What 202 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima

I am reporting a recurring safety hazard involving my 2019 Kia Optima following a repair for diagnostic code P064A (Fuel Pump Control Module). Despite the dealership attempting to repair the fuel system, the vehicle remains in a 'limp mode' state. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost significant power, refusing to accelerate above 50 mph. This creates an immediate safety risk, as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds or safely merge, increasing the danger of a rear-end collision. The P064A code and subsequent 'limp mode' symptoms persist even after professional service. I am concerned that the existing Kia warranty extensions (such as WTY028 for the low-pressure fuel pump) or current repair procedures are insufficient to resolve this underlying mechanical/electronic failure, leaving the vehicle unpredictable and hazardous to operate in traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11742841

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to immediately accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11608988

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.

NHTSA ODI 11608387

System failed to pick up speed.

NHTSA ODI 11550852

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

Breaks locked or failed and was forced off road into a ditch, car totalled

NHTSA ODI 11547211

I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND AS I REACHED THE TOP OF THE INCLINE, MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO USE MY BRAKES AND I BARELY TAPPED THEM, BUT THEY REACTED AS IF I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES AND I BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. MY BRAKES WERE THEN LOCKED, I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THEN TURNED OFF & THEN BACK ON MY CAR WITHOUT REMOVING THE KEY. I THEN PUT MY CAR BACK INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER, MY GAS PEDAL WAS STILL NOT WORKING. I THEN TURNED MY CAR OFF AGAIN, REMOVED THE KEY, PUT THE KEY BACK, THEN RESTARTED AND WENT BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11414358

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.

NHTSA ODI 11312045

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

NHTSA ODI 11311882

IF I SLOW DOWN THEN SPEED UP IT TAKES OFF SLOW. IF I GO UP A HILL IT PUTTS AND WHEN I DRIVE IT JUST FEELS LIKE ITS PUTTERING THE WHOLE TIME. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING BUT THIS IS A NEW CAR I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG. I JUST GOT THE CAR IN MARCH DROVE FINE NO ACCIDENTS OR ANYTHING AND IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING THAT MY CAR IS LIKE THIS BUT KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11290177