2014 Kia Optima problems
NHTSA has received 801 complaints about the 2014 Kia Optima, and 37% of them involve engine. Next are steering (12%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 801 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 38 and 68
- Injuries and deaths
- 43 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 440 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 86 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 32 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 64 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 55 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 65 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 54 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 37 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 24 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 6 |
| 200k+ miles | 8 |
What the data shows
Of the 440 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 72,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 88,000 miles (183 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 38 complaints mention a crash; 68 complaints mention a fire; 43 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2014 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 20 model years of the Kia Optima with enough data (316 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Car hit a guard rail and exploded in fire. Driver died from burns. On interstate 8 at mp-107, maricopa county, az. Cut off by a non-impact vehicle. Driver steered to avoid contact and hit guard rail. Driver survived impact but later died of burns. About 75 MPH. Passenger survived but received serious burns.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, an abnormal odor appeared under the hood. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerate forward, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle who was making a u-turn. The contact tried to gain control of the steering wheel as the vehicle went up in flames. The contact managed to crash into a ditch. The contact got out ran to the other side of the vehicle where his fianc was unconscious.
Noticed the shark fin missing. After closer examination it appears that it snapped off to replace the headliner must be removed I order a new one and I am unable to replace it. Taking to dealership and hopefully the will it when checking on my steering issue.
Recall on engine was replaced 2 years ago for having metal shavings in the oil. The second motor has 15,000 miles on it and it's burning oil and smoking to where you can't see anything. I was getting on I 65 going north and smoke came out. It hesitates to go. Can't drive it over 45-50. Steering has a recall for a plastic cuffling behind steering wheel. It was replaced last year according to riverchase kia in pelham alabama. It is now making a popping noise again.