| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (40%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (16%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (12%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 25 repairs.
Kia Optima repair cost distribution
$2500+ (29%)
$1000 - $2499 (71%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 17 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2013 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 29100 mi US $1150 |
Radiator assembly replaced, core support replaced |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 45000 mi US $1100 |
Excessive vibration diagnosed as uneven rotor wear, rotors were unable to be machined flat |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 75000 mi US $1800 |
New compressor & other parts were needed. |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 81800 mi US $1081 |
Missing under acceleration. Bad high pressure fuel pump. |
| 91000 mi US $150 |
Going into limp mode under hard acceleration. Bad EWGA( Electronic Waste Gate Actuator). Replaced. |
| 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. |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 136000 mi US $3000 |
Engine timing gasket had a leak, timing belt was also replaced, steering column had to be replaced |
| 104000 mi US $1800 |
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. |
2011 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 74000 mi US $3600 |
Huge knocking from engine. Allegedly oil pump failed. Engine destroyed. Dealer paid 50% of cost (total was $7200) |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 41000 mi US $100 |
Replaced Battery |
| 64000 mi US $1165 |
turbo controller failed |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 90000 mi US $25000 |
Engine failed with significant oil loss (1 quart for 1000 miles). KIA did not own up to the issue. I got rid of the car. Kia is a $hit car with even $hittier dealer and customer service. I am done with KIA. Period. |
2010 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 160000 mi US $1200 |
Replacement due to wear and tear |
2008 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 20000 mi US $650 |
All the factory tires wore out badly for no reason and cant keep the alignment from going out every month. |
| 51000 mi US $6500 |
Well the transmission started making a weird noise while out of town on a road trip to Maryland from Texas which Kia said it was about to die. It resulted in my trip being 4 days longer w/o pay stuck wo a rental till it came in from Kia to be replaced. |
| 52500 mi US $400 |
Well before they said the transmission was bad the last time they tried telling me it was the fuel pump which i stated it was not the fuel pump but was the transmission .so was replaced at no cost 4 no reason. |
2007 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 111000 mi US $1500 |
Car in/out shop from OCT.Clutch would'nt go into gear.1st mech thought bad seal replaced, did it again.Towed x2.Sat at mech shop x 2 week.Took to another shop & replaced Master Cylinder.Did it again.Replaced clutch & Master. |
2007 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 650 mi US $16550 |
( 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. |
| 246000 mi US $1200 |
Replaced AC unit |
2006.5 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 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. |
| 107000 mi US $1800 |
Car started to shudder at highway speeds and the MIL illuminated. Code P0741 was present and dealer quoted a replacement transmission. Car was not repaired and traded in before transmission failed which may have taken days or weeks. |
| 115 mi US $360 |
Timing belt replaced. |
| 129000 mi US $1000 |
AC system replaced, compressor, dryer, cooling panel Alternator replaced Power steering pump replaced |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 108300 mi US $1155 |
Bad crankshaft sensor was causing car to stall. Replaced: crankshaft sensor, balance shaft belt, camshaft seal Valve cover leaking. Replaced spark plug seal and valve cover gasket. Front left CV boot cracked. Replaced left front axle shaft assembly |
2003 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 183400 mi US $300 |
Left rear brake caliper froze. Replaced caliper and pads, replaced brake rotor. |
| 194000 mi US $1050 |
Code P0320. Replaced ignition fail sensor, replaced cam sensor, replaced crank sensor, replaced ECM. Crack in radiator tank. Replaced timing belt and water pump. Small belt for vibration damper had failed. |
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