What 439 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte Koup

TOOK MY KIA FORTE 2014 IN FOR AN INSPECTION, AND INSTEAD RECEIVED AN ECU UPGRADE DUE TO SOME KIA CAMPAIGN SC150. AFTER THE UPGRADE, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES. THE VERY SAME DAY AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND BLOW A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. I WAS PULLED OVER BY A STRANGER WHO INFORMED ME OF THAT THE WHITE SMOKE EXHAUSTING BLINDED HIS VIEW. KIA HAS BEEN DISREGARDING THIS SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11065434

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE 5 SOUTHBOUND. IT EXPERIENCED A KIND OF ROAD HAZARD LIKE A SMALL ROCK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN EXITS 210 AND 205. THE IMPACT WAS MINIMAL AND MADE ONLY A SMALL NOISE AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO REASON TO THINK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED DAMAGE OR NEEDED TO STOP. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 3 OR 4 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP IMMEDIATELY ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE BEFORE EXIT 205. THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN WAS PUNCTURED, AND THE ENGINE OIL WAS DRAINED OUT. THE ENGINE HAD SUFFERED CRITICAL DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN GLENDALE, CA. REPAIR COSTS WERE QUOTED TO BE $7,332.63. KIA DEEMED THE REPAIRS NON-WARRANTABLE DUE TO THE DAMAGE BEING EXTERNAL. GOODWILL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED BY KIA AT A PRICE OF $4532.66. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETELY COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE COMPLAINT IS AGAINST THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE OIL PAN AND THE ENGINE WHICH BECAME CRITICALLY DAMAGED FROM SUCH A MINIMAL IMPACT. THE COMPLAINT IS ALSO AGAINST THE WARNING SYSTEM OF THE CAR WHICH FAILED TO NOTIFY THE ENGINE OIL LEAKING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE IN A TIMELY MANNER BEFORE THE VEHICLE SUFFERED CRITICAL DAMAGE AND PUT THE PASSENGERS AT RISK.

NHTSA ODI 11064999

WE ARE A DRIVING SCHOOL WITH ABOUT 100 DIFFERENT CARS FROM KIA, WE HAVE ABOUT 95 VEHICLES RIGHT NOW IN USE THAT ARE FORTE MODELS BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2010-2017. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND VEHICLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OF OURS OVER THE PAST YEAR. THE LAST TIME WAS THE KIA FORTE 2015, AND NOW THIS TIME IT IS THE KIA FORTE 2014. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES MISALIGNED WITH THE WHEELS AND EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OF WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN IS FALLS DOWN COMPLETELY INTO YOUR LAP AND YOU LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE 2015 VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT, NOW THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE 2014. THE SPECIFIC PART WHICH FAILED IS CALLED THE "REINFORCED BEAM"- KIA. IT IS THE BAR ASSEMBLY WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE METAL FROM THE BEAM WHICH SECURES THE STEERING COLUMN TEARS, AND CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO BECOME UNSECURED AND IT FALLS, LEAVING NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE WHETHER IT IS IN MOTION OR AT A STANDSTILL. ALSO, IT BLOCKS THE BRAKE WHILE DRIVING. THE PREVIOUS 2015 FORTE LUCKILY FELL APART IN A PARKING LOT WHILE AN INSTRUCTOR WAS TEACHING PARKING AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THIS WEEK THE 2014 DRIVER (ONE OF OUR INSTRUCTORS) WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A STUDENT WHEN SHE STARTED NOTICING THE DISCONNECT. SINCE IT SOUNDED FAMILIAR WE TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SAME FAILED PART AGAIN. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. RETAIL IT IS ABOUT $2,000 TO FIX. IT'S ABOUT $500 FOR THE PART, AND $1,500 FOR THE LABOR. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11054698

2014 KIA FORTE EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPLAINED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT A STEADY 40MPH IN 40 DEG. F. WEATHER. ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SHOWED NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE, AND THE OWNER DID NOT PERFORM ANY RECENT SERVICE WORK. NO SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ENGINE LIGHTS OR SOUNDS WERE OBSERVED UNTIL THE CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND CAUGHT FIRE ABOUT 60 SECONDS LATER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER SMOKE WAS OBSERVED BY THE DRIVER WHO WAS STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11046543

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THANKFULLY, SHE HAD THE VISOR CLOSED UNDERNEATH IT SO THAT THE GLASS DID NOT FALL ON HER. IT DID DO DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK AND OTHER AREAS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AS THE GLASS BLEW OFF THE CAR. WHEN I (HUSBAND) WENT TO KIA AND TOLD THE SERVICE PERSON WHAT HAPPENED HE SAID IT WAS "IMPOSSIBLE" FOR GLASS JUST TO SHATTER WITHOUT BEING STRUCK. AFTER LISTENING TO NEWS REPORTS THROUGH YOUTUBE I DO NOT BELIEVE THE SERVICE PERSON. FROM WHAT I AM HEARING FROM THE MEDIA....THE GLASS ON TOP IS BEING MADE THINNER BECAUSE OF WEIGHT CONCERNS. ALSO, MY BODY SHOP ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE DESIGN OF OUR KIA IS SLOPED AND THE GLASS IS MORE EXPOSED RATHER THAN BEING ON A "FLAT" ROOF DESIGN VEHICLE OF SAY AN OLDER FORD EXPLORER TYPE VEHICLE. IF THE GLASS ON CERTAIN DESIGNED VEHICLES IS MORE EXPOSED BY SLOPING FORWARD THEN ALL THE MORE REASON TO HAVE A GLASS THAT WON'T SHATTER OR THAT IS THICKER. IF THE SLOPED DESIGN MAKES THE GLASS MORE EXPOSED....THEN IT MAY ALSO BE THAT IT ONLY TAKES A VERY SMALL ROCK BEING THROWN BY A VEHICLE IN FRONT TO SHATTER A THINNER GLASS ON A SLOPED DESIGN VEHICLE...AND A ROCK SIZE THAT A DRIVER WOULD NOT NOTICE. THERE WAS A TRUCK IN FRONT OF MY WIFE BUT SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY ROCK HITTING HER CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11014496

RAIN WATER IS ENTERING TRUNK/SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AREA. CAUSING PUDDLING AND REAR SEAT WATER DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 10970429

WATER IS LEAKING INTO MY CAR WHEN IT RAINS. WHAT I HAVE INSPECTED, IT IS THE WEATHER STRIP. WATER IT GOING INTO THE FRAME UNDER MY TRUNK LINING AND UNDER MY BACK SEATS. MOLD HAS GROWN IN MY TRUNK.

NHTSA ODI 10954000

TAKATA RECALL NEEDS TO RECALL THE BREAKS ON THE 2014 KIA FORTE. ON NOVEMEBER 21ST 2016 I TOTALLED MY KIA DUE TO FAILURE OF MANAFACURER BREAKS THEY DIDNT STOP ME AND I REAR ENDED A CAR WHICH HOT ANOTHER THAT HIT ANOTHER. THE SPEED CONTROL ON THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL I BEARLY PUSH ON FHE GAS AND IT ZOOMED OFF T WENT FROM 0-30 REALLY QUICK. DURRING THE WRECK I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHICH WHEN I HIT THE CAR DUE TO THE BREAKS FAILING MY CAR BOUCED OFF OF IT AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE ROAD WAS DRY IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE OT WAS 5:58 AM AND VERY CLEAR OUTSIDE. THE ROADS WERE VERY DRY NOT SLICK AT ALLL MY CAR JOLTED AS THE BREAKS TRIED TO STOP ME BUT THEY NEVER ATOPPED ME. IT WAS ON A BACK ROAD HEADING TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI 10933944

I PURCHASED THIS KIA NEW. WITHIN ONE WEEK I NOTICE THERE WERE BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL OF 2 OF THE 4, NEXEN CLASSIC PREMERE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HIT POTHOLES. THE CAR HAD BARELY BEEN DRIVEN. THE DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. ADDITIONALLY, THIS CAR IS ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE OF ANY KIND. AND NO JACK. THERE IS A COMPRESSION PUMP AND SOME TIRE FIX IT TO TEMP PATCH A LEAK. I TOLD THE DEALER WHAT IF THE SIDEWALL BLOWS OUT. CALL ROAD ASSISTANCE. WELL, THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. MY DAUGHTER HAD DRIVEN TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. PARKED THE CAR AND CAME OUT TO FIND THE SIDEWALL BUBBLE HAD RUPTURED. SHE COULD NOT LOCATE THE PHONE NUMBER TO CALL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND GOT THE NUMBER BUT THE WAIT WOULD BE AT LEAST AN HOUR. I HANDLED THE SITUATION. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS NOT SAFE. THE CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A JACK IN IT! THE SIDEWALL SHREDDED. I PUT A GOODYEAR IN ITS PLACE. HOW THE AUTOMOTIVE COMMUNITY CAN LET THIS TYPE OF PRODUCT OUT ON THE STREET - THIS UNSAFE PRODUCT - IS BEYOND ANY REASON. AND AS I HAVE STATED, I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE DEALER WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF TAKING RECEIPT OF THIS BRAND NEW CAR. I HAVE ANOTHER TIRE WITH A BUBBLE AND THEY DON'T CARE. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $380 TO HAVE A SPARE TIRE AND JACK KIT FOR MY CAR. WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE OEM AND THE CAR COMMUNITY. I DEAL DIRECTLY WITH OEMS. I INTEND TO LITIGATE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10926973

MY CAR ALWAYS GETS STUCK IN PARK IF THE CAR IS LEFT RUNNING (EX. PARKED IN DRIVE THRU TO GET FOOD AND COULDN'T MOVE). I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO CORRECT ITSELF. A TON OF TIMES MY CAR WONT START BECAUSE IT THINKS THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE AT A GROCERY STORE IN THE SUMMER WITH GROCERIES IN MY TRUNK WERE SPOILING. SAT THERE FOR HOURS WAITING ON ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BEFORE CALLING MY OLD MECHANIC IN ANOTHER STATE. HE ADVISED ME TO WIGGLE THE GEAR SHAFT FURTHER UPWARDS TOWARD PARK, BEFORE TRYING TO START AGAIN AND IT STARTED. 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I KNEW OF, AT A GAS STATION. VERY CONCERNED; EXTREMELY ANNOYED. THE GUY AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THESE CARS.

NHTSA ODI 10925694

TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONSTANTLY GOES ON AND OFF, CAR CONTINUALLY GETS STUCK IN PARK AND WHILE DRIVING DASH DOESN'T SHOW GEARS. BROUGHT TO DEAL PROVIDED PICTURES AS PROOF AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ASKED FOR PAPERWORK AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAIL IT NEVER RECEIVED PAPERWORK.

NHTSA ODI 10918082

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ORDERED THE CONTACT NOT TO LET ANYONE TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10906827

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10899806

I WAS CHANGING THE OIL ON MY CAR AND NOTICED THAT A HOSE BELOW THE CAR BROKE AND WAS LEAKING SOME TYPE OF FLUID. I NOTICED THIS ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, BUT THE ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MUCH LONGER.

NHTSA ODI 10893736

2014 KIA FORTE 63000 MILES SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND WHEN STOPING OR TURNING THIS IS A EXTREAM SAFETY ISSUE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEALER CANT FIGURE IT OUT AND WONT WORK ON IT ANYMORE ITS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES A WEEK WITH NO HELP

NHTSA ODI 10885161

INTERMITTENTLY, ON DAYS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT (110+) THE CAR WILL START UP WITH ALL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, CANNOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WITHOUT PUSHING THE GEAR SHIFT OVERRIDE BUTTON, POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK, SKID CONTROL ON, AND AC BLOWS HOT AIR. ONCE IT COOLS DOWN THE ISSUE STOPS AND WON'T PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN UNLESS VERY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ARE MET. HAPPENED FIRST YEAR AFTER HAVING THE CAR, IN THE SUMMER. SERVICE CENTER COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. SUMMER YEAR 2, ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, WITH PICTURES, SERVICE CENTER USED HEAT GUN TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR/NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WAS REPLACED. SUMMER YEAR 3. ISSUE HAPPENED ON 118 DEGREE DAY WHEN STARTING UP CAR. A WEEK LATER HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING ON ANOTHER 118 DEGREE DAY. NEW ISSUES INCLUDE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STAY AT 0 EVEN WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, DISPLAY THAT SHOWS RANGE AND GAS MILEAGE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. RANGE WOULD ADJUST WHEN GAS PEDDLE PUSHED, MPG STAYED BLANK AND DID NOT COME BACK AFTER CAR HAD RESTED AND COOLED DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10875300

WINDSHIELD ON 2010 2014 KIA FORTE SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY WEAK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE ON THE 2010 FORTE DUE TO SMALL ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD AND HAVE TO REPLACE 2014 KIA FORTE WINDSHIELD DUE TO SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IN COMPARISON MY 2003 COROLLA HAS ENDURED THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR MUCH LONGER WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI 10860329

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACK BREAKS AFTER 66,000 MILES OR NINE MONTHS MAKING THE SEAT SHIFT WILDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS NO SEAT TRACKS IN STOCK AND NO ETA FOR BACK ORDER. THE SEAT LETS DO NO UNCLASP UNLESS JERKED IN SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PRESSED.

NHTSA ODI 10854338

FIRST, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY FAILS AND SHOW INCORRECT RANGE AND FUEL LEVELS. SPEEDOMETER SHOWS CAR IS GOING 0 MPH EVEN WHEN CAR IS MOVING. TACHOMETER SHOWS 0 RPM EVEN WHEN CAR IS IDLING OR MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES SINCE 3/8/16. SECOND, BRAKE PADS PROVIDED ON CAR ARE CHEAP AND DO NOT HAVE RANGE I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 10K MILES. THIRD, VENTILATION SYSTEM DOESN'T OPERATE PROPERLY AND I CAN INTERMITTENTLY SMELL BURNING PLASTIC COMING FROM VENTS, FAN DOESN'T OPERATE OVER THE 3 SETTING AND A/C DOESN'T BLOW COLD. FINALLY, SHOCKS AND STRUTS ARE SUB PAR HAD TO REPLACE AT 10K MILES DUE TO TIRE CUPPING.

NHTSA ODI 10850671

2014 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKS IN VEHICLE TIRES BETWEEN TREADS. CONSUMER HAS DIFFERENT VEHICLE COMPLAINT IN ARTEMIS. *SMD

NHTSA ODI 10816160

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI 10811378

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. ..UPDATED 11/02/15*BF FAILURE MILEAGE 15,000 CUSTOMER HAS SENT LETTER TO KIA CORPORATE. AS OF 10/27/15 CUSTOMER HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE COMPANY AND NEGLIGENCE BY KIA ALMOST CAUSED THE CUSTOMER TO LOSE THEIR LIFE ON THE HWY. UPDATED *4/13/18JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 10777688

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN CP521 TIRES, SIZE: P215/45R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN OUT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD FEEL A VIBRATION IN THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD A BLISTER ON THE INNER SIDEWALL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10749173

I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT RIGHT NEXT TO ME. I LOOKED AROUND, SAW NOTHING. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR ME AND NO BRIDGES OR OVERPASSES ANYWHERE NEAR. I THEN HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE ROCKS ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND GOT OUT TO LOOK. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. IT EXPLODED OUTWARD, THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I WOULD EXPECT FROM IT BEING HIT FROM ABOVE (AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE HIT ME IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION). I DROVE TO KIA AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED THE SUNROOF, BUT TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT EVEN WITH A TEAM OF ENGINEERS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION. I CALLED THE KIA 800 NUMBER AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW CAR, I HAD BOUGHT IT 3 MONTHS EARLIER AND IT ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10746997

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND OFTEN TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND OTHERS COME ON. THE VEHICLE THEN NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PARK, AND TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTS WITH NO ISSUE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. FUCILLO KIA IS ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND CONTINUE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED. A FLIGHT RECORDER BOX WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE TO RECORD THE ISSUE IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN ON ONE OF THE OCCASIONS THEY GAVE ME BACK THE VEHICLE STATING THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE DID OCCUR AGAIN WITH FLIGHT RECORDER BOX IN PLACE BUT THEY SAID IT DID NOT SEND ANY SIGNAL STATING THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THEM 6 TIMES AND AT THIS POINT THEY WILL NO LONGER WORK ON THE VEHICLE DESPITE IT BEING WELL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE/10 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ISSUE STARTED AT 15085 MILES AND NOW AT 19,000 MILES THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

NHTSA ODI 10726592