Kia Optima Engine Problems

The Kia Optima has become one of Kia’s most popular vehicles over the years. Since the year 2000, the Optimas have acquired a large following of those who love them, despite many consumer reports of various issues that specifically affect this model of Kia vehicle.

The Optima was originally designed to become a fierce competitor with the incredibly popular (at the time) Hyundai Sonata. While the Kia Forte was already on the market, it’s big sister, the Optima, started turning heads with its sleek styling, roomy interior, and sporty look despite its 4-door design.

There are people who “supe” these cars up, get custom paint jobs and interior lighting, and some who even race them. Regardless of the Optima’s large fan base, they have always been known for having severe engine problems that lead to catastrophic engine failure.

Many people have reported a wide variety of engine issues, and nearly all of the reported problems ended in total engine failure. If you are thinking about buying a used Kia Optima, be VERY careful about your purchase.

Make sure that before purchasing one, that you have a professional mechanic inspect the engine, the drivetrain, the transmission, and any other vital parts of the Kia Optima that you are considering.

As a professional scrap car removal company serving Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, we have seen our fair share of Kia Optimas with dead engines come through our doors.

Many people were out of warranty and not covered under the recall, which is why they ended up scrapping their Optima with us for MORE cash instead of doing the engine replacement.

Kia Optima Most Common Engine Problems

As we just mentioned, nearly every Kia Optima produced incurred some sort of engine issue throughout its lifespan. Below are some of the most commonly reported engine problems on Kia Optimas.

Most Common Kia Optima Engine Problems:

• Engine knocking
• Engine stalling
• Difficulty starting the engine
• Rough idling due to the engine running rough
• Engines blowing up

From minor engine issues to engines blowing up, the Kia Optima has had a well-known history of engine problems. However, many people still buy these cars due to their overall love of how they drive, the available cargo space and seating capacity, and the fuel-economy.

Fortunately, for those who have purchased the Kia Optima, we pay MORE cash for scrap cars with engine problems and other mechanical issues than anyone in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

If you have noticed that your vehicle isn’t starting as easily as it once did, it could signal an engine issue. Also, if your engine is running rough, or if you notice that when you’re idling your car is particularly rumbly, this could be another symptom that your Optima’s engine needs replacing.

For many Optima owners, the engine failing came on suddenly and with very little warning. This was because the Kia Optima had a knock sensor malfunction that was actually addressed during a Kia recall.

Not every owner was notified as many people move after buying a vehicle and don’t update their address with the dealership. If you own an Optima and are having engine issues, find out if your vehicle engine repair is covered under the recall HERE.

Engine Knock Sensor Recall on the Kia Optima

The Kia Optima has had many reported problems that have been addressed by a recall from Kia, however the most commonly reported issue has to do with the engine and the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS).

The KSDS is one of the most critical sensors on your vehicle as it not only signals that your engine is knocking, it protects it from further damage by rendering your car unable to drive above 30km/hr.

Some Optima owners were experiencing minor mechanical deficiencies with their vehicle, but nothing directly pointed to engine malfunction or failure. In fact, there were consumers who had taken their vehicle to the mechanic, where they were unable to diagnose the problem.

This was directly related to the malfunction of the knock sensor. Once the knock sensor was replaced by Kia, the vehicle was instantly put into limp mode, preventing it from driving for long distances and above a specific speed. Attempts to push the limits of the vehicle in limp mode would cause the engine to shut off.

What Years of the Optima Were Affected?

Not all Kia Optimas are made equal, as not every Optima was affected by the exact same engine issues. However, some of the Optimas’ engine replacements were covered under a recall for anyone whose vehicle was out of warranty, and some were not. Only certain years were included in the first initial engine recall issued by Kia Canada.

The Optima’s that were included in the first wave of engine recalls in Canada, which took place in 2017, were 2011-2014 Kia Optimas (50,051 vehicles built from August 12, 2010, to May 15, 2014).

Since this recall, there have been many more across the Lower Mainland, Canada, and especially in the U.S. Although any engine issues are unwanted, some Optima owners had it worse than others as their engine malfunctions ended with a catastrophic compartment fire.

BC isn’t without exception though when it comes to engine fires and vehicle spontaneously catching fire. A little over two years ago, a BC man nearing lost his life when his Tesla randomly caught fire while he was in it, and the vehicle would not unlock. After smashing out a window to escape to safety, he instantly went public to Global News, the Province, and CTV about the matter.

Even if your are a Canadian resident living in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, or any other Canadian location, be sure to check your VIN if you own a Kia Optima Hybrid. Finding out the hard way that your engine may randomly catch fire (due to an unknown cause, as stated by Kia themselves) won’t be a good memory in your vehicle ownership.

Vehicles included are the 2011–2013 Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sportage, 2012–2013 Sorento, 2012–2015 Forte and Forte Koup, and 2014–2015 Soul.

Scrap Your Kia Optima Today for MORE Cash in Metro Vancouver

If you’ve been one of the unlucky Kia Optima owners to experience engine failure, engine issues, or even fire damage caused by engine malfunction, don’t worry. We offer MORE cash for scrap cars in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and we always have a huge demand for Kia Optimas and other Kia vehicles.

Did you know that after purchasing a vehicle from a dealership, the value depletes by nearly half within the first year? This is particularly true when it comes to Kia vehicles because of their well-known history of engine issues.

If you are thinking about scrapping your 2011-2016 Kia Optima because of engine failure or any other mechanical or electrical issues, or even collision damage, scrap it with More Cash For Scrap. We always pay MORE!

Cash for Scrap Cars with Fire Damage

Many Kia Optimas that we buy have succumb to their catastrophic engine issues. While others have actually been scrapped because of fire damage caused by an engine fire.

Fortunately for Lower Mainland residents, we offer MORE cash for scrap cars with fire damage. Even if your entire vehicle was destroyed by an engine fire, we’ll still buy it. We always offer MORE cash for scrap cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

This is why we buy so many scrap vehicles throughout the Lower Mainland area. Many vehicles that aren’t even that old get scrapped because the cost to replace the engine is one of the most expensive repairs a vehicle can need.

When the replacement cost outweighs (or matches) the cost of the vehicle’s value, it’s a better idea to scrap your car for MORE cash with More Cash For Scrap.

How Much Cash Can I Get for My Car?

Every vehicle that we buy in the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions warrants a different cash offer because every vehicle is coming to us for a different reason. To find out what your vehicle might be worth, give our scrap car removal team a call today.

Provide us with the make, model, year, condition, and location of your vehicle. Then, we will make you an instant cash offer right over the phone. If you accept our offer, we’ll dispatch our free junk car towing service that very day to come collect your car.

If you need a specific day and time, don’t worry because we are happy to accommodate your schedule. We offer our scrap car removal services 7 days a week from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM. We work on most statutory holidays too!

Contact More Cash For Scrap Today

A simple call, text, or email is all it takes to get your scrap vehicle out of your life, and MORE cash into your pocket. Just reach out to one of our scrap car removal specialists today to get an instant cash offer on your scrap car, truck, SUV, or van.

We provide same day scrap car removal, free junk car towing, and MORE cash for scrap cars than any other junk ca removal company in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Scrap it with More Cash For Scrap today!

Our “Problem Car” Alert blog posts are articles written by us, to warn and educate our readers about vehicles we regularly come across, with serious mechanical issues.