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2018 Kia Optima engine complaints

Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 144, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2018 Kia Optima engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine · TX

My car had been consuming 2 quarts every 1,000 miles for the past 3-4 months and the kia dealership told me that the best thing i could do is keep getting an oil change. So one day i tried starting my car and it starting shaking and turned off so i turned it back on and it shut off again. I jump started it and it shut off again and i jump started it again but it never turned on. All of the problems that i have has been confirmed by the dealership (Open Road Automotive) My engine is all the way messed up, my fuel pump was messed up .My engine light came on after this and i just keep having problems with my car. I seen that kia keeps having these problems but i chose to get my car anyways because I love kias cars but I will have to switch if these problems are not solved with my car and i get new parts on my car because these are failing parts not because of me. I’m having So many problems with my car right now and it’s been costing me a lot of money .It’s at the shop right now and it’s been at the shop for maybe 2 weeks now. I can’t get a rental because they are only covering $40 a day and they are charging me $200 a day. So please help me with these problems and get these problems fixed.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact checked the dip stick and there was no oil on the dip stick. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an oil change was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the engine was cleaned but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2023 · Engine · DE

consistently getting oil changes. if the car doesn't rcvd an oil change before 3000 miles the check engine light comes on and then the light removes after oil change. in between the time period of getting oil changes it may run junky or you hear the catalytic converter trying to push air thru and it rattles.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Engine · MO

My car engine burns oil EXCESSIVELY. After an oil change, 2 weeks later i had to put more oil in. The dealership is no help even with a warranty. The car burning oil is also causing other mechanical problems that are a hefty price that are only a temp fix. I have to put oil in every single week. 2-3 quarts a week. Due to the oil being burnt off, it has affected my spark plugs and has caused a misfire in the same exact cylinder for when it misfired for this same problem, a year prior. I took it to a kia dealership last year and they performed a combustion chamber cleaning ($650+) and it only worked for 3 months before my car was back to performing poorly due to power loss from misfiring again. This car has put me in a VERY TOUGH financial situation and the dealership and corporate are absolutely no help. a year apart, this car has misfired on the same cylinder twice. the dealership just tells me to do a combustion cleaning but due to it being very pricy and with how much oil i have to buy, it’s not an option for me due to my financial situation. right now i’m just hoping something will be done for the millions of people that are effected by this.

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Engine · 122,760 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed on the vehicle, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who added oil to the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,760.

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Engine · KY · fire

The car caught on fire in our driveway

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · Engine · ID

2018 kia optima ex a/t. My wife drive this car to work every day, 45-50 mile round trip for the past couple years. We have noticed that oil consumption is starting to become a problem. Im unsure the exact amount it goes through but it seems to be almost 3-4 quarts between oil changes. Every now and then it would randomly be a quart low, but no leaks, no noticeable smoking, no check engine lights. My wife has had a few times where the car would randomly loose acceleration nad slow way down. The car would come back up to acceleration after pulling over to the shoulder of the freeway when it happens. Im wondering if it might be related to the oil consumption, but not sure. It has the recal for the knock sensor update which we are waiting for feb 28th, thats the time the dealer can get the car in for it. Our closest dealer is 150 miles from home. We have owned it since new and this is the only problem we've had with it. I hope we can get this resolved. No new car should go through this much oil at almost $6 a quart or more.

Filed Dec 8, 2022 · Engine · 102,593 miles · FL

Excessive oil consumption will burn through around 4qts of oil before 1k miles

Filed Nov 5, 2022 · Engine · IL

At around 40,000 miles my car started burning oil rapidly. No leaks were found and I would get an oil indicator light then the car would shut down while driving. I couldn’t get it to accelerate. Mechanic said Kia’s and Hyundais have been having those issues. I have needed oil changes every 3 weeks to keep in functioning.

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when the vehicle's oil will be as low as half a tank or lower the engine would suddenly stall. The vehicle would immediately regain power and function as expected. The failure occurred at various speeds with the highest speed being 60 mph. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that there was fuel pressure pump failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact received a letter stating that the manufacturer was well aware of the failure and have also created an extended warranty, however, they did not have the remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,652.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Rough idle, chugged along before killing engine power. Has happened a couple of times. No check engine light has come on

Filed Sep 26, 2022 · Engine · OH

My car is consuming 2 quarts of oil for every 1,000 miles. This falls under the oil consumption that needs a motor replaced and I am getting a run around from the dealership about getting it replaced. They are saying that Kia does not like to replace the motors and I'm better off trading it in. I bought this car intending on keeping it long term, not purchasing a new one. All of the regular maintenance has been done on the vehicle. I've been into the dealership a multitude of times a month due to issues with the car.

Filed Sep 26, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Just Started Having Problems On It’s On The Car Only Has 38,000 Miles

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Engine · 62,709 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a faulty knock sensor that needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle from the dealer the vehicle was slow to accelerate and the vehicle was driving sluggishly. The contact stated that the vehicle needed to be taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The contact related the failure to the Kia Consent Order with the federal safety agency; however, the 2018 Kia Optima was not included. The contact stated that the remedy was not sufficient to remedy the vehicle failure. The manufacturer was notified and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 62,709.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Engine · OH

Excessive oil consumption. Dealer says it is normal to burn a quart every thousand miles. At that rate I would have no oil left before my next oil change. That is not normal and could cause overheating and engine lock up. The car only has 45,000 miles.

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · Engine · 99,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving at a slow speed, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into LIMP mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1326 (KSDS) was retrieved. The contact was informed that there was vibration caused by excessive connecting rod bearing wear. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Engine · GA

First incident occured when I was driving to work. The engine made a noise and loss power which almost resulted in a crash. I contacted kia, they explain to me that a knock sensor need to be installed and software needed to be updated. They installed it and return the car to me. Now again while I am on the highway I hear a loud knock, lights flashing in the car and the car has loss power. I rolled off the exit pull over and called a tow truck. While waiting I check the oil in the car thinking maybe the engine is locking up. There is no oil in the car, which is strange because two months prior kia just did an oil change. I have documents to prove everything. Kia has been the only dealership that service the car. They now been in possession of my vehicle for four months now and nothing has been done. I contacted cooperate and they have failed to getting back to me after numerous attempts to get answers. Please someone help me. I have congestive heart faliure which I explain to them and I really need my car but most of all I need it to be safe for me.

Filed Jul 18, 2022 · Engine · CA

Flashing engine light out of nowhere. Fault code is for faulty knock sensor Lacks power. Wants to stall when hitting the gas. Can cause engine compartment fire. As well as engine fire. Safety put at risk if stopped In the middle of traffic.

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Me and my family just returned home from the laundry mat and took 2 children inside our house and turned around for our belongings and clothing/bedding for the family as the wheels spun out being followed by a silver hyundaii. Just a matter of seconds to 2 minutes. The keys were not in the vehicle. 2 childrens carseats and almost ALL of my family's belongings were stolen inside of the vehicle. 2018 kia optima dark slate grey in color with dark tinted windows and sun strip at the top of windshield, black rims. CR 21077 IL LICENSE PLATE This seems to be an ongoing issue with kia and hyundaii vehicles being stolen and somehow im still not being offered a loaner vehicle with full coverage insurance

Filed Jun 28, 2022 · Engine · KY

When driving this vehicle in heavy rain Critical Error Code P1326 comes on limiting the speed to 62 MPH and slow acceleration. This has happened 6 times. Two of those times I took to a KIA Dealer. One said they replaced parts and fixed - but still have issue and one did nothing but download software to get ride of code. The other 4 Auto Store has reset code which they should not be doing and sometimes say no. This has happened 6 times since I have owned the vehicle.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine · GA · fire

2018 kia optima. Consumer writes in regard to illiminated oil light. The consumer stated the vehicle consumed oil quickly, but without any leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer suggested driving 1000 miles and then return to the dealer to be further inspected. After leaving the dealer, the vehicle began smoking. The dealer stated it could be due to spilled oiled that occured during the oil change. The consumer continued to drive the vehicle and it caught fire and exploded.

Filed May 26, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · GA

My car has been at the dealership since February 10th. The dealer has been giving me the run around. Didn’t have any transportation for over two months and car hasn’t moved since the day I dropped it off. I’m really getting impatient, as I am making monthly payments on a car that I can’t even use. Nearing four months and I’m totally lost on what to do. Thank you for any assistance

Filed May 9, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · IN

Engine overhead and stopped working in addition to it consuming massive amounts of oil without physically putting oil in. I've went to 2 dealerships who refuse to provide me with a new engine even though I'm covered under the engine extension warranty due to me having the knock sensor update done. I am now involving my attorney and will go to the news channels to inform how kia manufacturer has become a disgrace with not providing quality engines in their vehicles and don't want to be responsible for it. there's already a settlement going on for kia optimas and other cars they've made because of faulty engines. They can better believe I'm coming for them next with a lawsuit.

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Engine · 77,200 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH after leaving the dealer, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the high engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over and turn the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the engine temperature was still elevated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was left on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, the contact was not provided the diagnostic result. The contact was informed by the mechanic of an unspecified engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,200.

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Engine · 64,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil without warning. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change, the oil reservoir was empty within less than a week. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil change was performed and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where she was informed that since she was the second owner of the vehicle, they could not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2021 · Engine, Steering · VA

We would like to know what Kia is planning to do to address the fact that Kia built a car without the basic immobilizer circuit making it very easy to steal. Over the last few months, local and national news reports, as well as many social media sites, have reported on this security flaw which likely emboldens others to attempt a theft of a Kia and/or Hyundai. As I do not live in Milwaulkee, I would like to know how the company will fix this problem for the rest of us. It will not be restricted to just one city. There are numerous articles by victims that have detailed how their car theft cost them thousands of dollars in insurance deductibles, rental cars, and repairs. Many of the articles explain how thieves as young as 12 years old are able to still these cars in under a minute in broad daylight and driving recklessly creating a serious safety hazzard. Please advise what Kia will do to negate this serious security flaw.

Filed Aug 28, 2021 · Engine · TX

Engine loses compression and car dies while in motion. This has happened several times and is extremely dangerous on the road! This car is barely out of warranty with only 104,000 miles! This is unacceptable!

Filed Jul 13, 2021 · Engine · NY

Back in September of 2020, my car randomly went to limp mode while driving at highway speeds. Had the car towed to the dealer. Dealer advised of apparent “software issue” to correct the problem. Well this happened two more times after that twice the software was updated which didn’t work. The third time the replaced the knock sensor and so far I haven’t went to limp mode, however, the car has not drove the same and seems to get worse each passing day. Rough shifting, engine vibrates more than usual. Car struggles at times to go up hills, when giving gas a though way speed the car has a few second delay. Sometimes it feels as if the transmission is skipping. The car is up to date on all recommended services, I.e transmission flush and fill etc. There are also times when the vehicle is started but struggles. Almost as if it want to loose power but it doesn’t. Has happened numerous times however recently it actually didn’t start. Struggle to turn over a couple time but then finally did. A check engine light came on but then went away the next day after driving. I have an appointment with the dealer this week to look at this and other issues, again, hoping for some progress at that point.

Filed May 14, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

When driving this vehicle rattles and shakes it has a burning smell/gas smell. It cuts off while driving. Looses oil.oil at low level before due. This make and model is no longer being manufactured. It has a known history of engine problems. Why were consumers allowed to buy this car. Problems are active and ongoing. Started about a year or close to a year after purchase. It is a lemon . The dealer wants to diagnose the engine, but they already know the engine is no good.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Engine · 72,800 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 kia optima. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stalled. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle unto the road shoulder and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to ancira kia (6139 bandera road, san antonio, tx 78238, (210)684-4000) due to the hesitation and stalling. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and changed the oil however, the repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 72,800.

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