Was the KIA OPTIMA a good buy | Recalls

[@jackoconnor8729]

Always wear clean gloves when handling the new bulbs. The oil on your hands creates hot spots and will make them burn out quickly.

[@sereneescapes7005]

Thanks for the info!

[@tylerchamberlain857]

My sisters SXL has only went through two bulbs since she bought it. She has replaced the drivers side rear turn signal which actually had blown within a week of ownership, and she replaced the driver side headlight Xenon bulb a few months ago. FYI...The 2011-2013 Optima 2.0T engines were the only ones that were recalled. The 2014-2015 2.0T engines were revised with an up in horsepower and were updated so they aren’t recalled.... My sisters SXL has 161k miles on it and it’s been fine.

[@TheAlbertoHernandez]

I think I need to put on Xenon Bulbs. All in all I do have to say that our Optima has been extremely reliable.

[@La-yt1wr]

I have a 2014 Optima sxl Turbo and has hit 50,000 miles and the Kia dealership I bought it from has warranty forever I haven’t had any issues with my car I only gotten one letter from Kia but nothing major so I’m solid

[@bestbomb17]

My 13 sxl is currently in the shop as we speak, i bought it from this small dealership at 99k miles....literally, i kid you not, 10minutes down the road after signing off on it, the engine went out....towed it back, they thought it was battery. They called kia and it was under lifetime warranty, so im getting a brand new engine ...but still waiting on parts

[@kriswingert1662]

I have a 2012 SX, 274hp vs 2014-15 244hp. The took them down for the Singer release, not up.

[@lonniebeal6032]

We are on our 3 and 4 Kia's, Love em'. 2012 Rio, 2014 Soul, and now 2014 Optima, 2017 Sportage, never did high miles on any of them yet and we may not be around long enough to get the mileage much over 100k on either of these. I get the oil changed at Kia to maintain warranties and am very happy with these cars for now.

[@lonniebeal6032]

GDI owners, be advised there is massive carbon build up on the top ring and intake, so their combustion chamber cleaning is probably needed every 40,000 miles depending on the quality of oil and gas you use.

[@galaxytraveler5779]

2014 Optima here and mine hasnt had a single issue yet. I looked at the recalls and there were only a few the biggest effecting 600,000 cars, but i mean i checked a random car, the 2004 honda accord and it had 24 recalls two of them effecting over 2 million cars.

[@ARAR148]

I have a 2014 optima I just picked it up for 1800, has 176k miles, but motor replaced at 79k miles, drives great

[@andyrosales6077]

Second owner to a 2012 Kia Optima sedan. 2 weeks ago it went on limp mode. Basically I idled the car to pass another vehicle and the bearings went out. Blown engine per Automative service. 100% great record of oil changes done on time. The vehicle had been brurning oil internally. The car never leaked oil on the concrete. I was given two options. Replace engine $6,5000 (12,000 miles or 12 mth warranty/dealership engine) or get rid of the car for around $1000.00. Cosmetically my Kia was in fantastic shape and with only 61,000 miles. Something doesnt sound right here! I did some research on this car. Theta II Class Action lawsuit settlement popped up. My vehicle did qualify for a new engine with no cost to me. Had vehicle towed 43 miles to dealership nearest to me. The Service Manager stated that he was not able to provide me with a rental but that I could go get one and that I would be reimbursed for $40.00 dollars a day. Now, who these days gets a rental for $40 a day?NOBODY!!!!! As for a towing it cost me out of pocket but I will be filing a claim online to have that charge reimbursed to me after a PI1326 code shows. The car also had the updates done in 2019 by the first owner(ksds/Engine control module). Please be informed and do your research. I was hours away from salvaging this car for no more than $1000.00 or someo ne knowing about this issue and making a huge profit of my ignorance. STAY INFORMED AND DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!!

[@TakeSum-pn6jg]

So the recall is really available?

[@TakeSum-pn6jg]

Bought a 2012 147k on it and I just heard about them lasting around 130k-150k

[@happytrails1963]

125,000 miles is doing pretty good. I'll be happy if I get that from my Optima, 58k here and no issues its been a great car. From what I understand the engine problems have been on Theta engines, 2.0 and 2.4 but seems like Kia is replacing engines for the recall. The problems doesn't seem to have been Kia, its been the dealers but guess that happens. Good luck with your car!

[@galaxytraveler5779]

You are correct. Although i heard the problems with the engine happen during the manufacturing process. some sort of debrid that gets inside the engine from something being over tightened or something like that. But doesn't effect all optimas and if yours is effected, you would be notified about it and dealt with as you said. Also have a 2014 Optima with 80,000 and its been great

[@patrickalyy]

I hope mine doesnt seize. Hopefully it’ll last till 100k Miles. Currently sitting at 84k on my 2015 Optima. Second-owner. Vehicle was well maintained by the first owner. He showed me all maintenance receipts.

[@happytrails1963]

Saw that Kia/Hyundai have extended this to lifetime warantee for this issue with apparently no limits so thats not bad. Have read on forums that some people have got 200k+ on theres with no engine replacement so far so maybe some luck of the draw.

[@MisterOwlz]

Can you do an update on this car? I find this really interesting

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

im thinking of buying an optima, but when i see videos like this im wary.

[@galaxytraveler5779]

i have a 2014 optima with 80,000 on it and havent had a single issue. Honestly every car has many recalls and the engine problems you may have heard about dont effect every single optima. if there is a serious recall on your car you will be notified and it will be fixed no charge.

[@juancam648]

Had 140k on my 2011 Optima and engine went coming back from beach. Kia covered it all under the recall. Complete long block (SC147) came with water pump. Plus they did the ECU upgrade (PI1803), flexible coupler (CS1605), ACU wiring extension (SC165A). ZERO MONEY OUT OF POCKET, ****PLUS I got the a free rental for the time the car was in dealer for repairs****. I did get my car faster than I thought, less than 2 weeks!!! As an auto mechanic myself, I do have to say Kia did good on the their warranty / recalls!!!!! I GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THAT, plus not a bad car to begin with, I was missing the gas savings over my 2019Toyota Tacoma V-6, which I got when Kia engine took a dive!

[@MisterOwlz]

How many miles does the Kia have now?

[@tropicMTV]

Kia 2015 lx hybrid is It good car .?

[@sunilayya8948]

If you love live fire works, kia hyundai are unbeatable.

[@racingconyopapa1742]

Have you did maintenance on the transmission ?

[@stevencorrea7982]

How the hell can someone tell you not to do a recall?

[@c-zen890]

Because the dealerships won't make money.

[@zabryant01]

This isn't a Kia optima (SXL) problem it's a Theta 2 GDi (Hyundai Engine) problem which is in the Hyundai sonata and Santa Fe as well as the Kia optima, Sportage, and Sorento.

[@galaxytraveler5779]

and 2011 was worst year then 2012 and 2013. 2014 doesn't seem to have many problems from all the research ive done.

[@zabryant01]

GalaxyTraveler probably because they’re newer than each other. They’re all the same engine same problem. They never actually fixed anything. The 2019s are no different either. They do have a different updated engine cover but it’s the exact same engine that debuted in 2011, so... same issue as wel. That’s why they replace them for lifetime now.

[@JASONHN]

Es confiable?

[@TheAlbertoHernandez]

Si, despues que compre el motor que no tenga turbo.

[@bsgarey]

I don't think 125,000 is that much at all. I drive 30,000 per year. I am at 165,000 on a 2016.

[@michaelsmith-jy9ve]

Lol kia south Austin service manager Sal is treating my daughters car the same way.

[@tiredoldman5329]

Another recall coming in April 2020. Fuel line.

[@galaxytraveler5779]

every car has recalls though. i looked up my vin on kia website and there was only one and its been dealt with. It was the evap canister had potential to leak from prolonged road salt exposure. not all recalls effect all KIAs or effect all optimas.

[@tiredoldman5329]

@@galaxytraveler5779 We just had our engine replaced. Was using 2 quarts between changes. But, they did it for free and gave us a loaner. AND.. It was out of warranty. So, at least they take care of their customers.

[@galaxytraveler5779]

@@tiredoldman5329 I did read that they extended the recall outside of the warranty. Can't remember if it's lifetime or by a certain amount of years passed. Good to hear, thanks for the response!

[@fctryoffetsh39]

Kia are known for popping bulbs and lights go off totally on my sister sadona not good,also I was gonna get this car but the one recall is on metal left in the engine

[@lydellbell4638]

Great information Definitely taken in

[@garrainrawls4108]

You got hope to a good one mama has a 2012 lx optima with the 2.4l with only 86,000 miles on it and the motor blew and thankfully its covered under Warranty up to 120k

[@freebird7057]

I can't seem to keep that piece of crap we have on the road long enough to get a hundred thousand miles out of it

[@tiredoldman5329]

Just hit 110.000 on our 2017. Needs a new engine. Using a quart of oil per 1000 miles. They say it will be fixed for free. We will see.....

[@smartzfilms]

Tired Old Man was it?

[@tiredoldman5329]

@@smartzfilms Yes it was. Dont care much for Kia quality but their service has been outstanding. Took 2 days and they supplied a loaner car.

[@fctryoffetsh39]

Stay safe

[@fctryoffetsh39]

Kia Hyundai all over again