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.
As I was driving down the road on my way home my car lost power so I had to pull over to the side of the road after a car almost hit me from not being able to accelerate in the middle of the road. I then turned my car off and it would not turn back on.
I was driving down the road, no warning lights came on. Oil pressure gauge was normal and the car just stopped. Made no noises, just stopped. Technician pulled oil pan and stated that hunks of metal fell out around the bearings.
Engine seized up when driving down the road with no warning. I heard knocking, would not accelerate and oil light was flashing periodically days before but never stayed on solid. No prior mechanical issues and all servicing kept up to date.
Headlights are so dim you can barely see using low beam lights and high beams are barely brighter than regular beams on other cars. Have replaced the headlight bulbs 4 times and it has never changed the problem. Engine seized up with no warning or mechanical signs when driving down the road.
I was on I 95 yesterday in the evening heading home and all of sudden my car went to shaking in the engine light was blinking on and off I pulled over to the side of the road to stop the car as I pulled over on the side of the road I sat in the car while the car was still running part in the car cut off by itself end it all the sudden started making a knocking sound once I turn the car back on.
- Rockledge, FL, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed 40 mph and an abnormal noise was heard. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an oil leak because she was constantly adding oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to nalley Kia (7849 mall pkwy, lithonia, ga 30038, (678) 374-3820) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer stated that the oil filter, engine air filter, ac refresher, and transmission needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had low compression and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the contact noticed an off duty police officer who flagged the vehicle down and informed him to pull over because flames were present underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic to the contact's residence. The cause of the failure was not determined. The insurance company deemed the vehicle destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 152,442.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving, a knocking noise occurred coming from the engine compartment. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
While on my way to pick up my daughter from school at around between 1 and 2 oclock pm I was stopped at a 4 way stop at ga hwy 225 in springplace, as I proceeded through the 4 way while in motion I hear and feel a sudden jolt to my vehicle and I skid to a stop thank god it had just went through the stop sign and did not gain any speed. I exited the vehicle and glanced underneath thinking that I had hit something, instead I noticed that my motor and transmission where no longer connected to my vehicle on the driver side but they where laying almost on the ground. I had to call a tow truck to have my car towed home and make arrangements for my daughter. My vehicle was one on the list that had a recall on the motor the replacement motor was installed around March of 2017. It has not showed any signs of trouble until this.
The battery indicator light came on then while driving down the road, the battery discharge kept popping up on the display then went out. About 10 minutes further, I lost power steering. I managed to get to base even though I ran a red light and stop sign because the car started spurttering and feeling like it was getting ready to stall. Once I managed to get to a parking lot, my headlights went out but I still had dash lights. All the error lights came across my dashboard. I took the battery to advance, they said it was low. They charged it and said it needed replaced. The battery indicator was still lit so I took it and they checked the alternator and said it was dead. I took it and had it rebuilt. Everything seemed to work ok.
Last month, I took my car in for a check engine light. The repair shop told me that there was no oil in my engine and it was bone dry. This was the reason for my check engine light. They said they do know why but it was possible that the last time I received an oil change they put in the wrong oil. They assured me and I made sure they put in the correct oil and the check engine light turned off. A month later I was on the highway and the engine jerked and it went down to 40. The car did not want to accelerate and was struggling. I checked it in there was no oil in the engine again. Being that I had no oil stains on my driveway I was convinced that it was not leaking and the oil was burning out.
At approximately 97,000 miles, my car began to burn an excessive amount of engine oil. Being that my car had a warranty up to 100K miles, I immediately reported the issue to Kia. They continuously reported that they would need to evaluate the oil consumption at 1,000 mile increments. I reported my concerns in regards to the process possibly extending beyond the 100K mile limits of my warranty. I was informed that the engine recall would be an option if I exceeded 100K miles. Upon exceeding 100K miles, Kia reported that the oil consumption was the product of "cheap oil" and Kia would not be responsible for the excessive oil burn. After verifying that my most recent oil changes were performed by Kia, I was told that excessive oil consumption was no longer a provision of the recall.
Engine died while driving on public street and would not restart and within minutes fire in engine compartment. Destroyed front of car and damaged interior
Driving on interstate, out of nowhere engine light started flashing and engine seized, car lost all momentum, had no "get up and go" pushing on the gas pedal did nothing, going up hill was almost impossible. Took car to local auto shop, they could hear some noise but weren't sure what. Per invoice 7/26/19: Checked codes: P0011 a camshaft position timing over advanced, P00114 B camshaft position timing over advanced; P1326 engine damage alert for driver. Engine was noisey and ran very rough, oil level was low and black (we saw nowhere that it was leaking oil, no spots anywhere). Changed oil and add lucas engine stabilizer, engine quieted and runs much smoother. Clear codes, test drive, watch scan data. No codes, possible early stages of engine damage if codes return inspect timing chain and control devices. Took car home over the weekend drove less than 50 miles, Sunday 7/28/19 again, engine light came on and car had no "get up and go" and a very loud clanking noise could be heard. Took car to shop asap. Per invoice 7/31/19: Check cel light and loss of power, check fluids, engine has internal noise/damage; computer datascan, check codes, diag, P1326; engine damage alert for driver, recommend further diag eval, inspect lower end and timing chain. Auto shop contacted local Kia dealership, was told they warrant engines with these conditions. They have a number of vehicles waiting to be repaired already, suggested calling a dealer out of town for repairs.
Oil is disappearing no leaks!! when driving the car gets a vibration then you better check the oil. Everytime at least once a week we are adding at lleadt 3 or 4 quarts of oil. Seems to be several complaints on here same problem with Kia. This car is no longer safe for us to drive have an appt next week hope we get results
I was entering a highway, accelerating to get up to the speed of the traffic on the highway. I noticed the car wasn't accelerating like normal and a short distance after entering the highway, my engine failed. The battery and oil pressure lights came on and then the check engine light. I pulled over to the shoulder and tried starting my car. It would start, but would die again every time I got to about 20 mph. I got it into a garage, where they looked at it the next day and couldn't find anything wrong with it. I continued to drive it but the next day, the oil pressure light flickered a couple of times as I was driving. I checked the oil level and it was nearly empty. I looked to see how many miles it had been since my last oil change and it was about 1,500 miles. In all the times I've had my oil changed, no one has ever told me the oil was low. There were no oil drips on my garage floor. It seems to be burning the oil in the engine. When I added 3 quarts of oil, steam was coming out of the opening even though I only drove approximately 1 mile.
The vehicle was moving and started to shake and check engine started flicker and heard rattling. The car then started to slow down and jerking. I've read about several recalls invovling 2011-2015 Kia's having engine recalls but my VIN has not had a recall for my car, which I am very upset because my impression of Kia is reliable up to this point. I have kept up with all my maintenance such as regular oil changes and performing diagnostic test to ensure my vehicle is running smoothly and safely. I hope you guys can resolve this issue and make a recall for my engine faulty, which is estimated at 6K to fix.
The coolant sensor in my car is reading that my coolant is -38 degrees. My transmission also shifts extremely hard to where you are jerked either forward or backwards. This happens when shifting to and from park and while driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Machias, ME, USA