2020 KIA OPTIMA Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering and vibrating abnormally while starting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic out of fear of the vehicle stalling on the highway. Prior to the engine failure, the contact became aware that there were oil spots where the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic sealed two holes in the oil pan and replaced the spark plugs that were fouled by engine oil. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the spark plugs were covered in oil again. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a...

I’ve been told by multiple Kia dealerships that my Kia needs a new engine however I am barely outside of their class action lawsuit so they are not willing to settle with me. They recently within the last two months came out with two recalls that did not fix the issue.

I took my vehicle to the dealership in Chantilly, VA on May 17, 2025. On July 24, 2025, I discovered that my vehicle had no oil, despite being approximately 4,000 miles away from my next scheduled oil change. I have video documentation confirming that there was no oil in the vehicle. The car was towed back to the dealership; however, no corrective action was taken. The dealership offered to perform a test, which I declined, as this issue did not exist before servicing my vehicle at their location. Additionally, no explanation or guidance regarding the oil was provided to me. I was only advised to pay for another oil change, or a 205 dollars to diagnose the car. Subsequently, I took the vehicle to Fairfax Auto Shop, where a dye test was conducted to check for oil leaks. While no leaks were found, they advised that the vehicle has an...

Engine has been burning oil for at least a year now. Cause ignition coil/spark plug failure and have replaced all 4 coils and plugs 3 times now within a year. Engine will randomly start to sputter after about 3-5 months of replacement. Adding a quart of oil every 1-2 weeks. No leaks and no smoke, just money down the drain.

While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of engine power and entered limp mode. The check engine light began flashing and the vehicle had very limited acceleration, creating a safety concern when driving in traffic. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System – range/performance). During inspection, the dealer found metal contamination in the engine oil and oil control valves and advised that the engine has internal damage and requires replacement.

Took to Kia for engine burning excessive oil. They determined the cylinder wall was scorched due to piston ring. The warranty people say it’s normal wear and tear and won’t honor the warranty. It’s still sitting in their engine bay because they want me to pay for the diagnostic which I don’t have. $4000 roughly for that but it needs a new engine. The warranty should be covering this! NEVER PAY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!!! They will not help you

Vechile is burning oil and knock sensor came on which indicated rod bearing. While driving the car lost power the check engine came on was abl to pull over and turned off the car. Did not drive it was tow home.

I got the car was running good week or 2 later I see the oil light flash after my oil change I go back top it off repeat the cycle almost weekly burning losts of oil then I get a code p1326 for a knock sensor same day car go into limp mode no power rpm won’t go over 2 car won’t go over 60-65 I park it go outside to take it to the dealership next day it ain’t start I haven’t had the car 4 months only have 138,000 miles

It is an oil burner and engine failed and went into limp mode less than 5 years when drove off dealership brand new.

Out of the blue I get a code for a misfire on cylinder one. Got in to head to work as normal and it was stalling and shaking so bad that I am scared to drive it. The next day the check engine light was on when I started it to seek out the issue. Car was manufactured in September 2019 but is the 2020 model year. I was told by a license mechanic this is related to an internal Kia engine issue. I contacted 800 333 4KIA to see if this was a known issue that they had a solution to. Of course I was told to self repair that my VIN is not covered under the recall. Can you tell me how Kia assumes that engine issues with the 2019s model year would have been fixed before the 2020 models were assembled? Sounds like my dream car is...

I have kept up on regular oil changes and maintenance on my Kia which I bought new 5 years ago. My issues started when my car's orange check engine light came on, I experienced loss of power such as difficulty accelerating even at low speeds, especially up hill. As soon as I was able I checked my oil which and there was nothing on the dipstick. I put in 3 quarts of oil. I brought it into my usual dealership for service and let them know about the oil issue and issues with power when driving. They failed to address the root cause of the issue, they performed an oil change, engine light turned off, and they started an oil consumption test. But when I drove off the lot the issue with the power continued, and the check engine light came on again. I took my Kia to another dealership...

2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to leak oil stall and is dangerous to drive12/24/2022

Metal contamination found on VVT solenoid of 2020 kia optima 2.4L GDI engine. Firestone Autocare Confirmed metal debris in oiling system. Vehicle exhibits symptoms identical to prior theta II bearing recall SC172/SC200/SC227 but not covered under recall range.

My car has been burning oil rapidly. I’ve contacted kia over this issue and I have had several times where I have had to continually add oil. There is no leak. This is a known issue with kia motors across mechanics nationwide and there should be a recall issued. This has been at several shops and over the last few years. This motor should NOT be consuming 4 quarts of oil within 1000 miles after an oil change.

The turbo system on the car burns oil at a rapid rate. Had to pay $4000 to replace and still continues to give me problems and check engine light. Violates lemon law. Had replaced in September but was giving me problems well before and finally took it to the dealer for repair

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts jerked. The car stuutered and shut off and every light on the dashboard went insane. I purchased the car with 34 miles on it. Now…fast forward I’ve been having the car engine check, consumption oil tests performed and more since 60xxx miles or so. I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do with returning the car for testing and every time I’m told I just need to wait until the engine fails. They clean the engine up make it look pretty after the second...

My engine is burning lg amounts of oil. There has been a lawsuit regarding the same issues with Kia engines (specifically up to 2019 Optimas). The Theta 2 engine lawsuit is regarding excessive oil consumption/burning, knock sensor issues, and deeper engine issues. This has been an ongoing issue for me and is ultimately affecting my engine. Kia will not cover the defects or repair expenses despite knowing the concerns with prior Kia Optima engines.

Without warning my car went into “Limp Mode” while driving on the highway almost causing a collision as I was forced to pull off the road on the highway. Flashing engine light car would not accelerate and was shaking dramatically. Was forced to wait for a tow on a busy highway. P1326 code. Rod knock. A known issue for the Theta II engine. Many recalls have been made for this exact engine for these exact problems but for some reason the 2020 Kia Optima is not included even though it is the same engine covered by lifetime warranty from the 2019 models due to these recalls and know issues. There’s plenty of recorded cases all over the web and is a wide concern for many affected Kia drivers. Kia does not offer the same KRDS update to 2020 Kia drivers as they do to earlier models even with the same...

Car burns oil at significant rate which ruins the engine

Every since I bought my car back in 2020 I have to keep getting a oil change because my light keep coming on I was told by a mechanic the my Kia have a oil consumption problem

The engine in my 2020 Kia Optima S (2.4L GDI Theta II) has been experiencing excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and loss of power, consistent with known issues in earlier model years of this engine. This component is still in my vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. The issue puts my safety at risk due to unpredictable power loss while driving and the potential for engine seizure or fire, especially during high-speed travel. I’ve had to top off oil multiple times between regular oil changes, and the vehicle showed signs of low oil without any dashboard warning. No KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software was ever installed on the vehicle. I have not yet had a full diagnosis from the dealer, but I have opened a case with Kia Consumer Affairs, who informed me that I do not qualify for recall repair based on the vehicle’s manufacture date...

Burning oil, not wanting to accelerate properly on the freeway, kia has engine in previous years having the same issue, and these 2020 and they are not trying to fix them.

Engine knocking and stalling on interstate

Engine failure do to excessive oil consumption. I do have records. Not able to file now. Please contact if needed Thank you

Car consumes a lot of oil. Approximately 5 quarts per week-faulty engine parts allowing oil to seep into the combustion chamber. The oil is then ignited along with the fuel, creating blue-tinted exhaust smoke. It is burning out spark plugs which is then wearing them out and almost caused car accident when car started sputtering and would not barely go once pressing gas. Has been inspected by KIA dealership. Was told engine needs to be replaced-warranty expired and nothing can be done. Car only 2 years old when this problem started and they will not replace.

by the time i’m due for an oil change the car has no oil. there is no leak and no smoke to show car is burning oil

When the vehicle was about 3 years old and at 60,000 miles, the fuel injector went out. Kia took weeks to approve the replacement under warranty. Since then the engine light came on and said cylinder 3 has leak and fouls the plug. We've had it repaired 3 times. The mechanic said it would be too costly to repair and the engine should be replaced.

engine's knock sensor

I bought my car brand new in July of 2020. In Spetember of 2023 roughly around 60,000 miles the engine started consuming large amounts of oil. The dealership put me through the so-called warranty process 3x over a years' time. They refused to file warranty paperwork within the year I was going through the process. I have documentation clearly showing the engine burning 2 qtrs. every 1000 miles. I still have a car that I am paying on that needs a new engine that should have been replaced under warranty, but KIA failed to honor the warranty. I have been left stranded on the side of the road multiple times with my 3 children needing oil. Not to mention the car will lock by itself with it running and no one in the car. The screen where the radio is will just go blank.

UNKNOWN, Engine excessively burns oil and is now seized. Kia used the same engine in this car as they did in the 2016-19 Models which were recalled for engine failure, however mine was not included. 2.4 Theda Engine.

I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear that the engine might stall on me so I went to O’Reillys and have them check it and it says it’s the P1326 Code

The car drives slowly and sputters because oil is burning out quickly. I have to replenish oil continuously.

Accelerating at a normal rate to get on the highway and the check engine light starts flashing out of nowhere and car goes into limp mode. Made it to local shop and they informed me it was a P1326 code and that a knock sensor would have to be replaced, but that Kia has recalled the older models for this same reason.

Hi, thank you for taking the time to look over my complaint. On Saturday march 22 while driving down the highway going about 75 mph, my car died. The check engine light was flashing and so was the oil light. I pulled over to the shoulder and when I tried cranking the car it sounded like a rumming noise and the car would not stay on. I had the vehicle towed to Texas Star Auto Shop. On monday march 24th i spoke with the mechanic and he said there is an internal engine problem . Since I am a 2nd owner and the car has 105,736 miles kia will not honor their extended warranty and I am left to pay out of pocket for repairs est cost 10,000+. I am now without a reliable transportation. This has left me annoyed and unhappy with the assistance from Kia.

Dealing with sudden excessive oil consumption at 130,000 miles. Had an oil change about 2,000 miles ago and oil sensor has been going off after 1,500-2,000 miles driven. Mechanic put 3 more quarts in and a week and a half later oil sensor is going off again indicating low oil. Mechanic confined this has been a frequent problem with this engine and insists piston rings are faulty & will eventually need engine replacement.

Same issue as the 2011-2019 recalled vehicles. (P1326)

I am filing this complaint due to severe and ongoing safety defects in my 2020 Kia Optima EX, which has repeatedly stalled while driving, creating a life-threatening road hazard. Since September 2024, my vehicle has suffered from major failures, including a complete transmission replacement, multiple high-pressure fuel pump replacements, multiple oil flushes due to fuel contamination, and all fuel injectors replaced. Despite all of these “repairs” performed by a Kia-authorized dealership, the check engine light continues to return, and the vehicle still stalls unexpectedly, making it dangerous to drive. On March 10, 2025, after Kia claimed to have tested the vehicle for 200 miles, I picked up the car from the dealership, only for it to stall and trigger the check engine light within hours before I even reached my destination. This vehicle has been returned to me multiple times in an unsafe condition. Additionally, an independent mechanic discovered an...

Oil consumption has rapidly been increasing causing the loss of several quarts of oil. Inspection by service center confirmed this is a known Kia issue and recommended a flush to help combat some of the issue. Service center did note that this issue would not fix the problem, but put off needing to replace the engine. Oil light was not flashing on the dash unless coming to a quick stop, but then would disappear. The value of these cars has resulted in quite a bit of negative equity for folks due to the theft issue. Now add on a fear of blowing an engine cause your vehicle is burning through oil like no tomorrow.

My car is using a lot of oil and I have to change the oil every 2 thousand miles, oil light will come on and I check the oil and it shows the oil stick almost dry within 2,000 miles after having oil changed. The car will loose power and has a ticking noise in the motor. It’s frustrating to have to change the oil every 2,000 miles instead of every 3,000-5,000 miles like most vehicles.

Vehicle Check engine light started flashing on and off, Code thrown is a P1326 and vehicle went into limp mode, shutting down power essentially going down the highway. Oil burning is excessive, and replacement of oil is at 1-2 quarts every 2 weeks. Engine is not running smoothly. No warning signs of oil burn present until oil pressure light flickers on when taking a curve or sitting on a major incline. Kia Dealership is aware of an issue with the P1326 codes and bearing wear, however, year of vehicle seems to not be included in the original lawsuit and recall/safety notice from all indications. Engine was manufactured and is the same as the 2019 engine that is included. Engine seizure is potential at highway speeds which could cause major harm or death during travel without warning.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was connected to a diagnostic machine. The DTC indicated a glow relay failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Code P1326 and oil pressure light keeps flashing

Oil pan developed stress crack below and along both sides of the oil pan drain plug All components are in place and there are no signs of road damage or damage do to obstacles being hit Leak started slowly and progressively became worse Returned car to have plug checked but no report back of any problem and it was documented on service order

I got a CEL (code P1326), three different times. Each time has been after a hard rain or a car wash. I have had to pay to have the knock sensor replaced each time, twice by a mechanic and once by a Kia dealership. There’s a recall for this issue on model years older than my 2020. I was told that Kia is aware but that there aren’t enough people having the issue to warrant them to investigate.

The engine is burning through oil. I have already had the car checked for an oil leak. It is the engine. It's a 2020 however it does not have high mileage for the year that it is.

I was driving on the high way and the car loose power completely have to do change oil every two weeks and can’t find a solution

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that oil changes needed to be performed more frequently than normal. The contact stated that the oil light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Driving at highway speed of 65 mph, the vehicle abruptly lost power. The check engine light started flashing. I was almost rear ended due to the loss of power, I was able to coast to the emergency shoulder and stop. The car was towed to the nearest Kia dealership. Diagnostics show code P1326, the engine has failed and needs to be replaced at a cost of over $10000. This the same engine that was included in a class action lawsuit for model years up to 2019, the 2020 was not included. Kia is offering no assistance to me as the second owner of the vehicle even thought the car only has 98,000 miles, the powertrain warranty is reduced to 60,000 for a second owner. The cost of repairs is more than the value of the vehicle.

Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms car would struggle to accelerate, car had been using up oil like crazy the week before. Stopped at an autozone car read code P1326.

I started having clicking sound in engine around 50k miles . Then my check engine light came on and my engine has been using so much oil. I have to get an additional 3 quarts in between oil changes. The clicking sound is getting louder and my car is now having issues accelerating. . My engine is failing and I bought this car brand new and have regularly maintained it .