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.
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.
- Bronx, NY, USA
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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.
Car will not get out of immobilization phase, with either key fob will not unlock to use push to start. Also common issue is waste gate activator failure, caused us to almost crash dealer said it is a exstremly common issue but Kia won't issue recal.
Driving at the speed of 55 mph on two lane road coming down a mountain and Kia Optima sx 2.0L turbo started losing power then at 45 engine shut down. Coasted to shoulder of the road and will not start. Towed to home then towed again to shop waiting on repairs. Kia says no recall and not part of the 618000 Kia Optima sx turbo 2.0L recall
I was driving my car on the expressway and all of a sudden it started making a knocking sound. When I was getting off my exist I notice the car was not allowing me to start it up and move. I knew it wasn't my battery because I just got I knew one, but I notice how my engine light would come on. So I was stuck in the middle of the street with no way to move my car out of the intersection. I heard their was a recall on my car so I'm checking to see why I haven't heard any information from Kia.
At first it started with my engine oil burning quick, and having to do an oil change every 15 days. Now it started doing the engine knocking noise when I drove it 20 miles away from my house in the middle of a busy city street. It had to be towed to my house and I am unable to drive it now. I haven't drove it since the beginning of December because I'm still waiting to go to the dealership for my appointment next week.
As my stepdaughter was driving home from work on a highway, a loud knock noise came from the engine compartment. At which time she was scared to drive it anymore, so she parked alongside road and waited for someone to come get her. The car was then trailered to the house and then to the Kia dealership. When the car was started to load onto the trailer, there were no warning lights of any kind on the dash but there was an obvious noise that something wasn't right with the car. Unloading it at the dealership, the noise began to get louder and again, no lights of any kind came up as a warning. Before taking it to the dealership we called Kia and spoke with robert on 12/9/2020. Robert said there were no recalls on this car and they would not honor the current recall that is all over the papers and news stations. I asked if there were any other recalls on this car and he said no. Today when the dealership called to let us know that the cars engine needs replaced because of the rod bearings, again we asked if there were any open recalls on this car. We were again told no. After viewing your website, we have learned that there is, in fact an open recall for the airbag. I know the airbag has nothing todo with the engine, but considering Kia was not honest about that recall it would lead someone to believe that they aren't being honest about anything else. I opened a case with Kia and that number is 13909518. We aren't asking for anything but the right thing to be done. We just purchased this car 3 weeks before this happened. We were already struggling to purchase her a car and will now have to somehow find a way to purchase another one. Please help us!
I was driving to work one morning just got on the freeway and my Kia Optima with 107K miles decided to shut off out of knowhere. I decided to check the oil and noticed it was pretty much empty when it shouldnt have been. I check it regularly and keep it in good shape also had it changed a month or so back. I had it towed to my mechanic because it would not start at all. It took them 2 weeks and various test including a compression test and installing new spark plugs. After almost 700$ spent they got it running for 15mins and the car shutoff again. They told me it needs a whole new engine...so after I get it towed all the way back home I hear that Kia has a massive settlement going on for thier engines failing. Not sure if I will get a recall but I have my fingers crossed. I hope that anyone has this problem can find a way to solve this. Not to mention I just payed it off and it forced me to purchase another vehicle.
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- N. Fort Myers, FL, USA