2019 KIA OPTIMA Engine Problems

Brought vehicle in for Recall-SC340 Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. After service was performed I took my vehicle back home and noticed that my down shifting was different, jolty and clunky. Prior to the upgrade my vehicle shifted flawlessly. Took my vehicle back in to have them check it out and they told me that they couldn't feel it and that the upgrade wouldn't cause that. Called Kia Corporate and filed a complaint.

I purchased a used 2019 Kia Optima from a dealership in January 2025 with 103,000 miles. 11 months later it's burning oil. Every 2 weeks I have to add a quart of oil. I took it to my mechanic and they found cylinder 4 has been burning oil. They also found a technical service bulletin related to engine oil consumption. They recommended replacing long block assembly. They referred me to a Kia dealership. Currently, my vehicle is at a Kia dealership. They performed a "leak down test" and found cylinder 4 has been burning oil and recommend a long block assembly. I have a 3rd party warranty on my car. They are currently reviewing this claim. If they decide to replace the long block assembly, there will be additional uncovered costs that I feel Kia should be responsible for. I have only put 7,000 miles on this car since I bought it 11 months ago. The car currently has 110,500 miles on it. I understand this is a used vehicle but engines should last 200,000+ miles. I'm trying to figure out my rights. By law isn't the dealership responsible for this oil consumption loss and long block assembly replacement?

Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this vin. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. Please help

Engine burners oil at about 1qt per 1000 miles. There is no leak, and no repair to stop the oil from burning quickly. I have to refill my engine with oil several times in between oil changes. Paint is peeling in various spots on my hood and bumper. I first noticed a small area along the border of the hood nearest the windshield (mostly visible from the driers seat). Then 3 more spots on the opposite side of the hood and eventually all over the bumper.

My vehicle is consuming oil excessively. I have to put a whole quart of oil in my vehicle every 2 weeks. I am adamant about getting regular maintenance oil changes as well. My car had to be towed to a local auto shop due to the engine stalling and accelerator not working. They had to replace all 4 coil packs and 4 spark plugs due to dark, tarry oil covering the parts. The repairman told me my engine was at risk of failing, and that the repairs he did would not last without a new engine. I am worried about the car stalling or failing while driving, which puts an accident occurring at greater risk. My complaints resemble symptoms tied to previous Hyundai/Kia engine recalls. I am requesting investigation and manufacturer action related to this issue.

The motor burn oil even after the oil change is done. Also, the car shaking and is not damage to be found.

Red oil light came on along with check engine light took to shop got oil change and they test pressure all is good but oil light and engine light still on replaced oil pressure sensor switch and variable valve solenoid lights still on took to kia dealership they said say thing as first shop replaced oil pressure sensor switch again because they said the aftermarket one doesn't work on my car so bought part from dealer changed it light still on.

I recently had the engine replaced less than a year ago due to an engine recall on this model car, today 11/11/2025 the engine caught fire. We’ve kept up with oil changes on time and I had no alerts in the vehicle on the dash claiming the engine was hot.

Over the past couple years, the check engine light has came on and I immediately had a mechanic look at it. The first time they said it was my spark plugs and changed them. Then this year, a year later, the check engine light came on and it became hard to accelerate on my way to a mechanic. Once again, they said spark plugs, so they changed them and claimed that they didn't look to had been changed before. Now here I am a couple of months after that, my check engine light came back on and my car started making a funny noise on my way to work. I turned back around and went home since I was closer to home than work. It sounds like rocks popping when you start it or hit the gas. I had someone check the codes and it said engine 1 and 4 coils. All 4 coils and spark plugs were changed again. That did not fix it. The sound is still there and the engine light is now blinking. I have kept up with the oil changes and everything. There is no recall. I still owe on the car and it is not able to be driven.

I was just driving then noticed lack of acceleration and the engine light flashing. Loosing acceleration mid driving posed a great safety risk because no other drivers would know the issue I was experiencing and risked causing an accident. The vehicle was taken for a fault code reading which indicated a knock sensor code, later it was inspected at the dealership who confirmed an ECU issue. The police or insurance have not inspected the vehicle for this particular issue.

I am the owner of a 2019 Kia Optima FE with the 2.4L GDI engine (Theta II). Despite following a consistent maintenance schedule with synthetic oil changes every 4,000 to 6,000 miles, the vehicle is experiencing premature engine failure. Specifically, the engine has internal valve damage, and the shop diagnosed the issue as failure of an internal valve component. The vehicle also has a leaking axle inner boot, but the major concern is the engine. Kia has refused warranty coverage, goodwill assistance, or recall support despite this engine being part of a long-standing pattern of issues documented across many Kia and Hyundai vehicles with the Theta II platform. I still owe approximately $10,000 on this vehicle, and now face a potential $5,000+ repair due to a known manufacturing defect. Kia Consumer Affairs and the dealership both declined assistance, claiming my warranty has expired, even though this engine has been involved in class action lawsuits, extended warranties, and TSBs related to premature wear, oil consumption, and mechanical failure. I am submitting this complaint to formally report the issue and to urge the NHTSA to continue investigating Kia’s 2.4L Theta II engine failures, as they represent a potential safety and financial risk to consumers. Many drivers are left stranded or in serious debt due to an engine defect they could not have prevented.

•Rapid oil loss — topped off every 1–2 weeks •Engine misfires, check engine light •Spark plug fouling and performance loss •Repeated advice to “just refill oil” and “wait for failure” •Unsafe to drive, especially as a working single mom

Engine seizures.

The engine appears to be consuming an abnormal amount of oil. There are no visible leaks or external damage, and the vehicle has not yet stalled or failed, but oil levels drop rapidly between oil changes. The engine is available for inspection upon request Driving with low or empty oil levels risks sudden engine failure while in motion, which could lead to loss of power, stalling in traffic, or even a crash. The oil warning light came on and went off at regular intervals unexpectedly during driving this week, which prompted me to get it to my mechanic asap to avoid potential engine damage or failure. They performed an oil change (even though I had done it there for this same car only 2133 miles ago NOT YET. I have contacted the dealership and have been advised to monitor the oil level or potentially conduct an oil consumption test. I have not yet received a formal diagnostic or confirmation from Kia or a third party. Yes the vehicle was formally inspected by Gettel Kia of Bradenton on 14th Street for an engine stalling issue... Have experienced a stall only once since then Yes. The oil warning light turned on (and off several times in 1 minute intervals) for the first time around 132011 miles. Upon the mechanic checking the dipstick, the oil level was significantly below minimum. No check engine light appeared. An oil change was performed only 2133 miles since the last one. Additional Notes: I have discovered multiple similar reports from other 2016–2020 Kia Optima owners via online forums such as Reddit and Kia owner groups, suggesting this may be a widespread issue related to the GDI engine design. These cases often go unresolved until engine damage occurs. I am requesting: A formal oil consumption test A full engine inspection Repair or replacement if the issue is confirmed Consideration for goodwill or warranty extension due to potential manufacturing defect I am maintaining oil top-off records and would be happy to provide them

Engine failure

Original owner, received in mail that this vehicle was recalled for engine issues. Provided a lifetime warranty for engine. Noticed my vehicle began consuming oil more than normal. I constantly have to put oil in the car 2-3/ week. The shops say it doesn’t need an oil change the oil is burning fast. Never notice any leaks bit my vehicle began to not pick up speed and shop said the oil is burning and possible engine is getting ready to go. Called dealership and they said they won’t replace u less the engine is totally blown and I need to have all type documents showing I’ve been doing maintenance although this is a known issue. Constant oil changes.

I was driving in the rain on the highway and engine light started flashing!

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal engine oil consumption was noticed. The check engine oil warning light illuminated abnormally often, shortly after an oil change had been performed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with defective piston oil rings. The vehicle was not repaired due to the warranty being deemed invalid. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

Lights appeared on the dash and the vehicle locked and would not drive. This happened as I was actively driving. I had the vehicle towed and was told by the Kia dealership that it was my abs/hecu. Before this happened, there was no warning lamps or messages. The car was driving normally.

My engine is burning oil at an alarming rate, my car is not recognizing low oil, so I no oil lights are appearing. I have to go to the oil change place weekly to have my oil checked. When my oil is low, I have to pay to have my oil replenished between months of my oil changes. My and my son safety was put at risk, when I found out at an oil change visit, I had less than an quart of oil I was driving around with. Which can cause engine failure while driving, overheating, and reduced performance while driving. This was confirmed by an oil change facility. I am currently in a ongoing dispute with the dealership I received my car from. The Kia dealership is refusing to do any maintenance until I can produce five years of oil change records that are not showing on car fax. To date my car oil light is not coming on, no signs are shown in my car showing this issue. I have to just get it checked weekly and pay for oil to be safe until, I can get a new engine.

Oil is getting into cylinders causing spark plugs to misfire. Very high oil consumption so I have to put oil in it every other day in between oil changes. I’ve been to Kia Service department several times in the past 2 months.

My 2019 Kia Optima purchased brand new. Kia released a service bulletin on 3/1/22 citing “excessive oil consumption for 2011-2021 Optima's”. I took it in for the "updates" for said service bulletin for the engine and was told that my engine is good and covered now for the life of the engine even past the 100k miles (mind you no one mentioned doing an excessive oil consumption test at this time). On 3/22/24 car had 104k miles on it and the oil light came on. I had an oil change just 2500 miles or so prior. Pulled into an autozone and it was almost bone dry. I put oil in it and the light went off. I took it to Evans Kia and was told that they couldn't do anything because it was past 100k warranty and that they couldn't run the DX test to determine if it was excessively consuming oil as per the recall. Apparently during the recall they did the DX tests if the consumer stated it was burning oil fast or something to that extent. Mine did not get said test, only the upgrade. They should have done the test, but they just did an "upgrade" which clearly did not work. They said since I had the "upgrade", if the engine fails, then Kia would fix it under warranty. Since then, this happened at least 4 more times with the oil light coming on and engine oil practically gone. Each time took less and less miles. I showed up to Kia 2 of those times in 2024 to show them the the oil change date, mileage, and check oil light on. Also physically showed them the oil being almost empty, yet they did nothing but say when the engine dies or "knocks" they can fix it under warranty. One of those times I had it towed but they determined it was the fuel pump, never mentioned anything else. Fast forward 3/15/25 the engine starts knocking and engine light comes on. I managed to drive it to Evans Kia without any accidents. After my car sat for 9 days, they call me on 3/25/25 and tell me there is a "burnt valve on cylinder 4 and the engine will need to be replaced and it is not covered. How? Help!

UNKNOWN. Vehicle is burning through oil every 1,000 miles or so. Excessive oil consumption which i am aware there is a recall. However Kia states my VIN # is not included. While at the dealer service department for failed A/C system, we questioned the excessive oil consumption and engine replacement. We were told they found nothing wrong. Having to top off oil every 1,000 miles or so. It does not make it to the next oil change before the light comes on. No oil leaks. Mechanic said known problem with this engine. Most recently the starter went bad, alternator, and battery. Replaced with a second brand new battery and car won't start again. Dash is lighting up erratically, new battery dead. As if something is drawing all power and draining brand new batteries. This car has a little over 86,000 miles and one thing after another is failing. The car lost power and power steering in a curve leaving us in a dangerous situation after replacing the starter. Dash lighting up erratically with front end collision warning message on the display. We had it towed to our residence which our auto insurance reimbursed us for. Replaced alternator and battery yesterday, and the car lost all power again turning back onto our street, again with the Dash lighting up erratically.

HAD CAR FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS STARTING ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OIL LEAKING ISSUE. I NOTICED WHEN STARTING CAR AND MADE SHAKING SOUND BOUGHT TO MECHANIC AND TOLD ME THE OIL LEAKED HAVE TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE DONE ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW SEPT 2024, FEB 2025, 03-14-25 AND THIS MORNING 03-23-25. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR BESIDES COSTS FOR REPAIRS. THANKS APPRECIATE ANY HELP. MY MECHANIC SAID WHEN ENGINE WAS BUILT NOT PUT IN STRAIGHT IN VEHICLE WONDERING IF THIS RELATED TO MY ISSUE.

Oil consumption

Excessive oil consumption for a car with 45,000 miles with no observed leaks under the car or on the outside of the engine

P1326 code. Check engine light flashing. Is in limp mode with limited power.

I recently had an oil change and not even 600 miles later the oil is completely gone. My engine is burning oil like crazy. This just started happening at the 95,000 miles mark

Since January 2024 I have had to replace the spark plugs more than 3 times. It has also had to have an oil change done at least every two months regardless of the miles that were put in it. BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY Mid October 2024 a full tune up was done as well as oil change and less than two weeks later it started bucking like a bronco and all oil was gone out of it. Check engine light is on and oil light goes on and off. Cannot drive at all

Mileage: 132,684

Defective piston rings leading to excessive oil consumption, spark plug deterioration, and potential engine failure.

Engine is consuming too much oil engine is shaking and knocking engine light is on reducing speed will cut off in mid drive

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound and started vibrating and shuddering. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated while attempting to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had previously experienced engine failures and electrical fuse failures. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery was previously replaced three times. The contact had taken the vehicle to two local dealers. The second dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Mileage: 18,000

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, a flashing check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the engine had experienced excessive oil consumption. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,449.

Mileage: 30,449

The car is using oil like crazy and is not leaking anywhere out of the vehicle. Stalling out while driving and then accelerating. Has completely lost power and rolled down an onramp. Completely unsafe. Took for diagnostic and they wanted to say I needed a new gas cap. Replaced, still doing same thing. Hesitant to start even and the alternator is less than a year old.

This vehicle is a lemon. It is a 2019 with 81,000 miles. How in the world does the engine start knocking when i have consistently, kept up with the maintenance on this vehicle. If i do not hear something soon im weakening legal action. Since May 18TH i have been without a car.i am a single mom and this is so difficult. Mind you it was towed July 5th from where it broke down on me.

I am having to change the plugs in this car monthly. The car goes into limp mode and will not go over 15 miles an hour. There is oil getting in the plugs and causing them to burn. This car uses a lot of oil. Lots of oil!! these issues started at 100,011 miles. I have also noticed that this car has started accelerating on its own.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that shortly afterwards, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power while attempting to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and jerking while driving. The contact also stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance sensors activated inadvertently while driving or the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption and the contact was advised that the failure with the Forward Collision Avoidance sensors was the regular function of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,813.

Mileage: 57,813

Subject: Complaint Regarding Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Hesitation in 2019 Kia Optima SX To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding my 2019 Kia Optima SX. Despite meticulous maintenance and care, I have been experiencing significant issues with the vehicle that are concerning, especially considering its relatively low mileage of only 107,000 miles. The primary issues are as follows: 1.Excessive Oil Consumption: My Kia Optima SX has been burning an excessive amount of oil, necessitating frequent top-offs well before the recommended oil change intervals. This is not only inconvenient but also raises serious concerns about the long-term health and reliability of the engine. 2.Engine Hesitation: The vehicle exhibits extreme hesitation during acceleration. This hesitation occurs sporadically, making it difficult to anticipate and presenting a potential safety hazard, especially when merging onto highways or attempting to overtake other vehicles. These issues are unacceptable for a vehicle with such low mileage and are not in line with the quality and reliability I expected when purchasing a Kia. Given the prevalence of similar complaints from other owners of the same model, it is evident that these are not isolated incidents but potentially indicative of broader manufacturing or design flaws. I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate these issues thoroughly. Owners of the 2019 Kia Optima SX should not have to endure such significant and potentially dangerous problems with their vehicles. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt action and response.

My car was having to get the spark plugs once a month loosing oil. Lots of Oil is coming out through the exhaust my grandfather just saw it. I still owe 20,00 on this car. I was told by Kia I’m going to need a new engine. I stopped driving it

I currently have 119500 miles on my 2019 Kia Optima. I am losing oil somewhere between oil changes, and the car is beginning to hesitate while driving. I don't see oil on the ground but I have had to put in 2-3 1/2 quarts of oil way too often. For this to happen on some many vehicles, it must be a manufacturer defect. The hesitation just started and I'm taking it do get a diagnostic test. 11

I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue with my 2019 Kia Optima SX 2.0 GDI Turbo, which has accumulated approximately 103,000 miles. This vehicle has recently developed several serious problems that I believe pose significant risks to both my safety and the safety of other road users. Firstly, my Kia Optima has been burning an excessive amount of oil. Specifically, it consumes over 5 quarts of oil within just 2,000 miles of driving. Despite thorough inspections, even from Kia Dealers there are no visible oil leaks, making this issue even more perplexing and concerning. Moreover, the vehicle has begun to shake violently while driving on the highway, which has led to a substantial loss of power in the middle of traffic. This unpredictable loss of power is extremely dangerous, especially at high speeds, as it compromises my ability to maintain control of the vehicle and poses a significant hazard to other motorists. Additionally, the car now emits a loud knocking noise, which appears to be related to the engine's internal components. This issue further exacerbates the vehicle's performance problems and raises serious questions about its reliability and safety. I urge the NHTSA to investigate these issues promptly. The problems I am experiencing are not isolated and may affect other Kia Optima owners, potentially leading to widespread safety risks. I believe it is crucial to determine if there is a manufacturing defect or other underlying cause that needs to be addressed to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all Kia Optima drivers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that the NHTSA will take immediate action to investigate these serious safety concerns and provide a resolution to protect both myself and others.

Burns through oil. I have to consistently have oil on hand. 107,000 miles and being told my year does not fall under getting a new engine falls on me to replace it. This is an issue that falls on the manufacturer. Please help

GDI MOTOR CONSUMES A LOT OF OIL

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was oil leaking from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil was changed; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,008.

Mileage: 100,008

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.

2019 Optima EX excessive oil consumption. Oil changed every 3000 miles, but is always empty within 1000miles. Car has 101,000 miles. Took to Kia dealership due to loss of power on acceleration and stalling and excessive oil consumption, they said I have multiple misfires on cylinder 1, excessive sludge buildup under cap and again no oil present. I was advised the engine needed replaced and that somehow this is a me problem and not a Kia problem. Spoke with Kia support and because it’s 1,000 miles over warranty they will not do anything even though they are aware of excessive oil consumption issue in these motors

Engine is consuming extreme amounts of oil. I have never been late for an oil change, and often go before I’m even due. My car was stalling and the RPM was fluctuating. I had to pull over and turn the car off. I then noticed my oil light on for 2 seconds, then it turned off. I’m not due for an oil change for another 2,000 miles. I pulled in to a mechanic shop (thankfully I was right next door) and low and behold, hardly any oil in my car. Had maybe half a quart left. I should have been good for another 2,000 miles. This is not the first time this has happened either. I no longer feel comfortable driving myself or my kids in this vehicle. It has been nothing but constant worry about my engine dying, burning or stalling. This car only has 70,000 miles on it and only 4 1/2 years old!!!! This is the second incident of this car jerking and stalling on the highway. Thankfully I’ve been able to pull over to avoid being slammed. I had the oil topped off so the engine could function, but once again, I was not due for a change.

Was driving my vehicle when it started shaking violently and the check engine light came on. Took it to my mechanic and then it was towed to the Kia dealership. Both say that cylinder 2 won’t hold compression due to leaking valves causing oil to flood the engine and the engine to not work properly. I was told I could drive it still but that the engine could seize at any time putting us at risk for an accident. Kia says this is not covered under the extended warranty, but I have had multiple mechanics say this is an issue with 2017 and newer Kia’s and Hyundai’s,

I like kids however I purchased a Kia used in 2021, I started to notice that all consumption was going out fast before oil changes was due. I still have this ongoing problem but they say there's no recall on these GDI motors however other people I see informs or experiencing the same issues. I now have to try to get an appointment with Kia for an oil change before it's time for the oil change and to do a oil consumption test and then hopefully the main factors or kia will replace this motor even though there's no warranty on the car. I might also have a issue with the front collision feature because I have been noticing in the past few weeks that this feature comes on even when there's no car in front of me it will start to break however it says that my car is not a part of a software upgrade so I got to ask them about that as well. There is definitely a issue with the GDI motors and Kia really needs to recall them all and replace the motors it should not burn all the way that it does I've never had any car of any brand or manufacturer burn oil the way that this car is burning oil. I cannot financially afford to go out here and trade this car in and get another car with the type of payment that I have for this car since I had my bank finances car.

No oil burning oil

The car has been getting progressively rougher while driving and jerking when trying to accelerate. I checked the oil and it was nearly empty. There has been no sign of an oil leak even though I park in the same spot every single day.

My car is burning oil when i drive & my oil is not lasting in my car , i have to get a oil change done every 2 weeks im not sure what’s going on and im being told that there is no recall on my engine but i have others telling me that the GDI engines have recalls on them

Vehicle engine light on and oil burns out fast, car jerks and delay on starting

The second month after I purchased this vehicle the master warning light and forward collision light popped up and car vehicle started de-accelerating in the middle of the freeway and I had to pull over and then the car died. Repeatedly took my vehicle to the Kia dealership and no one still has been able to help me. They claim no one at their corp. Office in California what that means so it has been going off ever since and I don't want my vehicle to died again. PLEASE HELP!!!

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, but the diagnostic test was inconclusive. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the contact had been adding 3 quarts of oil every two weeks. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle made an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer might not cover the repair unless the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactured was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

Since I have had the vehicle I have had to have multiple Spark Plugs and Engine Coils replaced, literally every 4-6 months. One diagnosis said there was a problem with the motor, when I told Kia, they did not come back with the same diagnosis, well they sort of did, but did not noter it as an issue. Also, my car burns oil way too fast. I'm having to put in 2-23 quarts every 2-3 weeks. I have been told that the GDI motors are the culprit for this. Have even heard Hyundai had a enough complaints and has recalled the motor, but Kia did not, so we are still running around here paying excessive amounts on oil and repairs.

I was driving on the highway and my car started smoking. I got off at the next exit and black smoke started billowing out from under the hood. As soon as I opened the car door flames started coming out from under the hood. Entire engine was on fire

The engine is malfunctioning,! and is available for inspection. Within one month of owning(leasing) the vehicle, While driving on the highway, the engine light started flashing, and the car immediately decelerated. Gas pedal was to the floor, and couldn’t get over 40mph. Safely got it to my mechanic who put it on the computer, and read knock sensor. The car was 2 quarts short, and we had 800 miles to go until next oil change was due. The vehicle is BURNING oil. Not one zero leak! We are subjected to continually checking and replenishing the oil to prevent the engine to go back into safe mode. I have 3 small children. Car still under warranty, dealership can’t get car in for months and no shop can get their hands on a motor. Please help!!!

Smart choice auto financial in Indiana sold me a vehicle with a defaulted engine. Purchased car 9/20/2022 I have been consistently changing an add oil, to up keep the vehicle til I receive help . Vehicle have been attempted to be fix 6times, 3 by dealership I purchased from, an three different kia dealership. Not yet acknowledged the so call life time warranty, I was told engine had to go out . At this point 9/14/ 2023 the engining knocking, smoking, engine light on. So I took it to another kia dealership am it's there as we speak. Waiting I fro

Just had oil changed on June 30th, 2023. However, for the second time now after about 1.5 month after the oil change the oil light is flashing on and off at either takeoff or breaking. Checked oil stick and it say it’s full then check again it’s spotty as if there’s no oil in the engine. Took cap off engine and it was smoking and smelling burnt. Oil on the stick was definitely darker than normal as well. What is the cause of this?

I been having problems with the oil I do the regular maintenance on vehicle I have all the repair paperwork from Dealer and Montebello Lube I put synthetic oil so that 5000 miles at 2500 oil is empty I already replaced the head gasket oil is being consumed fast constantly filling with oil every time I Drive engine light came on 2 times for no oil in engine I need something done

Oil consumption issues, did an oil consumption test in august of 22 at Web Chevy, which is the dealership the car was bought from.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact's husband replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the starter was replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed an oil change; however, the contact stated that the vehicle had recently had an oil change performed. The contact stated that while driving from the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to an auto parts store, where a technician inspected the engine and confirmed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the dealer advised the contact to check the engine oil level after every fill up. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

Good Afternoon, I have a recall on my 2019 Kia Engine but since I’m over my mileage Kia does not want to help with it but i read that there is a lifetime warranty on the cars with this type of engine I got a disgusted test done and they are still not wanting to fix the problem

My 2019 Kia Optim is starting to consume oil every 15 miles this is a problem that Kia have with thousands of 2019, 2020 and 2021 they have bad engines in them and Kia knows about the problem and refusing to do anything with the custom, you all need to make them have a recall and fix the problem with all those engines some vehicles only have 20,000 miles on them and have the same problem.

Engine failure

Engine Oil light come on / Low on Engine Oil

This car was equipped with the theta ll engine and I believe that’s what caused it because it was an electrical smoldering. The car has been signed over to the insurance company, it was totaled. If this had happened 30 minutes sooner, I would have been burned. Me and my daughter had luckily just got out of the car. No the problem has not been confirmed by a dealer. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but has been inspected by police and insurance. There was not any warning lamps or messages prior to the incident.

Car ran perfectly. No indications on the dash cluster until the check engine light started flashing and car went into limp mode. Got to safety off freeway to a gas station lot. Parked car. Took video of the car running while recording the dashboard. Pushed the gas while in park to hear Rod knock. It was 10pm. Had car towed home. 2 days later towed to dealer. Between time it broke down and I had towed to them. I found out about the knock sensor. I also joined a group on Facebook with hundreds of people getting screwed over. There I learned about class action and oil consumption issues. Not on any oil change was I made aware of low oil. I check my oil levels and have a high class mechanic change my oil. So first the dealer calls me and says. Technician states no oil in engine. I ask. Well why was there no oil light on? I said if there was. I’d had had my car checked. I said only thing in was flashing check engine light at the moment of failure. He advised. No the engine lights not on but oil light is. I emailed him my dash cluster video. He calls me and says. Oh you’re right. Sorry miscommunication with technician. I also sent picture of oil dipstick that showed there was oil filled to The top indicator. Advisors Response was basically a shrug. They asked for most recent 6 oil change receipts. I furnished 8. They said sludge in engine. I asked for pics. After 6 requests I received 2 pics that do not match up with pics I took of same part. So at this point per at least 200 people and myself. Kia and Hyundai are voiding warranties and not backing up their crappy engines. WE NEED HELP URGENTLY. I have not paid car payment since breakdown. I am $3700 in the hole paying for rental that I was told would be reimbursed once engine replacement was approved. Well they SUCK. Many more in my position or worse now. This is criminal and fraudulent

We own 2 2019 Kia optimas, one my 20yr old daughter drives. On her way to school she smelled a burning smell. On her way home at a dangerous intersection she smelled a strong burning smell & the car just stopped. I told her to get out of the car quickly, she had to climb to the right side as it was too unsafe to exit from the left. Thankfully she wasn’t on a 55 mile/hr road bc it just stopped abruptly & surely would have been hit as brake lights would not have warned. The car was towed to the dealership where it was purchased & under warranty on Friday 3/18/22. Saturday 3/19/22 I went to inquire what happened & was told by the service advisor that it started once, there was a burning smell coming from the engine & the engine was only running on 2 cylinders & stopped. He said they created a ticket, which I came to know that they were conferring with Kia engineers by Kia consumer affairs & I also created a case with. We did research & found a class action suit that was settled describing the exact problem that we experienced, however bc it was settled, Kia was never had to issue a broad recall, so if your 2019 optima experienced this very serious problem of engine failure & fires after 11/30/2021, they say Kia will be handling the cases on a rolling basis, however we just got the run around & the car remains there today 3/26/22 unfixed & the dealership is trying to say it’s just a fuel pump & if that was the case, they wouldn’t need 8 days waiting for Kia engineers to be fixed. In the settlement, Kia was also noted to be denying proper fixes for this serious issue with cars still under warranty. We were denied a rental car & they will not call us. This is my daughter’s life, please help us. The other 2019 Kia Optima that I drive was brought to the same dealership under warranty complaining of the engine sputtering & jumping, they did nothing & said it should be fine however it’s still doing it & my daughter is now driving this potentially dangerous car to school. This vehicle has been there since 03/18/22 & it’s 0

I'VE HAD THIS CAR GOING ON THREE YEARS SOMETIMES NOT ALL THE TIME I WILL GO TO START IT AND IT WILL BARELY START SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES WHEN I GOT MY OIL CHANGE AND THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY BUT THEY'RE SAYING THE BATTERY IS GOOD AND THE STARTING SYSTEM THE CAR WILL JUST BE SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND I TRY TO START IT IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BARELY STARTING AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I STARTED IT'S FINE

Mileage: 30,000

I PURCHASED ON MY 2019 KIA OPTIMA ON 6/19. AND SINCE THEN OFF AND ON THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES. NOW I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND NEITHER ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. WHEN PRESSING THE STOP/START BUTTON THE CAR WOULD HESITATE TO START NO LIGHTS OR CODES ARE STORED IN THE COMPUTER. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THE ISSUE ALL I WAS EVER TOLD WAS TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND LET THEM INSPECT IT. THE DEALER WOULD RESET AND UPDATE FIRMWARE. THAT WOULD LAST FOR A MINUTE BUT EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULD GO BACK INTO THE SAME THING OF HESITATING. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE KIA HAS OPENED CASE AFTER CASE BUT NO SOLUTION. THE CAR IS CONSIDERED A LEMON BY STATE STATUES. NOT ONE TIME HAS KIA OFFERED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE THE ONLY THING I'M TOLD THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. I WOULD SPEND MORE AND MILES TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ALWAYS NEED TO BE ALIGNED I'M NOT SURE WHY BUT WHEN I TAKE THE CAR FOR AN ALIGNMENT THAT WHEEL IS ALWAYS OUT OF SPECS.

Mileage: 100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,800.

Mileage: 74,800

2019 KIA OPTIMA, IN JULY OF 2019.1ST INSTANCE, 2/4/2020 (LATE AFTERNOON) I DROVE BACK FROM NEW ALBANY IN AND AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY ON KEYSTONE, I TRIED TO TURN A CORNER AND THE CEL LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE (HEAVY HESITATION). THEY SAID DO NOT DRIVE, GET A TOW.I DID, THEY HOOKED IT UP. AN ERROR TO CONTACT KIA ENG. THEY INDICATED ITS 1 OF 2 THINGS, ROCK SENSOR HARNESS/ROCK SENSOR. 1ST THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR BUT THEY ONLY REPLACED THE HARNESS.MILEAGE ON THIS DATE 2/7/2020 8,801 MILES. PICKED UP MY CAR ON FEBRUARY 7, 2020. 2ND INSTANCE 2/24/2020 @3PM(ISH)- RETURN TRIP TO INDIANAPOLIS FROM LAFAYETTE (ROUND TRIP) APX 2:59P ON THE WAY BACK TO WORK, I GOT OFF IN ZIONSVILLE TO RUN TO THE STORE. I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT AND TRIED TO TURN RIGHT, THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO AS THE 1ST INSTANCE. CEL LIGHT, MAJOR HESITATION AND VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. CALLED SERVICE AT KIA TO GET MY RENTAL READY AND I WAS ON MY WAY IN TO THE SHOP. THE RENTAL WAS READY AND IT WAS LATE MONDAY. HE CONTACTED WHO IS THE GM CALLED ME 2/24/2020 @6:16PM TO SAY THAT HE WILL LOOK INTO THIS ASAP IN THE MORNING. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT HE IS PART OWNER OF LIA DEALER.ON MONDAY EVENING I CONTRACTED KIA CORP OFFICE TO FILE A CASE # SAME EVENING, I TEXT MY SALESMAN BUT THE GMCALLED 8:07A EXPLAINED ITS ON THE RACK AND THE ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED FOR THE RESOLUTION AND HE WILL CALL ME WHEN THEY KNOW MORE. TUES GM AND GM OF ALL LOCAL SERVICE DEPTS) CALLED AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE, ATTEMPT AT A RESOLUTION CHANGE THE SENSOR AND DRIVING 10 MILES TO MAKE SURE IT FIXES IT. HOW IS 10 MILES GOING TO 'TEST' HE AGREED 30 MILE TEST. HE SAID IF THIS SENSOR FAILS THEY (KIA CORP) WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE! WELL THE SENSOR IS WORKING 2 DAYS SO FAR. (LAST TIME IT TOOK 11 DAYS AND 1,177 MILES TO FAIL) I PICKED UP CAR ON 2/26/20. L

Mileage: 8,801

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.

Mileage: 2,000