2014 Kia Optima: multiple warning lights

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · OH · fire

I was driving normally on I-76 when suddenly, I couldn’t feel the gas working. Everything was fine with the car until then, but all of a sudden, I saw all the lights on the dashboard. I could slowly smell the smell of flames, and later, it caught fire! I was terrified for my life, and seeing that happen to my first car, which I had only had for three weeks, still haunts me.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Engine · IN

My son and his pregnant fiancé were traveling on [XXX] West bound Thursday [XXX]. They just got out of a construction zone near Rolla MO. At mile marker [XXX] the engine shut down with no warning at 60 mph and all the lights on the dash came on. He had a hard time controlling the car due to the steering being very tight and the brakes were manual. They got a tow to a safe place. I drove 5 hours to meet them and used a scanner to see what codes the car had. Zero codes showed up on my scanner. The engine immobilizer was engaged. We could not get the car started so I rented a U-Haul and car dolly and brought the car back to Indiana to the Avon IN Andy Mohr Kia dealer where we bought it. It was scheduled to be seen Tues [XXX] at [XXX]. I did not hear from them, so I called at 2:30. They informed me an engine was ordered for the vehicle. The Knock sensor detected a bearing knock and shut the car down at high speed on an interstate. The car has no outstanding recalls. I asked about the Knock sensor recall for Kia and ask why the car did not go into limp mod so they could make it safely off the interstate. No response from the dealer. This is a terrible design to have the car shut down at high speeds on an interstate. This could be deadly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 14, 2022 · Engine · GA

driving down the highway, there was no previous warning, all the warning lights on the dashboard came on simultaneously. The car began jerking and was difficult to steer. The car began to shut down in the middle of the road before I had a chance to get off the highway. I managed to get it off the road and into a parking lot. I was unable to bring it to a complete stop even after putting it in park. It rolled up to a fence, and that is what eventually stopped the vehicle from moving. It stalled out on itself, and shut down. At that time, underneath the hood began to smoke, and smelled like something was burning. It continued for about 5 minutes. it was towed to the Kia dealership and has been there for over 10 business days. They completed the diagnostic testing, and decided it was the engine, but they're waiting for corporate to make a decision about repairing at their cost, or placing the responsibility on me. They've been trying to make a decision, and in the meantime, I am out of a car. They did not provide me with a rental car as they make a decision, so i ended up having to pay for a rental car out of my own pocket. My insurance will not pay for a rental car until we hear back from corporate about their decision. This happened one other time in 2017.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · KS

05/03/2021 I drove my vehicle to the local grocery store and upon leaving the store, I came to stop and the vehicle stalled and wouldn't start. I knew that it was not the battery, because all lights and dash board system was on. I tried starting the vehicle again and it would not start. My safety was put at risk because I had to figure out how to get the vehicle towed. The problem (PI 1803) with the engine is the problem and KIA Consumer Affairs verified that the previous owner never brought the vehicle in to get repaired. I was never notified to bring vehicle in. KIA Consumer Affairs verified that I did not have a profile and I was not notified because I was not in their system. It is my problem to get a rebuilt engine for $6000 to update software and extend the "Lifetime Warranty." It was inspected by Olathe KIA in Olathe, KS. They were not given any authority to repair this issue with the original engine failure. My insurance agent verified that they could not cover mechanical problems, only accidents. There were no warnings, no knocking (read other peoples statements on the PI 1803 KIA Forum testaments), no leaking, no smoke, or other signs. I had an oil change a week prior before this happen and there was no signs of any problems. My engine just gave out and never started again. KIA has ruined My Family's Life. We have no car to get to work. Losing my Job because I live 15-20 miles from my job. We only have 1 car. We are getting Evicted from our apartment. Domino affect with My Life. I still have a car payment and car insurance I have to pay for. Why, won't they fix their engines? It's there problem when the vehicle was manufactured. I see why they are trying to sell all kinds of KIA's even though there is a car shortage. So sad how many people are in my shoe's and many of lives are affected by this problem.

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Engine · 175,000 miles · CT

I was on the highway traveling roughly 65 miles , I had literally just gotten onto the highway. I went to accelerate and the car just wouldn't , the rpms and MPH just went down and all lights came on the dash. I had to pull over. I shut car off, car has not been able to start since that day. The engine will not turn over. It didn't make any loud noise when this happened , there was no smells. It just stopped accelerating & engine light, battery light and oil light all came on. The car was completely full of oil and the filter was clean. The car had coolant in it, no leaks. I use the same shop for all mechanical work so he has all records of my maintenance.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Engine · PA · fire

Stopped at a gas station and went inside to use bathroom came out to start my car all the lights flashed but car would not start. Car started smoking and then when hood was opened there was actual flames coming out of hood of my car and it proceeded to burn until fire department came and put it out

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Engine · TX

My vehicle just cut off in drive on the highway all dash lights came on and vehicle will not start this is the second engine I have purchased from kia being that they insisted on my engine wasn't falling under recall under my VIN number so I had to come out of pocket for the engine and labor . I've contacted 1-800 kia but they insist that I have had a life time warranty on my engine that I shouldn't have come out of pocket for a new one the first time due to defects I still have yet heard back from kia consultants I am coming out of pocket for a rental car and as well as towing and this will be the second time my engine has failed with less than 70,000 miles on it. I am a single mother and I can not afford to pay for another engine when the car has a defect I'm just so ready to be done with kia I'm almost done paying on my vehicle and this is the second time this has happened to me and eve tone is practically playing hot potato with me

Filed Jul 6, 2019 · Engine · SC

Driving today on interstate 20 in south carolina at 70 MPH and car just suddenly cut off. Had to wait 31/2 hours for tow through kia roadside assistance in 95 degree weather. Car will not start, had battery checked but car won't do anything, all dash lights, headlights, radio all will come on but the engine won't turn over to crank.

Filed May 31, 2019 · Engine · 50,000 miles · GA

I took my vehicle to have the 1803 software update done less than 2 weeks ago. I was driving back from vacation going approx. 80 MPH the car cut off and several dashboard lights came on. I was in the far left lane, my car was decelerating, I needed to move across two lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road! It is an absolute miracle I was not hit or something catastrophic happened. I have called the dealership where I had the software update done. He was very transparent and explained the 1803 software update to me. Ideally the concept is to set the computer so the engine will shut down to avoid piston or other parts to go through the engine. The software update raises the sensitivity level to detect an issue with the engine, not necessarily to correct or stop it from happening but was told the update is done so it will not cause a catastrophic situation to the engine! Seriously?!! It did cause a catastrophic situation, I was lucky to not have been killed! My car sits 2 hours away, 2 1/2 days later and no answers. I called twice, I have been told I should have some answers today around 2 pm. I asked how I will get my car, I was told kia does have a "reunite" program but seeing as it is w/in the same state it may not be approved to get my car delivered! Kia is joking, right? My car (obviously) is having major issues and researching issues and reports online appear to point to the engine. Is there a class action law suit going on right now? I am going to look into this and pretty sure I won't be purchasing another kia ever and will be telling numerous people and social media outlets about this horrific story that could have ended tragically for me. P.s. When I contacted kia for a tow I was told it would be 90 minutes, I sat in 98 degree heat on side of road for an hour and a half! Thanks kia! Improve your cars and all facets of customer service.

Filed Apr 23, 2018 · Engine · 132,000 miles · PA

Kia engine recall engine knocking sound followed by full loss of power on the highway ( in motion) and all dashboard lights lit . With mainly engine and oil lights lit first. I coasted to a parking lot off the exit I was on and the engine started smoking once in park . The cabin and engine smelled of burning. All of my newly changed oil was burnt up as well. Car would not turn over when I pushed the start button. Car maintenance is kept up to date . A few months prior my engine malfunction light kept coming on and I had it looked at turner kia during an oil change on 4/3/17 and they stated they didn't know what the issue was and continued to allow me to drive the vehicle. The engine malfunction would come on time to time since that date.

Filed Oct 28, 2016 · Engine · MD

While driving down the road all the lights on the dash came on, the RPM's dropped and the car shut off and would not restart. Got it towed to the kia dealership they called said it was my starter. My fiance stopped by there said it's no way it was the starter. The service tech put a breaker bar on the motor and it was locked up tight.

Filed Sep 26, 2016 · Engine · 48,000 miles · CA

While driving with my family of 4 on the freeway in a desolate area of santa clarita on 9/24/16 at 3:15pm my vehicle shut off without any warning. We were going 65 MPH, all lights on the dash flashed and the car shut off. We were in the 2nd lane and had to use the momentum of speed to make it to the shoulder, we were almost hit. Once we made it to the shoulder of this busy freeway, we were unable to start the car, put windows up or down, open the trunk etc. The car was completely dead. We sat waiting for aaa and hoping not to get hit. It was 85 degrees out and my 74 year old mother and disabled sister sat in the car for 30 mins until the tow truck arrived. If we weren't so lucky or if we were in the righter lanes of traffic 4 lives could have been lost that day. I am very anxious and nervous to drive the vehicle again however; I have no choice it is our families primary vehicle. The service rep at the dealership told be prematurely that it is the motor however; the diagnosis is not finalized. I fear for the safely of my family and friends in the car now, and really do not want to drive it again. It gives me major anxiety especially since I drive from ca to az 4 times a year and now fear this happening in the middle of the desert. I don't understand how a car 19 month old with 48k miles can have this type of issue. Actually I don't know how any car any age and miles can have the issue of just shutting off without warning, it is a major safety concern.