This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Was driving to work. Drove through the front gate entrance to my station when an awful metallic knocking noise could be heard in the engine compartment. Had to have the vehicle towed all the way home that day. 80+ miles. Turns out I need a new engine. Took it to a Kia dealer who diagnosed the problem being a failure to a crank bearing.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The engine seized the vehicle never started again, not diagnosed yet consequence vehicle must be towed at owners expense the contact stated that while attempting to park in a parking lot, traveling approximately 5 mph, the vehicle engine seized. No warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed and was advised to tow the vehicle to the nearest authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
Driving in heavier than normal traffic about 45 mph. Stopped at a traffic light and engine cut off. Was able to restart, but was only able to drive less than half a mile before the engine cut off again. I completely lost power, but was able to coast into a parking lot. I waited approximately 10 minutes, attempted to restart the car (successfully!) and drove around the parking lot before traveling the remaining 20 minutes home. Called aaa and had the car towed upon arriving home. The mechanic was not able to replicate the issue and nothing was corrected. Battery and alternator were in perfect condition. Car has occasionally been hesitating while starting or while idling at traffic lights since that event.
- Pickerington, OH, USA
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Was driving down and suddenly the car starts to slow down and eventually cuts off. Found out the engine locked even though I get the recommended maintenance.
I have a theta II turbocharged engine 6 speed manual and I was driving down the street taking my son to work. All of a sudden my car started making a loud knocking noise and wouldn't go past 2nd gear. We called a tow truck had it sent to mechanic they did a diagnostic test and 2 P codes came back from crankshaft and controls and seized engine. So I had it towed into weston Kia dealership. Plus I had just bought this car in April. The dealership ship called me saying they were going to replace my engine and wiring and computer and sensor chip. Also my passenger air bag light has been blinking off 3 days after I bought it and still is. My emergency brake doesn't work and rolled while it was pulled up in neutral and hit my daughter as she was running around the front of the car to the passenger side right in her knee cap. I got my car back from weston and it didn't feel right. Someone put 380miles on my car it had a 1/2tank of gas and my clutch and clutch pedal and gear shift was way shorter and 1/4 inch off in shifter box. I was on the freeway driving 60 mph with my kids and we were leaving my parents house from xmas. All of a sudden I almost list control of the car my clutch pedal fell to the floor. I got us to safety almost avoiding a huge wreck and had it towed to my house. Called dealership and told them and had noticed on invoice their technicians had tightened up by bolts and flywheel. Well I go outside and theirs fluid all over the pavement under the car but none on inside. They paid for a tow truck and by the way since replacing the new engine I went from 34 miles to the gallon to 20 and passenger air bag still illuminated off. My defrost isnt working now and my engine light blinked 3xs. They want me to pay 1500 for new clutch.their tech adjusted my flywheel bolts and clutch cable. $65 emergency brake and $125 for test. It already had one. Fuel leak?
As I was driving down the road on my way home my car lost power so I had to pull over to the side of the road after a car almost hit me from not being able to accelerate in the middle of the road. I then turned my car off and it would not turn back on.
I was driving down the road, no warning lights came on. Oil pressure gauge was normal and the car just stopped. Made no noises, just stopped. Technician pulled oil pan and stated that hunks of metal fell out around the bearings.
Engine seized up when driving down the road with no warning. I heard knocking, would not accelerate and oil light was flashing periodically days before but never stayed on solid. No prior mechanical issues and all servicing kept up to date.
Headlights are so dim you can barely see using low beam lights and high beams are barely brighter than regular beams on other cars. Have replaced the headlight bulbs 4 times and it has never changed the problem. Engine seized up with no warning or mechanical signs when driving down the road.
I was on I 95 yesterday in the evening heading home and all of sudden my car went to shaking in the engine light was blinking on and off I pulled over to the side of the road to stop the car as I pulled over on the side of the road I sat in the car while the car was still running part in the car cut off by itself end it all the sudden started making a knocking sound once I turn the car back on.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 40 mph and an abnormal noise was heard. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an oil leak because she was constantly adding oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to nalley Kia (7849 mall pkwy, lithonia, ga 30038, (678) 374-3820) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer stated that the oil filter, engine air filter, ac refresher, and transmission needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had low compression and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the contact noticed an off duty police officer who flagged the vehicle down and informed him to pull over because flames were present underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic to the contact's residence. The cause of the failure was not determined. The insurance company deemed the vehicle destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 152,442.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving, a knocking noise occurred coming from the engine compartment. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
While on my way to pick up my daughter from school at around between 1 and 2 oclock pm I was stopped at a 4 way stop at ga hwy 225 in springplace, as I proceeded through the 4 way while in motion I hear and feel a sudden jolt to my vehicle and I skid to a stop thank god it had just went through the stop sign and did not gain any speed. I exited the vehicle and glanced underneath thinking that I had hit something, instead I noticed that my motor and transmission where no longer connected to my vehicle on the driver side but they where laying almost on the ground. I had to call a tow truck to have my car towed home and make arrangements for my daughter. My vehicle was one on the list that had a recall on the motor the replacement motor was installed around March of 2017. It has not showed any signs of trouble until this.
The battery indicator light came on then while driving down the road, the battery discharge kept popping up on the display then went out. About 10 minutes further, I lost power steering. I managed to get to base even though I ran a red light and stop sign because the car started spurttering and feeling like it was getting ready to stall. Once I managed to get to a parking lot, my headlights went out but I still had dash lights. All the error lights came across my dashboard. I took the battery to advance, they said it was low. They charged it and said it needed replaced. The battery indicator was still lit so I took it and they checked the alternator and said it was dead. I took it and had it rebuilt. Everything seemed to work ok.
Last month, I took my car in for a check engine light. The repair shop told me that there was no oil in my engine and it was bone dry. This was the reason for my check engine light. They said they do know why but it was possible that the last time I received an oil change they put in the wrong oil. They assured me and I made sure they put in the correct oil and the check engine light turned off. A month later I was on the highway and the engine jerked and it went down to 40. The car did not want to accelerate and was struggling. I checked it in there was no oil in the engine again. Being that I had no oil stains on my driveway I was convinced that it was not leaking and the oil was burning out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA