2015 Kia Optima Complaint Log

My Pearl White paint is chipping off

Using more than normal oil amount

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer also informed him that the knock sensor repair was not previously completed on the vehicle; however, the contact never received a notification from the manufacturer regarding the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, the vehicle in front of the driver slammed on their brakes for a complete stop which caused the contact to depressed on the brake pedal however the vehicle did not stop or slow down causing the driver to crash into the rear of the vehicle in front. The driver-side air bag did deploy. The front end and hood were bent. No one was injured. There was no medical treatment at the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 180,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately at 40 mph when the vehicle lost motor functionality. The contact was able to pull over and smelled a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that they spoke to a local dealer and was advised to not bring the vehicle in for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 96,127.

I was driving on the highway going about 55 miles per hour when suddenly the dashboard lights illuminated and car seemed to power down quickly. I barely had time to pull over to the shoulder of the road when the car completely shut down. I could not get the car to start backup and I had to call a towing company to the scene to tow the car to the Kia dealership. My safety and the other occupants safety were put in grave danger, especially driving on a highway where the speed limit is minimum 55 miles per hour. The car dealership confirmed the problem with me, but there is a significant wait time of 2 weeks or more before they can begin performing necessary repairs to the vehicle. Their excuse was an abnormally high number of other Kia Optimas ahead of my vehicle, waiting on parts from Korea, and the warehouse being backup due to the parts shortage. There were no warning lamps or noises prior to the car completely shutting down while driving 55 miles per hour on the highway. It was sudden and caught me off guard and I tried not to panic during the entire dangerous and scary situation. I have been without a replacement vehicle for over two weeks because you cannot get the rental/loaner coverage until the car has been formally diagnosed by a technician. I am paying out-of-pocket until I get the rental car coverage that Kia told me I would qualify for once the car is officially diagnosed and a timeframe is given for estimated date of full repair and pick up of the vehicle.

Driving on the freeway at 60-65. car started slowing down. bumper to bumper traffic. car stops. KIDS in car. most terrifying moment in life. get towed finally they took to KIA dealer Cleveland Ohio.. engine locked. $4K to repair. KIA would not warranty any of it. 102K miles on engine. frequent oil changes. 2015 was not covered on the recall. This is un acceptable they know its a problem.

I received a Safety Recall notice dated 7/5/2021. When I contacted the dealership, the next available appointment was December 6, 2021. Because of the seriousness of this recall, I feel I should be given a service appointment sooner than December 2021.

Extreme paint chipping

My 2015 kia optima with snow white pearl paint is peeling and delaminating without any prior damage. An independent shop reviewed the paint and agreed that it was a factory paint failure. They started to appear a few years after I bought it but I passed it off as regular stone chipping.

There has never been any problems with the vehicle. No clicking no lights . I took it before time for an oil change and tune up. The car just stopped at the red light . I had it towed to Kia. It’s been there now a week shy of 2 months. I have to call for updates no one would call me back. I called kia recall department. A lady told me car has 2 recalls on it but they will NOT FIX IT due the time me no having warranty!

On Monday, August 02, 2021, I was driving home from work and suddenly, when I stepped on the gas pedal, the car didn’t move but the RPMs were reveving very high and all the lights, accessories continued to work. The car had to be pushed out of the street and into a parking lot, until it was towed the following morning to my local mechanic. Upon inspection, it was determined that the engine had seized. I was informed that this is a well-established problem of similar models, years of Kia and Hyundai vehicles that occurred as result of an issue during the manufacturing process and that Kia was aware of the problem but refused to issue a recall. Due to Kia’s reluctance to reimburse owners for the repairs, there is a class-action lawsuit against Kia. My vehicle was towed on August 5, 2021 to Bob Rohrman’s Kia dealership on Golf Rd, Schaumburg IL.As a result, I am without a vehicle that I am still making payments on until December 2021.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact mentioned that the battery was drained from the engine not turning off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was undrivable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Clear coat or paint is peeling on the back passenger panel over the tire and on the trunk lid under the kia medallion.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle remained in dealer possession for months as the contact awaited the repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed her that since a prior service was not performed on the vehicle, she no longer qualified for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000.

While traveling on a city street at approximately 40 miles per hour, the engine seized and stalled. After coasting to the shoulder without power, the engine would not restart. Vehicle was towed to local dealership and I was informed it has complete engine failure. Dealership stating Kia corporate refusing to repair vehicle despite multiple complaints of engine failure in this model.

I started driving to work drove a mile went to accelerate to get on the highway, all my dash lights came on and and i pulled over, my break was stiff so i figured it died, it started to smoke, at first the door wouldn’t open for me to get out, i had to manually unlock it which is weird because if my car is put into park the door automatically unlock normally, when i got out i saw the smoke getting thicker, so i backed up within minutes the car was in flames. I called 911 right away. There was really no warning at all!

My paint is chipping badly. I have noticed a few other vehicles that have had the same problem with the SNOW WHITE PEARL paint. It started as a small knick in the paint and has gradually turned into severely needing a paint job. Hopefully kia can find a way to resolve the issue I love everything else about my car and fell in love with the color instantly and considering you pay extra for the snow white pearl color it should last!

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while stationary with the engine on, the check engine warning light illuminated. After pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. With the assistance of a nearby police officer, the contact placed the vehicle into neutral and backed into a parking spot. While waiting for her boyfriend to arrive at the scene, she noticed that dark grayish smoke was coming from the engine. The contact and her daughter immediately exited the vehicle as another police officer showed up at the scene. The officer attempted to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher but failed to do so. The fire department arrived at the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. The contact was uncertain if a fire or police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon speaking with her insurance adjuster, the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the contact never received the notification letter about the recall. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and she saw smoke coming out from underneath of the hood of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, then it was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had ceased. The dealer informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer (Kia of Riverdale 1 Windbeam Rd, Riverdale, NJ 07457). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide any assistance due to the fact that the previous owner of the vehicle had not completed the software update of the vehicle. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

No incident occurred. My airbag light has been on for the past 2 months but no impact occurred to my vehicle

I have owned my kia optima for several years and I've had issues with the windshield wipers not going fast enough. I work from home so I do not travel that often but just recently went on a trip & was on the interstate when it started raining very hard. I could not see the car in front of me at all, not even their tail lights. I understand visibility is always worse when it rains but all the other cars were still going at a steady pace & passing me. I had to pull over on the side of the interstate until the rain slowed down to just a sprinkle before I could see well enough to drive. This caused me a great amount of anxiety because i didn't know if I was going to run into someone or if I was even in the right lane. I have several friends that also have the kia optima 2015 & 2016 models and they have said the same thing. The speed on the windshield wipers is extremely slow compared to other cars we tested this on & I feel this is a major safety concern. I pulled up google reviews on this issue & there are a lot of people complaining about the speed not being fast enough.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer performed a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Engine oil consumption is extremely high with no leaks and caused damage to the engine. Causing car to quit and lose power. I have been doing my oil changes correctly.

While driving 55MPH on highway vehicle suddenly stalled. I was able to coast to the shoulder on the right. I was not able to restart vehicle. Vehicle left on highway to be towed.

Electronic stability control activates (flashing light on dash) inappropriately; when not actually experiencing a traction issue. Most often occurs when accelerating from a stop at an intersection with any type of “dip” or unevenness between the roadways, such as lip from driveway to street. When it activates in these situations the engine power reduces significantly resulting in little to no torque and the vehicle is unable to properly accelerate. This becomes very dangerous when pulling onto roadways with through-traffic, as it is not possible to clear the intersection in the anticipated timeframe had the electronic stability control had not improperly engaged. My common reaction when this happens is to provide more acceleration, which the vehicle responds to once the roadway becomes even and results in an instant burst of engine power. This causes the tires to spin, reduced ability to control steering and a total loss if in a turn.

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed as an engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the dealer informed the contact that they needed the maintenance history receipts. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,978.

I was driving my car on the street going about 35-45 mph when all of a sudden with no warning my car stopped completely. It had to be towed.

Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with NHTSA.

So we have a 2015 Kia Optima. On June 10 2021 our car was completely fine just did our normal oil change, tune up, etc. it was running and starting just fine. The next day June 11th, 2021 my husband was on the highway and getting off at his exit and the car suddenly went into “limp mode” it’s a safety mechanism on the car to stop it from completely blowing the engine and destroying other things. He was able to get the car home but was only able to go 25 miles a hour. The car is now currently sitting in our drive way throwing a whole bunch of different codes. First it was a rod in the engine and then now a misfire when the car hasn’t moved in over a month. From what I hearing from the dealership and other people this is common with the GDI engines. We are now out of a car and don’t even know what’s completely wrong with it. We’ve barely had a year of that.

I’ve completed the recall on Saturday it took them less then a few minutes even though the invoice said 0.00hrs. I showed that I had brake fluid leaking and the car smokes but was told to come back if things got worse. Saturday night I was driving to the house with my fiancée and the car started slowly if down, the check engine light came on. Then the car shut off in the middle of the highway after a while it just cut back on and smoke all the way to the house. If there was someone behind me I would have cause a accident but it not within my control. My car has randomly shut off while driving and a while later coming idling again, today making the 5th time with in 3days

2015 Kia Optima approximately 120xxx miles, daily driver Regular maintenance on vehicle. Engine failed as I was driving to doctor appointment. No warnings, no fluids leaking, no irregular gauge readings, no lights. Vehicle had to be towed to nearest dealership. Confirmed engine failure, failed bearing test. Contacted Kia Motors Consumer related to failed engine. No update on engine repair.

I had 2 incidents with my cars engine not even a year apart! I got my car 8/1/2020 on 10/03/2020 I had a blinking engine light come on. I got it towed to the Kia dealership and they told me they were going to replace my engine because their is recall.. well they didn’t they ended up running a “test” and the engine light “came off” and they gave me my car back. Now we’re back again with another engine problem on 5/20/2021 my engine light, oil light and battery came on! Luckily I pulled over in time because shortly after my car seized and then didn’t start! My pap came to get me and checked my oil and there was none in there! I just got an oil change and every time I get an oil change I run out of oil and coolant and windshield fluid so fast and get it replaced in between oil changes it’s ridiculous! I definitely think it had something to do with the recall on my engine I’m still waiting for a diagnosis on my car and it’s been 5 days since I’ve had my car towed to Kia with no answers still!

My daughter was in a collision, going about 40 MPH, and the airbags did not deploy, she is very lucky that the windshield did not bust otherwise she would have been hurt.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V519000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic) in January of 2019. The contact was relating the failure to the recall. The contact was unable to service the recall because the dealer was behind on work. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY IT'S STOPPED I TRIED TO TURNING IT BACK ON BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T TOUCH IT. HE ALSO SAID IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING BLOW UP IT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEIR MECHANIC AND CUSTOMER REP ARE TELLING ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T DO THE RECALL ON TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND I HAD TO PAY $7008.00 OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH I NEVER GOT A NOTICE FOR A RECALL. IN THEIR SYSTEM THEY HAD A DIFFERENT ADDRESS, AND WERE ABLE TO UPDATED MY ADDRESS AND STILL TOLD ME I WAS LIABLE BECAUSE THERE ARE WAYS OF CHECKING FOR RECALLS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH, WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN TO 50 MPH TO SWITCH LANE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 2 MORE MILES BEFORE IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THEN CONTACTED A KIA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO PARKWAY FAMILY KIA (22555 US-59, KINGWOOD, TX 77339) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER THEN SENT THE DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR APPROVAL HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE CONTACT HAD NOT DONE THE MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT UPGRADE: VPI1802 (ENGINE) THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE HONORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT UPGRADE BECAUSE IT WAS SENT TO AN OLD ADDRESS THAT SHE NO LONGER LIVED AT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

The engine failed and started smoking as I was pulling out into traffic. Thankfully I was able to pull to the side of the road to avoid a collision from cars behind me. The car was towed to Kia and the service department confirmed the engine seized and would need to be replaced but Kia will not replace the defective engine even with the class action lawsuits. It has not been 8 months.

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAVING A HARD TIME PICKING UP SPEED AND SOON AFTER IT WAS A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE RPM AND DASHBOARD GAUGES WERE VERY SPORADIC. I PARKED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THERE WAS SOMEHOW ABSOLUTELY NO OIL, BUT NO CURRENT SIGN OF LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CAR CONTINUES TO KNOCK WHEN I START IT UP AND AM AFRAID OF IT OVERHEATING AND IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. IT SMELLS DEFINITELY LIKE BURNTNESS AND WHEN SHIFTING INTO D3 AND D IT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE COULD BE HAVING TOUBLE. SPEEDS AND RPM GAUGE ARE MOST SPORADIC AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE EXHAUST PIPE SEEMS TO HAVE RESIDUE OF SOME SORT THAT ISN'T NORMAL.

MY KIA IS USING AND LOSING OIL RAPIDLY. AS IN IN-BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS AND IT IS NOT BURNING OIL. MY ENGINE HAS SEIZED UP TWICE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, BECAUSE ITS RAPIDLY USING THAT MUCH OIL. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE'S WORKED ON SEVERAL KIA'S WITH THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHERE IS MY OIL GOING? AFTER CALLING 5 KIA DEALERSHIPS TODAY, NONE OF THEM CAN GET ME IN FOR AT LEAST 45 DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BACKED UP WITH FIXING ALL THE RECALLS.

I HAD JUST LEFT THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-30 EASTBOUND IN BENTON, AR. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN ACTING JERKY AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I STARTED TO CROSS OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN I NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT THE BACK. I GOT ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, PARKED IN FRONT OF EXIT 118, AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN MY VEHICLE CALLING A RIDE WHEN I NOTICED A GENTLEMAN RUNNING TOWARDS ME YELLING, "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE, WENT AROUND TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO RETRIEVE MY PURSE AND LAPTOP BAG FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND MOVED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME, I HAD RETRIEVED MY ITEMS OUT OF THE FRONT SEAT, THERE WAS SMOKING COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME, I HAD BEGUN WALKING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, YOU COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. I WAS CALLING 911 AS I WALKED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE BY K & A TIRES IN MALVERN, AR. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACED, AN OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE INVOICE WAS IN THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS GIVEN INFORMATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS/IS UNDER AN NHTSA RECALL# 20V519.

EVERY TIME I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY BREAK LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. PEOPLE THINK I AM RIDING MY BRAKES.

Malfunctions: hazard lights severe malfunction. All Steering wheel control buttons stopped working. Center control buttons stopped working. USB charging port/Auxiliary media port/ right side auxiliary power port lost power. Battery alternator and starter had acceptable readings via multimeter. Suspect ECM failure? Symptoms similar to misfires when A/C is running. Parking break doesn’t always engage despite proper method. Inconsistent gas consumption drastic fluctuations

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS MY WHEELS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO. I HAD TO PUSH IT DOWN A HILL AND USE NEUTRAL TO GET AT LEAST GET THE CAR OFF THE MAIN STREET AND TOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CAN'T HELP BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROVIDE RECEIPTS OF ANY MAINTENANCE THAT WAS DONE ON THE CAR OVER TIME.

I WAS DRIVING TODAY ON 95 NORTH PHILADELPHIA! AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE BATTERY LIGHTS AND OIL LIGHT DID COME ON. AND AFTER THAT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 73 NEW JERSEY

2015 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR OIL CONSUMPTION. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE CENTERED IN THE LANE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FEATURE WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TH STEERING ANGLE PRESSURE HAD STARTED TO FAIL IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS KIA (4955 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, FOR EXAMPLE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, ALL LIGHTS ILLUMINATING ON THE PANEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PLACED IN PARK AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT AWAY, SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES.

ON 3-14-2021 ABOUT 225PM I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE I10 FREEWAY IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA, WHILE MERGING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF AND MY SPEED WAS GOING DOWN . I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, ONCE I WAS STOPPED I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THAN WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES I JUMPED OUT THE CAR AND THE CAR LIT UP IN FLAMES. I CALLED ONTARIO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Passenger side window would go down, but not up. Was unable to get an appointment with Dutchess Kia to bring vehicle in. Went to Knuckle Busters Tire & Auto in Highland, NY. I explained to them what was going on and Knuckle Busters stated that my car was the 5th Kia optima to come in with that same problem, which was replacing the motor or regulator and from some both. Per the mechanic Steve when he unscrewed the motor from the door it fell apart.