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 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

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

NHTSA ODI 11585588

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 car caught fire last night and burned up while parked.

NHTSA ODI 11514559

AT A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE SAID HYBRID FAILURE TURN CAR OFF AND REMOVE YOURSELF. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF PUT HAZARDS ON WENT TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED BY MY CAR TO THE POINT IT MADE ME LOSS CONTROL OF MY BLADDER!! HAD WONDS TO MY RING FINGER WHERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WENT IN AND WAS IN LOCAL ER. LOCAL KIA DEALER SAID THERE IS A BULITN TO REPLACE THE 125 WAT FUSE TO THEY HYBRID SYSTEM TO A 150 FUSE AND THAT IS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I FEEL THE DANGER OF ELECTROCUTION IS SO GREAT IT MUST BE A RECALL. I CONTACTED CORPORATE WHO TOLD ME THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT RECALL WORTHLY!! NOT ACCEPTABLE I SPENT 5 HRS IN THE ER WITH EKG , AND BURN MARK'S ON MY LEFT FINGERS AND. NOW MY SKIN IN MY LEG IS PEELING DUE TO THIS. ACCORDING TO ER DR. I WAS LUCKY AND MOST LIKELY RECEIVED 100 VOLTS ANYMORE COULD HAVE CAUSED INTERNAL ISSUES. MY LEFT ARM IS STILL TINGLING FROM THE SHOCK DAYS LATER. IT IS COMPLETE INCOMPETENTS TO ALLOW KIA OPTIMA HYBRID OWNERS DRIVE THESE CARS WITH A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE. PLEASE PUT A SAFTY RECALL OUT BEFORE A CHILD ENDS UP HURT OR DECEASED.

NHTSA ODI 11240440

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STALLED RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. I HAD JUST MADE A TURN & THE CAR WENT DEAD. STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED NOT TO MENTION THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FIANC WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A FRACTURED HIP.

NHTSA ODI 11165223

MAY 9TH 2016, DRIVING TO WORK ON I-44 HEADING TO WORK, MY VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SHUTS OFF AND DIES, I START TO SEE WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I SAFELY PULL THE CAR OVER TO SHOULDER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL ROLLING. EXIT THE VEHICLE AND OPEN THE HOOD, AND THE ENGINE CATCHES FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CERTIFIED MECHANICS ALL WITH THE SAME ANSWER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I HAVE SINCE COMPLETED THE TOTAL LOSS PROCESS WITH MY INSURANCE. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS IT ONLY HAD JUST OVER 36000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10873251