2019 Kia Optima Problems, complaints & recalls

I have a 2019 Kia Optima S with the 2.4L engine and 117,000 miles. The vehicle has diagnostic codes P1326 and POOOB. The check-engine light is continuously flashing, the engine is knocking, and the vehicle has lost acceleration and will not go over approximately 65 mph. I believe this may be related to the KSDS connecting-rod bearing issue under Kia campaign PI1805.

2019 Kia Optima EX, 1.6L turbo, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Second owner, purchased August 2019 at Jeff Wyler near Cincinnati, Ohio, not Certified Pre-Owned. Transmission was previously replaced under warranty in my first year of ownership. In spring 2026 I reported rough low-speed shifting. The dealer performed a DCT fluid service and software reset on April 27, 2026, $478.72. That shifting issue was not resolved immediately, but it eventually went away. Kia Consumer Assistance Case #26051125 replied on May...

Car smelled of what seemed like motor oil while driving. Parked, saw white smoke, and confirmed an engine fire. I was clearly in life threatening danger, especially with a full tank of gas. Fire developed rapidly into a roaring blaze. Entire front of car melted. Car is currently being investigated by manufacturer and cause is unknown. No warning lamps illuminated.

Vehicle shut off while driving at 40mph, engine seized ,will not crank .Suspected conecting rod bearing failure under safety recall sc200, I call kia 18003334542 denied recall repair and bearing clearance test stating vehicle is rebuilt title. Federal safety recall cannot be denied due to rebuilt title per nhtsa .Requesting recall remedy.

On [redacted], Towbin Kia Service (Henderson, NV) officially diagnosed my 2019 Kia Optima (VIN: [[redacted]], Mileage: 118,325) with a critical component failure: "LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FROM TOP HAT" (Invoice #[redacted]). Despite documenting a severe, volatile raw fuel leak that presents an immediate fire and explosion hazard, the dealership refused to keep the vehicle. They explicitly released this active safety hazard back to me. The service department even arranged a third-party Lyft ride to...

The vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine power while being driven on the interstate at highway speeds. The vehicle lost the ability to accelerate normally beyond approximately 60 mph, the Check Engine Light began flashing rapidly, and the vehicle entered "Limp Home Mode." This sudden loss of power occurred in heavy traffic and created an immediate risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by an authorized Kia dealership service center. Diagnostic testing...

On December 26, 2023, this vehicle received a complete engine assembly replacement at an authorized dealership under a manufacturer warranty repair order. Following the engine overhaul, the vehicle developed a severe, raw gasoline smell entering the passenger cabin through the climate control AC vents while sitting at an idle.The vehicle was brought back to Kia Store East on September 10, 2026, specifically to report this volatile safety issue. On September 17, 2026, the dealership technician explicitly duplicated...

My car was parked when my Kia Optima Panoramic sunroof exploded. It was between 8:00-8:30 a.m. Friday [redacted]. It sounded like an explosion. I was sleeping and the explosion woke me up. The sunroof was closed and the car was parked. We r not aware of anything coming in contact with the sunroof. Actually the sunroof exploded from inside the car. The broken glass was pointed upwards. I'm concerned that this is a serious hazard if it occurs while I was driving it would have caused a serious accident or even a...

While driving, my vehicle suddenly began shuddering and shaking. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly. I had to press the brake pedal unusually hard. After parking, the vehicle would not move properly in reverse or drive. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, and it moved only a short distance before shuddering again and losing power. The engine was making a loud buzzing or scooter-like sound. The vehicle became undrivable and had to be parked. I am concerned about a potential safety defect involving sudden loss of power while driving.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on two occasions, the vehicle lost power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven over to the side of the road and then towed to the dealer twice; however, the failure was not duplicated on the first visit. During the second visit, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.

Strong smell of gasoline from the rear of the vehicle started around 60,000 miles . Car dealership said it's normal but I don't smell other cars like this

Blind spot forward collision detection lane departure warning rear cross traffic warning

Unknown was just driving to go to my husband to work and it came on when I was coming back home and when I went to pick my husband up from work and was stopped at a stop sign the lights came back on

Oil is needing added on a weekly basis to keep up with how much the engine is burning, Spark Plugs and Coils have been changed excessively, the dealership says we may end up being covered by a recall but the engine needs to completely fail first.

The paint on my car is delaminating. There are bubbles throughout the car and a few huge bubbles have popped and now the bare body is visible. I have called Kia corporate and they have denied my request to repaint the car. They are telling me that the is a three-year warranty on the paint. My car is only seven years old, and the paint should not peeling/bubbling. I have taken my car to a collision center, and they believe it is caused by a defective manufacturer paint. After looking online, it is a nationwide...

I was driving down the highway when I kinda noticed speed changed. ABS lights, foreword collision light, and rear end lights, so I turned around went back home. I rarely drive my car and I never had any problems with it. I purshased it brand new.

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...

Engine failure, metal leaking into oil which caused engine to fail

The low beam headlight assembly failed on my 2019 Kia Optima LX with no prior warning, while the high beams and LED daytime running lights continue to function normally, indicating an isolated component failure within the assembly. Notably, the headlight assembly shows no physical damage whatsoever, and both independent licensed repair facilities that inspected the vehicle were unable to identify or repair any specific failed component - both independently concluded that a full assembly replacement is necessary....

Drove roughly an hour from Roseville MI to Temperance MI. Car was fine. No issues on the drive. Gauges were all fine. Got to my friend's house and took my stuff inside. Came back out immediately and saw dark smoke now coming from the hood. Attempted to open, but couldn't unlatch the hood after it was popped. Saw flames and called 911. Entire car burned down to the back seats. Car seat, Reading glasses and personal items destroyed. Fire fighters put it out and police took report. KIA after review states they dont know why it happened. Also has taken forever and not offered to compensate me in any way shape or form. Received their "findings" a day ago, April 30. Date of fire was Feb 11th 2026.

The contact owned a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 60 MPH, she noticed there was smoke emerging from the engine. The driver pulled over safely. but was alerted by a good Samaritan who ran across four lanes of traffic to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher to no avail. The fire department was on the scene to eventually extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The local dealer was called, but there was no...

Even after regular oil changes car requires an additional 4 bottles of oil every 2 weeks. Now the car is jumping and having a misfire.

The engine of vehicle repeatedly failed, causing the vehicle to stall while driving, which posed a serious risk to my safety and others on the road. The vehicle had approximately 65,000 miles and was maintained routinely and on schedule. The failure first occurred before November 18, 2025, when I reported stalling issues to Kia authorized service & parts. The vehicle was returned as "fixed" on December 12, 2025, but the engine stalled again during normal operation. The vehicle was returned to Kia authorized service...

Our car paint started peeling out of no where and very bad. I just found out that it is a manufacturing issue with the bonding of the paint.