Engine failed suddenly while operating at highway speed

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

I was driving on the freeway taking my exit when the car turned off I managed to put it in neutral and pulled to the side of the road I tried to start the car back on but fail to do so. I got a mechanic to take a look at it and told me the engine seized

- Dallas, TX, USA

I was driving and my car stalled and would nogo when I pressed the gas it started making loud noises and smoked car cut off would not crank shop says engine failure bearings and rods

- Lagrange, GA, USA

My Kia was making a whistling noise on and off for awhile then my oil light would flicker so I figured I need an oil change. Got my oil changed and then the car started make a knocking noise and would get worse with acceleration and would have a hard time accelerating. It would jolt and vibrate and make knocking and flapping noises. Turn on my road to go home and lost power. My car slowly came to a stop I could not accelerate at all. My engine, battery, oil, and eps light came on. I tried starting it up and would come on for about 5 seconds make a lot of noise and the engine would turn off but my radio and windows still worked. My ac was on but not cooling. All the cabin lights work still but my brake are stiff.

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

2011 Kia Optima. Engine seized while driving on the highway. Almost crashed. Swerved off the road, it made a funny noise under the car and then I had no control and the engine died. I just had the oil changed and the mechanic said the oil was black. It sucked up all the oil causing this to happen. Very dangerous. Never received a recall or letter anout this. Two weeks in the ahop and still no engine.

- Norwood, MA, USA

While driving about 30 mph on country road, vehicle just stalled and would not restart. No warning lights or anything. Had it towed to mechanic garage and he found the engine was seized. All recommended maintenance had been kept up on the vehicle and it had been running without any issues.

- Kansasville, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While parking the vehicle, it stalled and smoke was seen under the hood. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seized and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to a possible future recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,255.

- Dunellen, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 15 mph, the contact heard an abnormal sound under the hood. The contact continued driving and the engine stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact also noticed a knocking sound under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rod bearings at the bottom of the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was an upcoming recall, and that the recall notices would be sent in May. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

Vehicle stalls while driving or shuts down while sitting at red light.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I have was driving on the highway a D my engine just turned off and all the engine light turned on on the dashboard. I was told by dealer my engine gave out and it is covered based on the recent recall

- La Habra, CA, USA

While traveling in a 65mph zone the vehicle stalled with out indication or dash lights. Vehicle lost steering and control, putting myself and others at risk of danger. Stopped the vehicle. While trying to start the vehicle, turned the key and all dash lights were present but the vehicle would not start, click or turn over. Issue resulted as an engine failure.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

I was on interstate 65 I was going about 55mph and began to accelerate when the vehicles engine stalled. There were cars coming from behind I quickly got over into the emergency lane and came to a stop. There were no warning lights that came on prior to this occurring. I never heard any type of knocking from the engine either. It was a terrifying moment having the car stop for some unknown reason. 4 days later there as was an announcement of a recall from Kia regarding the connector rod. I have been told the motor is locked up but no one has told me why. Kia corporation has been slow to respond. They have said that its not an official recall until the end of May. They have provided me with a case number but the case specialist has yet to call me back.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Vehicle sized on the hyw while approximately 65mph. It was towed to Kia, who stated they would replace the engine with a new one. However they replaced it with a manufacturer or modified engine. My car now vibrates and has inconsistent fule injection. I have reported to this to the service manager and to Kia corporation. I have yet to hear back from either about correcting the issue.

- Reni, NV, USA

Engine seized up on me without warning while driving, engine light etc, on I-10 November 2016, contacted Kia case # K3330321 had me tow the vehicle to them for warranty extension work for the engine connecting rod. They then told me it was out of warranty and would not repair vehicle. I canceled plates and it is still sitting in my yard unrepaired. Even had the case escalated higher up with Kia with no results. Only incurred more cost, they estimated me $7000 to replace the engine.

- Paulina, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that an abnormal noise was heard from the engine area. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic for inspection and diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was traded in due to the failure and the contact no longer owned the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The failure mileage was not available.

- Hurlock, MD, USA

"engine seizing recall" Kia recall number is SC147. I was driving down the interstate about 70 mph heading to jacksonville Florida from valdosta Georgia and the car begin to decrease in speed then as it decreased speed I pulled over and good thing I did because the wheel locked. I tried to start the car but nothing would happen. I was in the car left lane when the car begin to decrease in speed and as I tried to pull over there were cars passing and I was almost hit not only from behind but on the side because the car could not be driven fast enough to pull off the road.

- Ladson, SC, USA

The engine knocking and check engine light on and stability light for speed control. Took car several times to dealer and they finally told me about the engine need work done to it because they have done all they can do to solve the problem. I paid for them to replace oil control selenoid and the code poo11 still comes up. The car cuts off in traffic.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

Engine seized without warning in the center lane of the highway at 65mph. Luckily, I was able to coast to the shoulder without incident and wait for a tow truck. Had it towed to the repair shop, who confirmed that the engine was seized and needs replaced. Kia knows about these engines having a problem yet continues to leave them out there. It's a matter of time before someone is injured or killed when their engine seizes at highway speeds and they are unable to safely get to the shoulder.

- Columbia, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine emitted a loud noise while driving 50 mph. Within moments, all the instrumental panel indicators illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact was able to coast onto the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine rod failed. The manufacturer advised that the warranty for the engine rod replacement had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Lanham, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact heard a knocking noise and the engine lost power. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

- Ocoee, FL, USA