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.
Driving no indication of a problem and engine seized had to be towed to our mechanic told the engine seized and had plenty of oil and oil had just been changed" towed to Kia dealer in lowell to be looked at and have not heard a word for 2 weeks..called the Kia hotline and no word from them either? it is equipped with a 2.4 thera II engine... now I've learned that this is a problem engine and it appears im stuck with a 6500 dollar lawn ornament!!!! there has been a recall SC147 but when I look up my VIN number its not included not sure same engine and same problem" a new driver but was able to get safely off road way.
First, I was on in a road trip to Arizona from South Carolina. Suddenly my car began to make a clicking noise and smelled like oil while driving through a parking lot and lost acceleration while driving through an intersection. Took it to Kia and they told me it needed more oil when my light never came on and I still had 1000mi left until my next oil change. So they performed the oil change after getting it towed there and having to then come back for it (4 days after getting it towed there). After that, we tried once again to go to Arizona and about half way there going about 73mph on the highway, my car made a loud boom noise, saw lots of smoke coming from the front, and complete loss of acceleration. Husband's step dad checked the oil and it was completely gone. We went to grab more oil and when we poured it through, it went straight to the bottom. After hours of trying to get it on the back of our other truck traveling with us we finally got it to a Kia and their service department was closed. Long story short, we rented a better truck for $480 to haul my car back to Arizona. I am very frustrated and upset. My car is now at a Kia in tempe, AZ and they told me it's not apart of the engine recall class action lawsuit even though an attorney told me it was.
The contact called on behalf of his son who owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 65 mph, the engine ceased without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed his son that the engine threw a rod and needed to be replaced. The contact's wife sent an email to the manufacturer and was informed to have the vehicle taken to an authorized dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact's wife spoke with two unknown dealers who offered no assistance and provided her with the same information as the manufacturer. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Consumer has contacted the corporate office.
Hi engine keep losing power because the ewga voltage is incorrect. I've had this adjusted 3 times so far over 60,000 miles but it keeps coming back. Now I need to go in and spend another 200 dollar to have it fixed ofr the 4th time. Something is wrong with the design and it is dangerous as the engine suddenly loses power. How to adjust the ewga voltage is described here: Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2013/sb-10090612-5448.pdf it should be made a mandatory and permanent fix paid by Kia for the life time of the car.
6/17/20 I was driving my 2012 Kia Optima ex (2.4L gas direct injection 4-cyl engine) and had just stopped at an intersection for a red light. Once the light turned green, I accelerated to continue driving to my destination. Shortly after leaving the intersection, my vehicle suddenly and without any warning made a clunk sound, the lights on the dash flashed and the engine died. I wasn't sure what happened so I quickly put the car in neutral and coasted until I reached a safe place to pull over and park the vehicle. I tried restarting it but it just made a click sound and would not start. After attempting to start the vehicle a couple more times there was a little smoke that came from under the hood / engine compartment. It kind of smelled like something was burning. I thought it might've been some sort of electrical problem so I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to an automotive electric shop for them to take a look at it the next day. They looked at the vehicle this morning and told me that the engine was seized up and that the engine was bone dry of oil. I don't understand how this is even possible when I never received any check engine light, check oil light, no oil leaks on the motor, no oil leaks in my driveway or anything. How does a vehicle that is serviced regularly all of a sudden seize up without any warning what so ever? I have done some research online that indicates Kia has issued a recall for certain 2011-2014 Kia Optima vehicles. However, when I look up the specific VIN number for my vehicle it says I don't have any current recalls. I purchased this car brand new from a Kia dealer and definitely would not have purchased it had I known that the motor would seize up only 8 years later. I expect an engine from Kia to last longer than 8 years. I am thankful that I wasn't traveling at a higher rate of speed when this happened. Sad Kia customer.
- Sioux City, IA, USA
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Vehicle was running but wouldn't go past 40 mph all of a sudden it slowed down to 20 mph and completely stopped and turned off at a stop sign. It did not want to start anymore.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact state that while driving at 30 mph the vehicle stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to safford Kia of fredericksburg (5204 jefferson davis highway, fredericksburg, va 22408, (540)-891-7400. The technician performed a diagnostic test that located the failure code at the high-pressure fuel pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the same dealer under NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). As part of the recall repair the high-pressure fuel pipe was inspected but was not replaced because the technician found no failure with the part. The vehicle was repaired and the high-pressure fuel pipe replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,227.
As I was driving 45mph, I heard a riddling noise. After hearing the noise I saw my malfunction light was blinking so I pulled over to see what was the noise. As I was searching I noticed that my car wasn't running hot or needed oil so I didn't know what was wrong. I waited about 30 minutes to start again, still noise and light blinking. Over the time the noise grow louder and louder each time I turn the car on.tried to drive back too safe area, the car didn't want to pull like it was going to die. Pull over in a lot to have a tow truck pickup to return home. Next day before taking it to a repair shop I turned the car on to see is anything had changed. The light was still on and the noise was louder but this time the car cut off by itself. It also had lost power after a few sec of having it on. While it was on the most it would do was 20mph. So I couldn't drive the car at all anymore. Took to nearby repair shop stated it needed a new motor. Got a second opinion to say the same. I have only had the car for six months!!
Kia replaced a blown engine in 2017 on recall. From the beginning I noticed it felt different. It goes through oil, but doesn't leak anywhere. When I take off after its sat for a while a big cloud of white smoke comes out the back of the car. I have taken it back to the dealer and they tested it and said it was ("burning oil in the combustion chamber"). the engine has less than 40000 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it because the first time the engine blew up, I almost caused a giant accident! now the car is not only dangerous but worthless as well. I have kept all documents on the car, oil changes, parts & repairs, recalls, etc.
Recently when driving I've heard a pronounced "knocking" noise coming from my 2012 Kia Optima engine. This happens especially at highway speeds but can also be heard at lower speeds as well. I was aware of a safety recall for this exact problem and an extended warranty that had been placed on my engine because of it. I brought the car to a Kia service center for them to run the audio test required by the recall. Although they admitted that the knocking was coming from the issue stated in the recall, they said it was still "in spec" and it was not loud enough yet to warrant replacing the engine free of charge. They also mentioned to bring in the car again if it got worse. Just a few days later driving on the highway, the knocking was so loud I could not hear my radio. My wife and I do not feel safe driving the car and I also don't believe I will be able to sell it in this condition. If Kia is admitting fault with the engine issue, what are they waiting for" is this safe" if they are waiting for it to fail before replacing it, I could have my engine seize on the highway or catch fire based on what the class action lawsuit was targeted at.
The engine is burning oil extremely I can get a oil chance and before you know it I'm so few miles my oil stick is on low and the car is making a ticking noise like it's trying to cool off everytime the car is turned off after driving.
Engine stopped while in motion on the interstate with children. All of the lights on the dash came on but it wouldn't accelerate. Would not re start after powering off.
While accelerating to highway speed the engine stalled and would not restart. Moved the vehicle to the side of the road. The engine would not rotate. Could not jump start. The vehicle had to be towed. There were no pre-existing audible or visual warnings prior to this event. Initial inspection has determined the engine seized. Vehicle's current mileage is 132,720. Last oil & filter change performed at 130,330. Next scheduled maintenance is not due until 134,330. I have spoken to my local Kia dealer and also to Kia motors customer service. Both have informed me that yes, there is a recall already on this vehicle's engine for this particular type of failure, SC147. However, since the recall test procedure was performed and passed over 12 months prior to this event, they will not reopen the recall inspection for this vehicle and engine replacement is my responsibility. Recall SC147 is an engine noise inspection for restricted oil flow to the bearings by metal debris in the crankshaft's oil passages. Is it not possible that this condition can occur at any time even after a noise check is conducted" the engine may not have made noise at the previous test but it is now seized without any other indications of failure. I see on Kia forums that having the engine fail is not uncommon even after the recall inspection has been completed. Why is this a one time inspection and not recurring at calendar and mileage intervals? since Kia is unwilling to investigate this issue, I am having the engine replaced by my local maintenance provider. Is there any course of action for reimbursement against Kia on this unfortunate event"
As I was driving on the highway approximately 65 mph the engine began to stall not allowing any power while pushing on the gas pedal. The service manager at Kia explained to me that they found a pin in the engine that was supposed to be R removed but never was causing this to cause major damage to my engine and head gasket.
I was driving on the interstate and my engine shut down without warning. I've never missed an oil change and all work preformed has always been done at dealership. I had it towed to the dealership. The dealership contacted Kia and they told them the engine was locked up. Kia told them to not investigate in the engine, just replace the engine. Dealership told me they will let me know how much new engine will cost. My engine(2.4L) falls under the class action law suit going on, but my car is not being recalled because it is a hybrid. I drive a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid.
I was driving and heard some knocking and smelled an exhaust like smell, after getting off the highway and stopping at a stop light, the car would not accelerate pass 25 mph when pressing on the gas pedal and would stutter & hesitate. I stopped for a diagnosis at the closest car shop. After their evaluation they thought it could be the transmission but since they were a oil change & tire shop they could not help. Since the car was drivable, I thought I could make it back home very slowly, I drove no more than an 1/2 mile and could not accelerate pass 10 mph. I parked the car and had it towed to another auto repair shop 3 miles away. Outcome, they resealed timing cover which included replacement of front crank seal, valve cover gasket and cleaned residual engine oil from engine. Also, resealed lower oil pan and replaced oil and air filter and cleaned residual engine oil. Even after this repair, they test drove the car and verified the car would not accelerate pass 30 mph and would stutter and hesitate. They informed me that it maybe the hybrid system. I went online regarding the hybrid system(still under the factory warranty of 100,000)and noticed a recall on the non-hybrid Kia Optima with my same experience. I had it towed to the dealership close to my house. The dealership performed a diagnosis and their findings were 'could not duplicate customer's concern at this time, there was no oil leak found on the engine and vehicle drive properly during road test.' My car has been sitting for over 11 months. I did take it to the dealership recently for inspection & emission, passed as car had less than 5,000 miles from last service. However, on the way home, 1.2 miles away, the hybrid system warning light came on 'safely stop and do not drive'. I put on the hazard lights and made my way home as I was half-way, the car has been sitting since. Please recall'make this right
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The contact was informed while in her residence that the vehicle was on fire, by another driver. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the fire marshall informed her that the fire started in the engine. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Since about 40K miles my steering has clicked, locked, and missed and has gotten worse to the point that I have almost been in a few wrecks from inability to control steering. A mechanic friend of mine told me there was a recall for this and to call Kia of chattanooga (who I purchased from) to look into it along with other recalls I may not know about before taking a trip accross country with my son. I have tried calling and the dealership hears recall and hangs up on me. I was able to leave one voicemail for the manager but was never contacted back and continue to be hung up on. My concern is mostly with the steering and possible bearings with engine. Steering will click even at a stand still, locks and misses while in motion rather badly. This has been happening since around 40K miles. Unsure of any other safety related recalls as I had moved multiple times and belive that is why I did not get letters.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wilmington, MA, USA