Kia Optima fuel smell problems

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Fuel system · NV

On XXX, Towbin Kia Service (Henderson, NV) officially diagnosed my 2019 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX], Mileage: 118,325) with a critical component failure: "LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FROM TOP HAT" (Invoice #XXX). Despite documenting a severe, volatile raw fuel leak that presents an immediate fire and explosion hazard, the dealership refused to keep the vehicle. They explicitly released this active safety hazard back to me. The service department even arranged a third-party Lyft ride to transport my children and me to the dealership to pick up the leaking car and force us to drive it home. The vehicle is currently parked outside my residence, actively leaking raw fuel and filling the cabin with toxic gas fumes. It is entirely un-driveable and a public safety threat. Kia Corporate must immediately bypass standard dealership timelines, authorize a flatbed tow to retrieve this fire hazard, and directly provide an emergency corporate rental vehicle line (Enterprise/Hertz) for my family's safety today. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

On December 26, 2023, this vehicle received a complete engine assembly replacement at an authorized dealership under a manufacturer warranty repair order. Following the engine overhaul, the vehicle developed a severe, raw gasoline smell entering the passenger cabin through the climate control AC vents while sitting at an idle.The vehicle was brought back to Kia Store East on September 10, 2026, specifically to report this volatile safety issue. On September 17, 2026, the dealership technician explicitly duplicated and confirmed the raw fuel odor coming from the engine area in writing. Despite confirming the gasoline smell, the dealership is refusing to perform a manual high-pressure fuel system pressure-drop test to isolate the physical vapor leak. Instead, they have listed a high-pressure Fuel Pipe Assembly (Part # 35305 2GGA0) on a customer-pay estimate paired with an unrelated $1,819.12 timing cover oil seal repair.The dealership is claiming the failure is out of warranty and is holding the vehicle while forcing daily rental car fees onto me, refusing to isolate the active fuel leak unless I authorize the out-of-pocket repair. The vehicle currently sits un-repaired at the dealership as an active cabin fire and occupant chemical exposure hazard that the manufacturer and dealer refuse to properly diagnose or cover under repair workmanship guidelines.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Fuel system · SC

Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

My vehicles Low-Pressure Fuel Feed Tube disconnected from the engine and sprayed fuel over the top. The vehicle was running and the engine was hot but luckily there was no fire and no was injured, but if this had happened any sooner it could have been much worse. There is currently a recall for this part on my exact model car and year, but my VIN does not show the recall. The part was inspected by a mechanic who informed me this should be covered by the recall based on everything listed in the safety recall campaign. The vehicles check engine light came on just before the temperature gauge light up. after pulling over there was a clear gasoline smell in the vehicle and upon inspection the feed tube was no longer connected to the engine.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 250,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Fuel Leak: I can smell heavy gas fumes inside the vehicle cabin. Fire Hazard: The vehicle is unsafe to drive due to an imminent risk of a fuel fire. Corporate Refusal: Kia Corporate refused to generate a case number and my local dealership refused to service the vehicle leaving a dangerous safety defect unrepaired on public roads. Mechanical Symptoms: The car is experiencing slow cranking, engine sputtering, and multiple dashboard warning lights.

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Fuel system · NV

Strong smell of gasoline from the rear of the vehicle started around 60,000 miles . Car dealership said it’s normal but I don’t smell other cars like this

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Fuel system · 123,323 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle received an undisclosed engine repair. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,323.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his niece was driving the vehicle at 65 MPH, a strong fuel odor began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle then began to violently shake as the contact's niece began to exit the highway. Upon pulling over and exiting the vehicle, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle as both police and fire officials were in the vehicle's vicinity and witnessed the fire. As the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames, the fire department quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the niece's home, where it remained in her possession. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and an investigator was scheduled to visit the niece's home and inspect the vehicle; the investigator never arrived, and the vehicle had yet to be inspected. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Brakes, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 20V10000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the engine and entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light and ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact became aware that the vehicle was out of fuel. The contact added five gallons of fuel, and the vehicle stalled several miles down the road. The vehicle had again run out of fuel. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or inspected. The contact was informed that the fuel leak had nothing to do with the recall. However, the contact was informed that the battery portal was damaged and needed to be repaired before the recall repair was completed. The dealer asked the contact to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.