Car purchased new 3/1/2006. At mileage 5,033 and to current 16,675 belts and pulleys problem exists.. the problem has been confirmed by a tech expert that the mfr and customer agreed to allow inspect the car. A recurring drive belt tensioner and drive belt problem still exists after several belts and tensioner have been replaced.....5 confirmed repairs. It has been expressed to the manufacturer that we do not feel safe driving a car in a state of disrepair. We are afraid the tensioner or belt may fail during operation. If this happens, the motor can be severely damaged. Power steering, water pump and all electrical cease to function. This is the explanation I have from a Kia rep on audio. The manufacture claims there are no verifiable warranty concerns and the loud noise at start up and constant squealing and chirping while driving are normal. The Kia rep also claims on the audio that these parts have never failed on there cars. The technical expert also confirmed a surging problem still exists even though the mfr states they can not duplicate it. The first time the surge & stall problem was repaired (9/23/2006) it was already a tsb issued by mfr to nhsta in Dec 2004 for model 2006 with regards to a canister vac.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Ref the two previous complaints first. #10170291 & 10208029. This is the 3rd complaint on our 2006 Kia Optima LX. On 11/5/07 a new tensioner and drive belt were replaced. This made the 4th attempt to repair the same pulleys & belts system. The problem began @ mileage 5033 in Sept 2006. Aprox 16,500 mileage and the problem continues and appears to be getting worse. On 12/5/2007 I took the car to dealership #113211 with same problem. Loud belt squeal at start up and constant chirp while driving. I was given a written receipt that stated the dealership drove the car 5 miles and heard a "slight chirp" coming from the belt area. Tech asst was called and the dealership was advised not to attempt repairs until a "platform manager" was contacted and spoke to service manager. It was put in writing that the car had no drivable issues or safety concerns and released to the owner. I expressed strong concern to the service manager about our reservations driving a car with the pulleys & belts system making such noises. I also explained that we were going out of state on 12/7/07 and would be traveling I-65 South from indianapolis, late at night and without a cell phone. We traveled with the car in the current state of disrepair. The problem has increased. I have expressed this to the dealership on 12/12/07. Since the car was released to me on 12/5/2007, I have heard nothing from the dealership. I have sent a certified letter requesting the car be repaired. The parts put in the car ON11/5/2007 are under warranty. Today is 12/19/2007 and I have still not been contacted by Kia or the dealership. If the pulleys & belts system fails we I will be left on the road & I do not carry a cell phone. If the car is repaired again this will make the 5th attempt to repair the same problem and the car qualifies for the in lemon law. I have consulted the consumer action handbook which is free to the public and has resources for consumers to involve agencies who take care of these problems for us.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

On 11/05/07 our 2006 Kia Optima LX was taken is the shop for a fifth time since a squealing noise had appeared again. The car has now had 2 tensioners and three drive belts replaced as of 11/5/2007. I strongly expressed to dealer # 113211 that I wished to have the in state lemon law applied due to the fact a reasonable amount of attempts had been made to repair a nonconformity per ic 24-5-13-10. I was told by the shop manager at dealer 113211, that the car is in working condition after the reaper and the lemon law does not apply to a car that is good working order. I was instructed to let the dealer know if the problem returned. On 11/26/07 the squealing returned. I spoke with Kia, I was instructed to take the car to the dealer. I requested a Kia rep be present. I was told a rep would not be available until Jan.08. I requested the dealer to diagnose the car and stop at that point so a decision could be made regarding the in lemon law. I was told by the dealer that unless I sign a repair order to have the car fixed, it can not be diagnosed per Kia policy. I was told I had two options. Sign and allow the squeal to be diagnosed and repair if under warranty or not leave the car. I have taken the car out of service as on 11/28/07 with 15,974 miles. It is in my garage. I have sent this matter to the in atty gen office for review.this is the 3rd complaint filed on this car, please ref #10170291 & #10208029 also. It is my understanding that if a tensioner or drive belt fail during operation, I will be left stranded. I do not own or carry a cell phone. I bought a new 2006 car for dependability.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA