Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Kia Motor Optima - part 1

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.

See all problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

My 2013 kia Optima was running fine at 65 mph when suddenly the engine stalled. I then coasted to the shoulder and smelled burning plastic. As soon as I opened the hood the engine started being consumed in fire, it quickly went to a very large engine fire that consumed the front half of the car. There were no other vehicles involved with this incident. Vehicle is a total loss.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Was driving down the interstate and the engine lost some power and the engine blew and parts of the connecting rod was on the outside of motor which blew a hole in the block and oil went into the intake manifold and pieces of the piston ring was in there and engine shut off, and seen that this has been a problem with these cars.

See all problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a standing start the vehicle had experience sever jerking and hesitation. Also, the vehicle has experience oil consumption problems and the contact constantly added engine oil. The cause of the failures were not determine. Also, the hood latch had malfunctioned and the hood could not opened to add oil to the engine. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 121,000.

See all problems of the 2018 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly seized without warning. The contact stated that after the vehicle lost motive power, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that no diagnostic trouble codes were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

The vehicle is experiencing sudden engine stalling while in motion, a known safety hazard. Despite a documented maintenance history with no issues, the dealer (bayside kia) is attempting to deny a theta ii settlement claim by shifting the narrative to 'engine sludge,' which only appeared as a symptom in June 2025( walmart oil change) alongside engine performance issues. The vehicle has active codes p0014 and p0017, which are secondary symptoms of the internal bearing wear and metallic debris contaminating the oiling system. Kds diagnostic tests showed cylinder 1 at 0. 16mm (approaching the 0. 20mm failure limit). This clearance proves the connecting rod bearings are worn and reaching the failure threshold; this mechanical wear is the root cause of the engine's inability to operate safely. The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the theta ii manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for airbag repairs (codes b1346/b1481) that are covered under the 15-year clock spring warranty extension (cs1102). The dealer has dismissed my qualifying maintenance documents, claiming they are 'not official,' which is a direct violation of the magnuson-moss warranty act. A manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because services were performed at third-party facilities, nor can they deny a claim without proving 'exceptional neglect. ' I am reporting a refusal to honor a court-ordered safety settlement and an attempt to return an unsafe, stalling vehicle to the road. There is no evidence of engine abandonment or exceptional neglect. I’m considered "in compliance" if I can show I didn't go more than 14 months without servicing or a certain mileage between oil changes. The dealer's dismissal of verified third-party receipts and bank statements is a bad-faith attempt to ignore an inherent manufacturing defect documented by a 0. 16mm bct result and metallic debris.

I purchased a kia Optima 2016, in December of 2025. At the time the car wouldn't go over 60 mph. I hauled the car to kia to have it inspected. The kia dealership informed me that there is a recall on that particular car for an engine replacement. They tested the car and later informed me that they believed I purchased the car knowing it had a recall and wanted the engine replaced for free so I could sell the car. The car is not for sale, and I had/have no intentions on selling the car. I went ahead and paid $6100 for the engine to be replaced. I later did research and learned that if a car has a recall, it doesn't matter my intentions with the car. I felt that kia denied a replacement engine because of their opinion of me and not for the recall. The car is registered and insured in my name and is being driven daily. At this time, I feel that I deserve a refund of the $6100. Can you guide me on which steps to take on this matter?.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

2018 kia Optima lx, 2. 4l gdi theta ii engine. Approximately 128,000 miles. Reporting severe internal oil consumption that has progressed to engine misfire and shaking, consistent with late-stage theta ii connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive and has been parked. Timeline: purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle in December 2021. Excessive oil consumption began shortly after purchase. For approximately 4. 5 years I have added about 1 quart of oil every 2 weeks to keep the engine from running dry. No external leaks have ever been found by any mechanic. Multiple independent mechanics attempted diagnosis and repair over this period. None resolved the issue. The vehicle has now developed a pronounced shake and apparent engine misfire, the textbook progression to rod bearing failure documented in NHTSA investigation pe19-004 and prior recalls/campaigns 17v-224, sc147, and sc172. Safety concerns: sudden engine seizure or stall at highway speed creates a serious crash risk for me and surrounding traffic. Theta ii 2. 4l gdi rod bearing failure has been associated with under-hood fires. The defect develops gradually with no warning to the driver beyond elevated oil consumption, which is frequently dismissed as normal until catastrophic failure occurs. I am filing this complaint to document the failure and to add to NHTSA's data on the theta ii gdi 2. 4l engine in 2018–2019 Optimas. This model year was excluded from the original 2017 recall but is included in the Hyundai and kia engine litigation class settlement and the lifetime engine warranty extension. My vehicle's symptoms match the defect pattern exactly. I will pursue warranty engine replacement, but I want this safety failure on the federal record regardless of how kia responds.

The dealer stated my engine repair is not covered under the recall/warranty because an ecu software update was not performed. I was quoted $8500 for engine replacement (long block). I have owned this vehicle for 2 months, going on 3. I am requesting a review of whether this vehicle qualifies for any engine recall or safety-related warranty coverage, as the explanation provided by the dealership appears inconsistent.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The car is available upon inspection, the car caught on fire after being driven for about 45 mins. Smoke started to come from under the car hood, fire starting dropping from underneath the vehicle and then fire started coming from under the hood of the car. The car started smoking while being inside vehicle and the fire could've spread. The fire was put out by the fire department, the vehicle has not been inspected as of yet. No warning signs.

The contact owns a 2020 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was parked, there was a loud banging sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The rpm failed to operate as intended while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there were metal shavings inside the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic referred the contact to a dealer for additional assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,751.

My vehicle was having engine problems in 2024. It was towed to the dealership because it was a recall on it. The new engine is malfunctioning as well causing me to lose power while driving. I have only put 2,000 miles on the car since the engine was replaced.

The contact owns a 2016 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while driving at 60 mph on the expressway. No warning lights illuminated. The contact had some wires replaced prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or crash. The driver was able to pull over safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called but there was no answer. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The VIN was not available.

See all problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Engine seized while driving.

My vehicle burns oil too quickly. I schedule my regular oil change based on the feedback from the auto repair shop. During my last oil change he said I practically had no oil left, but it has been less than 5,000 miles since my previous oil change. The tech informed me he's seen this happen a lot within kia's including the Optima that I currently drive. Fast forward a few months I noticed my oil light illuminate for a moment and immediately turn off. I still want to get it checked out just in case so I brought it back to the same shop. They informed me my oil was very low even though, but I still have another 1,500 miles before my next due oil change. He looked around and confirmed there were no leaks or damage that would affect the consumption rate. He highly recommended me look to see if there were any recalls on my specific model of vehicle that would warrant both an explanation and reason for replacement. In the meantime he topped off my oil and I was all good to go.

A issue with the valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia Optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. However one day the check engine light did come on and the obd code p1326 came up. When I took it to the shop the check engine light disappeared and the dealership said they will not check my engine unless they see the code on their end. I believe later down the line the engine will stall out and it should be fixed now while under warranty. However I received no help from the dealership unless I am willing to pay upfront. In addition to this there are electrical issues the front seats aren't moving immediately when the button is pressed. The steering wheel buttons barely work along with the radio. This is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The contact owned a 2019 kia Optima. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 60 mph, she noticed there was smoke emerging from the engine. The driver pulled over safely. But was alerted by a good samaritan who ran across four lanes of traffic to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher to no avail. The fire department was on the scene to eventually extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The local dealer was called, but there was no response. The contact called another local dealer: 4747 s yale Ave, tulsa, ok 74135, but there was no answer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The rod barring failed in my engine. I broke down in the middle of the parkway with my daughter. This is my third kia Optima that has had this issue but the dealership is stating there is not a recall on this model. The check engine light did not come on except when the car lost all power.

My engine has failed. This is the second car I’ve had from kia that the rod barring has failed.

Sudden engine failure while driving with no warning. Vehicle began jerking, shaking, and losing power. Rpms dropped unexpectedly and the engine stalled intermittently. Multiple misfire codes were present (cylinders 1, 3, and 4), and the engine was found to have low or no compression in cylinder 1. The condition rapidly worsened to near complete engine failure. The vehicle was operating normally prior to this incident. This failure is consistent with known kia engine defects involving internal engine damage, including rod bearing failure. This is a safety concern due to sudden loss of power while driving.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal metal-on-metal sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The contact drove out to the location and became aware that the oil and the battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart, and the starter motor was smoking. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the starter motor had been replaced. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who had recently replaced the starter motor. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called the local dealer and the manufacturer but was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

On March 23, 2026, I took my 2017 kia Optima plug-in hybrid (VIN: [xxx] ) to mark kia [xxx] ) solely for two open safety recalls: sc218 (engine inspection/replacement and ksds software installation) and sc278 (emergency trunk latch release) under repair order #6807251. No customer-pay work was performed. The multi-point inspection that day noted only the cabin air filter. During the drive home on March 23, a faint rotten-egg (h?s) smell appeared for the first time. By the morning of March 24, 2026, the smell was severe. I immediately returned the vehicle. Under new repair order #6807360, a second multi-point inspection suddenly recommended $1,134. 10 in customer-pay services (new 12v battery, fuel induction service, cooling system service, brake fluid exchange, and atf exchange) that were not flagged the previous day. Since the recall service, the vehicle has developed numerous new defects that never existed before: rotten-egg smell (h?s) intermittent ac that blows warm in stop-and-go traffic passenger-rear power window clicks but will not roll down brake warning (“stop vehicle and check brakes”) “key not detected” message passenger-side mirror pushed in with temporary motor malfunction 12v battery cover left completely disassembled and misplaced in the trunk complete no-start / dead 12v battery condition (will not crank even after multiple jump attempts as of March 30, 2026) on March 24, 2026, I sent a formal demand letter by certified mail (received and signed for by the dealership on March 27, 2026) giving mark kia five business days (until close of business March 31, 2026) to provide a free tow, free loaner, and free repair of all defects. I followed up with six supplemental addendums (dated March 24–30, 2026) attaching photos and videos of every issue. On April 1, 2026, service director [xxx] replied by email and admitted in writing (twice) that the dealership did not follow recall procedure information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Car is not holding oil it acts like it's gonna cut off while driving and it jerking was diagnosed with colitic converter p0604.

The contact owned a 2015 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, during a doordash delivery, the vehicle vibrated. The contact pulled to the side of the road and noticed smoke emitting underneath the vehicle from the right side. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed smoke emitting from underneath the hood. The state troopers were called. By the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames, and the engine had exploded. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not injured. No police report was filed. The state troopers believed that the fire was caused by an electrical short. The contact stated that prior to the fire, the vehicle vibrated when idled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The insurance company was not notified about the fire. The contact was unaware that NHTSA campaign number: 21v331000 (service brakes, hydraulic) was associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.

Was driving then suddenly the engine shut off I was able to pull to the side tried to restart it I saw smoke coming out from the hood I did tow it to my apartment looks like the engine is locked I contacted kia they said I have a branded title they can’t do anything about it even if the car title was branded to a rear ending collision and the engine had oil in it.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle eventually stalled on the side of the road. The key, battery, oil, and engine warning lights were illuminated. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had seized. The engine failed to turn over. The mechanic had previously performed a routine oil change. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with low voltage. The spark plugs were checked, there were no oil leaks, and the vehicle was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,862.

1) motor failed on interstate and car towed to automotive shop. Currently still at the shop with hope to tow to kia to address issue. 2)my teenage daughter and her friend were placed in a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation due to what appears to be a catostrophic vehicle failure. While driving our 2013 kia Optima whith approximately 160,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power while our daughter was traveling a major highway. The car quit responding to the gas pedal and she was forced to pull over on the side of the highway and was stranded in traffic with no safe way to move the vehicle. When she attempted to restart the car the engine light began flashing (it did not do so before hand), the car was shaking and undriveable. This was not a minor inconvenience, it was a serious safety hazard. A young driver was left sitting on the shoulder of a high-speed roadway with cars and trucks passing at highway speeds up to 80 mph. Had another driver drifted or had she not been able to reach the shoulder in time, this situation could have easily resulted in a major crash or fatality(-ies). The vehicle would not restart properly and had to be towed. Prior to this incident, there were no obvious warning sings of an imminent catastrophic failure. The mechanic's invoice of his diagnostics is attached. Vehicles should not fail in a way that suddenly leaves drivers stranded in active highway traffic with no warning. This type of failure creates an extremely dangerous situation not just for the driver but for everyone on the road. I strongly urge the NHTSA to review whether this model vehicle has known engine or safety defects that can lead to sudden engine failure or loss of power while driving. No parent should have to get a phone call that their child is stranded on the side of a major highway because their car suddenly died without warning. I am requesting this vehicle incident be documented and investigared as a potential safety defect.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the turbocharger had failed, and the engine and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a letter from the dealer that the vehicle was covered under a manufacturer settlement for engine replacement; however, the dealer advised the contact that there was an out-of-pocket cost to replace the turbocharger. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

My car started shutting down while driving. After the engine started seizing the key wouldn't turn in my ignition. Took car to dealership immediately on 10, 2026. Took again in 2024 for recall and other repairs. Found out after requesting previous service incidents they failed to do recall repairs and never notified me of it, or to come back. I've requested current diagnostic report several times in writing and verbally with codes for this current service, with non compliance. My car is still at the dealership needing work and I need current diagnostic report before I pay for repairs. I am attaching a dealership diagnostic e-report for my 2013 kia Optima from 2024. While the report lists “no current dtc” for several systems, it also documents multiple “communication fail” errors across critical modules, including Smart key, head lamp, air conditioner, brake, and other systems. These communication failures indicate a broader electrical or network issue within the vehicle, not simply a failed battery. The report also shows that certain diagnostic scans were not properly performed. Additionally, there are historical fault codes related to tpms and weight classification systems, further supporting that the vehicle has experienced ongoing electrical issues. Despite these findings, the dealership attributed the vehicle failure solely to a bad battery and did not provide a current battery diagnostic test. They also failed to address an open recall related to electrical/fuse issues prior to this failure. Based on this past diagnostic report, I believe the root cause of my vehicle’s failure is an unresolved electrical defect, potentially related to the outstanding recall, rather than normal battery wear. This has resulted in my vehicle becoming inoperable and poses a serious safety concern.

I am submitting a complaint regarding my 2011 kia Optima (VIN: [xxx] ), which is currently experiencing significant engine issues and is undrivable. This issue is currently being reviewed under kia case #xxx. This vehicle is part of the theta ii engine group that has been the subject of recalls, service campaigns, and extended warranty coverage due to known engine defects, including rod bearing failure and potential engine seizure. The vehicle has also received the knock sensor detection system (ksds) update associated with these known issues. My vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been there since March 10, 2026. It is not drivable, and I have been without transportation during this time. The dealership has diagnosed the issue as oil consumption; however, kia has denied coverage, stating that oil consumption is not related to rod bearing failure. Kia has not confirmed whether a full internal engine inspection was performed to rule out rod bearing damage, nor have they confirmed that a techline engineering review has been conducted. Given the known history of engine defects in this model, I am concerned that the current condition may be related to internal engine failure that has not been properly evaluated. Oil consumption can be a precursor or symptom of internal engine damage, and I do not believe the issue has been fully or adequately diagnosed. Additionally, my vehicle has an open safety recall related to potential engine compartment fire risk, which further raises concerns about the safety and reliability of this vehicle. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed as a potential safety-related defect, as the vehicle is undrivable and may be at risk for sudden engine failure or fire. I am also concerned that the manufacturer is relying solely on a dealership-level assessment without a thorough engineering evaluation of a known defect condition. Thank you for your review of this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Even after regular oil changes car requires an additional 4 bottles of oil every 2 weeks. Now the car is jumping and having a misfire.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 mph, the vehicle started shuddering with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the dealer declined to repair the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer stated that the vehicle had a branded title. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 163,814.

Engine oil light doesn’t work. Oil light flashed a couple of times in separate instances. Checking oil dip stick which smells like burning oil and dip stick hardly showed any oil left.

On Friday, February 27, 2026. This vehicle is being driven and vehicle seized and disabled on the road. In the middle of rush hour, traffic in a dangerous spot, local police had to be called out to assist, as no location was identified for a tow truck to be able to pick it up. . . The police had to dispatch their own tow service. After being towed from location where a car was disabled, mechanic looked at vehicle identifying there was no oil in the car. However on, September 9, 2025 an oil change was performed on the vehicle at 139,969 the car seized at 143,369. . That is approximately 3,399 miles driven from the time of the oil change up until the time it seized. . . There was no indicator lights that ever identified that an oil change was needed or low on oil on the vehicle prior to the car disabling. .