2019 Kia Optima Starting When Cold Issues

Same thing is happening to my 2019 Optima. We've gone to the dealer a few times but they can never find the cause. We are going tomorrow because now it's stalling to change from 1st to second gear and it kind jerks when it does switch. We've had this issue with it starting ever since we first got it back in October before the winter temps began so I dont think it has to do with the cold but also it's a 2019 vehicle I wouldn't think it's something that should be an issue? Hopefully we can get this figured out because the whole chugging thing just is not the business.

Hey im having that same exact problem. 2019 kia optima s. On colder mornings like 60or below. when first starting it sounds and feels like its going to stall but doesnt. only because ill turn it off when it starts chugging like that. no check engine light has turned on or anything. so i know i cant exactly send it to the dealer unless its acting up. idk what it could be,

Aerick, that sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing. Sounds like it's going to stall but never does. I turn it off and back on again after about 5-10 seconds or so. Runs fine after that. It happened again to me yesterday, but this time it was not only chugging, but also trying to turn over like it couldn't get it fully started. My Dad owns an autoshop and he doesn't know what it could be either and said there's really nothing that can be done unless a check engine light comes on. Veronica, did you end up taking it in to the dealership? Any luck?

Quick update, I took it to the dealer on 2/2. They said there was a computer update that was just released supposedly fixes the exact problem I'm describing. I thought it could have been a bad coil, but there was no check engine light and didn't throw any codes when at the dealership. I'm picking up my car later today. I'll try it out for a week to see if the issue returns, but hopefully this update fixed it.

Did everyone get their optimas fixed? aday04? Aerick? Veronica? I'm not sure about getting an optima now.

So far it seems like the computer update fixed it. No more issues thus far. But I wouldn't let it deter you from getting an Optima. Even with this issue I had I still feel it's a great car, especially for the money. As I stated above my Dad owns an autoshop and he feels either the Optima or Hyundai Sonata are two of the best sedans you can buy. He bought a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee for my Mom and it had a bad coil that needed replacing shortly after they bought it. So things happen. But seems like this computer update the dealer did has fixed it. I'll keep you posted if the issue comes back.

Aday04 Im having the exact issue. My dealer said nothing can be done. Please tell me the name of your dealership you used please and service guy?

A block heater may help.

I am having the same problem with my 2019 Kia Optima someone help me please where I can go to get it token care of.

I'm having the same issue. They have replaced the crank shaft pos sensor, but it still struggles to start. I'm currently trying to do the lemon law. Hopefully I have a good outcome.

2019 model?

Yes, 2019 Optima S model I bought it brand new and it started having issues the next day.

Hello I just checked with the dealer and they said it was normal because I showed them a video not the the video had anything to show but you could hear the sounds I have the same problem... They said it's the oil pump and everything getting started because it's during the first 10 to 20 seconds of the car starting up and then everything smooths out and you can't repeat the problem after the engine gets warm...

@ any good updates from your experience?

Not really... The tech said it was normal... But that was on a weekend... Which means that they don't have techs there on sight to "officially" diagnose the issue... If I want to leave it there during the week, they can look at it and then proceed to diagnose it if there's even an issue... I asked if I would get a loaner car and they said depends on the diagnosis. The lady at the counter said I (the customer) could always call the 800 number on the the sticker that's on the driver side window and they could answer alot of your questions.

My car is in the shop again. I have contacted the BBB and my states Attorney General office about the lemon law. They have scheduled an engineer to look at it and I've been told it sounds like the rod bearings and they have had a whole lot of recalls and replacement engines lately. Good luck! I'll keep you updated.

I was having the same issue several months ago on my 2019 optima. It was a computer update for cold starting. It is chugging because its feeding to much fuel for the temperature outside. Once the tech did the computer update it was perfect and I have not had an issue since.

Did anyone ever figure out this issue? Anyone know the computer update that fixed the issue? Name for it? Thanks

I purchased a Kia Optima EX yesterday and that evening received an error message on my screen that said I had a possible condition with my Engine Control System. I took it to the dealer this morning and they said that since the car was new and had been sitting on the lot it gave an error due to possibly thinking that the car was in need of an oil change. Has anyone experienced something like this?

My issue is different, my 2019 Optima LX seems to weirdly jerk when I drive it on cold start, delayed acceleration when leaving stop light. Also I have noticed that when I accelerate, I hear a pinging/rattling noise that sounds like rattling valves. I’m up to date on maintenance and I get my oil changed early

TrickyRicky357 same thing I’m having an issue with. Half throttle and car doesn’t move though. Getting jacked around by the dealer who says this is all normal!?!? Anyone having issues with their steering wheel making a moaning sound when driving? I’m losing my mind with this car....

TrickyRicky3572 and MrSparks872 I am having the same issues with my 2019 kia Optima.... the weird vibration I feel holding the steering wheel and rattling noise while driving bugs me the most. I took it to my dealer and they told me they found nothing wrong with my car and all seems normal.....

GuruNDW12 be persistent and keep track of how many times you are there for the same issue. That’s what I did and the dealer called the Kia escalation team to get it all figured out

TrickyRicky357 Hey man I have the same rattling noise to. Idk what it is but it will drive you Nuts.

I just bought a 2019 Kia Optima in August. It is making a ticking noise from the engine when I am idle or accelerating. I took it to the Kia dealership this past weekend and was told the sound is normal. He gave some explanation that the noise is because the engine is fuel efficient and it is the sound of the pistons. Told me that the insulation under the black engine cover is for muffling the sound. Sounds like a crock excuse!!!!! Going to take it to another Kia dealership this weekend and see what BS that tell me there.

TrickyRicky357, MrSparks87, and GuruNDW12. I am noticing the same with my car now that its starting to get cold here. I just picked up my 19 optima at the start of October. I noticed from a stop it hesitates or jerks when cold. Or if I am at about 1500 rpm trying to accelerate. I feel like I notice it slightly (just not as pronounced) after it is warm too. Car only has 1700 miles on it for me. I am taking it to Kia this week. I will post back with what happens or if they find something. I will keep you guys updated. Also I agree that rattle acceleration noise is annoying, sounds like fake engine noise. My volkswagen had a device that vibrated the windshield to "emulate" performance noise. Thats what it sounds like to me.

To everyone who responded to my post, thanks for chiming in. I wanted to follow up regarding my issues. I took my optima to the dealership under engine concern service call. They kept my car overnight to cold start and drive it. They did confirm that I indeed have loud valves, occasional rough idles & acceleration issues. They have me an oil change (the pricey one) and they suggested that I drive my car until the fuel light comes on then refill using 89 grade fuel. I tried it out BUT: now that it’s getting colder, the cold start noise is back, it doesn’t jerk/shake as much but I am still hearing the pinging noise as if I have some junk in my engine. Right now, I only have 9308 miles on my car, I’ve driven to work, around town, to Tennessee and Georgia. I’m not a punch and gun it type guy, I do NOT understand why my car is acting so crappy. I’ve had it for only a year now. To my understanding Hyundai/Kia are preparing to recall roughly 4million theta II 2.4L GDI engines. Included are several Kia Souls, Sorentos and Optimas. Between 2013-2019 models. Let’s keep in touch guys. I’m going to follow this thread.

Guys I got my 2019 Optima in June. I have noticed it seems to lose power slightly while idling. I took it the dealership for a rattling noise that sounds like it’s coming from inside the passenger side door. Today the dashboard started showing transmission high temp out of nowhere. After reading all of the posts on this thread I’m starting to think Kia may have sold me a piece of junk.

i’ve been having the same issue sometimes my car jerks when i accelerate after i’ve stopped and i hear a rattling just like everyone’s been saying i’ve also had problems with my car struggling to start it like half starts then goes and then i turn it off and back on and it sounds fine it’s very minor things buts it’s very annoying and it bugs me i feel like somethings wrong

QUICK UPDATE: On today, I received a recall letter from Kia Automotive. Per the letter, I am being encouraged to schedule a free Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) ECU update. This recall effects 2.4L GDI & 2.0L Turbo GDI Engines. My car is 2019 Optima LX

I have been having this same issue- has anyone gotten any answers- I have taking my Kia Optima Sxl several times for recalls- but am having issues with the car accelerating when I bear down on the gas- this issue started when the weather started getting colder as well as after oil change

I am having the jerking problem and the low power on the highway issue. the CEL has been on. I ran a scan and code P0302 and P0304 came up. The codes are cylinder 2 and cylinder 4 are misfiring. It is at the dealership now. I will update once I hear back from them.

We have a 2019 Kia Optima and have the same issues with slow acceleration and jerking. The dealership said they couldn’t find anything wrong. Yesterday, it started shaking violently while driving on the freeway and white smoke was billowing out of the exhaust. The smell was burning electrical smell. When the dealership came to pick it up this morning, it had trouble trouble starting and started smoking again. Diagnosis was that it was misfiring and they blamed it on bad gas. But they tested the gas and found nothing. They just told us that the car is running fine now and they don’t what happened. Their theory is that the bad gas burned off!?! I’m afraid to drive it on the freeway now. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

I’m back for a follow up. After using mid grade fuel the problem still persists. Turns out the dealership idled down my car to reduce the noise but after driving, I noticed low Pressure acceleration. Also the noise is worse, I noticed white smoke when I start my car. So I filled up with expensive 93 grade I’m going to take the car back to the dealership or perhaps we all should contact corporate to complain. I am so tired of hearing the bad bad storyline

I hope someone get answer having the same problem with my 2019 Kia Optima S and they told me it was normal that I need to let the car warm up.

Quick update.... Kia corporate and I have been going round and round. They offered me all my payments back and I had to sign a paper to get the car inspected by a Kia Representative. Without signing the paper they wouldn’t do anything else to figure out what the problem was. After signing the paper the car was inspected and I was told basically to kick rocks. The guy Kia sent from corporate to inspect the car offered us his personal discount on a different car because he felt so bad for us. We said ok thank you and put a $500 deposit down on a telluride. Few days later we find out we could pick any car but the telluride. By this point my girl and I (her car btw) are beyond irate! Kia wants us to trade in our car and be upside down $9300.00 to move forward. We said no you can take this piece of shi$ and shove it, were not trading it in when it’s been a demon. So now we’re not allowed to sue Kia because of the paper signed but nothing says we can’t tell the BBB and everyone one the face of the planted how we “feel” our experience was. Supposedly our car has a certain transmission they have had a ton of complaints about. We describe it as a manual automatic. We have also have been having problems with giving the car throttle and it doesn’t go forward.... yup you read that correctly. Of course they say it’s normal. They also say this super loud buzzing sound during start up is a fuel pump pushing 1500 psi of fuel.... I’m no car wiz but that sounds like bs to me. Just for the record we just got our first oil change. I have videos but I don’t believe I can add them on here, just photos. All I can say is DOCUMENT EVERYTHING with photos and videos. Keep all service records and complain to the BBB.

All Spring and summer no trouble starting. The first cool day yesterday below 60 car slightly hesitates to start. Went through this last year I will not go through this year like this. Paying too much money for this car. 2019 Kia Optima fe 28,000 miles bought it last April 201

Still the same old crap with my 2019 optima. Now up to 13k miles, and the dealership still claims everything is fine with my car, dispute the now open nationwide settlement against Hundyi Kia. Random fires. I hate this car. I should have kept my 2012 Serento despite its warranty ending

As soon as the weather drop below 60°, yesterday our car hesitates to start and it did this last year about every two weeks of the fall and winter time. I've used a few chemicals that clean up water out of the line or AKA condensation and the car seemed to not do it so much also it doesn't hesitate at all when you drive it, it actually is pretty fast faster than your normal Kia optima Fe. I tell people it's got a turbo engine in it and I swear by it, it has to have something in it to be that fast, plus when we bought our car we had 2020 rims on a 2019 Kia and the guy had to go and look at the paperwork he said this car is really strange that we have it even here and I said we'll take it because it was sangria and it was just extremely fast and I was like this isn't the normal four-cylinder so I had a friend check some stuff out on the car and he said he thinks it's the turbo engine in here by mistake I don't know how they would do that but going down the highway it has that giddy up you know that turbo giddy up. also had the steering issue with the rubbing of the noise that drove us crazy they rebuilt the steering mechanism ground up and put a new steering wheel on there and so far no problems this car is excellent it's the best car like I said we've ever had. But I will not deal with this every so often situation with car hesitating to start. Paying too much money for it to do this. If you're making any type of payment on anything and it's under warranty it shouldn't do nothing but run correctly or be made too. if they are giving you the runaround bother them until they can't sleep at night you continue to call until they can't sleep. My wife and I we gave up initially because it I had got it to stop for a long period by switching over to 91 octane and then using STP treatment to get rid of the water there's a chemical named HEET that seemed to slow it down and I think it didn't hesitate to start for about six weeks so we let it go until yesterday which was September the 15th 2020 only have 29,000 I think miles on it I'm going to get this fixed and I'm going to post it I promise you that.