What 578 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Optima Phev

On 7/13/26 around 0715 my son was driving our 2014 Kia optima when it caught fire and burned from the engine to the back of the car. Fire dept and law enforcement had to respond and the vehicle along with thousands of dollars of property was destroyed by the fire. This vehicle is a total loss and I’m trusting an investigation as to I believe their fire started due to the engjbe and electrical faults of Kia motors.

NHTSA ODI 11750155

The car is available upon inspection, the car caught on fire after being driven for about 45 mins. Smoke started to come from under the car hood, fire starting dropping from underneath the vehicle and then fire started coming from under the hood of the car. The car started smoking while being inside vehicle and the fire could've spread. The fire was put out by the fire department, the vehicle has not been inspected as of yet. No warning signs.

NHTSA ODI 11734586

The contact works as an investigator for the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. The contact was investigating a 2014 Kia Optima with a salvaged title and reported that the air bags failed to deploy in a front-end collision. The contact stated that the air bags may have been removed or the air bag sensors were disconnected. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 30-35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The driver's face struck the steering wheel upon impact. The driver received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where the insurance company investigated the crash, but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11706493

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was flagged down by a nearby driver. The contact was informed that fire was coming from underneath the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact and the contact's dog exited the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The fire department and Police were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The fire report was unavailable. The vehicle had not been inspected. The contact had received a recall notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11688155

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after her daughter had parked the vehicle and shut off the engine, a fire had started under the hood as she exited. No warning lights illuminated. There was no odor or strange sound during the failure. The local fire department had arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The local fire department deemed that the cause of the fire was started with the HECU. It was unknown if a Police report was filed. The vehicle was left at the contact's relative's residence, where it remains for further investigation. The vehicle was deemed a total loss since it was consumed by the fire. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was sought. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11685734

On 3 July 2025, while driving the car suddenly lost power and started smoking under the hood. I pulled over, exited the vehicle, and an engine fire started a minute later. The fire department put out the fire. The safety of myself and my child were at risk. We were driving at 40 miles per hour when the car lost power and caught fire. There were no warning lights. The car was towed to an independent repair shop to be evaluated, but results have not yet been gathered. There are known issues and recalls associated with 2014 Kia optima and with its engine losing power and catching fire, but my VIN was not included in the recalls when it should have been. This could have resulted in injury or the loss of life. At a minimum it has caused a loss of financial stability for my family due to Kia failing to produce and maintain safe vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11671213

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke that exited from under the front hood of the vehicle. The contact stated the smoke was intense. In addition, the contact was informed by a nearby driver that fire was coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle into a nearby parking lot and exited the vehicle. In addition, the contact's disabled son was also an occupant in the vehicle making the situation very frightening. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard and mentioned the fire was electrical. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact was informed that due to the vehicle fire, the local establishment sprinkler system was activated and caused damage. The VIN was not included in a recall however the contact believed the failure was an electrical short which resulted in an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11641730

Hit dig mark in road caused by a plow about a half inch to a 1 inch deep by 5 to 7 inches wide while driving 15 mph down the road into work on November 19,2024 around 1:03/1:10 pm next thing I know I am upside down in my car in a ditch about four to five feet wide by 3-4 feet deep

NHTSA ODI 11631095

My car overturned/flipped over after i hit a very small bump in the road located on [XXX] in Utica Ny doing about 15 mph in a trailer park where I worked I have printed out all of my recalls on my 2014 Kia Optima GDI there was some brake fluid on the ground around the area where my car landed in a ditch however the Sheriff that came to the scene of the accident and the female state troopers failed to even check or smell the fluid after I informed both the officers and the Deerfield Fire Department the only ones willing to give me any advice on how to handle this matter even though I could had lost my life then to show up to court for the tickets I got for literally driving 15 mph in a trailer park and my car flips over into a ditch and not be able to make a statement in court due to the paperwork not being in to the courthouses computer system in [XXX] at 6:00 to show the judge all my recalls as well as plead not guilty to them I find unprofessional and as for the damage sustained to my vehicle I need to find an independent property adjuster to do a investigation however it is set to go to the Kia Dealership located at 5056 commercial Dr., Yorkville, NY, for the recalls on December 30, 2024 however due to the damage done in the roller I am unsure on what to do please help I paid for this car in full as a private sell and it had no issues with it at all no lights on the dashboard or anything was driving good at time of accident on [XXX] at [XXX] until I literally hit that bump in the road of the trailer park should anyone from your agency need to contact me to view the damage and pictures please contact me at [XXX] for I could not upload all documents and photos thank you very much [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11627394

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. Smoke and flames were coming from the engine of the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) however the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure opened a case and the vehicle was inspected; however, the inspector could not determine the origin of the fire due to the fire damage. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11626176

Car caught fire, parked in driveway, partially damaged the house.

NHTSA ODI 11585588

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the vehicle had begun to burn. The fire department was called and the vehicle fire was controlled using water to extinguish the flames. The contact stated that the fire department filed a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an impound lot and had not been examined by a dealer or insurance adjuster. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was aware of one recall associated with the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), however there were a total of three recalls - NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that she was not aware of the other two recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11578729

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning fume in the interior of the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and the flames were coming from under the hood. The contact safely exited the vehicle. The fire department and the police were on the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a local tow yard. The contact stated that the vehicle had been serviced for an oil change one week before the failure occurred The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567815

Vehicle was in an accident on the highway. It rolled 3 times before landing on the roof and sliding from the highway to the grass. NONE of the airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11550372

Summer 2017 The engine failed while driving with my family. The engine seized and a fire was engulfed. I was in the interstate and we feared for our life. Out of town visiting family we were stranded in another state for a month waiting for repairs. Kia took the vehicle and replaced the engine with another faulty engine that has seized several times while commuting. I have been living in fear and anxiety since this incident. I never know if I start my engine if I will loose my life. Summer 2023 3 teenagers watched a viral tic tok challenge and learned how faulty the cylinder that Kia installed was. The teens then trespassed into my home, broke the windows and stole my vehicle. I have lived in fear since this has happened. I have lost jobs, income, and peace due to The purchase of this vehicle. Kia has never assisted or kept the promises they made to restore the vehicle. These past 10 years agave been a nightmare and as an African American woman I believe I was targeted as a purchaser for this make and model. My life had been hell since the purchase of this vehicle. I have not been able to satisfy payment due to repairs, thefts, fires, and more. Please anyone. Someone. Help. This is the most heartbreaking experience as an American. I have worked for my country 20 years and do not feel like an equal citizen. I have been homeless, jobless, unstable, and watched my life and family life flash before me in near death accidents involving this car. When I purchased this car I had a great job, credit score, and home. Now I have more anxiety, fear, bills, and no help with this Kia.

NHTSA ODI 11548045

I was driving down the street when car caught on fire out of no where.

NHTSA ODI 11547489

The contact's sister owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it spontaneously caught fire. The ABS warning indicator light had previously been turned on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. A police report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, crashes, or air bag deployments. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521327

March 15, 2023 I Ania Covington as well as my mother Ramona Allen went to the Kia dealership in Southern Pines, NC at 10am to get a recall fixed on my car (fuel line), an oil change, air filters changed, as well as a valve gasket replacement (recall was free, everything else paid out of pocket). I received my car back at 4pm the same day, when I pulled off the lot not even a mile away my car was smoking from the exhaust pipes. I went back to ask them was it going to continue to do that, the mechanic as well as the advisor told me it’s just the old oil burning off. As I was driving home I began seeing smoke come from my engine as and still from the pipes I was still thinking it was the old oil burning off hence that’s what I was told. I decided to go to the gas station to get gas for the remaining of the week, and my car burst into flames while I was pumping gas. The fire had originated from my engine. I went back to the dealership the following day to show them pictures, the service manager(Thomas) told us to reach out to Kia corporate. It’s almost one month later, no one has been answering calls from me nor my mother. We went back to the dealership 3/31 the service manager took our information again and told us he’d reach out and still haven’t been informed on anything.

NHTSA ODI 11515618

The car caught fire last night and burned up while parked.

NHTSA ODI 11514559

Almost wrecked when the engine bearings seized prematurely in there expected life span. I would like to submit for my car to be fixed. Please help me with this process. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11483076

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while stopped at a light, she saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle when the vehicle started to spark and then caught fire. No warning lights illuminated. The origin of the fire was unknown. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had not yet been diagnosed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000

NHTSA ODI 11477437

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the husband was driving the vehicle a ticking noise was present coming from the engine compartment before suddenly smoke began to come from under the hood of the vehicle. The husband exited the vehicle and moments later flames were seen coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. A police and fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that prior to the incident occurring the vehicle had been serviced for a recall related to an engine failure and fire but the failure still occurred. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463249

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled while driving. The contact manually pushed their vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle where more smoke was coming from the engine and fire coming from the passenger side of the engine. The contact ran to a nearby business to get a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The contact was in process of the vehicle being towed to a local dealer. The contact concerned that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 ( service brakes, hydraulic) was related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11440967

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that as he attempted to merge onto a highway at 45 MPH, the brake pedal and steering wheel locked up upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. Due to the failure, the contact hit an electrical box encased in concrete as the vehicle continued to roll into bushes before it came to a halt. The airbags deployed upon impact. The contact exited the vehicle and removed his son from the back seat. The contact was not treated for injuries at the scene. The contact's son had a few lacerations on his neck that did not need medical attention. A police report was filed. A few days, his insurance towed the vehicle from the scene to an independent junkyard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. A week later, the contact sought medical treatment for pain in his chest and right arm; the contact was diagnosed with a hairline fracture to his sternum. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that his vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact attempted to reach out to the manufacturer by email but did not receive a response. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439468

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was grayish smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to steer the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they also diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425710