2014 Kia Optima Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning fume in the interior of the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and the flames were coming from under the hood. The contact safely exited the vehicle. The fire department and the police were on the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a local tow yard. The contact stated that the vehicle had been serviced for an oil change one week before the failure occurred The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and restarted. The check engine warning light was blinking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to DTC Code: P0326 Knock Sensor (1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 217,581.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a general failure with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The car was last inspected/service on 11/23/22. There were no warning lights, no noises, no odors, no indication that anything was going bad or anything. Drove car over 600 miles to visit family. Upon leaving to return home, the car stalled after about 100 miles. We pulled over and restarted the car. Now it began making a noise and the engine came on then started blinking. This was around 5am on the side of the highway in pitch black with two young women traveling alone in very isolated/low population area. Long story short-the engine failed and had to be replaced (had the car towed to the nearest dealer in Rolla, MO). The engine was replaced by Kia and covered completely by Kia. This was at 78,000 miles. This is the 3rd engine for this one car. First replacement occurred just under 10,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption with the check engine warning light constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the engine and catalytic converter were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,111.
Rod knock on the engine
Vehicle has been burning oil consistently since 100,000 miles and Kia dealership denied coverage. Now I have a knock sensor code and the Dennis eakin dealership in Killeen is claiming itβs a bad rod bearing and denying their 200k mile warranty coverage due to me not being able to provide 10 years worth of receipts even though this was a known issue.
My 2014 Kia Optima engine started seizing on 03/25/2023. I called to the Kia dealership and explained to them what my car was doing was told they could not get to my car until Monday 04/03/2023. I had my insurance tow my car to Kia on Monday 04/03/2023. The service guy called me and said he couldn't start the car due to the engine being locked to update the KSDS system, and with that being said Kia would not cover the engine. I told him I never received that KSDS recall because, I was not the previous owner who had this car. He gave me an estimate for $5422.17. He said to reach out to Kia Headquarters and talk with them to see if they would approve for the engine to be replaced. I call Kia Headquarters and spoke with a lady and explained to her what my car was doing. She then stated that she would look over the claim and she put me on hold. She then came back to the phone and said unfortunately my engine would not be covered because the previous owner they sent the letter to about recalls never responded to the recall in reference to KSDS, I was not the previous owner. She also stated they only send the recall letter out once. She also stated when you buy a used car you buy all the issues that come with it. So that was her way of saying Kia still not replacing the engine. I purchased my car on 02/01/2021 from a used car dealership. I did not know anything about a recall on the KSDS. I'm trying to understand how I can be held accountable for something the previous owner did not do. Kia needs to be held responsible for these defective engines. Thank God my son and I were not out on the highway when the engine start seizing. How can Kia get away with this is beyond me? Something needs to be done about this ASAP before somebody gets killed in one of these Kia Optimas while driving and the engine locks up. Please investigate this!!
Since August of 2021 Ive experienced engine oil burning that results in me having to add oil every 10 days after a Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 . Ive gone into Lokey Kia in Clearwater FL numerous of times for this issue, and numerous recalls. There is no visible leak, but that had me pay for the Valve Cover Gasket replacement 8/11/21 - Lokey Kia told me again today 4/24/23 that I needed the same repair done again. Over the phone the Lokey Kia service rep. told me he could not find my previous repair in the system and that I should NOT have to fix this repair this soon, but when I came in with a receipt, they stated "oh, things wear our=t faster than we think". Ive taking my car across the street to Fitzgerald Hydauni, tried to explain to them. Paid for vehicle check, completed oil change, found no visible leak, but within a week I had to go back because my car was literally almost out of oil. I called Kia claims today claim# 14751760, on hold for 2 hours and they say I have to spend several hundred dollars 3 times for a oil consumption tests before I can qualify for engine replacement because the recall for this DEFECT is not attached to my VIN, but is a KNOWN issue for the 2016. Ive sat in the waiting area and other consumers have gotten engine replaced, but for me Im brushed to the side. AAA states they've so many Kia's like mine breakdown due to this issue.
My car was unable to accelerate and ultimately had a broken rod, which required total replacement of the engine. Since I am the second owner and the original owner or dealer did not request the warranty extension in 2017, KIA refuses to reimburse any amount towards the repairs.
Rattle noise on the freeway, all electric lights on dash board started flashing. Car died on the side of the road. Did not restart. Engine was making a bubble noise (like overheating) with steam. When I checked my oil, showed dark and metal flakes. Recent oil change. Towed my mechanic and they said I have MAJOR engine issues.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact state that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, after having stopped at a traffic signal, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights flashing. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after having a passerby jump start her vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam shaft had failed, and the vehicle was low on oil. The contact stated that the mechanic added oil and started the vehicle for a test drive. The contact stated that the engine seized while on the test drive. The independent mechanic researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle first to her residence and the following day to the local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON JUNE 22ND 2023 AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND THERE WAS NO ADVANCED WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO BRYAN GAMBLE AUTO AND DIESEL WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption after the engine replacement. The check engine warning light was illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,805.
driving down the highway, there was no previous warning, all the warning lights on the dashboard came on simultaneously. The car began jerking and was difficult to steer. The car began to shut down in the middle of the road before I had a chance to get off the highway. I managed to get it off the road and into a parking lot. I was unable to bring it to a complete stop even after putting it in park. It rolled up to a fence, and that is what eventually stopped the vehicle from moving. It stalled out on itself, and shut down. At that time, underneath the hood began to smoke, and smelled like something was burning. It continued for about 5 minutes. it was towed to the Kia dealership and has been there for over 10 business days. They completed the diagnostic testing, and decided it was the engine, but they're waiting for corporate to make a decision about repairing at their cost, or placing the responsibility on me. They've been trying to make a decision, and in the meantime, I am out of a car. They did not provide me with a rental car as they make a decision, so i ended up having to pay for a rental car out of my own pocket. My insurance will not pay for a rental car until we hear back from corporate about their decision. This happened one other time in 2017.
Engine speed slowed. Engine knock noticed. Engine wouldn't remain running.Took it to mechanic. Checked NHTSA website for reals and TSBs. None found. He retrieved DTC P0014 Camshaft Position B - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1). He recommended replacing the Timing Chain, Tensioners, Guides AND the Camshaft Phasers. During this process, he discovered that the crank turned only with great difficulty.
While driving at highway speeds approximately (70mph), engine began knocking. Knocking sound got louder when accelerating. Suspecting a rod bearing failure, I pulled over and had the car towed to Greenway Kia in Antioch,TN. I am right waiting for them to analyze the engine. The car did not have an illuminated engine light. This engine was not recalled for a knock sensor to be installed.
Engine is making like a rattling noise and I am going through an excessive amount of oil in between oil changes that are done regularly ask about any oil leaks and was told I do not have any oil leaks that my car is just burning that much oil at my last oil change service
Engine light on car will not accelerate past 60 mph
My engine locked up while I was driving. I turned onto my street, luckily close to my home and the car stopped accelerating. I pulled over and turned the car off and it would not turn back on. My car is now undriveable, and it only has 105,000 miles on it. This could have put my safety at risk, imagine if I were going 50mph rather than 10-15mph. I had a mechanic take a look at it and he could not get the crank shaft to turn. Through his assessment, he said I will need a replaced or repaired engine. He offered me get another opinion, but he was pretty certain on the issue. Prior to this, the check engine light came on for less than a day back in June. I contacted my dealership and since it went off, nothing progressed.
While driving on the highway, the check engine light came on and started flashing. The vehicle simultaneously seems to lose power. We pulled over immediately and looked flashing engine light up in the owner's manual and saw it meant emergency and not to drive the car any further. Today, we are paying to tow the vehicle. After searching google, this seems to be a common issue in similar years of Optima's, yet it seems Kia is not addressing this. See blog at: https://cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t57983_ds1051588
Engine seized not even 10mins after driving it. Car now needs a new engine. I'm on disability and can't afford it and I need to go to my doctors appointments.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, the vehicle started to shake. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that after 5 minutes the vehicle was restarted and drove with no issues. However, when driving at 30 MPH the vehicle lost motive and electrical power without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a seized engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine was replaced twice before and provided the VIN on the engine that needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2014 Kia Optima has 197 Engine complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.