Power Train Problems of Kia Motor Optima - part 1

While driving to work, my 2020 kia Optima suddenly lost engine power and went into limp mode in the middle of the highway, leaving me stranded and creating a severe safety hazard in traffic. The check engine light immediately started flashing and displaying diagnostic code p1326 which indicates an abnormal engine and/or a catastrophic rod bearing failure. This problem has been confirmed by the kia dealership along with a 3rd party auto repair shop. However, kia is refusing to cover the inspection, diagnostic, or any repairs due to the vehicle not having any open recalls, having more than 100k miles and the model of my vehicle despite this being a well known and documented manufacturing defect issue to these engines. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.

See all problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

While driving, my vehicle suddenly began shuddering and shaking. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly. I had to press the brake pedal unusually hard. After parking, the vehicle would not move properly in reverse or drive. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, and it moved only a short distance before shuddering again and losing power. The engine was making a loud buzzing or scooter-like sound. The vehicle became undrivable and had to be parked. I am concerned about a potential safety defect involving sudden loss of power while driving.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

While driving, my 2020 kia Optima suddenly lost engine power and went into limp mode on the road, leaving me stranded and creating a severe safety hazard in traffic. The vehicle threw diagnostic trouble code p1326, which indicates a catastrophic rod bearing failure. The problem has been confirmed by a kia dealership scanner. However, both the dealership and kia America are refusing to cover the inspection and repair under their safety campaigns or goodwill due to the vehicle having 180,000 miles, despite this being a well-documented manufacturing defect inherent to these engines. Prior to the failure, the check engine light started flashing. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.

Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug. Oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often have all updateds and recalls.

See all problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Vehicle was purchased in 2023. Ac blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by pepboys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia advised at the time that the wiring harness should be replaced due to electrical issues at the time but said that there was no recall for that work. At the time, there were no electrical failures of steering, brakes, all power etc. Nor did we know that those were a possibility. The wiring harness quote was $7,000, over the cost of the vehicle. It was decided to continue repairing the electrical issues as they came up, it was assumed that the fuses would blow before there because a safety or total vehicle failure, as automobiles are designed that way. 8/4/2026 the vehicle experienced a complete and total loss of power resulting in a traffic crash into another vehicle as the brakes felt like you were trying to push a wall rather than a pedal. There was minimal physical damage to the other car and the kia, the other driver got my husband's insurance information and then drove off. The car did startup after ~30 minutes or so and was driven home, but taken to the kia dealership the next day. It was said that the blower motor overheated and melted a portion of the electrical junction box under the hood and that it was unsafe and dangerous to drive. Kia said that there were no active recalls for this work. Nhtsa sc351 seems very similar to this issue that has plagued this car since the beginning. We would ask that kia incorporate this vehicle and others outside of the year/model ranges in sc351 that have similar failure mechanisms as this seems common.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The engine assembly completely seized and the vehicle is currently stored at an independent repair shop . While traveling at high speed on interstate 4 on July 24, 2026, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of power and stalled in live traffic, creating an immediate threat of a high speed rear end collision. An independent service center officially confirmed the engine seizure after a dealership failed to perform an inspection during an eight hour wait, and no law enforcement or insurance inspections have occurred. Prior symptoms included severe, recurring oil loss requiring constant manual additions of oil between regular service intervals (most recently serviced in June 2026 at a kia dealership), and eventually the car completely shutoff on july24.

Engine replacement needed at 99,782 miles. P1326 code continuously popping up. Also has excessive oil consumption and electrical problems concerning the forward collision system. Kia refuses to replace engine although the p1326 code is covered by lifetime warranty. The cause of the incident was defect in engine resulting in a recall of all 2011-2019 models. The 2020 kia Optima lx contains a 2. 4l gdi engine which has identical problems relating to previous lawsuits.

The kia had a problem with the check engine light coming on and it gently went into limp mode. I had it repaired at darlings Ford and it worked for about 600 miles. I had it repaired again and it worked for about 7,000 miles. The light recent came on and the car immediately hard banged andwent into limp mode. My wife was driving and shaking when she got home. The light went out and everything was fine. A couple of days later, on 5/27/26, we were on the interstate in traffic travelling 70 mph and it violently hard bumped, the cel came on and it went into limp mode. It was as if we hit deep pot holes with both front tires which we didn't as we were on a smooth highway. The light is still on and it's in limp mode.

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.

Issue 1: high oil consumption in the engine due to poor engine design, according to the auto repair center. 5 quarts of oil are added to the engine once every 2-3 weeks. All oil leaks were previously repaired, but oil is still burning off. Issue 2: the engine has misfired more than once, with a puff of smoke coming out of the exhaust. Issue 3: twice in the past 1. 5-2 years, multiple spark plugs have failed, causing a breakdown. This is a theta ii engine, but it is not in the class action settlement.

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.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Vehicle: 2013 kia Optima sxl VIN: [xxx] while driving on a highway at approximately 55–58 mph, the rear driver-side electronic parking brake (epb) motor housing failed with a loud bang. Immediately after, there was heavy smoke and a strong burning smell. The vehicle became very difficult to drive, and the wheel began screeching and dragging as if the brake had locked. The failure appears to have caused the rear brake caliper to seize while the vehicle was in motion. This created a dangerous driving situation at highway speed and could have caused a crash. The brake system component that failed appears to be the electronic parking brake actuator/motor assembly attached to the rear caliper. This was a sudden mechanical failure, not normal brake wear, and it occurred while driving at speed. Kia care case number: xxx information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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I am reporting a recurring safety hazard involving my 2019 kia Optima following a repair for diagnostic code p064a (fuel pump control module). Despite the dealership attempting to repair the fuel system, the vehicle remains in a 'limp mode' state. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost significant power, refusing to accelerate above 50 mph. This creates an immediate safety risk, as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds or safely merge, increasing the danger of a rear-end collision. The p064a code and subsequent 'limp mode' symptoms persist even after professional service. I am concerned that the existing kia warranty extensions (such as wty028 for the low-pressure fuel pump) or current repair procedures are insufficient to resolve this underlying mechanical/electronic failure, leaving the vehicle unpredictable and hazardous to operate in traffic.

Loosing oil putting oil in every 3 to 4 days no leaks on ground or oil pan or drain plug. Oil don't smell or looks burnt happened around did 2 oil changes in a week still the same. Car will sputer hesitation on acceleration every so often.

The engine revs high and transmission wont shift and when you turn the steering wheel ya get a loud click and the steering wheels jumps.

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 discovered that the mileage on the title was 217,000.

See all problems of the 2008 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

These cars have a known issue for burning oil the motor thats in my car was recalled for same issue but they are not trying fix my car under that recall of the bad motor that they did recall.

The vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure one day after undergoing a manufacturer emissions/service campaign at an authorized dealership. Prior to service, the vehicle operated normally with no warning lights, knocking, or drivability issues. After the failure, the dealership denied coverage and declined to inspect the engine oil. The vehicle was towed for an independent inspection, which found metal shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal mechanical engine failure. The sudden failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of engine function. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center and the vehicle remains available for inspection. No warning lamps or symptoms were present prior to the failure.

The car starts and drives with other keys in ignition.

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 rod bearings via bearing clearance test, consistent with the known theta ii engine defect (manufacturing debris causing oil starvation and premature bearing wear). This follows earlier symptoms: intermittent 'check hybrid system' warnings in early December 2025 at 148,665 miles (dealership unable to reproduce, but historical codes noted). The knock sensor detection system (ksds) software update was performed in February 2022 during prior chs warnings. Despite onset of issues under the 150,000-mile extended warranty limit per the kia e2 settlement, kia denied coverage due to the minor mileage overage and directed me in a loop between consumer assistance and the settlement administrator. The defect poses a serious safety risk: potential for sudden engine seizure, stalling while driving, or engine compartment fire (as seen in related theta ii recalls and thousands of NHTSA complaints). No crash, injury, or fire occurred in my case, but the failure left the vehicle undrivable and unsafe on the road. I have service records and diagnostic reports to support this.

See all problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

P1326 code flashing engine light knock sensor went out 3 times in 6 months and just replaced it again and this time engine light didn't go off I was reading that there was a recall on this but apparently mine doesn't state it. Car cannot pass emissions if engine light is on and the 15th of June is approaching. The car doesn't make any sounds or nothing.

The engine failed after a prior engine replacement performed by the manufacturer. The failure caused the vehicle to become non-operational and created a risk of sudden loss of power and engine stalling while driving. The vehicle required towing and could not be safely driven. This is a repeat engine failure involving the same vehicle.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

The failure involves the component covered under the active safety recall campaign. The affected part/system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by the manufacturer, dealership, or NHTSA. Recall number : 23v6552 while driving in traffic, the vehicle suddenly began to slow down without warning, started jerking, and lost normal operation. I was forced to pull over to avoid a collision. This sudden loss of power and control placed me, my passengers, and surrounding drivers at risk of an accident. Yes. The issue was confirmed by an authorized dealership. The dealership acknowledged that the problem is directly related to the active safety recall but refused to perform the repair due to vehicle mileage exceeding 150,000 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership representing the manufacturer. No inspection has been performed by police or insurance representatives at this time. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the incident. I had not received the recall notification letter at the time I purchased the vehicle. The first occurrence happened suddenly on 12/10/2025, when the vehicle began slowing down and jerking in traffic. After I pulled over and parked, multiple warning lights and messages appeared, and the steering wheel stopped moving normally. This vehicle has an open NHTSA safety recall. Safety recalls do not expire based on mileage or ownership. The dealership acknowledged the issue is recall-related but refused to perform the repair due to mileage limits, which is inconsistent with federal safety recall requirements.

Vehicle experiences sudden and dangerous loss of power while driving, including hesitation during acceleration, consistent with connecting-rod bearing failure risk known in this model’s gdi engine. Dealer estimate found timing and oil-flow component failures connected to internal engine damage. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and stalls/lacks power unexpectedly, creating a high risk of crash. ”.

Subject: recall violation: kia on the boulevard (philadelphia) - refused remedy, charged $199, returned unsafe vehicle vehicle information: [year] kia Optima hybrid dealership name: kia on the boulevard dealership address: 11295 roosevelt blvd, philadelphia, PA 19154 complaint description: 1. The safety incident: while operating the vehicle, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Thick smoke poured from the engine compartment, followed by immediate stalling. This presented a severe fire risk and safety hazard. 2. Dealer misconduct & illegal charges: I towed the vehicle to kia on the boulevard (11295 roosevelt blvd, philadelphia) for the active engine recall remedy. The dealership: * refused to perform the recall repair free of charge. * forced me to pay a $199 "diagnostic fee" just to look at the recall-related defect, which should be covered by the manufacturer. * threatened me with $45/day storage fees if I did not pay the $199 and remove the vehicle immediately. 3. Current status: under the threat of accumulating storage fees, I was coerced into paying the $199 and towing the vehicle back to my residence. The dealership knowingly released a vehicle with a catastrophic engine failure (smoke/fire risk) back to the owner without performing the federally mandated remedy. The unsafe vehicle is now sitting at my home unrepaired. 4. Conclusion: I request an immediate investigation into kia on the boulevard's refusal to honor the recall and their practice of charging customers for recall-related inspections.

My vehicle is consuming oil excessively. I have to put a whole quart of oil in my vehicle every 2 weeks. I am adamant about getting regular maintenance oil changes as well. My car had to be towed to a local auto shop due to the engine stalling and accelerator not working. They had to replace all 4 coil packs and 4 spark plugs due to dark, tarry oil covering the parts. The repairman told me my engine was at risk of failing, and that the repairs he did would not last without a new engine. I am worried about the car stalling or failing while driving, which puts an accident occurring at greater risk. My complaints resemble symptoms tied to previous Hyundai/kia engine recalls. I am requesting investigation and manufacturer action related to this issue.

The engine of vehicle repeatedly failed, causing the vehicle to stall while driving, which posed a serious risk to my safety and others on the road. The vehicle had approximately 65,000 miles and was maintained routinely and on schedule. The failure first occurred before November 18, 2025, when I reported stalling issues to kia authorized service & parts. The vehicle was returned as “fixed” on December 12, 2025, but the engine stalled again during normal operation. The vehicle was returned to kia authorized service & parts multiple times (December 12, December 18, December 23, January 9, January 12, 2026, and March 4, 2026), with repeated assurances that it had been repaired. Each time, the car continued to stall, including during a test drive at Subaru, demonstrating that the failure persisted despite repeated dealer intervention. The stalling created a significant hazard, as the car could lose power while on public roads, including highways, potentially leading to accidents. There were no consistent warning lights or messages prior to the engine stalling; the first symptom was intermittent loss of power while driving. The failure has been reproduced and observed by multiple service personnel at kia authorized service & parts and by Subaru during the trade-in test drive. The component(s) causing the failure were inspected by kia authorized service & parts staff, but no effective repair was made. Documentation of repair orders and dealer inspections is available for review.

Brought vehicle in for recall-sc340 theta ii 2. 4l gdi ecm s/w upgrade. After service was performed I took my vehicle back home and noticed that my down shifting was different, jolty and clunky. Prior to the upgrade my vehicle shifted flawlessly. Took my vehicle back in to have them check it out and they told me that they couldn't feel it and that the upgrade wouldn't cause that. Called kia corporate and filed a complaint.

While driving my 2015 kia Optima (VIN: [xxx] ) at highway speed, the engine suddenly shut off without any warning lights, alerts, noises, or check-engine indicators. This created a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had passed state inspection only 3 months earlier with no issues. The sudden shutdown is consistent with the known theta ii engine defect investigated by NHTSA. The car is now completely undrivable. Two kia dealerships refused to assist, claiming that they cannot perform ksds because the engine is already dead. These reasons directly contradict the kia theta ii engine settlement terms. This sudden stall is a safety hazard and could have caused a severe crash. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential recurrence of the engine-stall defect already documented in Hyundai/kia vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Hear the driveshaft clicking and doesn’t accelerate like it should.

Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership I bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this VIN. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. Please help.

I have had 2 incidents of engine ceasure in my 2013 kia Optima sx w/ limited package. Once it ceased on the freeway causing me to have a minor collision with the offramp guide rail and just recenting on 10/18/2025 it happened again on the 405 with loud knocking sounds engine light flashing and no real engine power after ceasing. My engine was previously repaired under warranty with case number xxx which should have extended the warranty along with the existing recall for the gdi engine. I need help to get kia to repair/replace under warranty as my engine is covered in the theta ii class action settlement. Kia repeatedly tries to Dodge responsibility for repairing my car under warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2016 kia Optima hybrid, which caught fire and was completely destroyed on October 5, 2025. Incident summary: while driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, I noticed that the vehicle was not entering hybrid mode, which is abnormal for its typical operation. I reduced my speed to 45 mph, then down to 35 mph as I began to observe smoke coming from the vehicle. At no point did the vehicle show signs of overheating, and there was no check engine light until shortly before I was able to safely pull over. Within moments of stopping the vehicle and exiting with my passenger, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and ultimately burned to the ground. Fortunately, both occupants escaped unharmed. The vehicle has been inspected by my insurance provider; however, I have been waiting over two weeks for kia to inspect the vehicle or provide any official response regarding a possible cause. This delay is concerning, especially given the severity of the incident and the potential safety risk to other drivers. Vehicle details: make/model: 2016 kia Optima hybrid VIN: [xxx] mileage: 54,300 date of fire: October 5, 2025 location: us-60 noncard & mp-118 morristown, az I am reporting this incident in hopes that NHTSA will investigate whether this is an isolated case or potentially part of a larger safety defect within this vehicle model or hybrid system. The lack of adequate warning and the total loss due to fire raises serious safety concerns. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required to support an investigation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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 in here every other day. Worried about it causing total failure & being at risk of being stranded with 2 kids due to the only engine I’ve been able to find that kia doesn’t have any recall touched base on is the gamma 1. 6 engine. The turbo gamma 1. 6. The n/a 1. 6 was covered but it has ungodly pop/clunking backfiring sound coming from either intake manifold or valve train please help. Times are hard enough as it is to be without a vehicle due to a fault other than none of my own the dealership extended powertrain warranty isn’t being honored by kia even though they said it would just don’t want something to happen to me or the car that’s beyond my capabilities and knowledge and ultimately result in my spouse not having a reliable and/or safe means of transportation to/from work and commuting kids as well. Thanks in advance.