Kia Optima Hybrid hesitation problems

Filed Apr 27, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · KY

My active air flapp system is defaulting and transmission going out. Not to mention the hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Engine · 148,000 miles · MD

Took my car to the dealer in camp springs, maryland to have an analysis done and to install a new air bag recall from dmv. One of the issues was to check my fluids and to see why my car hesitates and makes a clanking noise after driving a period of time. Now, it didn't happen all the time. Just when it was driven for a few hours straight. One of the dealers service rep reported that the engine was burning oil. After reading the report, I would constantly check the oil. When I first notice the clacking noise, I would check the oil. There was plenty of oil in the car, however, my coolant container was low. Purchased coolant for the vehicle. A month later, the container was almost empty again. Apparently, the coolant was leaking into the engine. Now I have an engine problem.

Filed Mar 9, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 1,096 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia optima hybrid. While driving approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a u-turn, the steering wheel seized. The electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated when switching between fuel and electric ever since it was purchased in 2017. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (rick case kia in sunrise florida). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 12647572. The approximate failure mileage was 1,096.

Filed Jan 15, 2018 · 35,000 miles · NM

Vehicle was in motion on a road with posted speed of 50 MPH. I had to brake suddenly, and the car stalled in the fast lane. I immediately put flashers on because of traffic coming behind me. It took about two minutes to restart the car because of the push button start and the power seats having to position themselves. Very scary situation and very unexpected. I've also had problems when slowing down, and the car hesitates in the turn. I've almost been hit twice because of this.

Filed Apr 22, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · IA

We first took it to edwards kia in council bluffs, ia on 2/11/15. When I originally took it to them, the service engine light had just come on and the car had just started doing the lunging and hesitating when shifting in lower gears. It was as if the accelerator was sticking. They downloaded a couple updates and turned the service engine light off. They advised the light came on because of the update that was needed and said that the shifting /idling issue was better. As soon as I drove it, I noticed it was still doing the same thing. On 2/23/15 I took it back in and they advised that there were two parts to the download and that they had put the second part on and thought it was better. They also gave me a kia tech support sheet on how to address the problem. This included warming the car up for 10-15 minutes, driving with the eco on the start of the trip, and to depress the accelerator 10 % more. They advised that was the nature of the hybrid vehicle in the cold weather but it didn't do it the year before. We then took the car to h&h kia in omaha, ne on 3/3/15 and the car is still there 7 weeks later. They have replaced the transmission twice with remanufactured transmissions. I am not sure why they wouldn't put a new one in since the car only has $19,663 miles on it. The have replaced the generator now and still hasn't fixed the problem. The car still isn't showing any codes on the computer and they are waiting for the kia "experts" to arrive. I have not had my car for 8 weeks and they want me to take the car home until the experts arrive but I do not feel safe with it lunging and shifting erratic like it is.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Engine · 450 miles · WA

(my report is exactly the same as id 10552403) this car severely hesitates/stalls after coming to a stop (red lights, stop signs, yield signs, and etc). Car hesitates/stalls for ~2-3 seconds before accelerating while at a dead stop. This has caused several near accidents. When it happens, I push the gas pedal to the floor and the car doesn't respond at all for about 2-3 seconds. This seems to be a serious problem when pulling out into traffic as incoming cars can close the safety gap quickly in 2-3 seconds. Cold weather causes the car to hesitate/stall more often than warmer weather from my experience, but it's happened when car has been running for over 20 minutes, as well. I hope kia will check into this problem as my local dealership has no answer.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Acceleration · 40 miles · IL

This hybrid has a very dangerous hesitation on driver's request for any significant acceleration. Regardless of if the car is stationary or at speed a request for any sudden acceleration is met by a very significant hesitation before any noticable response is made. That is for all speeds and conditions. This both with the "eco" function engaged or disengaged. That is not safe.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Acceleration · 21 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and suddenly accelerated. The dealer could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The failure occurred at various low speeds. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 21. Updated 8/11/14

Filed Nov 27, 2013 · Engine · 24,101 miles · PA

While accelerating from a dead stop, the car hesitated and stopped until it appeared to shift from electric to gas power. I thought at the time that it may have been a freak thing but this hesitation has recurred a few times since then.

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 14,450 miles · NC

This car severely hesitates/stalls after coming to a stop at intersections (red lights, stop signs, yield signs, and etc). Car hesitates/stalls for 2-3 seconds before accelerating while at a dead stop. This has causes several near accidents and scares to my family, friends, and myself. This morning, I pushed the gas pedal to the floor and the car did not accelerate/respond until 2-3 seconds later. This is serious and dangerous problem, while pulling out into traffic incoming cars can close the safety gap quickly in 2-3 seconds. Cold weather causes the car to hesitate/stall more often than warmer weather. I urge the federal government to step in and force kia to find solution to this problem before this issue cause a fatality. Fuel economy is another issue in this car (hybrid), I typically don't get the estimated 35 mpg/city that the dealership sold me on, it is usually 28-30 mpg/city.