2019 Kia Optima Hybrid problems

“I have a 2019 Kia Optima S with the 2.4L engine and 117,000 miles. The vehicle has diagnostic codes P1326 and POOOB. The check-engine light is continuously flashing, the engine is knocking, and the vehicle has lost acceleration and will not go over approximately 65 mph. I believe this may be related to the KSDS connecting-rod bearing issue under Kia campaign PI1805.”

“Unknown was just driving to go to my husband to work and it came on when I was coming back home and when I went to pick my husband up from work and was stopped at a stop sign the lights came back on”

“While driving, my vehicle suddenly began shuddering and shaking. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly. I had to press the brake pedal unusually hard. After parking, the vehicle would not move properly in reverse or drive. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, and it moved only a short distance before shuddering again and losing power. The engine was making a loud buzzing or scooter-like sound. The vehicle became undrivable and had to be parked. I am concerned about a potential safety defect involving sudden loss of power while driving.”

“2019 Kia Optima EX, 1.6L turbo, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Second owner, purchased August 2019 at Jeff Wyler near Cincinnati, Ohio, not Certified Pre-Owned. Transmission was previously replaced under warranty in my first year of ownership. In spring 2026 I reported rough low-speed shifting. The dealer performed a DCT fluid service and software reset on April 27, 2026, $478.72. That shifting issue was not resolved immediately, but it eventually went away. Kia Consumer Assistance Case #26051125 replied on May 22, 2026 that the dealer was unable to duplicate any issue and the transmission was operating normally. On September 30, 2026, at about 70,000 miles, the transmission failed and the car stopped in the middle of the road in my community. It would not engage first gear and was diagnosed as a mechanical failure of the odd gear fork. No crash, no injury. It was towed to Ourisman Chantilly Kia. Replacement parts were $4,094.67 on October 11, 2026 and labor was $3,180.46 on October 20, 2026, total $7,275.13. Two transmissions have failed by about 70,000 miles. The September odd gear failure may or may not be related to the earlier shifting issue. I am…”

“I just recently purchased my 2019 Kia optima sx turbo. After purchase, I immediately began experiencing issues with the braking system and the forward collision warning light coming on. The cruise control stopped working as well. I googled and saw that there was a recall on the forward collision warning system but the local Kia dealership to me says there is not one. I almost had a head on collision in this car with my granddaughter coming from daycare as I completely lost brakes. I have put so much money into purchasing this car believing it to be a good car.”

“On XXX, Towbin Kia Service (Henderson, NV) officially diagnosed my 2019 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX], Mileage: 118,325) with a critical component failure: "LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FROM TOP HAT" (Invoice #XXX). Despite documenting a severe, volatile raw fuel leak that presents an immediate fire and explosion hazard, the dealership refused to keep the vehicle. They explicitly released this active safety hazard back to me. The service department even arranged a third-party Lyft ride to transport my children and me to the dealership to pick up the leaking car and force us to drive it home. The vehicle is currently parked outside my residence, actively leaking raw fuel and filling the cabin with toxic gas fumes. It is entirely un-driveable and a public safety threat. Kia Corporate must immediately bypass standard dealership timelines, authorize a flatbed tow to retrieve this fire hazard, and directly provide an emergency corporate rental vehicle line (Enterprise/Hertz) for my family's safety today.”