842 of the
10,355 complaints filed about the KIA Optima
are about the other systems —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
Entire vehicle got burned while driving on the highway, the car is available at the impound shop for inspection. I was driving the car on the highway during the hours of rush hour when the car started burning, there were many drivers around on the other lanes. The NY Fire Department battalion and the NYPD responded to the scene and we have reports. The car was inspected by the NY fire department and a KIA inspector. There were no lamps or any warnings signs nor messages of any problem or failure.
NHTSA complaint #11752134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.
NHTSA complaint #11749934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA Bulletin TSB BOD300 My KIA 2016 Optima Turbo has all four windows impacted by the defective gear. I've opened a case with KIA and it's case number 25563361. None of my windows roll up or down. This presents several very serious safety issues. The dealer has had my vehicle for over 2 weeks. Why has KIA not been forced to issue a recall on these defective gears?
NHTSA complaint #11750007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Code was on and off for a cylinder 2 misfire was off at this point (intermittent misfire) ecl was off car stalled out at 3rpms while driving, tiny puff of smoke once came from between the air intake and the engine, and also no crank no start but car has power. I’ve kept up with the oil changes every 3000 miles car had fluids in it and nothing looked bad all 4 spark plugs were burnt and i replaced them and still no success.
NHTSA complaint #11748217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had just stopped at stop sign and I turned right. My speed was approximately 40 mph and there was a LOUD POP. I immediately hit the brakes and had NO BRAKES. I got car off road and smoke was already coming from under hood. It caught fire immediately and burned up. Total loss . About 6 months prior to it burning I had a good bit of front end work done on it with bearing issues. Also put a new set of tires at same time . The coils and plugs were changed often because it would misfire. I purchased car July 2025. All my documents were burnt also .
NHTSA complaint #11747946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
My 2016 Kia Optima equipped with the 2.4L DOHC I4 GDI engine began to experience progressive and severe oil consumption during the latter part of my ownership. The oil warning light began activating repeatedly, even after shortly getting the oil changed. Several certified mechanics and oil change service stations told me this was an ongoing issue with this car and engine and that there was nothing I could do but monitor it and keep it filled. At their instruction, I monitored and had it changed more frequently, often topping it off at the oil change station and at home when needed. Approximately 2 weeks after an oil change upon putting the car in reverse it started to shake uncontrollably. The car was towed to a mechanic who stated I needed an engine. I then towed it to an authorized Kia franchise dealership where the technician documented the oil consumption complaint, confirmed a Cylinder 2 misfire code, performed a borescope inspection, and found the Cylinder 2 exhaust valve burnt with a chunk missing. Engine replacement was recommended by the Kia dealership technician. Prior to my purchase, the engine had already been replaced at approximately 80,000 miles under recall-related circumstances. The replacement engine installed by a Kia dealership subsequently failed, exhibiting symptoms consistent with the documented widespread defect affecting the 2.4L DOHC I4 GDI engine in 2016 Kia Optima vehicles, including severe oil consumption, cylinder misfire, and catastrophic internal engine damage confirmed via borescope at a Kia franchise dealership. Kia America denied the claim based solely on mileage despite the damage being confirmed by their franchise technician. My vehicle became unsafe to drive due to this engine instability shortly after starting before becoming fully inoperable. My vehicle has been non-operational for approximately 5 months. Kia has not provided a substantive written determination despite a formal written demand submitted in March 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11744531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My transmission failed the week I got it it was inspected by the dealership and I was told that they could not do anything about it I’ve been calling them for a whole year I’ve made notes and complaints I’ve contacted my lender they contacted the dealership to trade me in a new car and was told no I have been out of thousands of dollars paying every month I’ve been ubering I’ve been late to work this is costing me money and my job is on the line
NHTSA complaint #11743522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2018 Kia Optima Dealer Ed Voyles Kia Smyrna began Recall SC340. Vehicle drove in running. Dealer flashed ECM software, discovered non-original engine/ECU. Vehicle now won’t start. Dealer document states 'will not start after recall.' Dealer refuses to restore to running condition citing prior repairs. This violates 49 USC 30120
NHTSA complaint #11743257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had a engine replacement under Pi1803 they gave me the vechile back w active abs light exuast leak and damaged click spring refused ti look at till I paid dx fee this all appeared the day I went to pick uo vechicle
NHTSA complaint #11743061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car returned P1326 and had multiple misfires and audible knocking, the dealers will indeed fight the already existing class action warranties. Was sent home and told to “drive the fuck out of it”, to which the car did not make it home and blew gasoline into my cabin while driving on the highway. Almost passed out, and am still fighting Kia to actually address the defective rod bearings. I personally would fight tooth and nail over a 5 dollar problem, but this is something they do nationwide and can cause serious injury or death. If it weren’t a 200 LB man driving the gasoline shooting into the cabin would absolutely cause a knockout. To the time of this report they are still trying to disregard the rod bearing issue and send me home with fixes to problems caused consequentially.
NHTSA complaint #11742694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had a engine replaced 1600 miles ago delarsship advised it was ok to drive gave me a vechicle back with abs light tracation control light on along with a exuast leak
NHTSA complaint #11742371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The clock spring keeps failing which is causing the air bag light to remain on; the horn to not work; various functions of the dashboard; and steering wheel heat.
NHTSA complaint #11740909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While accelerating onto the highway in my 2016 Kia Optima 2.4L, the vehicle suddenly lost all engine power without warning. The vehicle would no longer accelerate and I was forced to coast and brake to safety. Immediately after the engine shut off, the check engine light, oil light, and battery light illuminated on the dashboard. After the incident, the vehicle would not restart or crank at all. The electrical systems, dashboard lights, and chimes still function normally, and the battery is new. The vehicle had proper oil level at the time of failure. No warning signs were present prior to the sudden loss of power. This failure created a serious safety hazard because it occurred during highway acceleration and left the vehicle unable to maintain speed or move out of traffic safely. Based on the symptoms and sudden engine shutdown, I am concerned this may be related to the known Theta II engine issues associated with Kia Optima vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11739772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Issue 1: High oil consumption in the engine due to poor engine design, according to the auto repair center. 5 quarts of oil are added to the engine once every 2-3 weeks. All oil leaks were previously repaired, but oil is still burning off. Issue 2: The engine has misfired more than once, with a puff of smoke coming out of the exhaust. Issue 3: Twice in the past 1.5-2 years, multiple spark plugs have failed, causing a breakdown. This is a Theta II engine, but it is not in the class action settlement.
NHTSA complaint #11738122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car is consuming oil every three weeks. Engine is going to burn if it does not stop. It’s not in a class action but probably should be. It’s been 4 months and over 1,000 spent.
NHTSA complaint #11737059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.