Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.
Chart based on 125 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
The ventilated driver's seat did not work. The dealer had to order the part and it took 7 days for the part to arrive. The repair was under warranty and done completely
21000 mi
Driver’s seat heater not working
51000 mi
Both outer rear taillights (lenses) needed replacement due to moisture entering and causing integrated LED failure.
Kia has a fuse that is pulled as new car is shipped to totally take any load off of battery. This fuse became loose and vehicle would not start. Reseated fuse and all works perfectly.
13500 mi
Continuing problems with vehicle periodically going dead (lights, dash etc)when trying to start. Dealer replaced driver door jamb plate as it was grounding. Problems continue same plus remote start periodically fails. Not resolved.
16000 mi
Problems continue from April. Same exact indications. Has spent numerous days at dealer. Unresolved.
16000 mi
Previously reported electrical problem went unresolved. Traded back to dealer for another Optima.
10540 mi
Driver's airbag replaced due to dash light illuminating
2000 mi
Window would not close Nav system freeze and abends
26000 mi
Car wouldn't start in morning; AAA replaced battery and car is back to normal.
70000 mi
The problem ended up being a fuse housing.
25000 mi
AC blower motor replaced. Bearing making lots of noise when cold.
21500 mi
Drivers side mirror would not move L&R. The problem was observed on delivery when new but was intermittent. It was determined that the L&R motor in the mirror was defective from the start and will be replaced under warranty.
18200 mi
The navigation stopped working, it did reset and begin to function normally again, but the dealer replaced it without question. One interior light had a short in the switch. Switch replaced under warranty.
72800 mi
Drivers mirror motor will be hopefully repaired by replacing the wiring harness. Attempts have been previously made to make this repair. It has been intermittent in the past, but had failed to activate in all directions now.
17300 mi
Backup camera inop
33000 mi
Antenna replaced due to no signal on Sat, traffic, or radio.
Heated seats didn't seem to be working. Dealer determined the switch was faulty and caused all four seats to not heat. Ordered part, will repair under warranty later in the month. iPhone will connect to Bluetooth but contact list won't sync. Was told it's a firmware issue with the navigation system, and cannot be fixed until the new firmware is released.
9500 mi
Heated seat switch was replaced. Heated seats still not working, booked to find out actual cause.
10540 mi
Finally solved heated seat - problem stemmed from the factory - wiring harness prong bent - caused a short circuit and the fault in the heated seats. Took 6 months to solve!
52000 mi
Back-up camera failed.
14000 mi
Backup camera
10800 mi
The driver-side seat heater is not working.
14000 mi
battery died with less than 15k miles and 23 months old...
40000 mi
US $5
Backup camera wouldn't come on. Took apart camera and blasted with WD40, and greased the o-rings to keep water out. No issues since.
91000 mi
US $150
Would not cool. Made "breathing" noise. Manifold gauges showed small pressure differential. Replaced A/C expansion valve, vacuumed system, and recharged.
155000 mi
US $450
Left headlight stoped working
44000 mi
US $88
Driver bottom seat heater not functioning. Elements replaced
42700 mi
Parking brake light stays on after being disengaged.
56300 mi
The lighted Kia door sill burnt out. Assembly replaced.
4000 mi
UVO system not working with iPod
12200 mi
Back up camera needed to be replaced because of condensation build up inside the camera
Air conditioning van selector motor has failed. The entire air conditioning system replacement was recommended for $3,600.
No repair was done due to high cost
61000 mi
Steering wheel station/preset control would change to FM2, AM etc and mute randomly while changing stations. The switch module was replaced twice. The 1st replacement failed 2 days later.
104000 mi
US $45
AC would not turn on, just blowing air. Refrigerant was a little low. The system was evacuated dye addes and refilled, but while refilling the high side psi went high and would not take more refrigerant. There was a blockage. The compressor, evaporator, expansion valve were all replaced. Bad electrical socket for rear brake light. Replaced the right tailight harness
26000 mi
US $106
Replaced battery
35700 mi
A/C would make a moaning noise when under 30mph and coasting. A/C would periodically go "humid", then return to cold. The valve on the inside the compressor was replaced on the first visit, didn't fix it.
37000 mi
A/C fixed on second attempt after waiting for a new compressor. They ordered a 2014 compressor since they've been having lock-up problems with the 11+12's. Once it was totally replaced, everything's ok.
4700 mi
Radio died
7000 mi
Rear view camera stayed on while in drive, would not switch off unless car was restarted.
18000 mi
Speaker in passenger door was distorted. Dealer replaced speaker
18600 mi
Navigation system produced Windows Error message is driven over about 1.5 hours and required reboot to fix. Problem unknown, pulled computer and diagnosed, no resolution, will probably replace system. Was proved with a loaner for the day.
19100 mi
System replaced this week with a totally new model (warrenty covered). Upgraded graphics, faster performance, better interface, knows speed limits, not the same model that's for sure. Perhaps the nav system from the 2014 model.
32240 mi
Trip odometers 1&2 resetting intermittently; digital gas gauge erratic readings occasionally; may be due to cold weather.
Booked a service call; no problems determined; will probably book another service call if problems re-occur.
33000 mi
Bluetooth software update...replaced backup camera
64000 mi
US $233
Replaced windshield washer pump
11000 mi
US $180
Rodent damage to fog light wiring and windshield washer tubing.
46400 mi
Factory backup camera failed. Camera was replaced under warranty
52000 mi
US $129
Vinegar smell in cabin attributed to bacterial growth in AC vent system. Service of AC vent cleared the issue.
26000 mi
XM receiver stopped getting a signal. It was continuously hunting for a signal – everywhere. Dealer replaced the radio unit but this did not resolve issue. Dealer ordered new antenna and installed it. Issue seems to have been resolved.
45000 mi
TPMS light on. Tire pressure set correctly.
70795 mi
Condensation under backup camera lenses. Blurred video. Backup camera replaced under Goodwill warranty
Intermitent issues with the car not starting,, a switch under the brake pedal was a recall and fixed the problem once replaced
34200 mi
Had to replace battery
41000 mi
US $100
Replaced Battery
47000 mi
Reflash computer
59000 mi
US $38
A/C not cooling all of the time. Not draining properly. Used A/C evaporator cleaner P/N UM090
5000 mi
replaced Nav screen
31700 mi
Brake fluid warning light continues to come on erratically. So does another warning light that refers to an instrument problem. This problem has shown itself periodically since the first 10 months but is only mildly annoying.
36000 mi
Old issue: a warning light on dash which turned out to be a faulty fluid level sensor. The car's brakes always seemed fine, but my (good) dealer replaced the sensor AND the master cylinder, vac booster & pump, and gave me a loaner car.
40000 mi
Paddle shifter on steering wheel: ceased functioning.
Will shortly be repaired on warranty.
48000 mi
Backup camera was slow to run; showed lines but no picture for up to 30 sec
24000 mi
Electric heated seat switch was bad. Rear passenger, driver side. Replaced under warranty.
29000 mi
Dome light flicks on when turning a corner. Flicks on momentarily when just pushing on the drivers door. Please note this problem is caused by closing the door on the seatbelt buckle which just lines up with the door switch smashing it in.
79000 mi
US $570
Return line leaking. Replaced.
65000 mi
US $180
A/C not cooling when interior temp is above 105 degrees. Compressor does not engage for at least 5 minutes or until interior temperature drops below 100. Dealer attempted to reprogram A/C as system cools well under other conditions or once.
121000 mi
US $150
Compressor capacity control valve failed
7000 mi
Performed TSB on key fobs
15500 mi
Nav locked up, replaced nav system. New nav worked until car was sold but dash rattled and could never be repaired. Fuel level sender failed replaced
Switch in brake to start engine failed. Replaced under warranty. Dealer told me how to get it started and drove to dealer for replacement. Great service.
12400 mi
loose fuse caused ac and tail lights to go out.
11700 mi
Bluetooth not functioning, head unit for sound; bluetooth, replaced
10300 mi
Dealer replaced under warranty a switch attached to brake pedal that prevented car from starting if brake pedal was depressed. Could still start car by holding down button for 20 sec. Dealer states it is a common problem.
65000 mi
US $125
Battery tested low--replaced with OEM battery
79200 mi
Driver power seat will not incline the seatback. Incline motor failure.
80000 mi
US $550
Drivers Seatback would not incline. Incline motor failure.
85000 mi
Replaced Driver's side headlight with LED bulb
92000 mi
US $450
Clockspring failed, resulting in loss of use of horn, cruise control, trip/reset button.
Replaced by OEM clockspring
99000 mi
Bluetooth System does not initiate; Voice recognition does not initiate Headlight diode had come off
103800 mi
US $400
Starter replaced due to engine failure
30500 mi
Brake switch replaced because it was affecting starting the vehicle keyless ignition.
3000 mi
Heated/Cooled driver seat had stopped working previously. A switch and a module were replaced and BCM flash done during previous attempts. Since it's now intermittent (it's stopped working again at times), they say they cannot work on it. UPDATE: around 3,500 miles so far. Heated/Cooled driver seat worked (once), mostly not working. Dealer & KIA corporate have said they won't fix it if it isn't completely dead. So I wait until it dies permanently. Might never get fixed!
5000 mi
I've had ongoing issue with the heated/cooled seat. They replaced the switch a second time. Now they are ordered a new "wiring harness". Still awaiting that to come in for them to install.
5300 mi
They installed the wiring harness. The system works (it was working prior to installing the harness after they cleaned the contacts), so we'll keep an eye on it if it's finally a permanent solution.
59317 mi
US $76
A left rear bulb marker and a new cabin air filter were replaced
VERY SHORTLY, I'll bring back my KIA Optima LX for new rear brake pads and rotors
35000 mi
Dead battery because headlights would not automatically turn off after parking in garage. WHY..I got seat belt stuck in door after closing door the car body was bent misaligning the door button that turns off lights when door is shut.
33800 mi
Parking sensor for Push Button Ignition replaced.
1000 mi
Faulty air bag sensor in passenger seat cushion.
17000 mi
Light sensor went out for auto-on headlight Radio display flicker brightly when accelerating at night with headlights on. Heated steering wheel top half stopped working
The 12v battery kept intermittently dying and had to be jumped frequently. The dealership told me that they tested my alternator and it checked fine but, my battery failed when tested.
Battery failed, and it was an OEM. Replacement installed by AAA Road Service at residence
27000 mi
US $271
Tire Pressure Monitoring System, sensor failed and was discovered damaged likely from a previously installed set of tires purchased elsewhere and improperly installed.
61000 mi
Airbag sense under passenger seat went out. While it's out of the factory warranty, the extended warranty is covering it.
AC was slow to cool cabin. System was down 0.75 lb. of refrigerant. Schroeder valve was found to be loose. System purged and recharged. Not considered a warranty repair by Kia.
82000 mi
the auto locks no longer work after trans number 2 went in. Seems no matter how well you do the services at kia and keep up on oil changes they seem okay other then transmission issues and crappy lights. Brakes and tires. Great road trip car tho.
No horns. I don't know if the car was delivered that way because I never tried the horns when I left the car dealership. Didn't discover the problem for a few weeks. Who tries the horn untill you need it. ( No Horns ) I never tried the horns when I bought the Optoma, but didn't work after trying at a later date. Horns were shorted out & ordered.Replaced with no problem.
3000 mi
Returned car for horn problem.Repaired. So far so good. Well it happened again (No Horns) Took the car back to the dealer to find they could not find the problem after 2 1/2 hrs of waiting. Got a loaner and left the car there. The next day they called to tell me they found the trouble. Will it pick up tomorrow
5000 mi
tire pressure dash light came on. Checked tire pressure ok. Called kia & they told me to add 2# pressure to tires from 30# to 32#. That did the trick The light went off.
68000 mi
TPMS light comes on intermittently when there is no difference in tire pressure in any of the tires. dealer checked and reset the sensors. the problem is not solved.
76000 mi
US $10
The switch in the driver's door jamb was broken and would not turn on the dome light when the driver's door was opened. The repair took 5 minutes and cost $9.47.
91000 mi
The problem with the TPMS light was never solved. Online research indicated it was likely the body control module (BCM). At the time we sold the car, the TPMS light was constantly on, even though the tires were all properly inflated.
AC system replaced, compressor, dryer, cooling panel Alternator replaced
110000 mi
US $400
Starter became intermittent. Had starter replaced
80000 mi
US $1
Starter motor would not crank occasionally.
72000 mi
US $125
The air bag light kept coming on. Dealer replaced air bag module, then the control module, and finally the clock spring which has fixed the problem for good. Covered under third party extended warranty.
Passenger side air bag light intermittently came on indicating the air bag was not functioning. They cant seem to figure out why the passenger side air bag periodically fails.Also the headlights have a weird pattern. 4 visits to date.
3500 mi
Passenger seat didnt read a passengers presence very often.Since the repair,two weeks ago no problems. On Feb 12th,the area tech reflashed the seat sensors and that seemed to fix it.Unfortunately after they fixed the low air in the tires indicator,that is failing again.Shows a false low air signal.
4000 mi
Passenger seat bottom sensor defective causing passenger air bag light to come on when a passenger sat in seat and for the airbag system to be inoperative. Repairs took over 30 days due to parts availability.
6000 mi
Passenger air bag indicator repeated an intermittent off signal when passenger was in seat. Kia rep was called in to update software.
10000 mi
Passenger airbag system again malfunctioning, intermittently, with a passenger under 140#s. Dealer still can't find problem.
15000 mi
air conditioner compressor caused whining noise at idle and at acceleration.
19000 mi
audible noise from engine compartment in the nature of a whining noise. air conditoner compressor source of problem; fixed and no futher noise.
157000 mi
US $65
Along with an oil change the right front Headlamp burned out and was changed following a pattern in which front headlamps have been replaced about every year for the past 5 years.
Window regulator went out, the window would roll all the way down, but roll only halfway up. It was the driver's window regulator.
175000 mi
US $150
Air was not blowing cold since summer of 2011. Decided to get it fixed. Not sure if there is a slow leak or not. The service rep said that there was no noticeable leak, but they did put in some dye just in case.
127000 mi
The airbag light kept coming on then off for several months. Now it is permanent. Am told that is expensive to repair and I am on limited income. Will have to wait a few months.
124000 mi
Airbag light on when sold.
43000 mi
Air bag light went on. Not sure what the fix was, since the service guy basically couldn't tell me what they did since the actual mechanic had left for the day.
