I was never notified of the recall on my Kia Optima. Driving home from work (New Jersey) on the pa turnpike when the engine stopped. Luckily, I was not rear-ended by another vehicle and injured or killed. I had the car towed to the nearest autobody shop (pep boys). This was late at night, most businesses/places were closed. I incurred a towing bill, hotel bill, car rental bill and service bill because I was unaware of the recall from Kia regarding the engine. I submitted a request for reimbursement from Kia for the cost/fees I incurred. I received a letter stating that they are denying the claim.

- Monroeville, PA, USA

My Kia gets stuck in a few inches of snow or any ice. Slides easily in rain or icy or cold weather. I live in the midwest. I have been pushed by strangers, countless times, trying to get me out of subdivisions because this car will not move. I had to call a tow truck and he mentioned he had to tow 3 of these same fancy vehicles that were stuck in a small amount of snow. I am unable to park in my garage because the car is not dependable if any snow or ice is on the driveway. I drive for a living and I have been stuck in patient's driveways. They laugh and say the other nurses do not have any problems with their cars. This is humiliating. This car costs almost 40,000. It should be dependable instead it is unreliable and dangerous: Other cars may run into me when my car starts sliding backwards on the streets. I have literally been stuck in the middle of the road. I have had to call in sick several times because my car will not back out a few feet from my driveway if there is 3 inches or more of snow on the ground. Also the engine whines alot. It seems to lag in shifting and the RPM goes up to almost 4 before it will shift into 4th gear. I am afraid the engine will explode or blow up.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

Regarding to the previous complaint, veh was taken to dealer on 3/15/2013 to adjust the alignment under warranty due to the alignment issue starting after the engine was replaced at 3,400 by the dealer. Left the dealer and immediately noticed that the steering wheel was now turned to the left and the vehicle was pulling to the right. The car pulled to the right significantly. The same dealer was contacted on 3/18/13 regarding the issue. Due to the recent engine replacement, one alignment trip and a distance of roughly 50 miles to the shop, the dealer authorized a loaner to be brought to my place of employment so that the driver could take the veh to he shop. Veh was picked up that evening at the dealer and steering wheel seems to be level. There is still a left to right constant handling issue and vehicle seems to have a vibration under 35 mph. Veh has now spent 11 days in the shop (9 days for engine replacement and 2 days for two alignments) and has been owned for just under 12 weeks. Veh is also slow/sluggish leaving a stopped position and mpg's on cruise control set at 60mph have fallen from 33mpg to 29.5mpg since engine replacement. Date complaint filed: 03/13/2013 component(s): Engine and engine cooling date of incident: 03/11/2013 NHTSA id number: 10502730 manufacturer: Kia motors corporation vehicle identification no. (VIN): 5xxgn4A70dg... summary: Driving under normal conditions on a slow 35mph roadway and noticed Optima pulls toward the crown (center) of the road (which is against slope). Drove vehicle on 45mph and 60mph roadway and same situation. Engine was replaced at 3,400 miles due to piston #3 failing. Based on current issues to date, I would not purchase another Optima.

- Immokalee, FL, USA

Driving under normal conditions on a slow 35mph roadway and noticed Optima pulls toward the crown (center) of the road (which is against slope). Drove vehicle on 45mph and 60mph roadway and same situation. Engine was replaced at 3,400 miles due to piston #3 failing. Based on current issues to date, I would not purchase another Optima.

- Immokalee, FL, USA