KIA Complaints

I lost power and was sandwiched between semis and as I was going over one of the mountains, I went from 70 mph which was the speed limit at the time down to 45 to 50 I mean I couldn’t keep the speed. It was sudden with no warning and also had this happen on previous occasions which was reported to KIA. It caused road rage from drivers and also almost multiple accidents over time. I thought at one point I was going over the side of the mountain that didn't have guard rails due to sudden slow down and no where to go and semi behind me. Ended up with a new Waste Gate.

Sudden strong hot fire smell out of nowhere. Immediately looked at my C to H gauge. It was not on C yet not all the way on H. I immediately looked for smoke/fire from vehicles in front of me as I have seen semis and diesel trucks appear or actually on fire while traveling. No more than Iook I up and look back down at the gauge which was now over halfway now closer to H, smell was stronger and smoke seen seeping through my instrument dashboard and honestly I was having a brief moment where it didn't seem real (between military trauma and fear of burning up in a vehicle). I was right at a stoplight so very quickly smoke started to engulf my engine hood coming out of all sides and I felt it was about to explode as quick as the smell and clouds appeared. I took an immediate left turn and quickly pulled into the parking lot near and immediately got out and called 911. Someone seen it up in smoke and told me he thought it smelled like a fire. I informed him 911 was coming. Two fire engines showed up along with EMS & police along with about 3 non fire engine volunteers. As I turned the vehicle off immediately prior to 911, the smoke started to subside outside of the vehicle. A firefighter in charge informed it was a fire risk/hazard, do not turn on and to contact KIA right way to report...have towed. I have been informed there was huge amounts of oil loss at one time, engine leak concern involving an oil feed tube. I was informed by dealership that so much oil spilling out that a fire could have started if it did not. Firefighters showed sprayed oil to the back of the vehicle under hood that should not ever be there and recommended to not drive.

The truck was purchased in 2021, with no known issues. In early 2024, it was observed that the truck would struggle to accelerate and started making weird noises like it was about to stop working. The truck received its normal oil changes and no issues were identified by the dealership. In mid-2024, around June, the truck continued to act up after having the oil change completed. The truck was taken to a second mechanic who noticed that the truck was missing a lot of oil after completion of a recent oil change. I paid for another oil change and by September 2024, the truck was now leaking oil. My family's safety was jeopardized because there were no warning lights for me to check the oil or anything else. It was taken to a kia dealership who replaced the timing cannister in October 2024. By December 2024, same issues again. An oil consumption test was conducted in January 2025, and result is the need for a new engine, $10,000. I am unable to receive assistance from any other repair shop because of the known issues with kia engines. I need my truck to be fixed by Kia because this is a known issue from other owners as well.

Oil consumption, car seizes,loses power and stalls when at 65 to 70 mph on highway,almost caused two accidents in which i was able to avoid, both times my children were in the vehicle.spoke with kia as well and they stated they were unable to help with this issue and only suggested us to go to a dealership.We have taken the car to the dealership and to auto shop 3 times in the past 6 months no resolve.Just got an oil change again and did oil consumption test (result was .8 oil burned at 1,000 miles) ,now 2 weeks later no oil in car as oil light came on after it was filled back up at the oil consumption test ,engine is faulty and burns oil at alarming rates.

It burns oil constantly. I constantly have to get new filters put on because they become black very quickly same with the oil itself. The engine has a tic and I know other people with optima’s that have the same problem. I burn through 4 quarts in two weeks- less than 600 miles.

I purchased a 2013 Kia Optima EX from an on-line auction [XXX] in Memphis, Tn. After the car was delivered I noticed the vehicle engine had a slight engine knock. When I attempted to test drive the vehicle the engine knock grew louder, and the vehicle shut down in the middle of the road. I was fortunate enough to get the vehicle back to my residence where I was able inspect the engine, and noticed "Metal Dust" on the oil dipstick. Service records showed the vehicle had been serviced at the correct intervals, and the oil had been professionally been changed at correct intervals, and the vehicle appear to be in excellent condition. After doing some research I notice Kia had a recall for the "Theta Engine 2" for a rod bearing recall that was causing engine failure prematurely. I contacted Kia customer services on 11-20-24. I was told the vehicle was in fact under the "rod bearing" recall and it had a lifetime warranty on it. I was instructed to contact a Kia dealership to have the vehicle serviced for possible engine replacement due to rod bearing failure. I contacted Serra Kia of Jackson, TN, and inform them of my conversation with Kia's customer services, and I was told they were pretty sure the engine would have to be replaced, and to have the vehicle towed to their dealership to perform the services. I had the vehicle towed to Serra Kia on 12-2-24. I sent an email to the service department on 1-16-25 for an update on my vehicle. On 1-16-25 I received an email from the dealership's service department stating a case was opened with Kia Tech, and they declined approval of an engine because I bought it from an auction. The dealership did offer to replace the engine for $6003.71 for parts and labor. I contacted Kia customer services on 1-18-25 and they said they wouldn't approve replacing the engine even though it's under recall because I bought the vehicle at an auction. I'm filing this complaint because Kia is refusing to do an active safety recall for my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF

The day after I purchased the brand new vehicle the infotainment screen began displaying “No Camera Signal Received. Please try again later “. This would occur about 50% of the time I put it in reverse. I returned to the dealership I purchased from and showed a photo of the message. The technician was unable to duplicate the issue and I was told I could leave the vehicle for a few days for a diagnostic but I was not able to leave it that day so I left. I contacted the dealership closest to my home and scheduled an appointment. Before the appointment date the instrument panel began malfunctioning going from a red screen to green then black then normal. During those times it could not display the speed or any warnings. Also by this time I received a diagnostic warning from my Kia Connect app regarding the front camera system issue FRCMR C2A2397. At the closer dealer I showed a photo and video of the malfunctions and the No Camera signal was displaying when the worker took in the vehicle. As of now the vehicle is still in the shop on day 12. The technician was able to duplicate the problem and a part has been ordered and received and may be installed next week. I have attached below a photo of the camera signal screen and only screenshots of the instrument panel video since the video was too large to send.

The glass panel placed between the windshield and the Panoramic sunroof blew out with no external forces. Looking at other cases from online, this appears to be a problem dating back to the 2019 model. Attached are photos from the date of incident (12/31/2024) from 1/3/2025 and 1/17/2025.

When active cruise control is active the forward collection activates when their are shades and sun breaks in the road. Also when cruise control is activated, the forward colition should slow down and or stop the vehicle whne it approuches a vehicle in front of it. Often when approuching a stoped car etc infront or foward of the telluride it does not break or slow down, it acts as if their are no obsticials in front of it. I have brought the vehicle to dealer when it had less than 3000 miles for this issue and will be bringing it back again on 1/28/2025 for this reacuring issue. Just today 1/17/25 it happened 7 times within a 5 mile travel.

In 2021 we purchased the van and within hours the motor blew. The car dealer had the motor rebuilt and it has been good until recently. It seems the head gasket is blown as it’s using coolant and blowing white smoke. It’s also burning oil. This should not happen every couple years