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.
I was driving on the interstate and heard noise from under the hood of car and car then decelerated to a stop on side of the highway. Smoke was coming out from hood and oil was all over engine and road. The problem was diagnosed by mechanic as rod was thrown through the engine block puncturing it due to a worn bearing. I did research and my model and engine has a recall on this exact matter. Recall # SC147. I had bought the car in January 2019 and the manufacturer is denying any repair because of a 'product improving campaign' that was released for it in October 2018 and never addressed. That was three months before I bought the car. I was unaware of this because I bought the car after. My car is currently sitting at a dealership because when I called that dealership they said my car does qualify for the recall repair and replacement and to bring it in, but I was notified today from that dealership that Kia will not repair my vehicle because of an E.C.U. software update that was never performed on the car in 2011! PI1803-B is the code for that recall that was also never addressed and was eight years before I purchased the car. I'm really confused and upset as to how a company can deny fixing recalls on a vehicle that are clearly safety hazards!!!
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact's grand daughter stated while driving an unknown speed, the vehicle began to slow down and was able to pull over to a stop safely. The contact stated fire began to come out of the engine compartment. A fire and police report were filed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local tow yard where it was diagnosed with being destroyed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a loud noise came from the engine compartment as the vehicle started to smoke. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to garden grove Kia (13731 harbor blvd, garden grove, ca 92843) where it was diagnosed with the engine failing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was relating the issue to NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but informed the contact that vehicle had to many miles. The failure mileage was approximately 290,00.
While driving my 2012 Kia Optima hybrid on the farthest left lane of the freeway, a warning message popped up on my dash board that was something similar to "saftley pull over and do not drive vehicle." I began to change lanes to be able to exit the freeway and as I was approaching the edits stop light the moving hehicle seemed to lack much power. I was lucky enough to have the car roll far enough on momentum to get me out of the way of a very busy road. It was a miracle that the car rolled to the spot it did because that happened to be the only place the shoulder could fit my car. I had it sent to Kia dealership and it took them almost an entire week to finally have an idea of what the problem could be. Engine seized as the major problem and offered to replace it for above $8000! the car isn't even worth that much! come to realize there was a recall on my engine so I am now waiting until Kia tech support reaches out to my mechanic for the approval or denial. I bought this used car about 30 days from today's date with 80K miles
Car has been maintained appropriately, car suddenly started turning off on us while in drive. We had it checked according to the scanner, it says it is the same knocking sensor that Kia has reported. When I called customer service, they run my VIN and say I have no recalls so they cannot help me. My car is a 2012 which falls within the years Kia has reported yet they will not help me. As of now I have no running vehicle because it is too unsafe to chance driving it with my children in the car. The car has turned off on me while in motion 4 times now, twice on the highway, twice on a 2 lane only canyon. (on my way home from work with my children in the car)
- Fillmore, CA, USA
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I have a 3 months old and I'm very concerned about our safety because the vehicle suddenly runs out of oil and it start smelling like burned and it starts to smoke a lot of white smoke. When I check the oil compartment it seems like the oil evaporates or get consumed but it doesn't leak. This has happened few times while driving the car on a city street.
Car will not get out of immobilization phase, with either key fob will not unlock to use push to start. Issue is waste gate activator failure or needs adjustment.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle stalled and would not restart. The contact exit the vehicle and saw metal parts and oil leaking from the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence and then to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure that the bearing rod went through the engine. The engine was replaced however, after several thousand miles the failure recurred with the new engine. The contact the called the cable dahmer Kia of lee's summit (400 ne colbern rd, lee's summit, mo 64086, (816) 207-6200) and was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine). The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer for the engine replacement but was informed that they were unable to replace the engine under the recall because the vehicle was over 150,000 miles. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and the manufacturer agreed that the vehicle was not eligible for the free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 162,000.
Jun 01,2018 manufacturer recall numbersc165A NHTSA recall number18V363 recall statusrecall incomplete summary Kia motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in all 2010-2013 my forte and forte koup, all 2011-2013 my Optima, all 2011-2012 Optima hybrid, and all 2011-2012 my sedona vehicles. The airbag control unit ("acu") detects crash severity and commands deployment of the advanced airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when necessary. The acu contains a certain application-specific integrated circuit ("asic") that may be susceptible to electrical overstress ("eos") during certain frontal crash events. The condition is limited to frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners in certain frontal crash events. Safety risk if the asic becomes damaged, the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy in certain frontal crashes where deployment may be necessary, thereby increasing the risk of injury. Remedy Kia has advised its authorized dealers to install a wire harness kit between the acu connector and vehicle harness connector in your vehicle. The work will be performed at Kia's expense at no cost to you. The actual time required to perform the repair will take approximately one (1) hour. However, your vehicle may be needed longer; therefore, we recommend scheduling a service appointment to minimize any inconvenience. (refer to sc165A.) manufacturer's notes sc165A
Per NHTSA recall 20V750, a Kia dealer service department informed me today (2/17/2021) that they are unable to make appointments to service this recall due to a 'nationwide computer outage'. how can they be allowed to issue a major recall and then not be prepared to make appointments to service the vehicles?
I'd had no mechanical issues w/ my vehicle, whatsoever & all routine maintenance is done on time. While driving on the highway one day & suddenly all the warning lights came on & lots of smoke coming from under the hood. Pulled to the side of the road, had it towed to the nearest Kia dealership. After a few days, it was explained to me, by the service team that my engine was shot, but I wasn't given an explanation as to why. There were no recalls at that time on the hybrid vehicles; however, I just got a recall letter for my Optima hybrid, dated 1/27/2021 that described the very thing that I experienced with my car. This prompted me to visit this website to explain my issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact had initially taken her vehicle to arapahoe Kia (9701 E arapahoe rd, centennial, co 80112) for an oil change and had also informed them that her vehicle had been consuming excessive amounts of oil. The dealer informed her that there had been a recall, NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) placed on her year model vehicle however, Kia could not repair the vehicle unless the engine was knocking. A week later, the contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle began to stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and was informed that her vehicle was safe to drive and that the check engine light had been cleared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a case would be opened. The contact then received a text from the dealer mechanic that stated that the engine was faulty however, they were unsuccessful with diagnosing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
My check engine light is blinking; faulty acceleration on highway and going upgrade (uphill), vehicle jerking on local roadways; auto zone says its a faulty knock sensor. It could possibly be an issue with the engine but I'm not sure.
Car will not start up. When turning key I hear clicking noise from under the god from fuse box and thinking it's starter relay but I replaced it and still nothing eventually by keep trying turning key to start for 18 minutes it starts up finally. No clue what it could be. Maybe starter solenoid
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, when the vehicle began to hesitate and the he heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact he was able to park on the side of the road and notice smoke exit the hood. The contact stated a police officer was nearby and parked behind his vehicle. The contact stated the fire extinguished on it's own before the fire department arrived to the location. A police and fire report was not filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to local dealer northtown Kia ( 3900 sheridan dr, amherst, NY 14226: (716) 217-2390) and diagnosed the failure was caused due to a oil leak. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Will driving down the highway, my car suddenly stops accelerating and all my dashboard light come on with cars at my tail. Scary ordeal but luckily I was able to pull over.
The Kia gave no warning about the car having issues about the engine when I was driving home from work it gave me the error hybrid battery not charging to pull over and stop driving when I had it checked I was told it was not the hybrid that it could be something else the car turns on put wont move even if I put it in drive or in reverse it won't move no check engine light but the hybrid batter not charging and the specialist I had come check the car told me its not the hybrid battery he changed the battery to see it would work but the car still won't move.
The engine blew. The car only has about 105,000 miles. I was researching that this particular vehicle has a defect from the factory and I believe that my car falls under those defected cars.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Coal Center, PA, USA