2014 Kia Optima engine problems

“I was driving normally on I-76 when suddenly, I couldn’t feel the gas working. Everything was fine with the car until then, but all of a sudden, I saw all the lights on the dashboard. I could slowly smell the smell of flames, and later, it caught fire! I was terrified for my life, and seeing that happen to my first car, which I had only had for three weeks, still haunts me.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that a quart of oil was added every 600 miles. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the engine with a rebuilt engine under an unknown recall seven years prior. The dealer was informed of the recent failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer approved an engine replacement if the engine failed. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”

“The component was the engine. The engine has since been replaced. The safety of myself or others was not in immediate danger before the engine seized. Luckily my mechanics employee was test driving for other issues at the time. My mechanic said it was likely due to the recalls that have been issued from KIA. Unfortunately the engine was seized so the dealership I had the car towed to was unable to inspect the motor for the recall because of the engine seizing. The vehicle was not inspected by any of the listed entities. There were no warning lamps messages or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure/seizure of the engine.”

“XXX engine seized while driving on freeway — lost power, no crank, dash lights work, coasted to shoulder — safety hazard. Towed to Nayo's Auto [XXX] then to Kearny Mesa Kia [XXX]. Dealer confirmed 6 open recalls including recall 17V224 SC147 engine bearing failure / premature wear from machining defect. Kia corporate denied engine replacement under 15 year 150k extended warranty because product improvement PI1803 knock sensor update was not done. I never received PI1803 notification. I moved throughout [XXX] cities [[XXX] area] until moving to [XXX]. Kia mailed to old [XXX] addresses, forwarding expired, I never received at current address. All service since purchase was [XXX] not Kia dealer, so update never caught during service. I did not refuse update, I never knew about it. Vehicle is inside 15 year 150k miles and years, known manufacturing defect, not maintenance neglect. [XXX] maintenance on Carfax, DIY oil changes with receipts. Requested goodwill exception due to missed notification from moves — corporate denied via email, case on file. Request NHTSA review — safety defect, known recall, denied warranty due to missed notification from moves.”

“While driving the engine seized In April 2026 on the interstate. The vehicle started to decelerate while cars where flying on the interstate. The problem has not been fixed. The issue has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warnings or sighs before the care seized.”

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact used a scanner and retrieved a code for failure with the knock sensor detection system and glow plug relay. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. There was a question about the ownership of the vehicle. The warranty was denied because the vehicle was not being purchased from the dealer. The contact provided the title to show ownership. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.”