENGINE WAS BUILT NOT PUT IN STRAIGHT IN VEHICLE WONDERING IF THIS RELATED TO MY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11649988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
P1326 code. Check engine light flashing. Is in limp mode with limited power.
NHTSA complaint #11640243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On October 30th 2024, I purchased a 2019 Kia Optima from San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. On November 26th the car was stolen from in front of my house, while the alarm was activated and the key was in our possession. I went online to the Kia website to find some information and found that there was a recall on that vehicle to install an anti-theft device. San Diego Chrysler did not have this done. I contacted them in regards to that not being done and they replied that they offered me to purchase a GPS system. They don't seem to feel anything was done wrong but if a car has an open recall, it would seem that a dealer needs to have that done PRIOR to selling a car to a consumer who is unaware of the theft problem. I had the car for three weeks, lost my trade-in, deposit and still have it financed. Big conglomerates need to be held accountable.
NHTSA complaint #11629109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I currently have 119500 miles on my 2019 Kia Optima. I am losing oil somewhere between oil changes, and the car is beginning to hesitate while driving. I don't see oil on the ground but I have had to put in 2-3 1/2 quarts of oil way too often. For this to happen on some many vehicles, it must be a manufacturer defect. The hesitation just started and I'm taking it do get a diagnostic test. 11
NHTSA complaint #11589707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2019 Kia Optima whose paint is peeling off rapidly. The paint began peeling in a tiny spot that I thought was a chip from a rock but has now grown to several spots peeling all over. I first noticed this in 2020 I visited my dealer on January 2024 to no avail. Not only was their technician rude, but he also said the paint was not covered under KIA’s bumper to bumper warranty. I have bought the extended bumper to bumper warranty at the dealer. I’ve owned several cars in my life and have never had this problem with any of them. I currently own a 2003 Toyota whose paint is in much better condition than my 2019 Kia. I believe this is a factory defect with this paint color and would like you to further investigate and help to restore my KIA so that the peeling stops. I’m attaching several photos for your review. The color is Snow White Pearl.
NHTSA complaint #11580864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Clear coat paint is peeling rapidly on the driver side door. This is the only affected area and this car has never been in an accident, so it’s the original manufactured part. Car has 59K miles on it
NHTSA complaint #11575160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I like kids however I purchased a Kia used in 2021, I started to notice that all consumption was going out fast before oil changes was due. I still have this ongoing problem but they say there's no recall on these GDI motors however other people I see informs or experiencing the same issues. I now have to try to get an appointment with Kia for an oil change before it's time for the oil change and to do a oil consumption test and then hopefully the main factors or kia will replace this motor even though there's no warranty on the car. I might also have a issue with the front collision feature because I have been noticing in the past few weeks that this feature comes on even when there's no car in front of me it will start to break however it says that my car is not a part of a software upgrade so I got to ask them about that as well. There is definitely a issue with the GDI motors and Kia really needs to recall them all and replace the motors it should not burn all the way that it does I've never had any car of any brand or manufacturer burn oil the way that this car is burning oil. I cannot financially afford to go out here and trade this car in and get another car with the type of payment that I have for this car since I had my bank finances car.
NHTSA complaint #11575062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle safety immobilizer is not present as a result vehicle cannot be insured in the state of ct
NHTSA complaint #11570626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since I have had the vehicle I have had to have multiple Spark Plugs and Engine Coils replaced, literally every 4-6 months. One diagnosis said there was a problem with the motor, when I told Kia, they did not come back with the same diagnosis, well they sort of did, but did not noter it as an issue. Also, my car burns oil way too fast. I'm having to put in 2-23 quarts every 2-3 weeks. I have been told that the GDI motors are the culprit for this. Have even heard Hyundai had a enough complaints and has recalled the motor, but Kia did not, so we are still running around here paying excessive amounts on oil and repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11550425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It’s a 2019 KIA optima the color is snow pearl white and it is peeling off. the car only has 31262 miles on it it’s peeling on top at the windshield
NHTSA complaint #11539924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABS light came on for no apparent reason and took car to Kia dealership and was told it needs ABS Issue: “Your car is going to need an ABS Actuator, this controls how the ABS modulates the brakes when under dangerous braking conditions so that your brakes don't lock up..$2676.56 just for that repair if you'd like us to replace it” and I searched online and do see that some 2019 Kia models had a recall for this very issue, but my VIN is not showing up as affected. The lights came on about 6 mos ago, cleared and then came back on again. Car is at Moritz KIa in FW, TX right now.
NHTSA complaint #11503896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on the roof of the 2019 Kia Optima is peeling back. Also, have paint that has let go around the hood. I inquired at the dealer at around 40,000 miles. The employee said that the paint was only warranted through the first 36,000 miles. I drive a lot of miles to work, and this was within the first year I purchased the vehicle. The employee said that the pearl white color was the one color that they saw the most complaints with the paint.
NHTSA complaint #11488374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is chipping on the right side of the vehicle it is through the primer.
NHTSA complaint #11482606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As soon as I pulled onto the parkway, I heard a loud bang almost like a gunshot. Pulled over to inspect the vehicle and my sunroof had exploded. No rocks or foreign objects. The sunroof looked as if it blew up from the inside out forming almost a “volcano” shape. After trying for an hour to get ahold of Kia, they inform me this won’t be covered under warranty. Filed a claim with insurance. This is very dangerous and if my visor was opened, I could have been cut to pieces. This could easily cause a wreck and danger myself and others
NHTSA complaint #11479279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The skid plate under the vehicle has two pieces. The main larger piece and a small piece that comes off to change the oil. The screws used to hold up the smaller part of the skid plate tend to puncture the oil pan because one of the screws holding the skid plate is directly underneath the oil pan. If people are unaware of the oil being gone it can seize the motor and stall the vehicle. After researching and looking at different forums, this is a common issue that takes place.
NHTSA complaint #11479201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had my AC have 4 problems now and continue to have different problems since I bought the car a little over 6 mo ago. KIA is a pain and I'm constantly taking my vehicle in. The first time it wasn't major, the second time it was something electrical with the AC that tore apart my whole dashboard. Now I have a mold and mildew smell in my car and water leaking excessively under my car. My daughter who is 5 yrs old hasn't had ac for multiple weeks and now we are inhaling mold and mildew. I changed the cabin filter that was in the car and it had water stains all over it. This is a safety concern for the health of me and my child and I want things made right. My lawyer has been contacted and will proceed if nothing is done.
NHTSA complaint #11473779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Refer to all the complaints of the pearl white paint flaking. I am filing another complaint and the dealership is not helping. Please help! https://www.google.com/search?q=kia+pearl+white+paint+recall&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS970US971&oq=kia+perl+white+pai&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i13l2j0i22i30l7.6591j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
NHTSA complaint #11447746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Optima SXL, 2019, 5,678 miles. When using the air conditioning, liquid on passenger side fills up on my mate about 1/2 inch. Took to dealer Three times. States the hose gets clogged and they have to clear this. Now car starting to smell like mold/mildew. Rug is getting wet. They did not want to detail the call. Service person tells me to bring it back and they will unclog it. But I want it fix not keep coming back to unclog the hose. They stated this happens all the time. This sees to be a problem to me. It’s a New Vehicle. What can I do?
NHTSA complaint #11442026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.