209 of the
10,355 complaints filed about the KIA Optima
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
209
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
4
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
Window falls into the door. The rear two windows have been repaired 3 times. They are currently both broken again along with the front drivers side. I currently have three windows being help up by tape. They are taped to the frame of the door to stop the window from falling into the door. I don't know why this wasn't a recall. I see there is a TSB BOD300. The dealership repaired once but never informed me about the known defect.
NHTSA complaint #11756816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows lowered unintendedly. Neither the dealer nor an independent was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance since the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11745895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was loud banging sound coming from the vehicle and there were shards of glass on the right elbow of the contact. No warning light was illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that the sunroof glass panel had shattered outward. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,500.
NHTSA complaint #11727038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
All window regulators failed before 100K miles. This does not allow for windows to open in case of emergency, This problem has been personally confirmed by dealer and also in service bulletin SA418. This is a common problem in this car make/model/year. This component has been known to the manufacturer for defect. No warning lights, just instant lack of window use.
NHTSA complaint #11691183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact pressed on the horn, and the horn failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, upon starting the vehicle and attempting to adjust the driver’s side mirror, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the side-view mirror motor. The contact stated that several days later, the abnormal clicking sound ceased, and the driver’s side mirror failed to function as intended. On a separate occasion, the passenger’s side mirror motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. Several days later, the clicking sound ceased and the passenger’s side mirror failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the sunroof, the motor failed to function as intended and the sunroof was half closed. The contact had to place a tarp over the sunroof to protect inside the vehicle from the elements. No warning lights were illuminated. Recently the vehicle received maintenance and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown part had failed in the engine. The contact was unsure what part of the engine had been replaced. The failure recurred, and the contact had safety concerns about the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11681327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather on several occasions, all four windows of the vehicle became intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11669700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is about paint damage on my Optima is a known factory paint defect.This factory paint defect, specifically paint delamination causes bubbling, peeling then flaking off in large chunks while driving, has been reported on 2015 KIA Optima with white pearl paint. The damages ares are exposed to the metal, subject to rust and corrosion. On 5/30/35 KIA in Ontario, Ca. Body Shop Manager Yvonne Ramirez inspected my vehicle and immediately confirmed the paint damages to the exterior of my vehicle is a known factory paint defect on 2015 Optima with white paint. Yvonne instructed me to contact Corporate KIA, report the case, receive a claim # then contact her to schedule an appointment for the repair. On June 3, 2025 KIA reopened case number [XXX] originally reported on June 11, 2024. No claim # issues, no repairs made. Safety Concern: The paint damage has affected both sides of the adhesive inside the glass securing the windshield. This is a nation wide problem. Owners have documented and continue to keep reporting this problem to KIA, NHTSA, AutoLine and BBB. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed against KIA in USA and Canada. This is also happening to Toyota, Honda & Subaru. It’s basically all the car manufacturers who are using this pearl white paint. The amount of Optima owners dealing with the massive rapidly spreading paint defect to their vehicle is over whelming. December 2023 my 2015 KIA Optima SXT Pearl White beautiful exterior paint began to bubble, peel, flake followed by large chunks of paint falling off even while driving. This started on the roof top right and left of the rear window. February 2024 - the same paint damages started on the right and left sails/pillars next to the front wind shield and is causing damage, bubbling and spreading through out the left and right side of the glass. It is a safety concern. March 2025 - the same paint damage started on the top right truck with huge chunks of paint falling off while driving.HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF
NHTSA complaint #11667571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driver’s side window. The contact discovered that the glass had shattered. The contact stated that the Police Department advised her to contact the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, not the Insurance Company. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a manufacturing defect. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected or repaired. diagnoses. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,009.
NHTSA complaint #11650912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to operate properly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Good Year Service Center where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery, alternator, and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, several miles later the engine seized. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that all four windows shattered, and the window regulators were replaced several times. The contact stated that the front driver’s and front passenger’s side windows had shattered, and moisture entered the cabin of the vehicle during inclement weather. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an undisclosed NHTSA recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,889.
NHTSA complaint #11646501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the defroster, the defroster failed to active to defrost the windshield. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the heated steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side heated seats were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11635862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2015 Kia Optima has always had issues with the passenger side window getting stuck. Apparently there was a technical service bulletin, and recalls for the 2016 model but not 2015. My son was driving the vehicle the window got stuck and then shattered into 3 pieces. This is a HUGE safety issue and KIA does not want to take any accountability for this. A recall needs to be issued immediately to protect people from shattering glass!!!!! I did open up a case with KIA and so far NOTHING case#[XXX]. Meanwhile my car has been sitting at Beck and Masten Kia in Tomball waiting to be repaired. Why must we pay for this when I complained for months it was a problem and my warranty just expired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT safe. Please issue recall and investigate immediately! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11624006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both the driver’s side and passenger’s side windows opened independently without the driver or occupant input, and the windows failed to roll up while depressing the window switches. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,600.
NHTSA complaint #11617161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
All 4 of my windows regulators went out within a week without any warning the two front windows went down and I can’t get them back up the two back windows are up but I have something holding them up which is dangerous because I can’t put the child lock on for my children because I can’t let the windows in case I have to get them out
NHTSA complaint #11612950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows and the rear driver’s side and passenger’s side windows were inoperable and would not open or close. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the window regulators for each window had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The contact also stated that the exterior door handles on the front and rear passenger’s side doors had fractured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11609924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and auto high-beam warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the four windows failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #11605865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that on four occasions while the vehicle was parked and the window switches were depressed on all the windows, the windows failed to roll up or roll down as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side window regulator had become dismantled, allowing the glass to move up and down. The contact was informed that the window regulator and panel assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired each time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
NHTSA complaint #11603344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine, with the check engine, oil, and battery warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that all four windows failed to function properly and failed to roll up. The dealer was contacted; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
NHTSA complaint #11592256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal noise. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. The windshield was fogging up. The engine warning light was illuminated and turned on and off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11575468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the driver's side window was not functioning. After which, all the windows in the vehicle failed to operate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with all four window regulators. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11570761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.