The traction control in our 2013 Kia Optima causes the car to stall when pulling out of a parking lot into traffic, or turning left at an intersection. The car had this problem intermittently since new but has gotten so bad it can't be driven with the traction control on at all.
I took the car to the dealership and they claim there is no code when running diagnostics identifying what the problem is. They told me this is how traction control is supposed to work. That is, when I am turning out into traffic and need to speed up quickly, it is supposed to stall so you get rear ended. Or, when you are making a left turn across three lanes of oncoming traffic and you accelerate, the traction control is supposed to slow you down so you do not avoid oncoming traffic making you an easier target.
These are all the scenarios I said to the service tech at the dealership when explaining how dangerous it is driving this car and they replied this is how traction control works. It is meant to stop you from spinning your tires. Well, I would much rather be able to burn outs with my tires than have skid marks in my shorts!!!
In all seriousness, I was stunned when she said all you have to do is turn off the traction control. My question is, why the hell even have it on the car then?!?!
This is a very serious safety issue and Kia needs to take notice of this problem before somebody dies!
The traction control in our 2013 Kia Optima causes the car to stall when pulling out of a parking lot into traffic, or turning left at an intersection. The car had this problem intermittently since new but has gotten so bad it can't be driven with the traction control on at all.
I took the car to the dealership and they claim there is no code when running diagnostics identifying what the problem is. They told me this is how traction control is supposed to work. That is, when I am turning out into traffic and need to speed up quickly, it is supposed to stall so you get rear ended. Or, when you are making a left turn across three lanes of oncoming traffic and you accelerate, the traction control is supposed to slow you down so you do not avoid oncoming traffic making you an easier target.
These are all the scenarios I said to the service tech at the dealership when explaining how dangerous it is driving this car and they replied this is how traction control works. It is meant to stop you from spinning your tires. Well, I would much rather be able to burn outs with my tires than have skid marks in my shorts!!!
In all seriousness, I was stunned when she said all you have to do is turn off the traction control. My question is, why the hell even have it on the car then?!?!
This is a very serious safety issue and Kia needs to take notice of this problem before somebody dies!
- Rodney R., Phoenix, AZ, US