Driving car to Simi Valley, CA dealership from my place of work in Chatsworth, CA on 118 Freeway on 4/9/19 around 1:20 pm in broad daylight, clear day, little traffic. Within about 5 miles of driving onto freeway, the car made loud popping noise like gunshot. Pulled over onto right hand shoulder, turned off engine, parked car, called AAA. There was no collision. While on call in car, a Good Samaritan pulled over & ran to my car telling me to get out as car was on fire - it was below my windshield so I had no clue anything was wrong yet.
He helped me out of my car and we ran to his car, parked on shoulder several yards ahead and we both tried calling 911. Car completely incinerated, engulfed in flames. CHP arrived and Fire Dept. Car was totaled. My insurance carrier's fire expert paid ACV for vehicle & said I should pursue Kia for the failed engine. I contacted Kia USA which had its investigator view vehicle but did not admit ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY! After 5 months Kia USA offered me refund of my $500 deductible & $135 in out of pocket expenses which I am not accepting, in full & final settlement of my claim.
The only lawsuit for Optimas that I have located a firm that handles, is for GDI engines, non-hybrid. I don't believe I can be the only hybrid owner whose car spontaneously combusted. I escaped with my life. The next driver may not be so lucky. Kia needs to step up and do the right thing, recall and get these cars off the road. I have a video sent to insurance & Kia, but it's not on YouTube.
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Driving car to Simi Valley, CA dealership from my place of work in Chatsworth, CA on 118 Freeway on 4/9/19 around 1:20 pm in broad daylight, clear day, little traffic. Within about 5 miles of driving onto freeway, the car made loud popping noise like gunshot. Pulled over onto right hand shoulder, turned off engine, parked car, called AAA. There was no collision. While on call in car, a Good Samaritan pulled over & ran to my car telling me to get out as car was on fire - it was below my windshield so I had no clue anything was wrong yet.
He helped me out of my car and we ran to his car, parked on shoulder several yards ahead and we both tried calling 911. Car completely incinerated, engulfed in flames. CHP arrived and Fire Dept. Car was totaled. My insurance carrier's fire expert paid ACV for vehicle & said I should pursue Kia for the failed engine. I contacted Kia USA which had its investigator view vehicle but did not admit ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY! After 5 months Kia USA offered me refund of my $500 deductible & $135 in out of pocket expenses which I am not accepting, in full & final settlement of my claim.
The only lawsuit for Optimas that I have located a firm that handles, is for GDI engines, non-hybrid. I don't believe I can be the only hybrid owner whose car spontaneously combusted. I escaped with my life. The next driver may not be so lucky. Kia needs to step up and do the right thing, recall and get these cars off the road. I have a video sent to insurance & Kia, but it's not on YouTube.
- 1truebrit, Simi Valley, US