NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Optima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Pealing paint on hood and along windshield area
The contact's ex husband owned a 2013 Kia Optima .The contact stated while her ex-husband was driving at an undetermined speed a 2009 Jeep Liberty cross the center line and crashed into the vehicle. The driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. There was a report of the driver being located leaning towards the front passenger seat. The air bags deployed. The seat belt was extended and locked but, was torn. The contact stated the driver of the Jeep was intoxicated however there were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
My oil light has been coming on and blinking then disappearing. Current on oil change and oil level is full on dipstick. Noticed little oil stain on driveway but oil level remains good and full. A couple times now my car has lost acceleration. One time on the highway and once in my neighborhood. When I press the gas it does not accelerate. It will lose speed and after a few times of stepping on the gas will eventually get to speed.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. The contact slowly pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. Several days later the vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. Due to the dealer being short staffed, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,581.
Engine began making very loud noised while driving on an expressway. Pulled off of the road and engine would not start. Had to get towed to a local repair shop. I found out that my engine is blown. There have been recalls on the Theta II engine, but, mine was not involved in the recall. There are many reports of these engines that were not involved with the recall having MAJOR issues. Please investigate further into these engines.
Driving down highway and lost engine power. The gas engine seized up causing the vehicle to stop suddenly. Towed to Kia and the said the engine is seized up.
We believe the connecting rod bearing in the engine is bad and needs to be replaced. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When the engine failure occurred, luckily we were in a neighborhood and not traffic because the engine speed was drastically reduced and the vehicle failed to accelerate in a reasonable manner. The vehicle has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, but a home computer diagnostic was done on the vehicle giving a "Cylinder 3" misfire code. The vehicle has not been seen by anyone other than the owners of the vehicle, we are currently in the process of trying to get an appointment with a kia dealership. There were no warnings prior to the failure, but as soon as the failure occurred, the check engine light turned on and was blinking.
I understand this will not sound like a safety issue, as I felt the same initially, but it is. My paint has been peeling off my Kia Optima for almost two years and sometimes the paint comes off in little pieces and other times it peels off in 6-12 inch sheets. Paint will come off during driving and while being washed. When driving the paint will fly to the back of my car and land of the ground, looks like snow is flying thru air. I have had safety issues to date. First tIme was on my way to work and a large section of paint came up from the bottom of the windshield area and stuck to my windshield. Not only did it scare me, but it blocked my vision.windshield wipers would not move it. I had to quickly pull over to remove it. Second time the same thing happened, but it landed on the windshield of the car behind me. I was unaware it happened until they pulled up next to me at the red light and got out of their vehicle to yell at me and removed the paint sheet. I understand this might not sound serious, but when something comes flying out of nowhere and lands on your windshield blocking your sight it is quite terrifying. I am not sure if this has happened to others with my same paint defect, but I know by researching my paint defect over the past two years, there are thousands of complaints on the internet about paint peeling off. When I contacted Kia in 2019 (corporate in Irvine, Ca), they informed me it was definitely a paint defect that originated during the painting process. Since there was not a recall isued, they were not going to pay for the car to be re-painted. At that time only the top of my car was affected, but now the majority of my car is losing paint. At this time I am wanting Kia to pay to have the car repainted, refund the cost of the vehicle or provide a credit to put towards a new car. At this point my vehicle is basically worthless because I can't sell it as is and trading it in results in me only getting approximately 30% of what the value is.
Car was parked in the driveway we had been home for over 2 hours. Everyone was just about falling asleep, someone knocked on the door and ringing our door bell that our car was on fire. she had called the police and fire department was dispatched. we moved our other vehicle and tried to prevent the house from being damaged by the fire. Fire fighters arrived and it took them about 15 20 min to out out the fire. They blew smoke out of the house and the garage and checked the temperature reading on the car to make sure all the fire was put out. Front end was engulfed in fire. The fire had to be cause by an electrical issue. The safety or the safety was effected by the threat of fire to the people in the home in the unit and the neighbors and the animals in the garage at the time of the fire. Kids were asleep in the home if no one would have told us it would have been too late. It has not caused emotional anxiety for kids and pets in the home. minor damage to home and driveway. Kia has a recall causing the exact issue but this car has not been added to the list. The car has only been inspected by insurance agent and fire department the night of. There was no warning light or any messages given before the fire.
Rod Bearing caused the engine to Cease , my Car was at Ray Skillman from 6/28/21 diagnosed 7/28/21 KIA denied claim, after all recalls have been performed on vehicle. Engine still should've been under warranty to replace engine a 2nd time. Engine replaced 3/2015 at 38,905 before recall in 2017 ceased 6/28/2021 we had towed to Dealership Able to get to safety on side of interstate 65 could've been a bad situation on highway if in middle of road No lights or warnings came on prior to car stalling
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when driving at 73 mph the engine stalled. The contact stated all lights illuminated on the instrument panel while the failure occurred. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the dealer did not perform a diagnostic yet. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia OPTIMA. The contact stated that their vehicle was included in a recall for the engine. The contact had received a recall notice regarding a fuel tube in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer in June who reportedly completed the recall. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph when they began to smell a strong fuel odor. After, parking they noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the same tube mentioned in the recall was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and offered a one-time courtesy repair however, the parts were on backorder. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact would be able to restart the vehicle soon after the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the fuel injectors. Upon driving the vehicle home at 50 MPH, the contact's wife stated that the vehicle shut off again without warning. Despite the failure, his wife was able to restart the vehicle and drive home without incident. The next day, the contact called the dealer to notify them of the failure and they informed him that it may take some time to repair the vehicle due to the cleaning of the fuel injectors. The contact stated that the failure persisted despite the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was driving on the highway and all of my dash lights came on and my car just cutt off. My engine light had never been on before that. After letting my car sit for awhile it turned back on but kept losing power and my engine would make a knocking noise. Took it to a car shop they told me they contacted the kia dealership and they said i had a recall on my engine and it would be replaced when i got there they said they dont know who i talked to but that wasnt true. The car shop said that my engine was eating oil. I would run out of oil quickly but it wasnt an oil leak.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was replaced four years ago. The contact stated that the engine had not been running correctly since the engine was replaced. The contact stated that the engine was overheating, and there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that most recently the head gasket failed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the same dealer several times. The contact stated that the dealer had the vehicle towed back to the residence and declined perform any further repairs. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,997.
While driving as normal on the way home the engine stalled and would not pick up as I was getting on the highway with traffic behind me. I was able to get on and begin doing 50-55mph getting good onto the highway and pick up speed trying to get to 60mph never got to go past 55 as the car slowed down instead of picking up speed. EVERY warning light popped up onto the dash as I panicked to get off the highway unable to pick up speed and move out of the way of flying cars it slowed down to a complete stop I had just made it off the highway onto the side of the highway with cars flying by the grace of God my kids were not with me. I was not able to start the car up and had no idea as to why it happened I had no issues with my car and just brought it from Crown dealership not even a full 2 years of having the car. It was confirmed by a licensed mechanic that the engine is gone and no known reason as to why. The manufacture states it is beyond warranty as the car was purchased from crown they keep telling me to call and speak to Kia. Kia states it has no recall because of my VIN. I am not the first and not last to have this unexpectedly happen. I keep the up oil changes, tune ups, new tires and more done. now to know the engine is gone an it is not my fault no help and additional 5,000 for repair I am still making payments on the car and can not even drive it. I could have died on the road or highway due to the car just stopping on it own while driving the warning lights didn't come on until after the car was done going. I had no choice but to get over quick still risking to get hit and unable to do or know anything. This is crazy how you can take car of the car and not be able to do anything other than pay more on the car that was not even close to the total being added on now. The lawsuit filed I should have called for help because now I am stuck and blessed not to be hurt or killed due to this issue.
The body paint is delaminating and coming off so fast. Every auto body shop I go to says its a manufacturer error. This isn’t okay. I know many other kia optima cars doing that same for the same year. I have many pictures to provide. I shouldn’t have to pay for a new paint job when it was a manufacturing error.
I have a 2013 Kia Optima EX, on the steering wheel, I hear a knocking sound while turning the wheel. I was informed that there was a recall for the rubber coupler replacement. I never received a recall letter from Kia Motors. I am very concerned about driving the vehicle because the sound is getting louder.
The paint on my PEARL WHITE optima is chipping like crazy!
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over safely. The check engine warning light was illuminated upon restarting. The vehilce was towed to an unknown location. The vehilce was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The dealer declined to repair the vehilce under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer who requested receipts for previous oil changes. The vehilce was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 77,611.
ON 5/27/2021 I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN SAFE TO PROCEED, I TURNED RIGHT. WITHIN TEN YARDS, THE CAR SLOWED, A "HYBRID SYSTEM MALUFUNTION" WARNING WAS DISPLAYED, AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. CAR TOWED TO KIA OF IRVINE, WHERE SAFETY PLUG ASSEMBLY, HYBRID BATTERY, AND COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE WERE PERFORMED, TOTAL COST TO ME $1,647.31. KIA TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DOCUMENT PS515 APPEARS TO STATE FUSE INSTALLED BY KIA ORIGINALLY IMPROPERLY RATED AT 125 AMP, AS IT IS REPLACED WITH 150 AMP FUSE. WHY IS THIS NOT A TSB, AND THUS A REPAIR COVERED BY WARRANTY?
2013 KIA Optima Pearl White Paint peeling and chipping off all around the windshield. May now cause rust and future instability to vehicle frame which could make it dangerous.
My 2013 Kia optima caught fire while I sitting idle in the vehicle in a parking lot outside of an establishment in May of 2021. I started my vehicle, and was finishing up a phone call when I noticed smoke coming from my hood. When I opened the hood to investigate flames shot up from my engine. I called 911 and fortunately the fire department was close and we're able to put out the fire quickly and no one was hurt. If it hadn't been for the phone conversation keeping my attention, I would have taken off normally and the outcome could of been seriously different. I'm not sure what happens when you are actively driving a car that engulfs in flames but I imagine it's not pretty. There was a open recall on my car for a low pressure fuel tube malfunction that was thought to cause fires. The Kia dealership denied I had an open recall asked me to remove car from facility or they would tow it . They were low on space. . They said that they wouldn't cover my car for any reason anyway because it doesn't have the original engine it came with. The engine was replaced by Kia because of engine defect and recall but the local dealership could not see this car history. Eventually I was able to get a case opened with the corporate office and an inspection was done. They still denied me and no one was on the same page as far as car history. Was given the run around. The inspection report and estimate I have contradict one another. They spent 6 to tell me my cars problem is not there fault. They are unable and willing to answer my questions about inconsistencies.
I was driving my car normal speed stop and go and suddenly my vehicle started to smoke and not soon after it was on fire I had my engine replace by keep the 1/21/21-1/31/21 so I’m wondering my why my car is nothing but a metal ashes
There is a strong gas smell from the car when I am driving. There is an open recall for certain cars of this year, make, and model, but my Vin specifically does not qualify for the recall. The recall is for a possible fuel line leak, which sounds exactly like what I have right now.
The factory paint job is delaminating and chipping. Its chipping in different parts. This is a problem because Kia didn’t let the primer sit well or because they didn’t even put primer. You can tell by the way the paint is delaminating.
VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL VERY FAST AND REVING UP UNCONTROLLABLY. WAS INFORMED LAST SUMMER OF A RECALL ON ENGINE. TOON VEHICLE TO KIA AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL WAY TOO FAST. VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY IN ONLY 1,000 MILES. WHEN I FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO HAVE KIA UPHOLD THE RECALL I WAS TOLD THAT THEY UPDATED THE RECALL 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT AND THEY WOULD NO LONGER FIX MY ENGINE DESPITE DISCOVERING THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION MALFUNCTION. HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE AND WAS TOLD BY KIA TO CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IF I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR DECISION. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE SINCE LAST SUMMER AND KEEP BEING TOLD THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US SOON. RECEIVED A CALL TODAY SAYING THAT I COULD PAY TO GET A NEW ENGINE AND THEN WHEN THEY FINALLY MAKE THE RECALL THEY WOULD PAY ME BACK IF THEY COULD PROVE THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF KIA
While driving the car on 5/14/2021, the warning light came on and in 30 seconds, the engine quit. The car was taken to Steve's Tech Senter, Foley, AL. The starter was replaced and still would not run. Steve told me the engine was seized up. I contacted Team Gunther Kia, Daphne, AL, and was told by Cassandra that the car was not under warranty because it had 130000 miles and I had missed the deadline on the recall notice. I have never been notified of a recall notice on the car at all. I did receive a Northern California District document telling me of a class action suit settlement (approximately one year ago). I had no problems with the car at that time and did nothing. There was a timeframe for reporting of 4/12/2021 to the their document which also stated that the engine warranty would be extended. I had no hint of a problem with the car until the engine seized on 5/14/2021.
This car uses a quart of oil approximately every 200-300 miles without fail. It burns out spark plugs, coils and has burnt out the catalytic converter. This started at around 125,000 miles, it now has 154,000. That is a lot of oil I’ve had to put in it.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while inside the vehicle with the engine idling smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene who extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No further information was available. The contact indicated that the failed engine was a replacement engine previously installed under a recall campaign. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Consumer had the car inspected and was told there was oil leakage but inspection states engine presented with oil inside. *JB
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITH THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN MCCRARY KIA OF HATTIESBURG (603 BROADWAY DR, HATTIESBURG, MS 39401) HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE THE RECALL DUE TO THE ECU NOT BEING UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,744.
Knock sensor part failure placing vehicle into limp mode, causing loss of power while on interstate.
The paint on my car is peeling off in sheets it is not adhering to the body. There is no way that I believe I can have it repainted because they would have to take all the existing paint off because even if they paint it over it it's not stuck to the body. There is no recall and I really think there should be. My paint is the white pearl paint like everyone else's who's peeling off.
THE HYBRID VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A 3-LANE STATE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO REST IN THE MIDDLE LANE BEHIND 4 VEHICLES WHEN THE DTC P1B25/P1B77 ' 125 AMP HV FUSE WAS BLOWN. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD TO MANY ONCOMING VEHICLES AND THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP. OTHER REPORTS FOUND ONLINE SEEM CONSISTENT WITH PS515 (REV 2, 02/28/2019) AND HAVE REPORTED TO STOP AND BECOME UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING.
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 Kia OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, SHE STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE WHEN SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS SERVICED UNDER AN UNKNOWN ENGINE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED 3 WEEKS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,466.
The low pressure fuel hose from the gas tank to the fuel pump located under the engine cover is leaking fuel. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia Dealership to determine the cause of the fuel leak. My safety and the safety of others were put in jeopardy due to the possibility of a fire or explosion from the leaking fuel line. The smell of gasoline was detected prior to the inspection from the Kia dealership
Car engine died while leaving stop sign. Towed to a mechanic, they said the motor was seized & it seemed to be a recall issue so had it towed to Kia dealership. Waited a few days & never heard anything so called the dealership & they said it was a recall issue but they were denying it. Called corporate, confirmed it was a recall, still denied replacing the engine
ENGINE OIL IS ALWAYS LOW EVEN AFTER ONE HOUR FROM TOPPING IT UP.
I have had my vehicle for 3 years. I have never has any problems with this vehicle. Almost two months ago, my vehicles engine seized while I was driving on the highway with my four children in the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, Tx. They went on to tell me that they have to fix the other recalls with the vehicle before they could summit anything about my engine which also has a recall on it. After 30 days of having my vehicle, they told me that they could not cover the recall on my engine because I have a salvage title. I was told by their own employee, that it should not matter if my vehicle has a rebuilt title or not. They are being very rude to me and refusing to get me over to higher people at the company as a result.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the local dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was covered under the NHTSA recall campaign number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANDEVERE KIA (328 W MARKET ST, AKRON, OH 44303) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,100.
2013 KIA OPTIMA SX TURBO. WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH ON A HWY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE ME LUNGE FORWARD TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. I SAW MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH AND WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I PRESSED THE KIA'S START BUTTON, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD ALL COME ON AND THERE WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF BURNT ELECTRICAL WIRES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. SCARY, TO SAY THE LEAST.
MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN DIAGNOSED IT SAYS TURBO BOOST POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT
2013 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 71K MILES. CAR HAD A VERY SLOW START. TROUBLE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD LEFT LIGHTS ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS SO THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. SEEMED OKAY SO DROVE HOME. NOTICES SLIGHT GASOLINE SMELL IN CABIN. NO MORE DRIVING THAT DAY. TOOK TO LOCAL SHOP. CODE READER CAME BACK AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED MANY WITH SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND A RECALL OR TWO AS WELL. VIN CHECK RETURNED NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A RECALL IN 2018 (SC 147) BUT 'PASSED THE TEST". SC 172 WAS ISSUED LATER FOR A CALL BACK OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAD ENGINES REPLACED UNDER SC 147 FOR A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PIPE ISSUE. I HONESTLY THINK MY OPTIMA IS CURRENTLY HAVING WHATEVER THE ISSUE WAS UNDER SC 147 BUT SINCE IT TESTED OKAY IN 2018 - OH WELL! SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2018, I GUESS I'M ON MY WAY TO AN ALMOST $1,000 REPAIR! SEEMS LIKE KIA SHOULD ALLOW GETTING THE ORIGINAL SERVICE CALL ISSUE LOOKED AT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE TO SEE IF IT IS NOW AN ISSUE. DISAPPOINTED.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH WHEN MY ENGINE LOSES POWER AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD TURN ON. I PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO TURN IT BACK ON UNSUCCESSFULLY. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD AND I OPENED IT UP TO SEE THE ISSUE. THE SMOKE BEGINS TO INCREASE AND IN A COUPLE IF MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH/AROUND THE ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ENCOUNTERED ENGINE FAILURE AND MY CAR COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 97 MILES.
WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP. LUCKILY HE WASNT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH LOTS OF VEHICLES. HE WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD BUT HAD TROUBLE PULLING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED UP. THIS IS A KNOWN RECALL ON KIA VEHICLES AND THE DEALERSHIP IS DENYING TO FIX IT. THERE IS AN OPEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR ENGINE FAILURE THAT WE WILL BE SIGNING.
THE CAR JUST SHUT-OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. THE CAR HAS 99,642 MILES ON IT. CAR WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS ESTABLISHED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND KIA IS NOT COVERING THE REPAIRS.
Large areas of paint are coming off of the vehicle. The system will not allow the 2mb JPG pictures to be added.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026