https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the KIA Optima. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 06:12:19 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2178011 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and the VIN was included in the recall; however, the manufacturer declined to honor the recall because the original owner of the vehicle had failed to respond to the recall notification. The local dealer was contacted. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2177685 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Paint is peeling off all over my car. I see this is a known issue with the white paint and nothing is being done about it. I have touched up a few spots but it is only getting worse https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2177583 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the highway and contacted the Highway Patrol for assistance. The contact associated NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EN https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2177584 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the highway and contacted the Highway Patrol for assistance. The contact associated NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EN https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2177780 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the knock sensor needed to be installed https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176795 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car coming from work and at the time. If I was in the car any longer than 5 more minutes it possibly could’ve been catastrophic. • All I know as of right now is that 5 days ago, it was escalated and I received a case number and a case manager 3 days ago. •The car has not been inspected https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176796 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car coming from work and at the time. If I was in the car any longer than 5 more minutes it possibly could’ve been catastrophic. • All I know as of right now is that 5 days ago, it was escalated and I received a case number and a case manager 3 days ago. •The car has not been inspected https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176797 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car coming from work and at the time. If I was in the car any longer than 5 more minutes it possibly could’ve been catastrophic. • All I know as of right now is that 5 days ago, it was escalated and I received a case number and a case manager 3 days ago. •The car has not been inspected https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176657 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving the Kia on the highway (in the passing lane on Route 93, Boston, MA), the hood of the car flew open and shattered the windshield. Prior to getting into the vehicle, there was no notification, warning light/display, that alerted to the hood or anything else not being 'closed', no rattling of the hood either. The hood blocked my entire vision with the exception of a small area below, https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176536 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The car seized operating, shut down with zero warnings. It has been a reliable car and maintained. We towed to a mechanic who said it was engine failure. Thankfully we had just exited off highway and on a side street when it became inoperable or it would have been detrimental. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176746 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, power loss, and failure while driving at 65 mph on a highway. The vehicle dropped into limp mode and I had to pull off the highway. The car required towing to the dealership as it would not drive safely. Diagnostics revealed a knock sensor error (P1326 code) and failing connecting ro https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176747 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, power loss, and failure while driving at 65 mph on a highway. The vehicle dropped into limp mode and I had to pull off the highway. The car required towing to the dealership as it would not drive safely. Diagnostics revealed a knock sensor error (P1326 code) and failing connecting ro https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2176153 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 67 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of drive power, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine and HEV warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact entered the vehicle settings, and the ECU message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was tak https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2175755 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle received an undisclosed engine repair. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The ma https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2175346 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My vehicle’s engine was previously approved for replacement under the lifetime engine warranty associated with the settlement, confirming that my vehicle falls within the covered class. However, I am now experiencing significant difficulty obtaining assistance regarding secondary damage that directly resulted from the engine failure, specifically the failure of the starter and related operability https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2175141 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I was driving in the highway doing about 80mph passing a semi truck when all of a sudden my vehicle went from 80 down to 50 mph and I was jerked forward. I thought I was rear ended but when I looked in my rear view mirror no cars were behind me. I looked down and noticed my engine light, battery light and oil light were on and turned down my music and could hear my engine was no longer running. Th https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174946 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a strong fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle then began to violently shake as the contact's niece began to exit the highway. Upon pulling over and exiting the vehicle, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle as both police and fire officials were in t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174891 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and smoke was coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2175190 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Valve cover leaking and oil dripping oil on exhaust at 114k miles. Risk of engine fire. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174282 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discove https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174283 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discove https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174284 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discove https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174344 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. A dealer was conta https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174424 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My car suddenly caught fire in my driveway tonight 2/6/26 roughly around 9:40 PM. Fire department has been dispatched to come out and investigate if the fire has been properly extinguished and it does warrant any further safety hazards until Kia can be notified and resolve this issue. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174425 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My car suddenly caught fire in my driveway tonight 2/6/26 roughly around 9:40 PM. Fire department has been dispatched to come out and investigate if the fire has been properly extinguished and it does warrant any further safety hazards until Kia can be notified and resolve this issue. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174006 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT “My vehicle, a 2017 Kia Optima, had repeated safety issues documented in service records. Despite multiple repair attempts (per attached records), the problem remained unresolved and put my safety at risk. I’m seeking further investigation or resolution.” https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174007 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT “My vehicle, a 2017 Kia Optima, had repeated safety issues documented in service records. Despite multiple repair attempts (per attached records), the problem remained unresolved and put my safety at risk. I’m seeking further investigation or resolution.” https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2174008 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT “My vehicle, a 2017 Kia Optima, had repeated safety issues documented in service records. Despite multiple repair attempts (per attached records), the problem remained unresolved and put my safety at risk. I’m seeking further investigation or resolution.” https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2173601 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My fiancée and I just recently bought this car with the 1.6T-GDi engine I immediately replaced the oil even though the dealership said that he just replaced it. I put 7 quarts of oil topping off from awk consumption after I initially changed the oil filter. Those 7 quarts were added over the period of three weeks and it’s just progressively gotten worse. I’m putting a quart to 1.5 quarts of oil i https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima#complaint-2173602 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My fiancée and I just recently bought this car with the 1.6T-GDi engine I immediately replaced the oil even though the dealership said that he just replaced it. I put 7 quarts of oil topping off from awk consumption after I initially changed the oil filter. Those 7 quarts were added over the period of three weeks and it’s just progressively gotten worse. I’m putting a quart to 1.5 quarts of oil i