Starter Problems of Kia Motor Optima

2013 kia Optima in August 2019 starting stalling out and wouldn't start. Then my engine starting knocking. My car would still start but would only go 20-30 mph while make knocking engine noises. Took my kia Optima to the kia dealership. They replaced the engine due to recall. But didn't replace the starter, after I got my car back my starter went out completely! my car won't start. Dec 2020 took my kia to kia dealership. They told me it was my starter. I have to pay $800 for starter replacement. I told them I had the extended warranty for the engine recall. Found out kia replaced 5 out 7 starters when they replaced the engine due to recall. But they won't replace my starter because it's been over a year from the engine replacement. I told them my cars been parked the entire year 2020 due to covid and I thought I just needed a battery. I bought a battery but my car still would start. I know my starter was damaged due to my engine and oil leak due to recall & kia should replace the starter under the engine warranty for the recall. My cars still at the dealership and I don't have $800 to fix the starter. My steering wheel was shaking and making noises, I paid kia to fix it 2020 now I found there's a cuff link recall and kia will reimburse me. I keep having trouble with 2013 kia Optima! I will never buy a kia again! buyer beware!.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

I was coming of the freeway when all of a sudden my car just turned itself off. Luckily I was able to manage to pull over to the side quickly enough to avoid any collision. I tried to change the starter because I was told that was bad. It hasn't been able to start up again since it first stopped on me.

I was driving on a main road about 50 miles an hour when car lost ability to accelerate, lights and everything were still on. I was able to coast to a side street to pull over and park the car. I shut it off and then when I tried to restart it black smoke with an electrical type smell came from under the hood. Kia dealership said motor was seized and replaced it under a recall. Then they said it needed fuel pump and battery (which battery was only 6 months old), so I had both replaced. I drove for 2 days and had trouble starting the car so I took back to dealership. They said it needed a starter and an electrical assessment for a short, as starter began smoking with the vehicle not even running. Now they are saying it needs a new junction box/fuse box over $2900 and may have been related to other problems but not covered and I will have to pay. I have already paid $900+ dollars for fuel pump, I exchanged the battery where I originally bought it, and $493 for starter. I dont understand why the junction box would randomly fail or short and need replacement, unless it was part of the original black smoke electrical smell that happened when engine seized in the first place.

My starter would not turn over to start my car after driving it. When I got to my destination I couldn't restart the car and there was smoke coming from under the hood. I had 2 starters put in thinking that was the issue and after the 2nd starter was installed the car still had smoke. The electrical wires were burnt and burning and the car still will not start.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

My 2013 kia Optima displayed several electrical issues with radio panel, warning lights on dash, seat belt warning on while buckled and driving, and doors would lock on their own weeks prior to the car giving out on me after a quarter of a mile drive. It would not start at all. Mechanic thought it was a starter issue but turned out that the engine locked. I purchased the car in 2015 and had some fuel system issue a year after purchase , costing over $900 to repair. Now this. . . There was no smoke or other warnings right before it stopped. I had noticed the smell of wires or some type of electrical components burning after driving the car a few times over the last few years but wasn't sure of where it may have been coming from. Would be great if I didn't have to spend a lump sum to repair motor while still paying off the car!.

I was notified by kia earlier this year that my vehicle was involved in a recall because the engine could seize causing a safety issue. On 6/12/17 I took my Optima to camelback kia for recall work and inspection. On 8/1/2017 as I was driving northbound on az sr51, my engine stalled while moving about 40 mph in rush hour traffic. I then pulled over to restart my vehicle, a short time later I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I was told by kia upon their inspection that the starter is where the fire originated due to the seized engine. The vehicle burned and is now a total loss. This caused a 3 lane closure on the freeway at 5pm as well as a crash due to spectators.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of engine power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle. During each attempt, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to car lock kia (located at 4301 greensboro Ave, tuscaloosa, al) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly, battery, and starter were defective and needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Upon doing research, the contact found that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Optima. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the lights in the instrument cluster illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact called fuller kia (540 auto park dr, chula vista, CA 91911) and was informed to bring the vehicle in the next week. However, the failure recurred. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no visible fire. The fire department was not contacted and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's house and then to fuller kia where it was diagnosed that the starter failed and the engine seized. Both components needed to be replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine); therefore, the dealer agreed to replace the engine free of charge. The dealer stated that the starter failure was a result of the contact attempting to restart the vehicle. The starter failure was not covered under the recall, so the contact would be required to pay for the starter replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and agreed with the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

2011 kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to melted wiring harness that's is connected to starter. The consumer stated the after purchasing the vehicle in February, by July the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle died while being driven. Within 2-3 of the motor being repaired, the started failed. The starter was repaired, but the failure recurred.

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The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted off the road and was unable to restart. The vehicle and the motor locked up with the presence of smoke from the starter when the contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

March 2016 while traveling on highway at 65 mph and passing a slow moving vehicle car lost power, became difficult to steer and unresponsive. We were lucky that we were right by rest area and coasted safely. Inspected the vehicle while and noticed a smell reminding an electrical short/fire. Car was towed to kia dealer and diagnosed to be engine failure. The engine was inspected and per dealer it was pristine, kia decided to cover under warranty @ approx 98k miles. Dealer stated that per kia it was due possibly to non oem oil filter (nice). When we got the car back it did not want to start occasionally, where it hesitated especially as temperatures increased. Noticed dealer, dealer took it in verified battery and starter were to spec. In June on a hot day car almost did not start, set an appointment with dealer for later in the week. Next day car did not start, was towed to dealer and diagnosed to week starter. Starter was replaced and car started on for one day, the second day temperatures increased and car was dead with similar electrical meltdown, also noticed fog lights were not working after bulb replacement. Dealer diagnosed with kia to bad engine again due to tolerances causing friction and more heat. Spoke to kia and started a case but they just want to replace the engine again and not discuss potential issues with electrical harness compromise and ongoing issue with engine failing for no reason. This car is scarry and hope it does not start on fire when the third engine fails.

While driving 70 mph on the highway my 2011 kia Optima engine shut down and would not accelerate and the brakes would not function. Luckily, I safely made it to the far shoulder of the highway only to find that my car was smoking and smelled like something was burning. Had to get the car towed to the dealership and they informed the engine needs to be replaced and the starter is also fried. I have seen four complaints so far of 2011 kia Optima's with the same issue and am sure I will find more. That seems like too much of a coincidence that it happens so frequently with these models and there isn't any sort of recall. No breaks at 70 mph is pretty dangerous. I have contacted my attorney and hope this manufacturer will do the right thing.

The contacts owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that while traveling at approximately 50 mph attempting to slow down for a stop light, the vehicle stalled with no warning and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the starter burned out and that the engine seized. The dealer replaced the starter and was not able to diagnose the source of the failure. It was stated to the contact that a more extensive diagnosis was required and the engine needed to be taken apart. The engine failure was not repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was not able to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Pam.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 kia Optima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, flames started to emit from underneath the hood due to the wiring near the starter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000. Pam.

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After returning from work and parking my vehicle at home, the car sat in my driveway in 40 degree weather for approximately 12 hrs. I woke up the next morning and found my car on fire and is a total loss. The police and fire department were called and dispatched to my home. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined it was probably an electrical fire. There is no remote starter installed or any other accessories installed in the vehicle after purchase. The fire started in the engine compartment and started spontaneously, perhaps due to a manufacturer defect in the electrical system. I was about an hour away from leaving with this car to return to my office and I am concerned it could of started while I was in it, perhaps causing injuries or death. I am also concerned that if this could happen to me, that there are other vehicles with the same faulty electrical system and it could happen to someone else. I believe kia has a hidden manufacturing defect as was described in my incident, and its very possible it exists on other kia vehicles. Please take my concerns seriously and I think kia needs to look into this matter ASAP. Although the car is damaged beyond repair, I welcome and encourage kia to take the vehicle back to assure it doesn't happen again to anyone else. Updated 03/12/13.

See all problems of the 2009 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

I was leaving work @ 5:45 pm and got in my car, but it would not start. I tried for 20 minutes before I called kia ledgen dealership for help. They told me where to put the aux key starter inside the glove box area. After several attempts the car still would not start. They told me a would have to call the 800 number to get a jump or have my car towed. I found a CO-worker who gave me a jump and the car started right up. I proceeded to a firestone station and got a new batter ($146. 00). Started right up and had no problems until my wife and I went to the mall today (Dec 28) and my car would no start again. I thought we were going to get stranded or needed to find a jump. After 5 attempts it finally started and I took my car back to the dealership and they said they could not duplicate the problem so there was nothing they could do. After stating that I read about other kia owners having the same problem they decided to keep it over night. Are there other owners with similar problems that can lead me in the right direction to get this problem fixed?.

My 2004 kia Optima ex will not start if it sits for a day or so something is killing or draining my battery I've replaced the battery,the starter,and the alternator it has to be an electrical problem also my right front door want open you have to use the key to get in something is still on while the car is off.

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The contact owns a 2002 kia Optima. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number 03v067000 (electrical system:starter assembly). The manufacturer informed the contact that the repairs were made prior to the contact owning the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked the contact was unable to turn the vehicle off. The contact had to disconnect the battery in order to turn the vehicle off. The vehicle would also stall while driving. The vehicle also failed to start intemittently; however, the failures became progressively worse over time and failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2002 kia Optima. The contact researched her insurance agency's website and noticed a recall for the crank position sensor. The kia dealer stated that NHTSA campaign id number 03v067000 (electrical system:starter assembly) does not apply to her VIN. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle automatically stopped. She took the vehicle to another dealer and the vehicle was repaired at the contacts expense. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage was 77,000. Updated 02-14-08 updated 02/14/08.

While driving on route i10 in houston, TX car stalled/would not start. Towed car to gas station and had it jumped. Did not help. Towed to a mechanic shop, where I was told that it was the crankshaft position sensor that needed to be repaired. This part was found to be defective in kia Optimas in 2001 and 2002. While researching the part online I found that the NHTSA recalled the 2001 and 2002 Optimas because, and I quote form the NHTSA website" 2001-02 w/two seaerate recalls for improperly manufactured crankshaft position sensors could result in engine stalling while driving. Dealers will replace affected parts. I called the kia dealership which said that my VIN number was not affected in the recall. I find it a bit ironic, and I am now filing this complaint that my vehicle should be included.