What 202 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima

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.

NHTSA ODI 11588878

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

NHTSA ODI 11584657

GDI MOTOR CONSUMES A LOT OF OIL

NHTSA ODI 11583677

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.

NHTSA ODI 11582456

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.

NHTSA ODI 11581362

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

NHTSA ODI 11581205

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.

NHTSA ODI 11579817

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,

NHTSA ODI 11578950

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.

NHTSA ODI 11575062

No oil burning oil

NHTSA ODI 11573918

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.

NHTSA ODI 11568857

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

NHTSA ODI 11568484

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

NHTSA ODI 11556935

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!!!

NHTSA ODI 11556143

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.

NHTSA ODI 11553216

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.

NHTSA ODI 11550425

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

NHTSA ODI 11549547

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!!!

NHTSA ODI 11546963

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

NHTSA ODI 11544556

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?

NHTSA ODI 11541974

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

NHTSA ODI 11539689

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

NHTSA ODI 11533643

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.

NHTSA ODI 11529066

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

NHTSA ODI 11526577

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.

NHTSA ODI 11513517