Owners' Stories

My wife and I both have 2009 KIA Optimas, The only issue that we have had we had it with both cars. If you have the headlights on and park and turn off the ignition swith and exit the car 99% of the time all the lights will go off. The other 1% of the time the parking lights will stay on. This is most inconvinent since sometimes you do not notice the parking lights still being on. The dealer has no idea why this is happening. Anyone else have this issue with their KIA Optima?

Optima 2007 Kia - No problems other than one replacement headlight and one tailight. Just bought new tires last year at 56,000 miles. Am anticipating the timing belt replacement at 60-65,000 miles. Gas mileage as expected-way better than my 2000 Ford Ranger I was driving. Car dealership prices in Oregon very high compared to Goodyear or other service centers. Dealerships gotcha coming and going. Overall, ride is smooth, seating is comfortable and get raves from backseat passengers on the comfort and leg room of the back seat area. So far so good - but not getting too comfortable based on other posts of what can go wrong.

i bought a so called life time kia (they really push the ideal of lifetime but its a croack) i have 47,000 miles on my car and a rod or piston is knocking in it and since i missed three oil changes they wanted me to pay like a thousand dollars to tear the engine apart and see if local rep. will ok to replace engine and i dont get my money back, but the dealership said that i would end up paying for intire engine and labor which is bs someone needs to stop them for advertizing lifetime kia because that is bs lifetime warranty means if it tires up they fix it. i will never own another kia and when i get it fixed, out of my own pocket i will excerise my right on the lemon law and put a lemon sign in the back glass take my advise stay away from lifetime kia if they will not stand behind there product better than that i dont need one, they tried to tell me that ford and chevy reguired a complete service history too but i call a chevy dealership and they said they have never asked for a service history kia needs to wake up and stand behind there product because i meet poeple every week that tell me they will never own another one, im going back a chevy

I recently bought a 2005 Kia Optima after driving my Sportage to the grave. Car has run great, good gas mileage, great stereo, just recently it started making a funny clunking noise from the front left tire area, and a equally strange whirling noise from the front of the engine. Going to the shop. I love this car, I really loved my Sportage, mini-me mercedes, 4x4, 5 speed. Always started, overhead cam seal was leaking and I didn't take it to the garage.

Love the look and feel of this car; purchased in March of this year. But, two major inconveniences: I noticed within one day of driving off the lot that the car pulled to the left. Brought it back, dealer realigned it; etc, but it still has a pull to the left. This appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. Now, the ESC light is staying on and on top of it my gear shift locks up from time to time, and I need to use the shift lock release button behind the shift handle to engage it. With only 7k miles on it and 6 months into it, this has been a headache. I take it into the Dealer tomorrow for repair of the last two issues. Aside from these issues, which are not minor, I love everything else about the car. Would I purchase again, knowing all this? No.

I love my kia but have a problem with the engine shaking right after we had the spark plugs and the 2 belts that are suppose to be replaced at 60k. the mechanic thinks it is a motor mount but it did not shake like that when i drove it into the shop only when i drove it out. what could of possibly happend during that time that a motor mount on the right passenger side would malfunction by just being worked on.

I have a 2011 Kia Optima EX. Since the first day the car is pulling to the left. The dealer cannot fix as well as the KIA tech. I understaood that a lot of 2011 Kia Optima have the same problem.

57000 miles and no problems

My Mom and I had the same Kia Optima 2005 purchased with in a year or so mine new hers used with about 13,000 miles. I had trouble with the headlights blowing-in the 3 years I had the car I changed 2 every 6 months or so. My moms did the same thing. We started carrying an extra bulb due to being pulled over with a head light out!! We were fortunate enough to hear of the time belt issue before it became a tragic event and had them replaced. I did have to have a sensor replaced (I have forgotten which one) Break pads and rotars were changed regularly, the repair shop had to beat them off with a hammer once after only 8 months of being on the car. The breaking point for me was last winter, my back tires would seize up and not turn, the first few times we were able to break them free by driving forward then reversing to release the break, took it to the shop a couple times no reason could be found. Then both tires seized I could not even move the car, they removed the Emergency brake and I did not have the issue again. My Mom in the past week has been having the same issue, today she had to have the car loaded on a ramp truck due to the tire being seized. I traded my car, not for a Kia. I liked it in the beginning but began to feel like things were going wrong...in a BIG way...and no small shops in our area know about the car to fix them. The dealer is not a reasonable distance for repairs, or to have it towed there. I loved it when I got it, reasonably priced and great gas mileage. But in the end the issues were so much of a hassle and beginning to get expensive.

My wife's car, she fell in love with it from start, mileage okay, comfortable for her,and sound system okay too. Handled well on long distance trips, took it to Virginia-Maryland, ride was smooth enough for small car. It's a little tight for me, but if she's happy I'm happy too. So far so good, we are happy with it.

We've had our '09 Kia Optima for almost a year and a half now and are very happy with it. Only 16k city miles in, but it runs/looks/feels pretty much brand new. Would love to upgrade to the nice, new '11 model...but this one is working out so well. I'll be happy with this '09 for another 2 years and 20k+ miles. Kia has got to be the most improved auto manufacturer since, well....Hyundai.

I have an 07 Kia Optima and I absolutely LOVE my car! It's so quiet and smooth and consumer reports gave the highest marks for the Optima to the 07 model. Other than routine maintenance (and having the ECU updated, under warranty) I haven't had ANY problems. No brake issues, which is a huge change to my first car! The warranty that Kia offers is definitely one of the best! NEVER GOING BACK!

Started out loving everything about this car! Bought it off the showroom floor in March of 09 with only 11 miles on it and it drove amazing! Not even 2 years later and the car acts like it is 10 or even 20 years old. The suspension that I loved so much brand new is now incredibly rough on even the smoothest of roads and the handling is very sloppy like a huge floating Buick or something. The newest disappointment is that while slowing down for a stop sign or corner and braking the automatic transmission downshifts extremely hard from 2nd to 1st gear; feels like I am driving into a brick wall the shift is so rough, it even activates the ABS system when the road is snowy! It is insane, but the rest of the car, the not so important parts, work and look great.

My Kia Optima motor is now gone!! Unfortunatly I had no knowledge to get the timing belt replaced after 70K miles, at 108K miles with no problems prior, I have to replace the motor! The only other problem is the air condition broke after 70K miles. I hear this problem with most Kia owners! They need to fix this problem as well. I will never purchase another Kia! 2006 Not a good model year for Kia!

Bought an 05 Optima LX - ran great first 2 years, no problems at all. The breaks suck. I've had to replace the pads and rotors twice now within 1 1/2 years, second time had to replace the calipers because they were sticking and wore down the pads & ruined the rotors. Light bulbs are also a huge problem. I'm changing them several times a year. I've had other cars that I owned for 3+ years and never had a light go out. I think it has electrical problems! Car is in shop right now - flat tire (my 3rd now due to a bad seal) and radiator or water pump leak, not sure yet. Plus they recommended changing the timing belt and after what I've read here, I'll bite the bullet and pay up. For all the money I've sunk into this car, I could have had something much better. I initially loved this car, but now am very disappointed at how quickly it is deteriorating. I won't buy another KIA.

I'm at 57,000 miles and my engine is blown. Because I didn't get my vehicle maintenanced at a KIA dealership and my oil filter is not a KIA part, my warrenty is void. someone help!

I traded my 04 Sorento in for my 2006.5 optima when gas prices soared. I thought I was settling, boy was I ever wrong! I love everything about this car, totally loaded with an infinity sound system that will blow your mind. I have over 75k miles and have enjoyed driving every one of them. I haven't had any problems whatsoever with either KIA. Mt optima drives and almost looks just like it did the day I drove it off the lot. It's also the first car that has made me stop looking forward to getting a new car, I want this one to last forever. I have yet to need brakes. I've always taken it to the dealer for services and oil changes. I've found that KIA dealerships are cheaper than the jiffylubes and if anything happens I have the peace of mind that I'm covered. The only minor aggravation was my headlights burning out. Figured that problem out, I was buying the best Advance Auto carried, well my car didn't like those. The last set I replaced came from the dealership, genuine KIA headlights, they're still burning bright! And a lot cheaper!! I had the window vents installed from KIA on the day of purchase, guess what, they're covered under the warranty too. That's right, any KIA option you add will be under warranty. And lastly, safety is a big deal in my book so the standard side airbags, while the other makers had them as an option, put KIA number one on my list.

i have had this car for 3 yrs bought it in 07 so far i have had nothing but trouble with it . every 3 months i had to replace the headlight bulb it wd shhot altogether i put in 10 headlight bulbs i replaced just as many turn signal bulbs . now the wheel bearing is bad & the power steering unit is bad ,will never buy another kia agai worse car i ever owned .

Love my Kia but 30,000 mile service is high from dealer. Gotta love the car though.

I LOVE KIA....GREAT IN GAS, COMFORTABLE, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. My first car was a 2004 Kia Optima, I had no problems with it, I even drove it to Mexico. I traded it in for a 2007 Kia Optima I absolutely love it...

I will never purchase a KIA again This car will go out of park if the e brake is not set I have met three other owners with this problem If you hit a bump the rear end bottoms out One cannot read the indicator lights when the sun is out Prices for replacement parts are a joke when you can find them Factory tires are worn out in least the 20k miles Ones has to take off the fender to replace the headlights Even with an appointment, the free oil changes will take 3hours and more

I HAVE OWNED TIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS IT HAD 13,000 ON IT WHEN WE GOT IT WERE AT 80,000 NOW AND THE ONLY THING I HAVE REPLACED IS THE FACTORY BATTERY AWESOME CAR I HAVE BEEN A ASE MASTERTECH FOR YEARS AND EVEN THO IM A DIEHARD BOWTIE FAN THIS CAR IS AWESOME THE PADDLE SHIFT IS AWESOME FOR DAILY TRAFFIC

great all around car

Excellent machine for the money. Two minor problems: factory battery failed after 18 months; am radio reception is poor.

Recently had to have my crank shaft sensor replaced. The car would cut off while driving it. Finally took it to a Kia dealership and they found the problem. However, this is a time consuming repair. They had to take out the engine and while they were there they replaced some belts. The crank chaft sensor was covered by the warranty but I still paid with new belts, etc around $700 including labor. This is the most expensive repair I've paid for and I've had the car for at least 2 years. I did have to have the gas tank replaced last year. It was rotted and was leaking gas. Not sure if I would buy another Kia.

Owned since April 2006. Bought new from dealer for traveling job as telecommunication field engineer. Vehicle is LX with 4 cylinder and automatic. Odometer reading at this time is 168,177. Have replaced timing belt twice (~60,000 miles/replacement) and expect to replace it again around 180,000 miles. Repairs - Driver's side headlight unit and AC condenser (both under warranty), Battery at 120,000 miles. Oil pressure sensor at 140,000 miles. Current problems: 1 - Heating/AC blower motor stopped working yesterday. Will get it repaired this week. 2 - Engine requires High Mileage oil (20W-50) due to mileage and many hours of idling. Using regular oil (10W-40) allows the oil pressure light to come on at idle. Have done oil changes every 3000 miles and all other preventative maintenance as required. I would have rated the engine higher due to its demonstrated reliability but set it lower due to the timing belt maintenance issue. While I would buy another KIA, I would make sure it didn't have such a high cost low mileage preventative maintenance requirement. It is my understating that KIA has gone with a longer lasting timing belt in it's new vehicles. Overall I've found the car to be comfortable, competent and reliable. Repairs have always been done at a KIA service shop and I use Express Lube for all other preventative maintenance.