Kia Optima power windows problems

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Airbags, Body · TX

Component: Power Window / Door Description: All four power window regulators failed on my 2016 Kia Optima SXL within 16 months - from June 2025-Oct 2026. The failure mode is identical on all four doors: the plastic drum gear in the regulator separates or breaks, causing the window glass to drop into the door and become completely inoperable. The vehicle had 113,867 miles on it at the time of the first failure. This is a known design defect, not wear-and-tear. Kia issued Technical Service Bulletin BOD300 (March 2021) specifically addressing "Window Regulator Drum Gear Replacement" for 2016-2017MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced September 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016. The bulletin confirms the drum gear separates or breaks. Despite this, Kia has not issued a safety recall. Safety risk: In a collision, intact side windows are an occupant ejection restraint. A window that has fallen into the door removes that protection and increases the risk of occupant ejection. Side curtain airbags deploy through the window frame (FMVSS 208). A window that is detached or lowered can interfere with proper airbag deployment, negating a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard protection. In an emergency (fire, submersion), the driver and passengers cannot lower a window to create an escape path. Evidence of systemic defect: All four regulators failed (not one or two), within a short timeframe, demonstrating a design-level failure rather than isolated component wear. Kia's own TSB BOD300 confirms the root cause (drum gear separation/breakage). This complaint is filed in connection with existing the federal safety agency investigations PE21004 and EA22002 regarding this exact defect. I paid $3,734.64 out of pocket to have all four regulators replaced. I opted out of the Le Beau v. Kia America class action settlement and retain my individual claims. I am requesting that the federal safety agency evaluate this as a safety defect warranting a recall.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · MA

For a second time, the window goes off the runner and will not operate. This happened to the drivers side window and the rear drivers side window. The only option is to return to the dealership and have the part replaced to allow the window to move up and down, This is a safety hazard and fails state inspection if the windows will not move up and down. This is a safety recall.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Electrical · TN

My rear passenger side window would not go up or down & the motor would run when the button was pressed. That was in January 2026. Now April 2026, my driver's side rear window will not go up or down.

Filed Oct 3, 2025 · Visibility · TX

All window regulators failed before 100K miles. This does not allow for windows to open in case of emergency, This problem has been personally confirmed by dealer and also in service bulletin SA418. This is a common problem in this car make/model/year. This component has been known to the manufacturer for defect. No warning lights, just instant lack of window use.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · AR

I have a 2016 KIA Optima SX Turbo with 33,500 miles that the windows one by one are failing due to a defective regulator drum gear. This very flimsy gear fails and the window will not roll up. I have had 3 out of 4 fail in the last month. The only way to keep the window up is to shimmy them. This creates a huge safety risk in the event of an accident and also can impact the collision safety system including airbags. KIA is aware of this situation as outlined in their Technical Service Bulletin dated March 2021. I believe it's bulletin MC-10189544-0011. I've contacted the dealer who doesn't think there is a recall on this issue. This issue creates a safety issue that after only 33,500 miles should not exist.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · NY

In 2024 the window regulator went in the drivers side back window costing me $700 and on 9/22/2025 the drivers side front window regulator just went costing me another $700. I see many are having this issue but no recall

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Electrical · VA

Window regulator assembly failed twice within 20k miles. Attached is the first repair. Dealership only repaired motor but not full assembly and it failed again.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · NC

While driving at approximately 45/50 mph, the right rear window suddenly dropped into the door panel without warning. This unexpected failure startled me and created a distraction while driving, as well as compromised my ability to hear and concentrate safely. My left rear window has also slipped into the door panel and is now being held up by shims and I have now discovered that the issue is due to a failed window regulator. This is a known issue in similar vehicles and poses a potential safety hazard, especially during adverse weather or high-speed driving. The Manufacturer has not issued a recall only a bulletin and the cost that was quoted to me from Hendrick Kia of Concord was over $900 dollars a regulator.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Electrical · TX

All 4 of the window regulator motors blew in my windows at the same time, only about 9 years into the vehicle's life. The little plastic pulleys that move the cables degrade over time and then ruin the rest of the window motor when they break, and since they decided not to make this an easily repairable part it requires the entire window regulator assembly which is half of the door to be replaced, not just this plastic part. I had to replace all 4 of them out of my own money, KIA REFUSED to replace something that is completely 100% their fault and it cost me over $3,500 to repair all four windows that went out pretty much at the same time. It's insane silly that anyone's windows can just break at anytime and be stuck in the down position. I can't just put up trash bags and then not be able to see a thing while I wait to get it fixed if it happens again. I was lucky enough to be in a position to get it looked at quickly, but it is absolutely insane that KIA would refuse to cover such a defect. There is already a class-action lawsuit over this I believe but they haven't even attempted to remedy the situation. Not everyone has time to wait for a lawsuit to settle. There should absolutely be some kind of recall/extended warranty on their windows. My engine blew at 57,400 miles only a few months later which is separate and was replaced but it's just insane that I was promised a car but got a piece of trash that consistently breaks while all I can get is a replacement engine with the same exact problem and no confirmation that the same thing won't just happen again while they continue to use the same defective engine over 10 model years. I want them to fix their issues not slap a band-aid over them and hope for the best. This company has been knowingly selling cars built to end up in a landfill within 10 years and they don't care.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VA

When I turned the ignition on the car wouldn't start. But the ABS light and all other lights flickering when trying to start the car. The alarm kept going off. Passenger side front and rear windows won't function. Smell like something was burning. This is the second incident ([XXX]). Fuses had to be removed to silence the alarms on the first incident on [XXX] because the lights were still flickering on and off when car wasn't on. I had my car serviced at the West Broad Kia Dealership in Richmond, Va. Thank you! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)