2014 Kia Optima Problems And Complaints

2014 Kia Optima User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Complaints

• Engine problems- Engine seizure due to premature wearing on internal components has been a common problem on the 2014 Kia Optima with the mileage. This issue is something that has been brought to the notice of the manufacturer and if conditions are met, the car is made eligible for an engine replacement under recall 17V224000. The average failure mileage, as reports from the NHTSA suggest is around 100,000 miles. However, vehicles that have received an engine replacement are now at increased risk of fire due to improper fitment or routing of hoses during reassembly, which is now considered under separate recalls 22V093000, 20V100000, and 18V907000. The 2.0L turbo engines are also susceptible to turbo failures due to premature shaft wear arising from insufficient lubrication, or oil seal failures.

 Electric System complaints

• HECU Issues- Problems with the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) on the 2014 Kia Optima may arise as a loss of brake pressure or an ABS warning light. Though no instances have been officially reported, the manufacturer recommends the replacement of the unit under recalls 21V331000 and 20V519000 due to the increased risk of fire.

Structural issues

• Steering problems- Loss of steering assist is an issue to look out for on the 2014 Kia Optima. A broke power steering coupler has been the reason for this issue as seen in several Hyundai-Kia vehicles from this generation. Though the issue is pretty widespread, the manufacturer has not provided any support or initiated recalls on this issue.

• Paint Peeling- Vehicles optioned with Pearl White paint job have been reported to be facing excessive paint peeling and chipping. The hood, roof, pillars, and bumpers are the main failure points reported by the owners. Vehicles with a paint warranty of 36 months should get the damage fixed fee of charge. The lowest failure mileage noted is around 23,000 miles.

2014 Kia Optima Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1	17th February 2022	22V093000	Low-pressure fuel hose may leak	The low-pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.	The dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on April 15, 2022.
2	10th March 2021	21V331000	The hydraulic electronic control unit may short.	Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.	The dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021.
3	27th August 2020	20V519000	The hydraulic electronic control unit may short.	Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.	The dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began on October 20, 2020.
4	21st February 2021	20V100000	The low-pressure fuel hose may crack and leak.	The low-pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.	The dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2020.
5	19th December 2019	18V907000	The high-pressure fuel pipe may leak	The high-pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.	The dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2019.
6	31st March 2017	17V224000	Bearing wear may result in engine seizure	Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine, which may result in the engine seizing while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.	The dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2017.

Should you buy a used 2014 Kia Optima?

The Kia Optima is one midsize sedan that ticks all the right boxes when it comes to desirability and for that reason, ranks decently high on our list for this year. However, with recent updates suggesting an increased possibility of engine failure at high mileages with even the automaker admitting manufacturing issues, we surely need a second thought on our recommendation. Though Kia does offer some spectacular warranty packages on its cars, would it be enough to cover up glaring build issues that compromise the longevity of the product? Well, we don’t know! The 2014 Kia Optima, as it stands, is a great package as midsize sedans go this year, but this huge mechanical hurdle is truly one big deal breaker for us.