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The 2020 Kia Optima is a mid-size car in a world where this segment is quickly disappearing. The automaker claims that the Optima is “driven to stand out,” but owners don’t like the attention they are getting from driving it. Between the defective service brakes and faulty structure, consumers need to be warned about all that can go wrong with this Kia car.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Kia Optima
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Engine | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Electrical System | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Power Train |
Problems with the Service Brakes
Stopping a vehicle should be a top concern for every driver. Otherwise, it’s impossible to avoid an accident. Yet, this Optima doesn’t seem to care about the safety of occupants.
Here is one NHTSA complaint to look at. “The FCW Forward Collision Warning System seems to not get activated under any circumstances. I have changed the sensitivity of the system to all levels and it never seems to detect the car in front of it. Never warns you of an imminent collision. The car is always in motion when I tried the system.”
Braking systems have become far more complicated with the addition of driver-assist features. These systems are meant to work together to engage the brakes and avoid accidents. Yet, the software becomes glitchy, which causes trouble. Service Bulletin #TSBCHA084_R4 talks about other trouble with the Motor Driven Power Steering Motor, Electronic Control Unit and Steering Column Housing, which can also lead to a crash. Basically, the Optima is only “driven to stand out,” in those moments when it can actually be driven.
Problems with the Structure
In general, the Optima is meant to be a lower-cost car, affordable to everyone. Still, it shouldn’t be made like a boxcar, yet that’s what is found.
Another NHTSA complaint states, “There is a very limited and inadequate space between the bottom of the dashboard and the brake pedal which can impede a driver from making an emergency stop. The same lack of space between the dashboard and the emergency brake pedal. Nothing happened it is potentially dangerous.”
While this manufacturing defect is serious, there are other problems noted in the communications. One important note is found with Service Bulletin #TSB_BOD208. This communication states that the trunk latch base sub assembly doesn’t work correctly. Because of this, it can be hard to close the trunk lid and sometimes it might not latch at all. If owners need a reminder that the Optima isn’t made the way it should be, they simply need to drive down the road with the hatch bouncing up and down.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Kia pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Feb 21, 2023 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | Car burns through 3 quarts of oil per week with just normal usage. Confirmed there are no oil leaks. |
| Category | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| Date | Feb 13, 2023 |
| State | TX |
| Description | I believe the engine could possibly be failing. My engine light will come on & flash, when it does this it is slowing down at speed ranges of 60 mph. Another thing, the gdi engine that is in this vehicle burns oil extremely fast. It is quite aggravating having to constantly get oil changes every 2-4 weeks & have only driven 0-1500 miles. This is not normal. The engine has this crackling noise as if it's chopping metal. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 11, 2023 |
| State | SC |
| Description | Abs module is faulty. Confirmed by professional auto shops and it's a safety risk. Without this working properly, my car refuses to brake sometimes. Will not automatically stop when it needs to due to the spongy, unresponsive brake pedal. Kia / hyundai have known about this for years and continues to sell these vehicles that will kill myself or someone else on the road. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Dec 26, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 2020 kia optima with 39,000 miles. Check engine light came on for knock sensor and put into limp mode. Before the check engine light came on I've been noticing a faint noise during acceleration from the engine. Waiting to hear back on the overall problem. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Dec 21, 2022 |
| State | MD |
| Description | On thursday, I was leaving to drive my son 5 miles up the road and my check engine light started flashing with no warning. My car slowed down and started jerking. I took it to auto zone (on limp mode) to receive a code and it came back with p1326. My car only has 64,216 miles and I also just recently got the oil changed. I have not taken it to a dealer yet but I wanted to report this because my car is only 2 years old and shouldn't have engine/power train issues. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| State | IL |
| Description | 2020 kia optima exploding sunroof. While driving home from work on the highway I heard a loud pop that startled me. Once stopping I found my sunroof was broken. Nothing had hit it, and after inspection at the dealership no mechanical issues were found. On google many other kia owners with different years and model cars have experienced the same exact thing I went through. On top of my monthly note I have never been late on. I have to pay to get this fixed when kia should have actually footed the bill. Will never purchase another kia after this. The whole situation has caused tons of stress and anxiety. |
| Category | Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Nov 29, 2022 |
| State | IL |
| Description | Vehicle was tampered before purchasing, transmission mounts broken, evap hose gas tank and engine.. Car was claimed as a lemon vehicle, dealership sold me a vehicle that's unsafe to operate. Dealership refuses to fix… |
| Category | Engine, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jul 25, 2022 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | The kia optima 2020 2. 4 every 3000 to 4000 miles oil change is metal shavings in the old oil. The clicking noise stared it around the 10000 miles mark and now is getting worse with 60000 miles ,everytime I hit the gas and goes over 30 miles loose a lot of power and a clicking noise come out ,now is getting worse. Is a new car. Already change a abs pump and I keep my oil change to the date. I m afraid the car is breaking . Help. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Jul 19, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The vehicle is incredibly easy to steal. A simple flat head screw driver in the hands of a child will steal this vehicle. My car was stolen from daytona beach florida on july 8 2022 by 2 14 year and one 15 year old kids. No key, no fob needed, who knew it'd be so easy to steal? They learned it on tiktok. This is a problem nation wide and social media seems to spread the issue even further. I provided a link to one of many news stories regarding this problem below. Https://www. Usatoday. Com/story/money/cars/2022/06/30/police-rise-car-thefts-kia-hyundai/7776099001/ |
| Category | Other/i Am Not Sure |
| Date | May 06, 2022 |
| State | AL |
| Description | The driver side seat it goes off whenever sometimes for a few seconds other times a few minutes and this is when I'm driving |
| Category | Electrical System, Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Apr 29, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | After changing the bulbs and fuses . The lights flicker and sometimes don't come on at all . |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Apr 07, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | The contact owned a 2020 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel and lose consciousness. The vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for a concussion and was later diagnosed with early signs of onset dementia. A police report was filed and the contact was taken to jail under the assumption that she was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the contact was not aware if it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags should not have been deployed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Mar 31, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Vehicle dash warning light started flashing and told me to turn off vehicle. There were no shoulders on the road where I was. I smelled a burning smell (like a belt -not brakes). I stopped and turned the car off. Very dangerous!!! Not impressed that the dealership or manufacturer allowed this vehicle to be re-sold! I turned the vehicle into the service department. Do not want this vehicle back! Lemons should not be on the road!!! |
| Category | Seat Belts |
| Date | Feb 25, 2022 |
| State | AL |
| Description | Unknown but the passenger side seat belt start chumming on its on and won't stop until I connect the seat belt |
| Category | Seat Belts |
| Date | Feb 20, 2022 |
| State | AL |
| Description | The passager side seat belt goes off by itself |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Feb 10, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic braking system engaged without warning to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the cruise control failed to operate as needed and the vehicle intermittently failed to turn on while using the "push to start/stop" button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and kia of cape coral (404 ne pine island rd, cape coral, fl 33909) however, both dealers could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Feb 08, 2022 |
| State | NV |
| Description | I was driving in the freeway nearby san jose, ca with my family in the car. I was doing 67mph. It was high elevation curvy road. I experienced engine stalling. The car suddenly stop accelarating and speed drop to 35mph despite pressing on gas. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Nov 21, 2021 |
| State | VA |
| Description | When I accelerate the car jerks as if is going to cut off. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can not find any thing wrong. After searching the internet, I find I am not the only one with this issue. I just want my car fixed so that I feel safe driving it. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Aug 27, 2021 |
| State | TN |
| Description | Fuel line had a quick detachment have to be replaced |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Jun 18, 2021 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Owner's manual states the 1. 6turbo requires 4. 75 qrts of oil with filter change. The car reads full after adding 4 qrts. Still reading full after double checking after 250 miles. . Owner's manual typo? . Incorrect dipstick during final assembly? . Following the manual could lead to overfilling/foaming issues and thus engine failure/safety issues. Perhaps a tsb needs to be done? Note: I used a fram filter. Slightly smaller dimensions than original but in no way accounting for 3/4 qrts. |
| Category | Air Bags, Service Brakes, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Apr 27, 2021 |
| State | KY |
| Description | It is impossible to use the brake pedal if the shoe size is us10+. The distance between the floor and the knee airbag mechanism does not allow the use of the brake pedal. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Apr 26, 2021 |
| State | PA |
| Description | For the past few days I have been feeling a left to right movement at times when I press the brake pedal so after further checking I noticed it moves left to right when moved by hand my car only has 36128 miles so why is this coming loose already? |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Dec 06, 2020 |
| State | OH |
| Description | My vehicle was moving when a ford 150 pulled out in front of me. Forward collision worked & slowed the vehicle to 35mph. I hit the truck doing severe front end damage to my car. The airbags did not deploy what so ever. |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Nov 13, 2020 |
| State | FL |
| Description | Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was in motion and struck by another vehicle.*dt*jb*dt*dt*dt |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Sep 08, 2020 |
| State | GA |
| Description | I own a 2020 kia optima (my second one in less than a year). Three weeks ago, I applied my brakes before entering a curve. In the process, I hit a bump (not a pot hole) in the road's and my brakes disengaged and I thought I would lose control of the vehicle because I was not sure the brake were going to engage in time for me miss a hit on collusion. The same thing happen again, yesterday. This is not the first time I have experienced brake problems with a kia optima. In my 2016, the same thing was occurring. The service shop replace a rod or something the braking system. I had a loaner kia optima (2019). I could feel vibrations in brake paddle when I drove over a bump in the road while applying the brakes. The same occurred in the first 2020 kia optima that I purchased last october. Kia country savannah try everything to solve the problem. Luckily, the dealership traded me I out of that vehicle before my first payment and was given a loaner vehicle until my current vehicle was located and delivered from another dealership. Now, I experiencing this issue with your company's vehicle. I was forced to trade-out of 2016 car due to known engine problems. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jul 04, 2020 |
| State | OH |
| Description | The fcw forward collision warning system seems to not get activated under any circusnstances. I have changed the sensitivity of the system to all levels and it never seems to detect the car in front of it. It never warns you of an collision. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 09, 2020 |
| State | IL |
| Description | The fcw forward collision warning system seems to not get activated under any circusnstances. I have changed the sensitivity of the system to all levels and it never seems to detect the car in front of it. It never warns you of an inminent collision. The car is always in motion when I tried the system |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Dec 03, 2019 |
| State | PA |
| Description | There is a very limited and inadequate space between the the bottom of the dashboard and the brake pedal which can impede a driver from making an emergency stop. The same lack of space between the dashboard and the emergency brake pedal. Nothing happened it is potentially dangerous. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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