108 of the 10,355 complaints filed about the KIA Optima are about the driver-assist systems — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2019.
108
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
16
Crashes
0
Fires
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning
NHTSA complaint #11750963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning
NHTSA complaint #11750963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Engine replacement needed at 99,782 miles. P1326 code continuously popping up. Also has excessive oil consumption and electrical problems concerning the forward collision system. Kia refuses to replace engine although the P1326 code is covered by lifetime warranty. The cause of the incident was defect in engine resulting in a recall of all 2011-2019 models. The 2020 Kia optima LX contains a 2.4L GDI engine which has identical problems relating to previous lawsuits.
NHTSA complaint #11743902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I was driving down the highway when I kinda noticed speed changed. ABS lights, foreword collision light, and rear end lights, so I turned around went back home. I rarely drive my car and I never had any problems with it. I purshased it brand new.
NHTSA complaint #11743068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving down the highway when I kinda noticed speed changed. ABS lights, foreword collision light, and rear end lights, so I turned around went back home. I rarely drive my car and I never had any problems with it. I purshased it brand new.
NHTSA complaint #11743068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving down the highway when I kinda noticed speed changed. ABS lights, foreword collision light, and rear end lights, so I turned around went back home. I rarely drive my car and I never had any problems with it. I purshased it brand new.
NHTSA complaint #11743068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Brake pedal loses pressure and disengages with brakes. Traction light, maintenance light, hybrid system warning message, check brakes message and parking brake intermittently turns on and off. I called Kirby Kia of Ventura a few weeks ago and let them know about my issue with the car. I explained that I took the car to a mechanic and the diagnostic they did stated the issue with the car could be because of one of the recalls. On 4/10/26 I took my vehicle to Kirby Kia of Ventura for the recalls and asked if they could do the diagnostic. Raul from Kia was the service rep that spoke with me. He stated they would do the recalls and then, if needed, they would perform the diagnostic. Later that day Raul called me and stated the recalls were completed and no issues were found. Several items were found from Kia's point inspection, but none related to the issue at hand. I then asked Raul if they could perform the diagnostic to know what was wrong with my car and he stated that they could do the diagnostic on Monday, 4/13/26. Raul stated he would give me a call around 10 to 11 am, to discuss any issues. Raul called at 10:49 am, and stated no lights on the dashboard have come on and he didn't want to do the diagnostic because the lights weren't on. Kirby Kia of Ventura service department are crooks and only want to assist you if they get money out of you. My car still has the same issue, possibly damage to the HECU from the recall, but Kirby Kia didn't want to run the diagnostic on my car to find out if it was damaged. Kirby Kia of Ventura is a horrible organization and I will never purchase another Kia vehicle for this reason.
NHTSA complaint #11730927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Nothing
NHTSA complaint #11719898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The car is experiencing the same problem reported on technical service bulletin SA187 (Blind spot detection (BSD) system logic improvement (SA 187)) BUT KIA states my VIN number is not listed under the service bulletin and therefore I have to pay $189 to get a software upgrade done. The "Check BSD system" illuminated in the instrument cluster has been cleared twice by my mechanic and still comes back after a few days. To me this issue should have been made a recall because of its criticality... the BSD system is a core safety feature of cars and reduces accidents substantially. There was no way for me to know my car has this problem unless it is made a recall. I have NOT had any accident related to this issue but i had to pick an incident date to complete this complaint. I have called KIA customer service at 1-800-333-4542 twice to find out whether the VIN number should be included in the service bulletin and the answer was no and whether i should report this to NHTSA with the possibility that certain VIN numbers were left out of the service bulletin in error. No answer as to what to do to investigate this was given by KIA. That's why i'm reporting this on here. The service bulletin has been attached to this complaint. My question to NHTSA is whether certain vehicles were left out of the service bulletin in error and whether the manufacturer is liable for the repair at no cost to the consumer. If NHTSA finds out the manufacturer is liable will you notify them to pay on a case per case basis or will you make this service bulletin a recall? Again this is SAFETY HAZARD that can cause crashes and accidents. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11707481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The car is experiencing the same problem reported on technical service bulletin SA187 (Blind spot detection (BSD) system logic improvement (SA 187)) BUT KIA states my VIN number is not listed under the service bulletin and therefore I have to pay $189 to get a software upgrade done. The "Check BSD system" illuminated in the instrument cluster has been cleared twice by my mechanic and still comes back after a few days. To me this issue should have been made a recall because of its criticality... the BSD system is a core safety feature of cars and reduces accidents substantially. There was no way for me to know my car has this problem unless it is made a recall. I have NOT had any accident related to this issue but i had to pick an incident date to complete this complaint. I have called KIA customer service at 1-800-333-4542 twice to find out whether the VIN number should be included in the service bulletin and the answer was no and whether i should report this to NHTSA with the possibility that certain VIN numbers were left out of the service bulletin in error. No answer as to what to do to investigate this was given by KIA. That's why i'm reporting this on here. The service bulletin has been attached to this complaint. My question to NHTSA is whether certain vehicles were left out of the service bulletin in error and whether the manufacturer is liable for the repair at no cost to the consumer. If NHTSA finds out the manufacturer is liable will you notify them to pay on a case per case basis or will you make this service bulletin a recall? Again this is SAFETY HAZARD that can cause crashes and accidents. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11707481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I just recently purchased my 2019 Kia optima sx turbo. After purchase, I immediately began experiencing issues with the braking system and the forward collision warning light coming on. The cruise control stopped working as well. I googled and saw that there was a recall on the forward collision warning system but the local Kia dealership to me says there is not one. I almost had a head on collision in this car with my granddaughter coming from daycare as I completely lost brakes. I have put so much money into purchasing this car believing it to be a good car.
NHTSA complaint #11699647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts jerked. The car stuutered and shut off and every light on the dashboard went insane. I purchased the car with 34 miles on it. Now…fast forward I’ve been having the car engine check, consumption oil tests performed and more since 60xxx miles or so. I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do with returning the car for testing and every time I’m told I just need to wait until the engine fails. They clean the engine up make it look pretty after the second test and run some cleaner through then I’m back in a couple of weeks to months for the same thing. The engine valve cover has been replaced many times, spark plugs keep going out, and a ton more engine work that was done under warranty. Brain the service man told both me and my husband it’s what we have TJ deal with, at Suntrup, and doesn’t matter if I’m driving or not wait until the engine blows before Kia can replace the full engine. He said if you’re outta warranty that’ll be your issue. Well when I talked to Kia they said I better not drive it that way, with no oil in the car regardless how it’s brining and keep taking it in. But Bryan every time seems to not want to deal with it. Test after test and he said i just need TJ fault before we replace it. The service department has deemed this a bad engine ever trip. But I’m told it MUST PASS KIA TEST. However, I’m 7,000 miles outta warranty now and I’m praying they cover it because I did everything I’m supposed to do. I have every record however, Lou Fuze has failed to reproduce my records and I’ve requested them by text many times.
NHTSA complaint #11688705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts jerked. The car stuutered and shut off and every light on the dashboard went insane. I purchased the car with 34 miles on it. Now…fast forward I’ve been having the car engine check, consumption oil tests performed and more since 60xxx miles or so. I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do with returning the car for testing and every time I’m told I just need to wait until the engine fails. They clean the engine up make it look pretty after the second test and run some cleaner through then I’m back in a couple of weeks to months for the same thing. The engine valve cover has been replaced many times, spark plugs keep going out, and a ton more engine work that was done under warranty. Brain the service man told both me and my husband it’s what we have TJ deal with, at Suntrup, and doesn’t matter if I’m driving or not wait until the engine blows before Kia can replace the full engine. He said if you’re outta warranty that’ll be your issue. Well when I talked to Kia they said I better not drive it that way, with no oil in the car regardless how it’s brining and keep taking it in. But Bryan every time seems to not want to deal with it. Test after test and he said i just need TJ fault before we replace it. The service department has deemed this a bad engine ever trip. But I’m told it MUST PASS KIA TEST. However, I’m 7,000 miles outta warranty now and I’m praying they cover it because I did everything I’m supposed to do. I have every record however, Lou Fuze has failed to reproduce my records and I’ve requested them by text many times.
NHTSA complaint #11688705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While I was drive these warning lights came on as you in the picture there are no signs of a crash. I have took my car in for service at Kia of Bradley for them to reset my system on 7/01/2025 and they have came back on and they would not go off. I feel like this is a recall on my Kia Optima 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11671304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While I was drive these warning lights came on as you in the picture there are no signs of a crash. I have took my car in for service at Kia of Bradley for them to reset my system on 7/01/2025 and they have came back on and they would not go off. I feel like this is a recall on my Kia Optima 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11671304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
While I was drive these warning lights came on as you in the picture there are no signs of a crash. I have took my car in for service at Kia of Bradley for them to reset my system on 7/01/2025 and they have came back on and they would not go off. I feel like this is a recall on my Kia Optima 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11671304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My vehicle is experiencing engine issues consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defects — including rod bearing failure piston rings engine stalling, I understand that Kia has offered extended warranty coverage through the engine defect settlement, provided the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update was installed before failure. I am unsure whether this update has been applied and would like to confirm my eligibility. I respectfully request: 1.Confirmation of KSDS update installation on my VIN 2.A review of my eligibility for engine inspection and coverage under the extended warranty 3.Assistance with coordinating service and coverage at my local dealership (LeBlanc Kia, New Iberia, LA) I am the second owner of this vehicle and want to ensure I am treated fairly under the known warranty extension guidelines. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your prompt response.
NHTSA complaint #11669359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Engine seizures.
NHTSA complaint #11668635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.