It either has issues shifting gears like its stuck or the transmission may be slipping, it's had this issue since I bought the car. However I wasn't aware until my uncle drove the car and said something might be wrong.. I have no idea what's causing it. It shudders when I make turn or speed up to pass. Not all of the time but at least twice per my normal trip
Kia Optima slipping problems
21 of the 7,544 owner complaints about the Kia Optima describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 66,600
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Steering noise 4Harsh shifting 4Knocking 3Hesitation 2Transmission failure 1Stalling 1Shudder 1Power steering loss 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P1326 1P0711 1
What owners say
I believe the steering wheel coupler is bad on my 2013 Kia Optima. It is a known issue for this year/make/model. The steering wheel is slipping and makes a clicking noise occasionally when turning.
Hello, I had my vehicle's engine replaced by a dealership (Reason - recall on engine and failure on freeway that has me traumatized!!!) and due to the labor done at Kia Tullahoma, TN my transmission has failed causing a near mishap crash on the freeway due to transmission slip. Noticed transmission fluid leaking. After taking it to another dealership (Kia Anderson, SC) they inspected and said that the labor performed by previous dealership had caused the malfunction. Today (7-24-23) Kia Tullahoma, TN refuses to cover the new transmission that now I have to replace due to their negligence. Due to separation of the transmission to engine the output seals started leaking and causing the incident. May I add that the engine might be at risk due to this also. Please post or let Kia corporate. I will also make claim. Thank you!!
It feels slipping, clunking and metal hitting metal while turning steering wheel either right or left 1 inch or 2 inches either way. Feels like its going break. I uploaded the issue that I'm pretty sure it is, I called kia and they didn't extend the warrant on my specific kia optima 2014 even though it was affect and in their letter it said 2014 kia optima have that defect of coupler . I will also upload the letter but mines doesn't qualify and they're not able to tell my why
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was shaking and making a clicking sound. While attempting to turn, the steering column felt like it was slipping or felt loosened. The failure increase was more evident while driving 50 MPH or more. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000
Over the last year I’ve noticed my car burning a lot of oil, around 1qt every 1000 miles. I’ve also noticed the transmission slipping some. I’ve checked thoroughly for leaks and have found none and the place that changes my oil has said they see no leaks also.
Was exiting the freeway, came to a stoplight, and as continuing with driving the check engine light starts blinking and was not able to accelerate, as if it was slipping. Car would not go over around 30 MPH until feeling the car not able to accelerate again. I used a code reader and got code p1326, which I had looked up and says it has something to do with a knock sensor detection system. Had bring my car in to get it checked out and was told my car had low oil, about 2 quartz. I do regular oil changes though and had done an oil change a few weeks prior. The shop I went to told me there may be a service campaign for the car. Was told specific years have had engine problems with oil, losing oil although no leaks or signs.
When driving slow and turning a knocking clunking sound, or slipping condition while driving in high speed also making wheel vibrate. When in stop and just turning wheel you hear the load clunking. I feel this is a safety issue
There is a problem with the steering. Making a clicking when turning the wheel from left to right the wheel feels like it's slipping
I bought my 2019 optima brand new back in november. It is now june and I have had it back to the dealership 3 times for randomly not starting on me. I get the same answer every time. They don't know what it is, nothing comes up on the computer when they plug it in. They say, "if it happens again, call us and well take it in". Buying this car brand new and my payments being that of a range rover, I am extremely upset. To top it off, the back windshield is slipping down. I am over this car and I will never buy another kia again. But, my fight is not over, something will have to be done. It also hesitates at times, feels as though it is struggling to go. Also, two times while I was driving the car, the dash lit up with almost everything like, I was in a crash, the exclamation point, etc.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
- Risk
- If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139.
Recall number 16V705000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through june 13, 2007. There is a possibility that the shift cable may have been installed incorrectly, causing tension in the cable. If present, this condition could cause the cable to detach from the shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted. The shift lever can then be moved into the park (p) position while the vehicle's transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment.
- Risk
- If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll injure a person in its path or cause a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the shift cable and reinstall if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 23, 2011. Owner may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 11V153000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Optima slipping
Which Kia Optima years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (5 complaints), 2013 (5 complaints) and 2016 (3 complaints).
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