Engine seized

- Pell City, AL, USA

In the late morning of Monday, April 6th 2020, my husband was driving our 2013 Kia Optima sxl home from the store when the car began filling with smoke. Luckily, he was able to pull the car over and jump out before flames began to engulf the front of the car. He called 911 and the fire company was dispatched. Their response time was short, but it took under a minute for the car to go up in flames (see pictures attached). There was zero warning that this horrific event was about to occur. No engine light, no funny noises, no problems whatsoever. In fact, I had just brought the car into our local dealership for routine service less than a month before on March 9. they gave me no indication that there was anything wrong with the car that would cause it to catch on fire. We filed a claim with our insurance company, who confirmed the car was totaled and listed a recent, but as yet unannounced, recall on my exact year, make and model of the car. After some research, I found that according to a February 27, 2020 article in us news and world report, Kia would shortly be recalling nearly 142,000 2013 and 2014 Kia Optima's. furthermore, 'Kia says a fuel hose can deteriorate and crack due to engine heat. The hoses can leak and cause fires. A fix is still being developed. The recall is expected to start April 16.' Although at the time of the article no fires had yet been reported, given the sudden nature of our car fire, it is obvious to us what has happened.

- West Grove, PA, USA

Engine started making a knocking noise -

- Acworht, GA, USA

I was on my way home from work when I heard a faint knocking sound coming from the engine. Less than ten minutes later, while going 60 mph on the freeway, I lost all power to the wheels and had to pull over to the shoulder. The engine knock was much louder now and the car wouldn't budge. I'm guessing this is similar to the issues which caused recall SC147, but to my knowledge the hybrid ex doesn't have a gdi engine. With only 113K miles, I'm hoping Kia will cover it.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

Engine is under recall due to lawsuit and they are still refusing to replace

- Sparta, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was towed to auto zone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage 132,054.

- Edenton, NC, USA

Kia Optima on 2.4L engine is the same Hyundai have issues, those cars are all the same, the hybrid battery have both names, my engine is knocking and my car has no recalls on engine, but my friend have a Hyundai that he have full replacement, I replace the hybrid big battery to keep my car and after couple weeks, my engine knocking, the car is super clean and used engine cost almost 3K installed

- Bradenton, FL, USA

I was on the expressway and went to move to the second lane it was fine except I my car began to stall and slow down making this grinding noise when I tried to gain speed... all the lights came on and I couldn't go faster than 30 miles per hour. All while incoming traffic was coming at me going about 60 miles per hour I had to gain composure. Put on my hazards and pull over... it wouldn't let me go above 20 when I pulled over.... I was freaking scared once I pulled over I was shaking and crying had to gain composure... I believe I caught this on my dash cam. I [xxx] hate this Kia... it by grace my kids weren't in the car with me and that the van behind me switched lanes at the last second.... I have taken my Kia 2 times to the Kia repair dealership, the first one was free the second time I had to pay 145 just to be seen. Mind you I went to the Kia repair dealership in berwyn and they say it's fine.... it's not fine that my car couldn't go above 30 miles on the express way, it's not fine that I was almost in a collision it's not fine. Kia will not repair these cars until someone dies.... I can't take this chance with my children. I will borrow my mom's Toyota until this problem is rectified. I am a single mom my kids only source of income and support I don't have time to be off from an injury that may occur or lack of reliable transportation. I will have to see if my dash cam caught the incident before my car shut off... I will send it later if it did. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chicago, IL, USA

Car was purchased08/2018 and on 3/06/2020 the check engine light came on due to low oil pressure. The car had a routine oil change in 1/31/20. After having the car checked locally it was determined the oil was low due to the camshaft needed to be replaced. Upon further inspection(dougs auto 28387) the technician observed metal shaving which contaminated the remaining oil inside the vehicle. The engine makes a loud knocking noise and the vehicle is practically no longer driveable due yo fear of the engine seizing completely which can result in injury, crash, or death. Kia is aware of the recall however states my vehicle isnt impacted however everything we have experienced is outlined in the recall statement. Kia has declined to help further according to previous complaints filed with the same issues.

- Southern Pines, NC, USA

I was headed to work and found my self frustrated because it took so many times to try to turn on the car. So, I had to find someone to give me a boost to get the car started because I didn't have any luck starting the car. I brought my battery to get check, perfectly fine. I brought the car to Kia and they said perfectly fine. I'm still having this problem where my car starts when ever the car wants. I don't want to drive on the highway and it shuts off when it wants, it's going to cause and accident. I need a solution

- Orlando, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle started to decelerate then stalled with the service engine, eps and battery warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was pushed over to the side of the roadway by a bystander. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Heard about recall on news for 2013 Kia Optima on Saturday, 2.29.2020. For engine fires. Dealerships were already closed. Called rick case Kia first thing this morning, 3.1.2020. Larry in the service department was very rude and said he wasn't sure what I was talking about, they do not know of any recalls. Very dismissive. I'm not quite sure how Kia keeps getting away with these types of things. You want me to keep my family in a death trap? gtfoh. This is the 4th or 5th major recall on my car. One of the other major recalls was for metal shavings in the oil. After bulldog Kia, they were great, replaced the entire engine, my car started eating oil like crazy. I switched to high mileage, full synthetic, 5W30 instead of 5W20, oil thinking it would help since it has so many miles on it. It didn't. you're supposed to get 5K miles with full synthetic before another oil change, my car is completely out of oil within 2K miles. So I'm adding oil myself between oil changes. When contacting rick case Kia, I was told "just let it blow up because we do not cover oil consumption". to me, this is absolutely absurd. I've spent money on this car. This is my family's car, this is how I get to and from work to be able to pay for this [xxx] car....and I get told to let it blow up. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Monroe, GA, USA

Engine failure die to recalled motor issues but no recall on hybrid. Kia refusing to replace motor

- Woodstock, GA, USA

My 2013 Kia Optima hybrid began suddenly having a knocking noise in the motor. Had it towed to Kia and was told it had the exact same issue that the 2013 Optima were having that were covered by a recall except mine was a hybrid and the recall had not included hybrids

- Woodstock, GA, USA

The car engine started knocking and then completely failed at 114,000 miles. I was going 35 mph and my oil has been changed regularly.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

One week after an oil change, I was (30 miles away from home) driving on a highway at a speed of approximately 55mph. I felt a vibration begin. I turned off the heater and turned off the stereo. Immediately I heard a horrific metallic banging noise coming from the engine area. There were no warning lights or cel illuminated. The engine stalled as I was traveling down the highway and I had to try to pull it safely to the edge of the road. I was about 20 feet away from the entrance to a business, so I tried to start the car to get it safely off the roadway. It tried to start, but made an extremely loud "ka-thunk" sound and then started smoking from under the hood. I turned off the flashers, called for a tow truck and a ride home. I had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic near my home and called for a ride for myself. Once I arrived home, I called Kia Consumer Affairs and reported the incident. They provided a case number and stated that I would now need my car to be towed to a Kia dealer for diagnosis. The Kia dealer does not currently have a loaner vehicles, so I am waiting until Monday to have my car towed in hopes I can acquire a vehicle at that time until they are able to determine if Kia is going to replace the engine. In the interim, my independent mechanic did a quick inspection and stated there are metal shavings in my oil and it appears as though my engine "blew a rod." My VIN doesn't meet the recall criteria, but rather the PI1803 bulletin. 2013 Kia Optima sxl; I'm the second owner. It's been babied, appropriate oil changes, 93K miles.

- Greencastle, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driviung approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stopped and black smoke started to emerge from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The police was present and fire departmen extinguished the fire, the vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Car was losing power driving from the dealership which indicated to bring car back in the next day due to engine knocking nose. On the drive back home I was at a stationary stop light and all the engine lights came on the console and the car died. Immediately white smoke came from under the hood on all sides of the car and inside the car with a chemical burning smell. Smoke continued from under the hood for a few minutes. Jumpted out of the car as the engine would no longer start as it has seized. Called a tow truck, had the car towed and now it will not start as the engine is locked. Dealership will charge $1500 to diagnose what is wrong with the engine but with all these complaints on this very issue the point remains the Kia engines sieze for no apparent reason and no resolution from the Kia developmers/auto makers. Please recall these engines so the customers can get their cars fixed and fullfill customer service satisfaction.

- Irvine, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a code number: P1326. The contact called the nationwide Kia dealer, located at 1600 york rd, lutherville timonium, md 21093, and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 mph there was an abnormal noise coming from under the hood. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted however, the check engine warning light and low oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer was contacted and it was advised to have the vehicle taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V22400 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Macon, GA, USA