10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 12 / 78
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 62,843 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Apparently there was a recall on my car in which I was never notified of. Today while driving the car started making a knocking noise, and stopped running. All the lights came on and the car is broke down on the side of the road.
- Barry, IL, USA
My car was occasionally making a loud noise when driving. When stopped at a light, the car then suddenly started shaking while idling and became sluggish and would not accelerate over 20 mph. I had to slowly drive my car back home, with very little acceleration. I then towed it to a mechanic who had told me there's a problem with a turbo, and it was most likely caused by the leftover debris in the engine, which was covered by the recall. I called Kia's customer service line, and I was told my car passed the recall inspection a year ago, but it sounds like it should be covered now considering I can no longer drive the car. My car was towed to the nearest dealership where they told me they would look over the car, but not without immediately saying that there's a chance it 'won't be covered' as if they were anticipating telling me they won't do it. On Saturday I was told I would get a call the following Monday, which I never did. I finally had to call Thursday, just to be on hold for 30 minutes telling me its only the turbo affected, not the engine or turbo line, and therefore it's not under recall. Not only did they tell me something I already knew, that the turbo was blown, but I'm charged $110 for a diagnostic fee that I was never told about beforehand, to check something that's on recall, not to mention the tow I have to pay for. I called Kia customer service who just gave me an oh well that's too bad sorry no one told you, I'm not going to try to help. I'm not even convinced that they did any tests on my engine, or looked into the cause of the turbo failure. My only explanation when asking about the car was, 'it needs a turbo'. while reading other people's stories about the recall, everyone else's dealer saw that the car couldn't drive, replaced the engine and turbo, and called it a day. I thought if theres a recall every car gets fixed regardless if it needs it.
- Dalton, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and needed to be jumpstarted. Once the vehicle was restarted, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning and smoke and flames emerged from under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report and a fire report were not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
- Riverdale, IL, USA
The engine on my vehicle is under a recall, however, I have yet to receive a letter from Kia stating when I can take my car to the local dealership for engine replacement. I am the only owner of this car, and have lived at the same address during this time. I currently have over 76,000 miles on the vehicle, and concerned my good luck could run out. Any pressure you can apply to get this resolved would be appreciated. Thank you.
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
We were driving on the freeway at 80 miles an hour and the engine died. After being towed to a dealer, come to find out there was an engine recall, that the dealer (corwin Ford, nampa Idaho) we bought it from was notified of 6 months before we purchased the car and was never informed of. We could have been seriously injured if it hadn't been for my boyfriend driving and able to get us off the freeway safely.
- Nampa, ID, USA
Car losses power suddenly and lurches. This has happend when car is cruising at highway speeds or when started, stationary. Once that happens car may have to be restarted to work again. Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not. When it persists for a while, maximum speed is about 5 mph if started from a stop. Engine warning light comes on and the code P2118 (throttle actuator motor current range) is shown by an obd. The problem has ocurred before. Dealer initially changed throttle but problem recurred. The issue was eventually tracked to a faulty engine cable harness. The whole engine harness had to be replaced. However, problem is ocurring again a year later.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Takata inflators read on webiste;however, got in a wreck on 4/11/18 car totalled got hit in front end and no airbags deployed in the entire car, I hit steering wheel and had to go to the er. Also, in August of last year the car had internal engine failure and put new engine in my car. Had nothing but complaints on this car. I emailed Kia on the air bags and no one has got back in touch with me.
- Apollo Beach, FL, USA
Driving on highway engine cooling system failed, blowing the head gasket, 66,000
- Trenton, MI, USA
While I was driving the car, I stopped at a stop light, and realized that my car was on fire from the engine area. The electrical shorted out and I was locked in the car, I had to manually hold the electric lock to be able to escape from the car. It was engulfed in flames.
- Odessa, FL, USA
Intermitenly.car won't start all electronic signals off, nothing dead. Engine ticking after I stop & park it. I hear a loud ticking. Burning oil. At least 5 times, while excelerating car takes off real fast. Hard to control, keep it on the road. Pulls to the right. Had to replace tires only have 41K miles. Paint chips.fobs do not work. I have complained to dealers at least 6-7 times. Please note* I purchased vip premier ultimate protection plus & glass coat & teflon interior protection.$ $1850 estimate. Extra. Covers everything I reported.
- Shenandoah Heights, PA, USA
When I cut my car off after driving or sometimes while driving I have a ticking noise that sort of sounds like a bomb. Also, when I put my car in reverse there is some sort of grinding noise. The car also doesnt take off/drive the way it use
- Pamplin, VA, USA
Takata recall, have super loud rattling noise in the motor at first start up and continues the entire time its running. Kia suntrup claims its "not loud enough "and when I asked what the level of noise mine is currently and what the standard for fixing is, they had no clue! come on, car has 47,000 miles on it and has done this loud noise for the last 25,000. Kia needs to stand behind their vechiles
- Barnahrt, MO, USA
I bought the car brand new in 2013 within 1 year after purchasing the car started using oil and motor had a little bit of a tick sound.. checking the oil everyday because none of the light in the car came on and it being new I got a recall so I made appoint everything the recall listed my car was doing.. they said it passed test. But me knowing something wasn't right about it didn't believe them.. 4 months later I'm going down highway and engine just quits on me so I coast in closest place and put car in park.. trying to start the car it would not crank and brakes locked. Two different mechanics has looked at my car and its the motor.. but Kia is wanting me to spend the money I don't have and that's there fault to fix my car..
- Centre, AL, USA
TL-contact owns a 2013 Kia..... March 31, 2017 NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 bearing wear may result in engine seizure bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 manufacturer Kia motors America components engine and engine cooling potential number of units affected 618,160 summary Kia motor company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 sorento and 2011-2013 sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147. Contact advised to contact Kia at 800-333-4542
- Laurel, NJ, USA
"takata recall" my engine started shaking and the car stopped!
- Federal Way, WA, USA
One day while driving my car, it began having some clicking sounds in the engine. After a few minutes it completely turned off and would not start. I got it towed to a mechanic who said there was metal pieces in the oil which clogged oil flow and needed to replace the engine.
- Grandview, MO, USA
The vehicle quit suddenly and without other warning on a toll road, approx speed of 70 mph at night. I was unable to get to the vehicle to be towed due to the late night, I have towed later, originally thinking it was a bad battery, that turned out to be true, so we replaced that battery with a new one and it instantly smoked the starter, requiring a new one, which it destroyed, at that time further diagnosis revealed the engine was seized. I noticed later this is a known issue and a recall from Kia has been issued for a replacement. The fire I note is the electrical fire from replacing the battery with a fresh battery, and since the engine was seized, the starter locked and caught fire, requiring a new starter, obviously after the motor is fully repaired, but I owe approx $350 for the starter and $400 approx for the electrical fire, I am uncertain of other damage caused be the engine seizing at such speeds/
- Austin, TX, USA
I am currently stationed in ramstein germany with the U.S. air force. I contacted Kia to have the recall checked and the work completed. They are refusing saying that since I am in germany the recall doesn't affect them. They are also refusing to honor my warranty. Email is the best to contact me or via cell [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Apo, AE, USA
- Toledo, OH, USA