Kia Optima Electrical problems by year

complete destruction of the vehicle. The vehicle was subsequently transported to Kia of [[redacted]], where it is currently undergoing repairs. The damage reportedly involves the vehicle's main electrical wiring harness, with anticipated repair costs exceeding $5,000. Although the vehicle is approximately 13 years old, an electrical fire involving the main wiring harness raises serious concerns about the safety and integrity of the vehicle's electrical system. Such an incident should not be considered an expected consequence of ordinary vehicle aging. I am submitting this complaint to request that NHTSA document and evaluate this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and determine whether similar electrical fires have been reported in this model or related Kia vehicles. I am particularly concerned about the potential for serious injury or loss of life if a similar incident occurs while a vehicle is occupied or in operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

primary engine wiring harness and ignition coil packs. The vehicle is currently grounded and completely disabled at Buster Miles Kia ([[redacted]]), where the service department confirmed the melted harness and issued a repair estimate of $3,813.85. Kia Corporate Customer Care has consolidated my files and issued a flat denial of coverage on their behalf, stating that the SC284 recall remedy is strictly limited to the physical installation of a lower-amperage HECU fuse. Kia is forcing me to pay out-of-pocket for the melted wiring harness caused directly by their defective components. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a manufacturer's safety remedy is legally incomplete if the defect's failure mode leaves the vehicle in an unsafe, disabled condition. Changing a fuse does not remedy a vehicle that has already suffered consequential thermal damage from the defect itself. I request federal intervention into Kia America's refusal to cover safety-related consequential property damage, leaving a consumer stranded without a safe vehicle due to a known fire risk defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

prescribed rescue inhaler. Neither of us received immediate medical treatment. Due to safety concerns, I had the vehicle towed to R&E Auto Repair on August 21, 2026, rather than risk driving it. The independent repair facility documented suspected melting of the HVAC temperature control unit and identified the blower motor resistor as a possible contributing component. Video evidence of the suspected damage was obtained. I formally reported the incident to Kia Customer Care on September 1, 2026. The vehicle was delivered to authorized dealer DeMontrond Kia on September 23, 2026, for further inspection. Despite the independent findings, Kia's dealership reported that it could not identify melted components. The suspected defect remains unresolved. The vehicle remains at DeMontrond Kia and may be available for inspection. I have not been advised whether any affected components have been removed or replaced. No police or insurance inspection has been reported. I am concerned about potential electrical fire hazards, fumes entering the passenger compartment, and respiratory injuries to occupants. I request that NHTSA investigate this suspected HVAC electrical defect and potential safety risk to other Kia owners.

confirmed. The vehicle was inspected by police and the tow operator, and it was determined to be a total loss. An insurance claim has been filed, and the vehicle should be available for inspection if requested. This vehicle also had a significant history of mechanical problems. Since shortly after I purchased it, it experienced severe oil consumption/oil loss, requiring multiple visits to CarMax and multiple 1,000-mile oil-consumption tests. I also experienced repeated spark plug and coil pack problems requiring repairs/replacements. The exact component that failed is currently UNKNOWN. I have not yet had Kia inspect the vehicle or confirm the cause of the fire. This incident created a serious safety risk because the vehicle appears to have caught fire while parked. If this had occurred while I was driving or while my children were inside the vehicle, the fire could have caused serious injury or death. I do not recall receiving a specific warning message immediately before discovering the damage. The vehicle did, however, have its history of ongoing mechanical problems described above. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether an electrical, wiring, or other safety defect could have caused this vehicle fire and whether other Kia Optima owners may be at risk.

order documents my complaint and states that the vehicle would die while driving and that this problem "DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER RECALL COMPLETED." The repair order instructs the technician to inspect whether the recall was completed properly and diagnose the concern. I am concerned because the HECU recall involves an electrical short/overcurrent condition and Kia's recall documentation specifically identifies burning/melting smell and smoke as warning symptoms. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether the post-recall stalling and burning smell could be related to the HECU recall repair or indicate a continuing safety problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

on or operate properly. I was informed that the problem is related to the vehicle's electrical system/wiring. These problems have continued and require repeated attention. I am concerned about the safety and reliability of the vehicle, particularly the continued oil loss and the electrical malfunction. I am reporting these issues so they can be documented and investigated to determine whether other 2020 Kia Optima owners are experiencing similar problems.

power etc. Nor did we know that those were a possibility. The wiring harness quote was $7,000, over the cost of the vehicle. It was decided to continue repairing the electrical issues as they came up, it was assumed that the fuses would blow before there because a safety or total vehicle failure, as automobiles are designed that way. 8/4/2026 the vehicle experienced a complete and total loss of power resulting in a traffic crash into another vehicle as the brakes felt like you were trying to push a wall rather than a pedal. There was minimal physical damage to the other car and the kia, the other driver got my husband's insurance information and then drove off. The car did startup after ~30 minutes or so and was driven home, but taken to the Kia dealership the next day. It was said that the blower motor overheated and melted a portion of the electrical junction box under the hood and that it was unsafe and dangerous to drive. Kia said that there were no active recalls for this work. NHTSA SC351 seems very similar to this issue that has plagued this car since the beginning. We would ask that Kia incorporate this vehicle and others outside of the year/model ranges in SC351 that have similar failure mechanisms as this seems common.

up in this situation again, as soon as you turn on the AC, does not make sense. KIA should do recall on this model and fix the root cause, which is excessive electricity and amperage usage by the blower motor.