Kia Optima transmission failure problems

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Transmission · VA

2019 Kia Optima EX, 1.6L turbo, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Second owner, purchased August 2019 at Jeff Wyler near Cincinnati, Ohio, not Certified Pre-Owned. Transmission was previously replaced under warranty in my first year of ownership. In spring 2026 I reported rough low-speed shifting. The dealer performed a DCT fluid service and software reset on April 27, 2026, $478.72. That shifting issue was not resolved immediately, but it eventually went away. Kia Consumer Assistance Case #26051125 replied on May 22, 2026 that the dealer was unable to duplicate any issue and the transmission was operating normally. On September 30, 2026, at about 70,000 miles, the transmission failed and the car stopped in the middle of the road in my community. It would not engage first gear and was diagnosed as a mechanical failure of the odd gear fork. No crash, no injury. It was towed to Ourisman Chantilly Kia. Replacement parts were $4,094.67 on October 11, 2026 and labor was $3,180.46 on October 20, 2026, total $7,275.13. Two transmissions have failed by about 70,000 miles. The September odd gear failure may or may not be related to the earlier shifting issue. I am filing this as a defect and safety complaint, not a reimbursement request. I authorize the federal safety agency to share my contact details with Kia.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · IL

My transmission failed the week I got it it was inspected by the dealership and I was told that they could not do anything about it I’ve been calling them for a whole year I’ve made notes and complaints I’ve contacted my lender they contacted the dealership to trade me in a new car and was told no I have been out of thousands of dollars paying every month I’ve been ubering I’ve been late to work this is costing me money and my job is on the line

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 217,000 miles · WA

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2008 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle's transmission failure. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 198,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 217,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 154,782 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving downhill at approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The battery, oil, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the pedal was firm. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was smoke coming from the engine. The contact attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the transmission failed to shift to park. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 154,782.

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I am filing this complaint due to severe and ongoing safety defects in my 2020 Kia Optima EX, which has repeatedly stalled while driving, creating a life-threatening road hazard. Since September 2024, my vehicle has suffered from major failures, including a complete transmission replacement, multiple high-pressure fuel pump replacements, multiple oil flushes due to fuel contamination, and all fuel injectors replaced. Despite all of these “repairs” performed by a Kia-authorized dealership, the check engine light continues to return, and the vehicle still stalls unexpectedly, making it dangerous to drive. On March 10, 2025, after Kia claimed to have tested the vehicle for 200 miles, I picked up the car from the dealership, only for it to stall and trigger the check engine light within hours before I even reached my destination. This vehicle has been returned to me multiple times in an unsafe condition. Additionally, an independent mechanic discovered an engine oil leak and a torn axle that Kia’s dealership never disclosed. This raises major concerns about their lack of proper inspection and repair procedures. This is a serious safety issue that Kia refuses to take accountability for. I request an immediate investigation into this matter before this defect leads to an accident.

Filed Jun 1, 2024 · Transmission · AZ

Driving one day in Dec 2021, and there was a hybrid system warning and vehicle suddenly stopped on the road. Called tow truck. We were unable to put the car in neutral to tow. Had tow truck deliver to dealership for diagnostic and repair. Dealer replaced transmission and stated it was covered under warranty. Finally got vehicle back and warning still pops on dashboard. We’ve taken it back several times and warning randomly appears. Dealership unable to recreate the warning to diagnose. Unable to drive the vehicle over long distances due to safety concerns.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · SC

The engine is consuming oil very fast and needing oil way before the next oil change. The oil consumption test Kia did stated that it was 2 quarts low after the first 1000 miles. Car does not have extended warranty but this a manufacturing defect. Suggestion was new motor. Also it's recall for the forward collision safety feature but my car vin is not included even though it goes off when nothing is in front of me. They want me to pay for these issues the motor cost the same as the payoff of car. This is ridiculous, I purchased Kia due to having a older model that almost got 300,000 miles on it before transmission died. I got a great payment and a newer car but didn't expect to have this motor issue or safety problem with no help from manufacturer. I'm stuck keeping oil in car so it's burn out & cutting safety feature off so it stops breaking when nothing is in front me. Both of these issues or manufacturing defects and should be fixed by KIA.

Filed Feb 25, 2024 · Engine · CA

When I was coming home from work my car lost power and didn’t accelerate anymore when I was on the freeway. I almost didn’t make it to the shoulder when trying to pull over. Every single light I could imagine came on when I was trying to pull over, It said check hybrid system, BSP system failed, etc. All the lights came on at once. My car didn’t start, so I had to wait on the side of the freeway at 4am for a ride and a tow. Kia told me that I need service records to prove that I was up on my maintenance and that the reason my engine failed was at no fault of my own, But I am up on maintenance. That same dealership had my car in February 2023 and said my car was in perfect condition and up on maintenance, I just needed a new transmission. Now just a year later, Suddenly my engine failed and they are saying it might be because I didn’t get oil changes. There are recalls on Kia engines made in 2016 but for some reason my car isn’t included in the recall even though I know I took car of my car and that engine just wasn’t good.

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I have already had to have motor and transmission replaced once under warranty. The replaced transmission was worse than the original problem. The original problem was hard shifting. Now I have intermittent hard shifting, occasional lunging forward, occasional shuddering while pressing accelerator, and feeling like there is hesitation to change gears. I have not taken it back to the dealer yet. I always get the excuse that they cant replicate the problem. It took me 2-3 years to get it acknowledged the first time.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Transmission · MI

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!!