Body Problems of Kia Motor Optima - part 1

Pearl white paint peeling prematurely.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

On August 25th around 7:00 pm, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while parked after a short test drive. The car had just been purchased a few days prior and was taken to a mechanic for a precautionary inspection. During the test drive, the mechanic parked the vehicle in a residential driveway. After backing in, smoke was observed coming from the engine bay. When the hood was lifted, the engine area was already on fire. The fire department was called immediately and was able to extinguish the flames before the fire spread to surrounding property. The fire completely destroyed the vehicle. The vehicle had no warning lights, unusual performance issues, or prior signs of trouble, and it appeared to be in good condition prior to the incident. This fire posed a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in injury or property damage. Component or system that failed: the engine area, likely associated with the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) fuse/fire risk. The vehicle may or may not be available for inspection, as it is severely burned. Safety risk: the fire posed a serious hazard to the mechanic, surrounding property, and anyone nearby. Rapid ignition could have caused injury or significant property damage. Problem confirmation: the fire was observed firsthand by the mechanic. The open recall related to the hecu fuse/fire risk indicates a known defect consistent with the incident. Inspections: the fire department responded and documented the incident. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance representatives, but the recall status is verifiable through official records. Warning signs: there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. This incident appears consistent with the conditions described in the open recall for the hecu fuse/fire risk, suggesting a possible link between the recall defect and the fire.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The car is a 2015 model and as shown in the pictures, the paint on the tail is damaged. This is a defect of the manufacturer.

See all problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Paint is peeling off in large pieces despite there being no damage. We have the pearl white color.

See all problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

My vehicles paint is chipping off. It’s chipping off on the hood the top of the car and on the trunk some spots have rusted over. As I was looking into a possible repaint, I’ve heard that there has been an issue with this type of color is associated with my vehicle on other kia optimus, as well as some Hyundai vehicles. There were no warning lamps associated with this issue. No component or system has failed that related to the vehicle. The safety confirm would be that the rush gets deeper into the vehicle and causes other parts of the vehicle to rush to and messes up with the vehicles operating systems that could cause greater issues in the future with the operation of my vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the kia dealership, as well as inspected by other paint and body shops.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The snow white pearl (swp) paint on the exterior body of the car is peeling-off in various places. The paint often peels completely off the hood in large sheets while in motion, and flies up and sticks to the windshield obstructing the driver's view while moving.

Factory paint defect inherent, known to kia models 2015 Optima snow white pearl paint swp. (including 2013 thru 2017 all share the same identical paint code). Citrus kia in California inspected my vehicle and confirmed the paint damages are a known inherent factory paint defect. This is a nation wide issue, thousands of owners continue reporting this inherent paint defect on their Optima swp. Basically this is an issue with all car manuacture's with white paint. Toyota and Hyundai accepted responsibility for this same factory paint defect and is repairing their customers vehicles. Class actions lawsuits have been filed against kia and hyandai for this known factory paint defect with severe safety concerns. This paint defect expanded into the layered glass of the windshield causing the adhesive to bubble. Insufficient adhesive could detach it during a crash or break while driving. The large chunks of paint continuing to fall off even while driving could impair visability to myself and other drivers. Citrus kia inspected my vehicle and confirmed the damages to my vehicle are caused by this known factory paint defect. Wrote me an estimate reopened my case originally report 6/2024. Corporate kia closed my case with the explanation 3/36k paint warrant expired. This is not a paint warranty issue. This is damages caused to my vehicle and thousands of others with this same inherent factory paint defect known to kia. It is the manufactures responsibility to make this right. This inherent defect continues to rapidly spread through out our vehicles, causing further damages. These untreated areas now have rust subject to corrision which will lead to integrity of the body structure. Please recall this inherent factory paint defect. It's over whelming how many owners continue reporting this to their dealers, posting pictures of their ruined vehicles. We need help. Please recall swp of Optima 2013 thru 17 with no limitations how old or amount of miles. Thank you.

Paint has been chipping on this snow white pearl has gotten progressively worse. Cannot wash the vehicle without more paint chipping.

My paint job is peeling away. I can not even wash my car with out it flicking off.

The snow pearl white is paint is just peeling off just peeling off there’s 34,000 miles on it I noticed a small look like a chip last week. I went to wash it today and it’s just peeling off.

I have pictures.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Paint peeling, chipping, and bubbling.

The antenna fin flew off while I was driving on the highway.

Rapid delamination and paint peeling in the color of snow pearl white. The entire car is affected by this defect. Somewhere on the paint assembly line a missing step in the paint procedure is causing detrimental corrosion and overall safety and protection of the elements from outside.

The paint on the vehicle is separating from the body. This vehicle is available for inspection at any time. The paint begins to peel and break off when it rains, and it washes into the drains. From there, it ends up on the grass where my young child plays, potentially getting on his hands and into his mouth. Additionally, animals like birds are picking at the paint on the grass. My insurance has verified this problem, and there were no prior signs that indicated any issues. Recently, following a storm, water started bubbling up beneath the paint, causing it to crack and eventually blow off. It started in a small area but with every rain gets worse.

My paint has begun bubbling up and feeling out of nowhere. I’ve always taken good care of my car yet spots are beginning to pop up along the passanger side. The paint continues to peel more as time goes on. I’ve found many complaints online of people saying they’ve had the same issue with their kia in the snow white pearl color I have, but there’s no recall and kia refuses to pay for it.

White paint on roof and around door is flaking off in large sections. No accident. Not covered under warranty. Appears to be a known issue with snow white pearl paint on kia vehicle - widespread paint failure can affect visibility, resale value, and long-term corrosion.

Driving down the road several large pieces of pain flaked off on the driver side door. This is a 2014 kia Optima with 61,000 miles on it. None of the other questions apply. I am filing this because I see on other forums that both kia and Hyundai cars with the snow white pearl paint have this problem, so it seems to be a failure by the manufacturer.

While driving on the highway, the roof antenna assembly flew off our car. Inspection of the area shows that the screws that were supposed to hold the antenna on had all become sheared off. It looks like there is a recall for this exact issue covering 2016 kia Optimas produced through June 1, 2016 (sa272), but our Optima was produced on June 23, 2016 and is therefore not covered according to kia.

Paint is peeling.

I am the owner of a 2019 kia?optima?sx turbo in snow white pearl (swp) paint. At approximately 100,000 miles, I observed bubbling and peeling of the paint—no collision or exterior impact occurred to trigger this. The peeling area has since enlarged, exposing the underlying primer or bare metal, which is visible in an attached photo. I contacted kia around 115,000 miles when I fully realized the paint failure. Kia declined to offer any repair or goodwill assistance, citing that the vehicle is no longer under warranty. However, this is a widely reported defect affecting many kia and Hyundai vehicles with the snow white pearl paint. Numerous owners have experienced similar peeling and flaking without misuse or accidents. This is clearly a manufacturing defect in paint adhesion, rather than normal deterioration. It compromises both the vehicle’s aesthetics and resale value, and it may lead to rust or more serious long-term problems. There are pending class-action lawsuits in canada for identical issues with swp paint. Yet, u. S. Owners are left to manage this defective condition on their own, without support from kia. I respectfully request the NHTSA open an investigation into this paint failure issue involving kia vehicles painted in snow white pearl, including the 2019 Optima, and consider issuing a recall or a mandatory repair campaign.

My car overturned/flipped over after I hit a very small bump in the road located on [xxx] in utica NY doing about 15 mph in a trailer park where I worked I have printed out all of my recalls on my 2014 kia Optima gdi there was some brake fluid on the ground around the area where my car landed in a ditch however the sheriff that came to the scene of the accident and the female state troopers failed to even check or smell the fluid after I informed both the officers and the deerfield fire department the only ones willing to give me any advice on how to handle this matter even though I could had lost my life then to show up to court for the tickets I got for literally driving 15 mph in a trailer park and my car flips over into a ditch and not be able to make a statement in court due to the paperwork not being in to the courthouses computer system in [xxx] at 6:00 to show the judge all my recalls as well as plead not guilty to them I find unprofessional and as for the damage sustained to my vehicle I need to find an independent property adjuster to do a investigation however it is set to go to the kia dealership located at 5056 commercial dr. , yorkville, NY, for the recalls on December 30, 2024 however due to the damage done in the roller I am unsure on what to do please help I paid for this car in full as a private sell and it had no issues with it at all no lights on the dashboard or anything was driving good at time of accident on [xxx] at [xxx] until I literally hit that bump in the road of the trailer park should anyone from your agency need to contact me to view the damage and pictures please contact me at [xxx] for I could not upload all documents and photos thank you very much [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Pearl paint has been peeling more and more especially when washing my vehicle. This shouldn't be happening and I see similar paint issues with other kia and Hyundai models. I need kia to take accountable and responsibly for their defect.

The clear protective coat has failed over the white paint. I was originally unbothered. However, now I've learned it is a known issue in this and other makes/models. I am fearful the areas where paint has chipped, are now showing wear and rust. I've learned rust can weaken the body and affect the safety/structure. What can be done to correct this? this is my first report, if I should begin elsewhere, please advise. Thank you in advance for any help. I would simply like to have a reasonably safe vehicle and dont want to be negligent in not reporting/caring for the issues.

My car's paint began chipping and peeling about a year ago, it continues to get worse day by day and exposed areas show a bare metal with some areas rusting. This is happening very rapidly and appears the whole car may lose its paint quickly. Please help!.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Snow white pearl paint is peeling at numerous location rear driver's side window button not working siruis xm radio not working . Dealt with xm and stated it was a kia antenna however kia tells me its sirius xm problem.

White paint is peeling all over the car, in spots as large as 6 inches by 4 inches.

The snow-white pearl paint is peeling off - this is a common problem, and the paint is flaking off - not adhering to the base material - seems like a factory defect. This will be a huge re-paint cost to be fixed, and it is just getting worse over time.

Paint peeling off for no reason. Car has zero damage, no wrecks, no issues of any kind. Paint started coming off the hood and it’s a known issue with the color of my car. Snow pearl white. One spot is already rusting and it can lead to body damage and frame issues in the long run.

Paint is failing due to improper preparation during production. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested. The paint was inspected by licensed and lifetime collision repair specialist. Paint can not simply be touched up. Entire car needs stripped to bare metal and repainted to fix issue. Other manufacturers have had recalls for this same issue. Why has kia not been held accountable for this?.

Car paint started peeling on the whole car and according to dealers it's a common problem with the pear paint and I need it fixed.

Paint on driver side rear door is delamination from the car body. This is the pearl white color.

Power train and engine failure and causing my kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from work. I was driving home and smell smoke and car was shaking and when I stopped at the highway to open and look fire was on while driving and I had to call 911 and stop the fire. I had some fire extinguisher in the car I stopped the fire and towed the car and I replaced engine and powered train for over $9000 between repairs and labor and transmission and engine.

My paint is delaminating all over my vehicle and is flying off in large sheets. My car now has metal exposed which is susceptible to rust which poses a risk to the structure of my vehicle and the potential of my windshield flying off as a result. This first started occurring less than 2 years after purchasing my vehicle in 2019. Kia fails to recognize this manufacturer defect and it continues to delaminate at an alarming rate.

I did not know about this recall and my dad was driving my car caught on fire and blew up now I do not have a car please help.