2011 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. INJURIES WHERE SUSTAINED, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THREE OTHER TIMES AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR DIED AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SHOULDER TRIED TO START THE CAR AND ALL IT WOULD DO WAS CLICK. TOWED THE CAR HOME THINKING IT WAS AN ALTERNATOR OR SOMETHING SIMPLE. NEXT MORNING LOOKED AT THEN CHANGED THE BATTERY AND TRIED TO GET IT STARTED IN SLIGHTLY TURNED OVER BUT NOT ENOUGH TO START CALLED THE DEALER TO DROP IT OFF AND THEY SAID CAR WAS SEIZED OUT OF WARRANTY AND NEEDS THE ENGINE REPLACED. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND LOOKING AT COMPLAINTS FOUND THAT MY ENGINE WAS BUILT AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE HYUNDAI SONATA SAME ENGINE, WHICH IS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM . I AM WONDERING WHY KIA ACTED LIKE THE CANT BELIEVE THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO . WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE ? I WILL NOT LET THIS GO IT IS WRONG KIA'S SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED

BOUGHT 2011 KIA OPTIMA USED WITH 75K MILES ON IT. DID NOT REALIZE IMMEDIATELY THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEING REALLY DIM. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND MENTIONED MY ISSUE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A WIRING ISSUE OR A GROUND ISSUE AND THAT IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT VISIBILITY IS GOOD WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, WHEN SWITCHING TO LOW BEAMS FOR ONCOMING CAR, YOU ARE DRIVING BLIND, HOLDING THE WHEEL STEADY AND HOPING YOU STAY ON THE ROAD UNTIL THE ONCOMING CAR PASSES AND YOU ARE ABLE TO TURN YOUR HIGH BEAMS BACK ON AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE TESTED THE ELECTRICAL, GROUND AND BULB AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES. UPON PUTTING A SCOPE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHERE THE BULB GOES, HE FOUND A PILE OF CHROME SHAVINGS SO THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTIVE HOUSING DETERIORATED. ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO REPLACE WHOLE HEADLIGHT UNIT ASSEMBLY. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, REALIZED THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR MULTIPLE YEARS NOW. OWNERS BEWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND DON'T LET PEOPLE RIP YOU OFF BY CHARGING YOU TO GO DOWN THE WRONG/ELECTRICAL PATH TO FIX. POTENTIAL BUYERS BEWARE: IF YOU HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT A DEALER IT CAN COST BETWEEN $500 AND $800 AND IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT IS AN ISSUE AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY KIA.

IF THERE IS LIGHT WHEEL SPIN UPON TAKEOFF (ESPECIALLY TURNING AND ACCELERATING, SUCH AS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A ROAD) IT CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ACCELERATOR CAN BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. CAR ALSO ACTIVATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHEN LIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING OVER A SMALL BUMP AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 25 MPH. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCUR WITH STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED (DEFAULT SETTING WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON) STABILITY CONTROL / TRACTION CONTROL IS OVERLY SENSITIVE, AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

MY FAMILY WAS ON HWY 75 RETURNING FROM THANKSGIVING VACAY WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER PLACING A CALL TO KIA, I DISCOVERED THAT APPARENTLY AIRBAGS AREN'T COVERED BY THE 130,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. NOW THE IGNITION HAS AN ISSUE. OFTEN TIMES, I HAVE TO HIT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I AM WONDERING IF THE IGNITION ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG ISSUE ARE RELATEABLE AND NEED TO SEE IF COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE ARE 90,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM DRIVETIME. THANKS

2011 KIA OPTIMA DRIVING HOME ON EXPRESSWAY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND SEIZED UP, PRETTY MUCH FROZE THE STEERING AND HAD TO FIGHT TO GET TO SHOULDER. KIA HAS A 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. A LETTER WAS SENT IN MAIL CLAIMING ISSUES WITH BEARINGS CRANKSHAFT PISTONS ON THE 2.0 TURBO AND 2.4 GDI MOTORS , SO KIA BUMPED UP WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS 120,000. I HAVE 120,722 KIA SAYS THEY WONT WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I AM THIS CLOSE. ALSO KIA AND HYUNDAI ARE SISTER COMPANIES AND HYUNDAI PUT THE SAME IN ENGINES IN THERE SONATA A RECALLED 400,000 PLUS ENGINES AND KIA HAS NOT RECALLED ONE. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THERE CLAIMING THERE IS ONE BY EXTENDING WARRANTY SHOULDN'T IT BE FIXED UNDER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'VE READ THAT ENGINES TEND TO STALL AT AROUND 100,000 TO 120,00 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. LUCKILY, I SAFELY MADE IT TO THE FAR SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY ONLY TO FIND THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE STARTER IS ALSO FRIED. I HAVE SEEN FOUR COMPLAINTS SO FAR OF 2011 KIA OPTIMA'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND AM SURE I WILL FIND MORE. THAT SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT IT HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY WITH THESE MODELS AND THERE ISN'T ANY SORT OF RECALL. NO BREAKS AT 70 MPH IS PRETTY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY ATTORNEY AND HOPE THIS MANUFACTURER WILL DO THE RIGHT THING.

MY MOTOR BLEW AT 102K MILES WITH NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LOSING POWER, NO KNOCKING, THE OIL WAS FULL.... THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THIS OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 29, 2015. I HAD TO WALK HOME AT TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME THE NEXT DAY. WE THEN HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE MANAGED TO START THE CAR WHICH IMMEDIATELY STARTED KNOCKING. I CALLED BACK LATER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR HAD THROWN A MAIN BEARING AND THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I THEN PURCHASED ANOTHER MOTOR WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT FOR $2,000 AND HAD IT SHIPPED FROM PENNSYLVANIA. THE MOTOR WAS INSTALLED AND RAN FINE. LESS THAN TWO MONTH'S LATER (ON DECEMBER 25TH TO BE EXACT, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT). I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN KNOCKING. I CAN ASSUME THAT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH THE SECOND MOTOR. THE COMPANY WHO SOLD THE SECOND MOTOR IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TO REPLACE THE ONE I PURCHASED BUT I HAVE TO EAT THE LABOR COSTS INCURRED WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $1,000 ALONE. HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT MOTOR BECAUSE OF THE MAIN BEARING BUT HYUNDAI (WHO OWNS KIA) WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS JUNK MOTOR EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE REPLACING HYUNDAI'S WITH THE SAME MOTOR. AND KIA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BAD MOTOR EITHER BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT IT'S "NOT A HYUNDAI" AND IT'S 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I STRONGLY FEEL I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REIMBURSEMENT. EVERY INDICATION IS THAT THE 2.4L GDI MOTOR IS A BAD MOTOR. I STILL OWE $7,000 TO KIA FINANCE FOR THIS CAR WHILE IT HAS DRAINED MY FINANCES AND CONTINUES TO DRAIN MY FINANCES. THANK YOU. *TR

SUDDENLY AT 89,000 MILES THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT CAUSED A SEVERE VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT A SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF PLAY AND A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STANDING OR MOVING. THE CAR IS A 2011 CAR PURCHASED IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER OF 2011 SO IT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAR JUST QUIT RUNNING. HAD TO PULL TO SHOULDER AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. CAR TOWED, FIRST REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THEN TOWED TO KIA DEALER WHO WOULDN'T REALLY COMMIT ON CAUSE. BLAMED SLUDGE ON MOTOR. HAVE SERVICE RECORDS. REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES.

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT. I SIMPLY WANT TO INFORM YOU THE RECALL NOTICE YOU SENT ME REGARDING THE METAL DEBRIS IN MY ENGINE WAS FIXED OCTOBER 2015.

WHINNING IN THE FRONT END, BRAKES ARE GRABBING AND AND THUMPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. BRAKES GRAB AND SOMETIMES GOES TO THE FLOOR. AND PULLS TO THE LEFT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE GOT ABNORMALLY HOT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. BOUGHT IT INTO A COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON OPTIMA. HE KNEW THAT SOUND BEFORE I DESCRIBED IT TO HIM. BRAKE LIGHT BULB BLOWS AS SOON AS YOU PUT THEM IN. THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RAILROAD TRACKS. GOING TO TAKE IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND GETTING WORSE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT ON 9/23/15.

LEFT A STOP LIGHT AND CAR HESITATED SO I GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS. THEN THERE WAS LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE FROM ENGINE AND AN EXPLOSION WITH WHITE SMOKE. ABLE TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD TO A SMALL FIRE. FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN BACK OF ENGINE AND CRACKED THE FRONT. IN THE OIL PAN WAS THE ATTACHMENT ARM FROM THE CRANK IN MANY PIECES. THERE IS A RECALL WITH HYUNDAI BUT KIA SAYS IT IS NOT RELATED TO THIS ENGINE WHEN THERE IS AN ARTICLE STATING THE ENGINE DID GET PLACED IN THE KIA OPTIMA. I HAD JUST UNDER 100K MILES AND AN OIL CHANGE JUST 2 WEEKS PRIOR DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THIS WAS DONE AT A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT CHANGED THE OIL AT $70 DOLLARS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? SEE PICTURE OF PARTS ATTACHED.

WHILE BACKING UP FROM A PARKING SPACE, HEARD AND FELT A LOW THUD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND ALSO TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS ABOUT 20-30 MPH IT APPEARS FINE. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS >10MPH AND GOING OVER BUMPS OF ANY KIND WHILE TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS DEFINITELY ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN CLOSE TO STEERING. MAKING APPOINTMENT TO HAVE KIA DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO THIS.

WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS FROM 10 MPH AND UP, A CONSTANT RATTLE IS HEARD INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. A LOUD CLUNK/RATTLE IS HEARD IF DRIVING OVER A BUMP. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE PARKED, THERE IS A THUD AND A THUD IS ALSO FELT. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THE STEERING COUPLING RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON CAR WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER WAS 63,000(61,000) WHEN APT WAS INITIALLY MADE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A 2 DOLLAR PART BUT WOULD COST 350 TO REPLACE IT. THE WARRANTY FOR STEERING WHEEL PARTS EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. PART WAS NOT REPLACED AT THAT TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME PRESSURE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLUNKING NOISE, LEFT TO RIGHT PLAY. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN ALSO RATTLES LOUDLY OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COUPLING RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, $350 REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

I HAVE 2011 KIA OPTIMA SX WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DIM FOR A LONG TIME. THEY BECAME NOTICEABLY DIM IN 2015 AND HAVE EVER SINCE BEEN DIM AND HAVE HAD A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE LIGHT PATTERN. THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY FOGGY OR YELLOWING PLASTIC AS THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY A CLEAR PLASTIC PROTECTIVE "STICKER BRA" EVER SINCE THE CARE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2011. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHER OWNERS OF THE CAR, DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL REFLECTOR FOR THE HID HEADLIGHT. AS A RESULT THE LIGHT PATTERN BECOMES ALTERED OR DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THIS CAR. THE HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING OUTPUT OR PATTERN. THIS IS SIMILAR CONSISTENT WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MODELS. KIA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION BUT THE DEALER NEEDS TO PROVIDE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP. THIS IS NOT THE REFLECTOR BEHIND THE BULB THAT WOULD AFFECT THE LIGHT PATTERN. DEALERS DO NOT LOOK AT THE LIGHT PATTERN AS IT IS NOT PART OF THE DIAGNOSTIC STEPS. THEY ONLY LOOK FOR FLAKING OF THE REFLECTOR BETWEEN THE SPACE WHERE THE BULB IS AND THE CLEAR LENS CAP WHICH WOULD SEEM TO BE MORE COSMETIC THEN FUNCTIONAL.

I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A NEARBY SAFE PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I BROUGHT IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC AND AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION STARTING AT THE STARTER, THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED I HAVE DONE REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES THE LIFE OF THE OPTIMA. THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 130,000 MILES AND THE OIL EXPLANATION WAS POSSIBLE BAD BEARINGS FROM FACTORY IN THE ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WHEN I CALLED KIA THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND WITH NO EXPLANATION. ITS OVER $4000 TO REPLACE WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR WITH NO GAURANTEES THAT THE USED INSTALL WILL BE ANY BETTER. KIA REALLY NEEDS TO BACK THIS WITH A RECALL. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR FACTORY DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS OUT OF POCKET. NOR WILL I CONTINUE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A JUNK CAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS COSTING ME HARDSHIP BUT NOW POSSIBLY MY CREDIT SCORE!!

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 55MPH OR HIGHER STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOUD KNOCK AND PULLS LEFT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNCONTROLLABLE. WHEN IN PARK AND TURNING THE WHEEL IT MAKES THE KNOCKING NOISE ALSO. UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 12/11/2017*CN

MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF ABOVE MY HEAD WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR DAY. ONCE I GOT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER I OBSERVED A BOWLING BALL SIZED HOLE BLASTED OUTWARD IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT PANEL OF THE SUNROOF. NOTHING HIT IT. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. BOOM. LUCKILY THE SUN SHADE WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, OTHERWISE THE SHATTERED GLASS WOULD HAVE RAINED DOWN UPON ME AT THE TIME OF THE BIG BANG, AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL.

THE STEERING HAS 1-2 INCHES OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,106.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STOP LAMPS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

I HAVE A 2011 KIA OPTIMA LX, 2.4 LITER ENGINE. ALWAYS KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES, CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE. I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES, WARNINGS, NO CHECK ENGINE/OIL LIGHTS, NO NOISES, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THEN LAST NIGHT MY CAR JUST SPUTTERED AND CUT OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. APPARENTLY WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OFF, SO DOES THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUSH THE BRAKES, SO I HAD TO TRY TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING. I FINALLY PULLED OVER, TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THERE WAS SUCH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND SOME SQUEALING NOISES AS WELL. THE CAR WILL NO LONGER START EITHER. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT TODAY AND SAYS THE ENGINE IS "JUST GONE." NO EXPLANATIONS AT ALL. I VERIFIED THAT THE KIA OPTIMA AND THE HYUNDAI SONATA ARE THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND USE THE SAME ENGINES. I SEE THERE ARE WAY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I WILL TRY TO NOTIFY KIA AND SEE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY EXPIRING 7,000 MILES AGO, SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING FOR BOTH THE 2011 OPTIMAS AND SONATAS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNINGS, AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC, WHICH ALSO CAUSES THE BRAKES AND STEERING TO GO OUT. NOT SAFE AT ALL.

CAN BARLEY SEE 2 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62000 MILES.

TAKATA RECALL AS SOON AS I TURN THE KEY THE AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS UP, STEADY. IT IS ON ALL THE TIME, WHETHER I AM STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE AIRBAGS EVEN WORK. THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS THE DOOR OFTEN UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN, ALARM GOES OFF ON IT'S OWN, LIGHTS FLASH INSIDE EVERY TIME I MAKE A TURN, LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE RADIO SPAZZES OUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE REFLECTORS. TOOK INTO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAPPENED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THE LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, ARE MELTED INTO OTHER POSITIONS AND DON'T EVEN SHINE ON THE ROAD. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS, AND THE EATER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR 2 NEW LIGHTS SYSTEMS FOR THE CAR

WHILE AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE OFF MAJOR STREET WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND AFTER CHARGING FOR A BIT THE CAR DID START BUT MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE AND WAS DUE TO FAULTY MAINTENANCE WHICH IS UNTRUE. MY LAST OIL CHANGE WAS 2/2/15 AND WAS DUE AGAIN 4/11/15. MY CAR NEVER GAVE A CHECK ENGINE OR CHECK OIL LIGHT, I HAD NO OIL SPILLS IN MY GARAGE OR WHERE I PARK AT WORK. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE. WHEN I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS TO BY ALL STANDARDS A NEW CAR ALL THEY WANT TO SAY IS THAT IS FAULTY MAINTENANCE BECAUSE KIA DIDN'T DO THE WORK. MY CAR WENT FROM FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY WELL TO NEEDING A NEW ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF KIA'S PRICE OF $6400.00 THEY WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PRODUCE RECEIPTS DATING BACK THREE YEARS. MY CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT 63,400 MILES? REALLY... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER BURNED OUT AND THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A MORE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS WAS REQUIRED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I HEARD A BIG POP AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF BUSTED OPEN. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME IT WAS NOT HOT OUTSIDE AND NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE O RING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE CAR WERE REPLACED AT 44,298 MILES (JUST PRIOR TO THE 45,000 RECOMMENDATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL). AT 48,269 MILES MY CAR WAS IDLING SLIGHTLY OFF. I GAVE THE CAR PART THROTTLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK AND THE CAR MISFIRES AND CEL COMES ON. GIVING IT MORE GAS, IT GOES AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP (KIA OF CHERRY HILL, NJ) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS IDLING REALLY BAD. I GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKING ABOUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND HOW I NOTED THEY WERE DONE AT 44K MILES. HE SAYS ALL 4 ARE FOULED. I THEN GET A CALL BACK SAYING THAT THE PLUGS IN MY CAR WERE NEVER DONE AT 45K LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND THAT THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THEY WERE DONE, HIS RESPONSE WAS, "I DON'T BUY IT." I THEN SAID THAT I HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT FROM HIS DEALERSHIP FOR THE PLUGS, AND THAT I HAVE PICTURES OF THEM BEING CHANGED AND THAT I EVEN HAVE THE OLD PLUGS IN THE NEW BOXES. NO RESPONSE TO THAT EXCEPT QUIET. I SAID IF THE PLUGS WERE DONE 4K MILES AGO, THEN WHY DO THEY NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN? WHY WOULD THEY ALL GO BAD? NO RESPONSE EXCEPT THAT HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE SPARK PLUGS ARE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE FOULED. ALL 4 PLUGS WERE BAD DUE TO LEAN CONDITION IN THE MOTOR (POSSIBLE FUELING PROBLEM). ONE OF THE PLUGS WAS MISSING THE PORCELAIN FROM CYLINDER #2, WHICH WAS ALSO MISSING ON THE ORIGINAL FROM CYLINDER #2 PULLED AT 44,298 MILES. DEALERSHIP AND KIA CORPORATE WAS NOT WILLING TO LOOK AT THE FUELING OR THE CAR FURTHER UNLESS THE PLUGS WENT BAD AGAIN. ALSO WOULDN'T OFFER ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BAD PLUGS. *TR

MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY DIM. I CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 4 FT IN FRONT OF MY CAR SO NO LONGER DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP HERE IN ORLANDO AND THEY STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE HEAT OF THE BULB CAUSE THE PAINT IN THE UNIT TO PEEL AWAY. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET, BUT HAVE HAD A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE A CAR CUT ME OFF AND ANOTHER ALMOST RAN ME OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY LIGHT TO NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD COST ME $1200 TO FIX. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND SOME FORUMS WHERE OTHER DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE FOR YEARS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND RATTLING WHEN I DRIVE AND HIT A SMALL BUMP. I WAS TOLD BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD COST $400 TO FIX THAT $3.00 PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THAT TOGETHER. IF IT NOT FIXED IN TIME THAT THE STEERING WOULD BE GONE COMPLETELY. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURER TAKING SHORT CUTS AND USING CHEAP PRODUCTS THAT COST US TONS OF MONEY TO FIX.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,887. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ UPDATED 11/5/2015*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (GRIFFIN MOTORS, 11031 PERRY HWY, MEADVILLE, PA 16335). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $300 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WE WERE IN MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA ON A TRANSITION RAMP FROM ONE FREEWAY TO ANOTHER DOING ABOUT 45 MPH. AS WE ROUNDED A TURN WE SAW 2 CARS AND A TOW TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE RAMP WE THEN HIT A PUDDLE (LAKE) THAT WENT ACROSS BOTH LANES OF THIS RAMP. THE WATER SLOWED US BY MAYBE 20 MPH WITH WATER SHOOTING ALL AROUND US. WE THEN SAW A TRUCK COMING DOWN A ON RAMP TO MERGE IN FRONT OF US HE HIT ANOTHER PUDDLE AND SPUN SIDEWAYS AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. WE PULLED UP NEXT TO HIM TO SEE IF HE WAS ALRIGHT AND MY CAR STALLED. WE COULD SMELL GAS I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK AND I WANTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM HIM. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, I HAD MY 4 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR AND HE WAS TERRIFIED AND CRYING. LUCKILY A TOW TRUCK PULLED UP BEHIND US AND BLOCKED OTHER CARS FROM HITTING US HE PUSHED US OUT OF THE LANE. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE KIA DEALER I FOUND OUT THERE IS A PIECE OF (PLASTIC OR METAL I DON'T KNOW WHICH) THAT RUNS DOWN THE CENTER UNDER THE CAR, IT HOLDS THE GAS AND HYDRAULIC LINES UP FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK, THIS PIECE IS HELD IN PLACE WITH CLIPS ( NOT BOLTS OR SCREWS ) THE WATER PULLED THESE CLIPS FREE AND MY GAS AND HYDRAULIC LINES WERE PULLED DOWN, MY GAS LINE BROKE THAT WAS THE GAS I WAS SMELLING, IT THERE HAD BEEN A SPARK OR FLARE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THIS COULD ALSO HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING IN SNOW. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID NO. SO I HAVE TO PAY $500 PLUS 5 DAYS OF CAR RENTAL. I'M 59 I HAVE DRIVEN EVERY MAKE OF CAR I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,500.

JUST WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO REPLACE CRACKED DASH, HEATED STEERING WHEEL PEELING, TIRES WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE, WIPER BLADES SUCKED & YOU COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THEM WHEN IT RAIN, CRACKED OUTSIDE OF SUNROOF SEAL, PULLING TO LEFT SIDE AND SURGES. THEY PUT NEW TIRES, STEERING WHEEL & FIXED THE DASH. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE SPECS WERE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THE ALIGNMENT & TRANSMISSION. THE OUTSIDE OF THE SUNROOF IS NORMAL WEAR & TEAR & IT WILL CRACK AGAIN, STATED THE SUN CRACKS IT! IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 5 TIMES! EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY! I HAVE HAD 4 SET OF TIRES & THEY WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE, IT STILLS PULLS TO THE LEFT & I WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT IS NORMAL. 6 SETS OF NEW WIPER BLADES & THEY SAY THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM. MY CAR SURGES & IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN ADDRESSED! IN LATE SEPTEMBER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DAY AFTER I HAD MY OIL CHANGED, I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE, THEY KEPT IT, FIXED THE 'OIL CONTROL VALVE" WITHIN 5 MILES FROM MY DEALERSHIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AFTER A WEEK & A HALF, MY 'INTAKE CVVT TIMING & MY 'EXHAUST CVVT TIMING! MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS & I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT & THEN THERE'S NO WARRANTY! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON OPTIMA'S STEERING TO THE LEFT & ON THE TIRES EITHER, ALIGNMENT! I HAVE WENT AS FAR AS CONTACTING THE GEORGIA CONSUMER PROTECTION, KIA CONSUMER HOTLINE, US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC SAFETY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS STATION & WILL BE MEETING WITH THEM NEXT WEEK. IF THIS DOES NOT RAISE A FEW QUESTIONS, I WILL HIRE AN ATTORNEY!! THIS IS NOT ABOUT MONEY, VERSES WHAT IS RIGHT! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COUPLING RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEALING AND AN UNUSUAL POPPING SOUND THAT EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT TIRES HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK BRACKET FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,273.

THE CAR PULLS CONTINUOUSLY TO THE RIGHT WHEN RIDING IN A CURVE GOING TO THE RIGHT OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I SPOKE TO TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, BUT I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE SITTING WITH THE CAR RUNNING THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY AND MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE MOVING THE WHEN BACK AND FORTH. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TELESCOPING LINKAGE FROM THE RACK AND PION STEERING BUT THE LINKAGE WAS FINE AND TIGHT LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE TECH STATED IT HAS TO BE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IF YOU DRIVE OVER A BUMP YOU CAN HEAR THE RATTLING IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED HOWEVER, THE ILLUMINATION WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT BOTH HEAD LAMPS OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE REFLECTOR TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.