2013 Kia Optima Complaint Log

I WAS TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT IN WAS CRUSHED IN AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT RELEASE. I WAS TOLD THAT WITH THE FORCE IMPACT OF THE DEER THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT.

VEHICLE: KIA OPTIMA 2013 ISSUE DESCRIPTION: IF LOOSING SLIGHTLY TRACTION (KIA OPTIMA IT IS VERY SENSITIVE, ALL IT TAKES IS SOME DIRT ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, MOISTURE ON THE PAVEMENT, OR BUMPY ROAD) THE SYSTEM WILL KILL ALL THE ENGINE POWER BETWEEN 1 TO 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START FROM A STAND STILL (BRINGS THE CAR TO A STOP). THIS MAKES THE CAR NOT MOVE AND GET INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE CARS APPROACHING MIGHT HIT THE CAR. THE SITUATION CAN BE REPEATED ONCE THE SYSTEM RELEASES THE POWER, LOSING TRACTION AGAIN, EXTENDING ADDITIONALLY 1 TO 2 SECONDS TO THIS SITUATION. LOOSING TRACTION IS EVEN EASIER WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED. I OPENED A TICKET ON KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS (K3229681) ONCE THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN TESTED THE CAR WITH ME, AND I GOT THE TYPICAL ANSWER IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT (IT IS THE WAY IT WORKS) AFTER MANY CALLS AND VISITS, I WAS ABLE TO GET FROM THE MANUFACTURE'S KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS VERBALLY CONFIRM IT IS THE WAY SHOULD WORK, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THE ONLY SOLUTION PROVIDED IS TO DISABLE THE TCS WHICH BASED ON THE MANUAL DISABLES ALSO THE ESP. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS, AND NO OTHER CAR I DROVE WORKS IN THAT WAY, NOT EVEN MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 WHICH IS THE SAME CAR BUT WITH DIFFERENT BODY. MODE INFORMATION ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT.

DIFFICULT TO KEEP CAR CENTERED WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND HAS BECOME JERRY WITH SMALL MOVEMENTS. TENDENCY TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT OR RIGHTS. STEERING WHEEL JENKS WHEN TRAVELING ON ERROR ANY SIZE BUMP IN ROAD. BACK UP CAMERA CUTS IN AND OUT. NEVER OBTAIN EPAULETS FUEL MILAGE ESTIMATES.

WHEN BRAKING ON A ROUGH SURFACE (NOT NEW PAVEMENT) THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKS BACK UP IN QUICKLY, AND BRAKING POWER IS LOST DURING THE UPKICKING. VERY DANGEROUS, AS THERE IS NO WAY TO COME TO A SECURE, SAFER STOP IN A TRAFFIC SITUARION. NOT TALKING ABOUT EMERGENCY BRAKING, NORMAL BRAKING WILL CAUSE THIS PROLEM. THE SAME LACK OF BRAKING ABILITY IS EXHIBITED ON A WET STREET SURFACE, AND NOT NECESSARILY A SLICK, DANGEROUS SURFACE. THIS IS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA SXL, I BOUGHT IT WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT IN 2014, AND THE PROBLEM EXISTED THEN. AND STILL PERSISTS. IN EARLY 2015 THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH I FOUND THIE PROBLEM STATED IN BLOGS BY KIA OWNERS BACK THEN. THE KEY POINT IS THE BRAKES DON'T HOLD STEADY ON ROUGH SURFACES OR WET ROADS. AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY. THANKFULLY I HAVE NOT HAD TO MAKE ANY EMERGENCY STOPS.

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEADREST. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST. THE HEADREST MOVES UP AND DOWN, FORWARD AND BACKWARD BUT THE ANGLE CAN NOT BE ADJUSTMENT.

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS PULLING IN EITHER DIRECTION, FIRST NOTICED THIS AFTER 100000 MILES. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

THE STEERING WHEEL IS 'COG-WHEELING' TO FAR LEFT OR RIGHT. CAN'T KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL NEUTRAL/CENTER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. EITHER THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED JUST OFF THE CENTER, COGGED TOO FAR TO LEFT OR TOO FAR TO RIGHT. I NEED TO CONSTANTLY MAKE ADJUSTMENT AND ZIG-ZAG THROUGH THE STRAIGHT ROAD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2013 KIA OPTIMA, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED.

MY VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES ON IT AND IS SERVICED METICULOUSLY. I LOST ALL POWER TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND WAS ALMOST RAN DOWN BY A DUMP TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP MY VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 100K WARRANTY ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WON'T RUN WITHOUT THE FUEL PUMP, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THEY HAVE ELIMINATED THIS PROBLEM FROM WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CASES OF HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP FAILURES ON KIA'S.. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA PRODUCT!!

I PURCHASED MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA ON 9/29/2013. I DROVE IT LESS THAN A MONTH AND THE STEERING STARTED STICKING. I HAD TO JERK THE WHEEL TO GET IT LOOSE. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD , " THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD DO". I AM NOT DUMB. I KNEW THEIR WAS SOMETHING WRONG. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND HAD TO CALL KIA CONSUMER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. FOUND OUT SOME TYPE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS GONE. GOT THE CAR BACK AND UPON DRIVING THE STEERING STARTED SPINING AROUND LIKE A MERRY GO ROUND. TOOK BACK TO KIA SERVICE PER THE CONSUMER OFFICE. I HAVE GOTTEN CAR BACK AND WAS TOLD, "_IT'S BETTER THAN IT WAS BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT"". NOW THE STEERING IS VERY TIGHT AND STIFF TO DRIVE. THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND I FEEL LIKE I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. VERY EXHAUSTING TO DRIVE. NOW EBEN MAKING TURNS I'M S CURVE TO THE LEFT CAN SOMETIMES HEAR A LIST CLICKING NOISE. THESE CARS WITH STEERING PROBLEMS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE S FATAL ACCIDENT. ALL THESE ACTIONS TO PLACE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS ON STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY.

I HAD MY OIL CHANGE AND TWO DAYS LATER THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO PIT STOP 500 AND HE'S SAID IT WAS LOW SO HE CHECK THE CAR SAID HE DIDN'T SEE ANY OIL LEAKS IF THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN TAKE IT TO KIA. WHEN I LEFT THERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT MY PIPES. I TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE OIL WAS LOW PUT OIL IN IT AGAIN AND SAID DRIVE IT 500 MILES AND IF THE OIL LIGHT COME ON BRING IT BACK. WHILE DRIVING IT HOME IT STALLED IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MILES AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE PIPES SO I MADE A APPOINTMENT AND TOOK IT BACK NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS SLUDGE IN THE OIL. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVER TEN KIA WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND SIX OF THEM ARE KIA OPTIMA

MY STEERING USED TO BE GREAT, WITH NO ISSUES. A FEW DAYS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FIGHT ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. STRAIGHT, TURNING LEFT, TURNING RIGHT, IT SEEMED TO FIGHT ME NO MATTER THE SITUATION. ALL OF A SUDDEN, ANY TINY BUMPS IN THE ROAD THAT THE CAR COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THROWS THE STEERING WHEEL A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. ALSO, THE CAR VEERS RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT. MY NORMAL DRIVE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT WAS PHENOMENAL, WITH NO COMPLAINTS... THE CAR TOOK TINY BUMPS IN THE ROAD BUT IT WAS NOT FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM BY ALIGNING MY TIRES AND UPDATING THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SETTINGS. I WAS EXCITED TO GET BACK INTO MY CAR WITH THE PROBLEM FIXED BUT ALL I NOTICED AFTERWARDS WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TIGHTER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE TIGHTNESS OF THE WHEEL DOES NOT MAKE THE PROBLEMS AS NOTICEABLE, BUT THE CAR STILL DIRECTS RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL IS JUMPING WITH EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD, AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS STRESSFUL AND UNCOMFORTABLE AS I ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON HIGH ALERT - THIS IS NOT PLEASANT WHEN I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES EVERYDAY FOR WORK. NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

I LEASED THE KIA OPTIMA (2013) FOR 3 YEARS. WITH 4 MONTHS LEFT ON THE LEASE & 35,000 MILES LATER, EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT, NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER, UP UNTIL YESTERDAY MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I WAS APPROACHING A 4-WAY STOP WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE SCREECH OR A SHORT BLAST OF A HAIRDRYER. DIRECTLY AFTER 'THE SOUND' I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN, BUT EVEN AS I WAS SLOWING I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH. I CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO GO AGAIN I REALIZED THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED. I TRIED A FEW TIMES TO START THE ENGINE BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD TO GO TO WORK, SO I CALLED A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC TO COME LOOK AT THE CAR. HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE THE BATTERY TO PEP BOYS TO HAVE IT CHECKED, WHICH HE DID, THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS GOOD. HE ADVISED ME TO CALL THE CAR PROS KIA OF CARSON WHERE I LEASED THE CAR FROM AS IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE "100,000 MILE/10 YEAR WARRANTY". WHEN I GOT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH WOULD COST $119 AND WOULD "PROBABLY BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BUT YOU NEED TO SIGN THIS FORM JUST IN CASE IT'S NOT" OF COURSE, WHEN THEY CAME BACK, THEY SAID I WAS NOT COVERERED UNDER THEIR WARRENTY BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS "BAD' AND HAD COMPLETELY BLOWN DUE TO "BLACK SLUDGE'' IN THE OIL COMPARTMENT (THIS IS A COMPLETE LIE AS MY MECHANIC FRIEND CHECKED THE OIL THAT MORNING AND IT WAS GOOD!!!) AND THEY NEEDED RECEIPTS FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES TO MY CAR GOING BACK ONE YEAR AS THEY NEEDED TO KNOW WHO HAD BEEN TAMPERING WITH MY CAR! FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS FROM PEP-BOYS AND MY MECHANIC WHO HAVE DONE ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES RELIGIOUSLY. NOW I COME TO FIND OUT VIA RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE LAW SUITS HAPPENING BETWEEN CONSUMERS WHO ARE BEING BLAMED FOR NOT DOING OIL CHANGES AND CAUSING CHRONIC ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE KIA DON'T WANT TO HONOR THEIR WARRENTY!!!!

PAINT CHIPPING!!!! (photos attached) I have encountered many of Kia manufactured vehicles with the same issue. The paint bubbles and then peels off, leaving a visible grey (primed) area. I am located in North Carolina. The weather is not harsh and I cannot think of any other reason this would be occurring. When attempting to get the paint repaired / vehicle painted, I was informed of a recall and/or class action associated with this situation. I would like clarification and resolution of this matter.

SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING, IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT IT GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO SMALL MOVEMENTS (FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS A FIGHT AGAINST THE MOVEMENT) WHEN DRIVING LONGER DISTANCE IN A STRAIGHT LINE.... I ALSO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH AND FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL (USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE). LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN AND SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS.... HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND YOU COULD HELP ME THANK YOU *TR

STEERING ISSUES AT HIGH SPEEDS ON EXPRESSWAY. VEHICLE GOES INTO OTHER LANES CONSTANTLY. I THOUGHT IT JUST NEEDED TO BE BROKEN IN BUT IT HAS NEVER GOTTEN BETTER. IT COULD CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF BY A RECALL. IF NOT, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER KIA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AN THE STRINGL LOCK

THE EVENING OF 8/12/15 I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE CITY ROAD, 2 LANES EACH DIRECTION. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER AND IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH SUDDEN DECELERATION AND VEHICLES COMING UP FROM BEHIND. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE HIT ME AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. NO ENGINE MAINTENANCE/WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THE ENGINE IS LOCKED UP AND WILL NEED COMPLETELY REPLACE WITH A NEW ENGINE. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING KIA'S 22,500 MILE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ONLY 16 DAYS PRIOR ON 7/27/15. DAVE GREEN, KIA ARAPAHOE SERVICE MANAGER, INFORMED TODAY (8/17/15) THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS IN THE PAST WEEK. THEY BELIEVE THERE IS A CONNECTION TO THE HOT WEATHER. WHAT EVER THE CAUSE THIS HAS A VERY HIGH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE DEATH OR EXTREME INJURY.

CAR STARTED HAVING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT. CAR HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY, WILL EVEN PULL TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEED RATE. CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW, SHOULD NOT BE HAVING STEERING ISSUES.

WAS DRIVING TO WORK(2013 KIA OPTIMA APPX 32000 MILES) AS I ACCELERATED TO MERGE ON THE INTESTATE, A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST,THERE WAS NO INDICATION OR ANY WARNING, THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE LIGHT TO INDICATE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP THEY REMOVED THE VALVE COVER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS EXCESSIVE SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE, THIS IS NOT COVER BY KIA WARRENTY,AFTER DOING SEVERAL DAY OF RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY KIA OWNER WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT EXCESSIVE SLUDGE IS THE CAUSE BUT MOST MECHANIC KNOW THAT SLUDGE IS A SYMPTOM NOT A CAUSE, AND WHAT IS EXCESSIVE 1%OR 5% WHO MAKES THAT DETERMANITION? I HAVE DONE REGULAR OIL CHANGES MYSELF. I CONTACTED THE KIA HOME OFFICE AND AM WAITING FOR A REPLY.

WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND, IT FIRST STARTED WHEN YOU MAKE A RIGHT TURN, NOW REGARDLESS OF WHICH WAY YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE.

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that no issues were found with his vehicle. The contact insisted that a knocking noise could be heard from the vehicle but the dealer stated otherwise. The contact was informed that if the knocking noise he heard persisted, to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle started to consume an excessive amount of oil and the knocking noise persisted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where he was informed that sludge and metal fragments were found in the engine. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer would be notified about the failure; however, the contact had not yet heard from the dealer or the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA HAS AN ENGINE SPUTTER THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND COMES AND GOES. WHEN I TALKED TO A SERVICE PERSON ABOUT IT AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DEBRIS IN CAN GET LOOSE AND CAUSE FUEL INJECTORS TO CLOG. MY PARTICULAR KIA OPTIMA IS NOT SHOWING THAT IT IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

The paint on the vehicle is badly peeling due to defective primer. Thousands of other have the same issues from what I see in parking lots. I have gotten it fixed but it doesn't hold up due to primer.

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW WE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHEN YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPED YOU WOULD GET A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND THE VEHICLE JUST NOW HAS 43,000 MILES. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN HAS BEEN AN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE THAT STARTED TO OCCUR AT JUST OVER 35,000 MILES WHEN YOU START VEHICLE. WE HAD BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LIBERTYVILLE KIA IN LIBERTYVILLE, IL FOR OUR PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT WE ARE HEARING. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERBALLY TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE THAT IT IS HARD TO GET KIA TO COVER THIS KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEM. AFTER REACHING OUT TO KIA WITH THIS ENGINE PROBLEM AND GETTING NO HELP EXCEPT THEM BLAMING US FOR LACK OF OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. WHICH WAS ABSURD WHEN WE ONLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA FOR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING NEW. FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE LISA MADIGAN TO GET HELP WITH THIS AND KIA HAS BOTCHED THEIR RECORDS AND STILL SDAYS WE HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BUYERS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI I STRONGLY URGE TO THINK AGAIN. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS GET THE HONEST HELP THEY DESERVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,678.

I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 17996 MILES. AFTER A FEW MILES DRIVING ON THE I-95 I NOTICED THAT THE 2013 OPTIMA HAS A VERY WEIRD STEERING PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING OVER 50MPH. IT'S VERY HARD TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT PATH. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP ON THE CORRECT LANE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND TOLD THEM THAT I'VE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINS OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. I'VE ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THERE IS A PATCH THAT WAS RELEASED ON APRIL 2015 BUT THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T APPLY FOR MY CAR. IT'S VERY UNSAFE. KIA NEEDS TO GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AS IT'S VERY UNSAFE.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A HILL, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY SO I DID NOT NEED TO ENGAGE MY BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HIT BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE I COULD PARK THE CAR, IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AS PULLED IN. I WAS FORCED TO STOP IN THIS MIDDLE OF A NARROW PARKING LOT BLOCKING CARS FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT THEIR SPOTS. I CALLED KIA ROADAIDE ASSISTANCE, WHO INSTEAD OF GETTING ME HELP, TRANSFERED ME TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY HELP. NOT ONLY DID MY CAR FAIL ME, KIA CUSOTMER SERVICE DID AS WELL. .

I WAS TRAVELING ON 85 NORTH AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME REALLY STIFF AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT! FINALLY IT RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT AGAIN. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE ISSUE BUT MY FRIEND SUGGESTED THAT I SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR ANY RECALLS REGARDING STEERING. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND 100+ COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE FOR 2012-2013 MODEL KIA OPTIMAS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY IF THE STEERING REMAINS LOCKED WHILE DRIVING! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE MOTOR OIL AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MODERATELY STEEP SLOPE AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN I COULD FEEL A SHAKING ON THE BREAK PETAL ABOUT A 20 SECOND DURATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. BOTH WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING.

HAD OIL CHANGE 5 DAYS PRIOR, AND RECALL FOR ACCELERATION. CALLED THE,DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. WAS ON MY WAY TO DEALERSHIP ON THE,EXPRESSWAY, CAR LOST POWER, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO RIGHT SIDE OF XWAY..CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WAITING TO HEAR IF INSURANCE IS LOOKING INTO FAULTY WORK WITH RECALL OR OIL CHANGE. *TR

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF AND RIGID. TO MAKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STAY WITHIN YOUR LANE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE IS REQUIRED. THIS RESULTS IN OVER CORRECTING CAUSING YOU TO BASICALLY SWERVE DOWN THE LANE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS DIFFICULT STEERING RESULTS IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND FRUSTRATION. ANY OF THESE FACTORS COULD EASILY RESULT IN A CRASH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. KIA STATES THE STEERING FALLS WITHIN THEIR NORMAL "SPECS", HOWEVER THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

DURING A TRIP THAT WAS ONLY 100 MILES ONE WAY I HAD TO CORRECT THE STEERING SO MANY TIMES THAT ON THE RETURN TRIP I WAS SO TIRED I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE ANY MORE THAT EVENING. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING (RIGHT OR LEFT) AND DREADED THE RETURN TRIP. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED. I AM EXPECTING THE U.S. GOVT. TO HELP US FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON TO GOOGLE THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE HE REFUSED. HE EXPLAINED HE KNEW OF NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. I DON'T THINK HE WAS BEING HONEST, HOWEVER THAT IS JUST MY OPINION. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP! *TR

AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD MY CAR LOST POWER HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL, AS THERE WERE CARS COMING AT ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR VIOLENTLY LURCHES FORWARD AND REGAINS POWER. THIS IS A TERRIFYING ISSUE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT. I HAD 2 CHILDREN AGES 8 AND 12 IN MY VEHICLE BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED.

MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SUNDAY, 2/23/2015. I PURCHASED A BULB FROM OUR LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND WENT HOME , THINKING I COULD CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF. I TOOK OUT MY TRUSTY CAR MANUAL AND TRIED TO GET DIRECTIONS ON CHANGING THE BULB MYSELF. AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET TO THE BULB. AT THIS POINT I WENT TO THE INTERNET. MY KIA WILL BE 2 YEARS OLD IN MAY 2015. LOW AND BEHOLD, I FIND OUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT. IN A PANIC, I CALL THE DEALERSHIP, SALE KIA OF KINSTON, NC, THEY INFORM ME THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE BULB, IT WILL COST ME $100.00 TO TAKE OFF THE BUMPER, JUST TO CHANGE THE LIGHT. MAYBE I SHOULD BUY ANOTHER BULB AND CHANGE BOTH AND THAT WAY I COULD BE SAVING MYSELF ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS THE SECOND KIA I HAVE OWNED. I TRADED MY AMANTI WHICH WAS 6 YEARS OLD FOR THIS VEHICLE. I GOT NONE OF THE ADVERTISED PERKS, LOYALTY BONUS OR ANY OTHER ADVERTISED BONUS THAT I HAD READ ABOUT, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY WARNING. TRADING FOR THIS OPTIMA WAS THE WORST MISTAKE I COULD HAVE MADE. I HAD ONE SERVICE CALL WORKED ON THROUGH MY WARRANTY ON THE AMANTI. AFTER 9 MONTHS IN THE OPTIMA THE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTING UNUSUAL WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES. I FINALLY HAD TO BUY MORE OUT OF MY POCKET. BY THE WAY MY KIA DIDN'T COME WITH A SPARE OR A JACK, JUST A MOBILITY KIT, WHICH CONSIST OF A LITTLE BAG WITH A CAN OF FIX-A-FLAT. SO IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, DON"T BUY A KIA. WHEW!! I FEEL BETTER NOW. I'M RETIRED, SO I GUESS MY NEXT STEP IS TO START CHECKING THE WANT ADS TO FIND ME A JOB TO SAVE UP FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ON ANOTHER CAR, AND YOU CAN BELIEVE IT WON'T BE A KIA. *TR

MY WIFE, SON AND I WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM TOWN IN OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA. I STOPPED AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE TO PICK SOME EGGS AS MY WIFE AND SON STAYED IN THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR ABOUT 7-8 MINUTES, WHEN I WALKED OUT THE DOOR MY SON CAME RUNNING UP TO ME YELLING OUR CAR IS ON FIRE, YOU COULD SEE THE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND BOTTOM OF CAR. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WHEN I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT SEEMED TO CONCERN AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO REPORT. AFTER DOING SO I RECEIVED A CALL FROM KIA CORPORATE A DAY LATER ASKING QUESTIONS. THEY WANTED ME TO SEND THEM PICTURES OF THE FIRE TO DO THEIR INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD TWO ENGINEERS WHO COULD LOOK INTO THIS. IT IS NOW MAY AND STILL I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. I HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND SENT EMAILS TO KIA CORPORATE. MY WIFE & KID WAS IN THIS CAR WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT A PARKING LOT. THIS IS RIDICULES. *TR

ON 2/19/2015 AT 8:30 A.M. MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2013 KIA OPTIMA APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES TO THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND THEN DROVE THE 6 MILES BACK HOME. MAXIMUM SPEEDS REACHED WERE NO MORE THAN 50 MPH WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DRIVE BEING AT 35 MPH. ABOUT HALFWAY HOME SHE NOTICED AN UNFAMILIAR SMELL BUT WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS, AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY AND NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. AS SHE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AT OUR HOME SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE TURBO. SHE RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. SHE USED THE ENTIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. I CAME HOME AND TOGETHER WE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND CALLED KIA. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED 43 MILES AWAY TO THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA COOPERATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WAS IMMEDIATELY IN CONTACT WITH US, WE STATED THAT WE NO LONGER FELT SAFE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WANTED IT REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THEY COULD NOT EVEN TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AN INVESTIGATOR FROM KIA CORP. LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. AFTER PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT WERE RECEIVED BY COOPERATE THE WHOLE SITUATION CHANGED. I FEEL THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BURNED BADLY (ONLY BECAUSE OF MY WIFE'S QUICK ACTION) KIA IS NOT TREATING THIS AS SERIOUS AS THEY SHOULD ANYMORE. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA CORPORATE THAT THEY WOULD BE FIXING THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND RETURNING IT TO US. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONCE FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND WHEN IT RETURNED THE TURBO CHARGER WAS "GLOWING RED HOT LIKE LAVA" THEY ALSO SAID THAT CORP. ENGINEERS FROM KIA WERE PERFORMING TESTS REMOTELY AND THAT NO ATTEMPTS HAD EVEN BEEN MADE TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM YET. ....UPDATED 06/09/15*BF

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DARBY ROAD IN HAVERFORD, PA GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SAFELY STOPPING SHE INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS NO LONGER STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN BUT WAS TILTED. THE HAVERFORD POLICE RESPONDED AND ASKED IF SHE HAD HIT ANYTHING. SHE REPLIED "NO". THE POLICE LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT FIND ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING THAT HAD BEEN STRUCK. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO WEST CHESTER, PA KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE INSISTING THAT SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE HIT THE VEHICLE. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF SCRAPES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CAR BEING DRAGGED BY THE TOW TRUCK TO GET IN ON TO THE FLATBED WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE TOW TRUCK IT WAS AGAIN DRAGGED ON THE GROUND. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THIS MORNING WHEN ANOTHER TOW TRUCK CAME TO TAKE IT TO KIA OF WEST CHESTER. THEY ARE NOW GOING TO TOW IT FROM THERE TO GRAN SPORT AUTO IN WEST CHESTER, PA AND I AM SURE MORE DAMAGE WILL OCCUR. I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLE AND NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING THAT THIS COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. KIA IS SAYING IT HAD TO HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF IMPACT. *TR

VEHICLE IN REVERSE BACKING UP ON STEEP DRIVEWAY, FOOT ON FUEL PEDAL, CAR BEGAN ITS AUTOMATED HILL HOLDING FUNCTION, WHILE IN REVERSE, HEARD HIGH RPM, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL, CAR BEGAN ROLLING FORWARD, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, BRAKE FAILED, CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, AND ENGINE DIED, THEN HIT THE WALL INSIDE THE GARAGE. I ESTIMATED, SPEED AT TIME OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH. NOTICED ANOTHER ENTRY FILED SIMILAR TO THIS,HAD SAME FUEL, BRAKE FAIL SYMPTOMS. *TR

WE GOT A NEW KIA OPTIMA SXL 2013. THE TYRES ARE FILL WITH NITROGEN GAS. ON OUR LAST STATE INSPECTION WE WERE TOLD THE THERE WAS 25% LEFT ON THE TREAD OF EACH TYRE & WILL REQUIRE CHANGING SOON. STARTED TO CHECK OUT PRICES IN THE AREA AT ALL THE TYRE MERCHANTS. ONLY TO FIND IN MY HORROR THAT ONLY TWO PLACES IN A 30 MILE + RADIUS CAN DO NITROGEN FILL & THE PRICES ARE HORRENDOUS. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT TO SIMPLY CHANGE TYRES ON A CAR. KIA AS WELL AS A LOT OF OTHER NEW CARS DON'T COME WITH A SPARE TYRE, BUT INSTEAD SUPPLY YOU WITH A SMALL COMPRESSOR UNIT. BECAUSE OF THIS DIFFICULTY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO CHANGE OVER TO AIR FILLED TYPES, AND BUY A NEW SPARE WHEEL & TYRE FOR THE TRUNK. AT A GREAT DEAL MORE EXPENSE, THAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED. KIA USA ARE BEING OF LITTLE OR NO HELP WHATSOEVER. VERY ANGRY. I AM NOW IN THE STAGE OF MAKING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AS WE IT IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE IN THE SAME BOAT???? *TR

I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WAITING TO CROSS TWO LANES, WHEN CLEAR I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL . THE TIRES SPUN A LITTLE ON SOME ANTISKID; AS A RESULT THE TRACTION CONTROL INTERVENED. THE CAR SEAMED TO LOOSE ALL POWER!!. WITH TRAFFIC ON ITS WAY I DRIFTED ACROSS ONE LANE BEFORE GETTING FULL POWER BACK. THIS TCS IN MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA IS NOT SAFE-- SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED! WHAT SHOULD I DO !? *TR

THIS IS THE MOST RECENT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF TIMES MY CAR HAS WONDERED INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAVEL BY ITSELF. TODAY MY SON AND I WERE GOING OUT TO EAT. THERE WAS A COLD RAIN FALLING, SO THE WINDOWS STARTED TO FOG UP A BIT. I LOOKED DOWN JUST LONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE DEFROST ON AND WHEN I LOOK BACK UP MY VEHICLE IS ABOUT 3/4 INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAVEL AND MY HAND DID NOT MOVE AT ALL!!! HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAVEL THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON CRASH AND THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN FATALITIES TOO, ALL BECAUSE KIA WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE WITH THE 2013 OPTIMA. THE CAR WONDERS CONSTANTLY SO YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO LOOK IN YOUR REAR VIEW OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, NOT CAN YOU LOOK DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE HEAT OR AC ON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR WONDERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAVEL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. ON AND TRIP OF LENGTH, IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS WONDERING FROM HAPPENING YOU HAVE TO 100% OF THE TIME CORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT AND THEN BACK TO THE LEFT AND BACK TO THE RIGHT, ALL THE WAY TO YOUR DESTINATION, AND ALL WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL NO MORE THAN 1 INCH TO THE RIGHT OR 1 INCH TO THE LEFT, SO IN ESSENCE I AM HAVING TO CONSTANTLY STEER THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WITHIN A 2 INCH RANGE OF MOTION. THERE IS NO CENTERING OF THE VEHICLE AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AND THE CAR STAY STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALWAYS A CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL. THAT IS HOW SENSITIVE THE EPS IS. IT IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL POST ON THE INTERNET OF KIA DEALERS BEING ABLE TO ADJUST THE SENSITIVITY OF THE STEERING THROUGH THE COMPUTER, AND THESE PEOPLE ALSO SAY THAT INITIALLY KIA TELLS THEM NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. IT APPEARS KIA IS DECEIVING THEIR 2013 OPTIMA OWNERS. *TR

THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND TENDS TO STICK WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THIS CAUSES SLIGHT OVER STEERING BACK AND FORTH CONSTANTLY. IT SEEMS TO COME ON WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PROS KIA GLENDALE (818-745-1400, LOCATED AT 400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

PROBLEM IS ONGOING. VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SLIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. . I LITERALLY HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY MICRO-STEER THE CAR JUST TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE LANE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND IS BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. I HAVE INSTALLED NEW TOP QUALITY TIRES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT SCRUPULOUSLY PERFORMED. NO IMPROVEMENT. *TR

IS ANYONE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE OVERLY SENSITIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON THE 2013 KIA OPTIMAS THAT CAUSE THE CAR TO ZIG ZAG WITHIN THE LANE OF TRAVEL??? THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT IS PROMINENT ALL OVER THE INTERNET ON MANY DIFFERENT SITES. THERE IS, QUITE SIMPLY, A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING ON THESE CARS, AND COMPLAINTS TO KIA OR THE NHTSB SEEM TO FALL ON DEAF EARS. WILL IT TAKE A FATALITY DUE TO THESE ISSUES FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE MAJOR HAZARD THESE PARTICULAR CARS PRESENT TO DRIVERS?!? THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IS EXTREMELY OVERLY SENSITIVE...SO BAD THAT ONE CAN BARELY LOOK DOWN TO TURN THE DEFROST ON OR LOOK INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WITHOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE CAR TO DRIFT IN ANOTHER LANE IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, OR EVEN IN AN ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL!! YOU LITERALLY CANNOT MOVE YOUR HAND AT ALL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WITHOUT THE STEERING REACTING. A 1/4 MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT??? YOU'LL FEEL THE CAR SHIFT IN THE DIRECTION TURNED, SO THAT LEAVES THE DRIVER HAVING TO CONTINUALLY KEEP HIS HAND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT JUST TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL, THUS CAUSING THE CAR TO ZIG ZAG DOWN THE LANE OF TRAVEL, GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF AN IMPAIRED DRIVER. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR EVEN SPEEDS 45MPH OR HIGHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I LOOKED DOWN TO TURN THE DEFROST ON AND WHEN I LOOKED BACK UP THE CAR WAS HALFWAY IN THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL FOR GOD'S SAKE! SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, WHETHER IT BE A SIDE SWIPE ON THE HIGHWAY OR A HEAD ON COLLISION, SOMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN, AND WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY DIES MAYBE THEN KIA OR THE NHTSB WILL FINALLY LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. ...UPDATED 02/08/16 *BF UPDATED 5/10/18*JB *CN

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, and it was determined the failure was linked to DTC code: P0445, indicating an issue with the purge control valve in the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system. The mechanic replaced the fuel canister, and engine cap. The contact stated while driving 77-85 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the engine seized. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Kia of Lincolnwood (6750 Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712) where it was determined that the engine was knocking but there were no codes retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/11/14 MY DAUGHTER DID NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE CAR.... ON DECEMBER 27 SHE "LOST CONTROL" OF THE CAR, AND RAN INTO THE WALL ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DRY EVENING, AND SHE EMPHATICALLY STATES THAT SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE ONLY RATIONALE CONCLUSION WAS THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. THAT IS, UNTIL A FRIEND RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE WEB, AND CHECK IF OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN OR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. ALTHOUGH I HAD DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE WHEN RESEARCHING THE CAR E.G. RECALLS, KNOWN PROBLEMS, ETC. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR, I DID NOT CHECK SPECIFICS SUCH AS STEERING. LONG OF THE SHORT, TWO DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WHEN I GOOGLED STEERING PROBLEMS, THIS SITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/OPTIMA/2013/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO SHOW UP. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND 35 COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS I AM I CONVINCED THAT THIS STEERING ISSUE IS THE CONTRIBUTOR TO MY DAUGHTER'S ACCIDENT. IT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A BLOW OUT. I THINK THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS IT IS GOING TO TAKE FOR KIA TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING? IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THERE NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS' RECALL BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY .... *JS