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.
Broken clock spring in the steering which will not allow the airbag to go off. Airbag light constantly stays on which results if I got in a car accident the airbags will not deploy.
Traveling on a divided highway, approached slowing/stopped traffic. Attempted to stop, but roadway was slippery, ABS did not activate had to resort to pumping brakes and steering to avoid accident. Was rear ended and pushed into another car. Non of the air bags deployed. There was no compartment intrusion into the passenger compartment, but the rear of the car was completely collapsed.
"takata recall"while driving this car on the highway I notice noise coming from the front. I've had problem with this same thing since 2012, first the string it would pull left and right on its own while drive straight. Kia said they would fix it. There was a recall on this problem, now my rack and pinion is broken, and that's because Kia refuse to fix that problem back in 2012 with the string. Kia sent us a settlement letter, which states they will paid us $531.95 by means of a check, it states it is understood and agreed that this settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and does not constitute, an admission of liability on the part of Kia. We did not sing that letter because Kia cars are no good! and there has been recalls since that letter was sent. They tried to black mail us we didn't fall for the scam. The company know this car is no good. If you need that letter sent to you I can do that to. Someone could die because of this problem its dangerous, I work in the mountains this problem needs fixing now not later now!!!. sincerely, need this problem fix
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The contact took the vehicle to Kia of cherry hill (1803 marlton pike w, cherry hill, NJ 08002, (856) 471-1054) and the air bag indicator was illuminated; however, the dealer found other failures that would have cost the contact $8,500 to repair. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the $8,500 worth of repairs were not all needed and the air bag failure should have been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was given a case number, but was not called back. The contact brought the vehicle back to the dealer to have the air bags repaired. The dealer repaired the air bags, but the indicator remained illuminated. The contact was informed that she would have to pay for a diagnostic test to determine why the indicator was illuminated. The failure mileage was 129,853.
- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
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Kia of savannah on December 3, 2018 I took my vehicle in for recall 18V363 to have an airbag wire harness installed per the recall. Upon attempting to pick my vehicle up I was told the airbag control module had shorted, my airbag light was on, and it needed to be replaced at an expense of $825. I was told by the service associate, elisa france, the airbags may or may not deploy unless the repair was done. I asked how the module went bad when they were fixing it with the new wire harness and was told a "tech" would need to answer that question. I asked for service manager who was unavailable. I called Kia customer service and was told the module wasn't under recall or warranty.and I needed to pay for the repair. My complaint is: Prior to the recall my airbags light was not on. We recently had the vehicle serviced for another recall and was not told the module was bad. But now, after the wire harness recall was performed, the airbag control module is suddenly bad. Feeling the vehicle was unsafe to drive, due to the airbags possibly not deploying, I left the vehicle at the dealership awaiting to hear back from a service manager or service tech. Today marks day 4 they've had my vehicle and I've received no call.
Clockspring failure causes on-steering wheel controls to fail. Kia service did not find any service codes produced when the steering wheel volume control switches, cruise control switches and cellphone switches displayed intermittent functionality. Failure of the switches generally displayed upon initial start of the car after sitting overnight or at the end of a work day. Temperatures were consistently over 100 degrees F. during an approximate 1 hr 15 min surface street and freeway commute (each way),switches would function after a few minutes driving, but then fail again. Correct functionality was inconsistent. And did not persist. Car was taken in several times for these issues but no codes were produced. Service rep suggested that the clockspring may be involved, but recommended only the replacement of the faulty switches. Volume and cruise control switches replaced, but again showed intermittent failures that would not produce codes. Finally, the replacement volume switches and the cellphone switches completely failed; again, no codes were produced. Kia service noted that the clockspring is integral to the correct functioning of the steering wheel airbag system along with all the steering wheel switches. Kia service now confirms that a faulty clockspring shorted out the steering wheel switches; a new clockspring, volume controls and cellphone controls are being installed. Again, prior to the repair, no codes were generated for Kia service to observe. Prior to releasing the car, the switches were checked for correct function, but failed. At that point, the clockspring replacement was initiated. Note: Kia service also performed the recall work on the acu wiring harness during this service incident.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. The vehicle was taken to Kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 860-2424) where it was diagnosed that the air bag switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The front end was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries to the head and right hand, which did not require medical treatment. A police report was filed. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine indicator kept illuminating and an abnormal noise was heard from the engine compartment. The vehicle stalled. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) although the failures were identical. Months later, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The dealer (destination Kia, 760 central ave, albany, NY 12206, (518) 478-8036) stated that the part was not available. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the engine assembly failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
2012 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. The consumer stated the engine seized. The dome light in the vehicle inadvertently turned on. The camshaft failed.
Due to a recall, I had my engine replaced by Kia patterson in July of 2017. About a week or so after getting it back, the airbag light came on and the horn does not work. Naturally, I contacted Kia patterson regarding the matter and was told that it had nothing to do with the engine replacement. I'm now being told that it may be a defective airbag or clockspring, both of which are expensive repairs. I have found that several Kia vehicles have suffered the same fate with no resolution. My car does not fall into the previously recalled models yet it seems to have the same problems. My level of frustration is so high at this point and I don't feel safe driving with these problems. Unfortunately, I will have to do so until I am able to save enough money to have it fixed. Shame on you Kia!!!
Engine locked up had a warranty they fixed it and after I got my car back the the horn didn't work or any of my controls on the steering wheel worked I notified them and they did nothing to fix it. When I turn the car over to Kia dealership everything was working and after they put the new engine in everything went wrong the ABS system went out the horn stop working the turbo in the car wasn't any good my airbag and engine was on and still is and I notified them again even took it to management and they did nothing about it. I'm not a satisfied customer at all can U guys please help me. I'm a hard working man have a family and just trying to have a car that we can enjoy.
Airbag light is consistently on which means it won't deploy during an accident, buttons on steering wheel aren't working, and steering wheel heater isn't working. Dealership claims clockspring is worn out. Previous models of Optimas have had same problem and eventually a recall was made. Hopefully this gets resolves before a wreck happens and injury is caused by this airbag defect.
Airbag light came on and took car to dealer. Clock spring is faulty and needs replaced. Cost to replace is $350 according to Kia dealership. I've read that Kia has had a recall for this on prior models and want to file a complaint. Car only has 74K miles and should be covered under warranty since it directly impacts the safety features on this car
I am an officer (off. [xxx]) with the madera (California) police department. I investigated a traffic collision where the driver of a 2012 Kia Optima collided with a parked vehicle going approx. 35 mph. The impact sent the parked vehicle forward approx. 3-4 feet into another parked vehicle causing damage to all 3 vehicle. The Kia sustained significant damage to the right front bumper / fender area and sheared the right front tire off. The impact was enough for the Kia to roll over and cause damage to the left front tire and rim from grinding into the roadway. The parked vehicle it collided with sustained moderate damage to the left rear and driver's side area. When it was shoved forward it sustained minor front end damage and caused minor damage to the back bumper of the second parked vehicle. There was centrifugal rim marks from the Kia after impacting with the first parked vehicle. The right front tire was broken from the axle. The Kia was heading N/B and came to rest in an almost total E/B position from the collision. My concern is that the airbags did not deploy with such an impact and damage sustained. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. This occurred on a city street. The report # is madera pd incident [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Making a call with my bluetooth equipped in the vehicle, looked down to verify connection, by the time I looked up I was a foot away from a parked vehicle, I swerved as to the left as much as I could but it was too late, I slammed into the vehicle causing damage, my hood and engine were practically crushed in and along the passenger side of my vehicle, my car came to a hault before jumping over the median. None of airbags deployed. I was going speed of 50-60 miles per hour.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while at a traffic stop, the vehicle was rear ended and none of the air bags deployed. The seat belt did not retract to lock her in, which caused her to strike her head on the pillar next to the windshield. A police report was filed and the contact sustained bruises and contusions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 6,900.
- Columbiana, OH, USA
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Orion, MI, USA