What 578 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Optima

UNKNOWN.. but the first time anything actually happen i was driving on the highway and all of a sudden I started to smell something weird and all the safety lights turned on the engine started smoking my acceleration wasn't working I can't put it in neutral nothing else is working I got lucky I was able to pull off to the side of the highway we where in a very dangerous spot the car wouldn't start back up at all and I have no communication we were stuck there for 3 hours until my dad found finally found us because he knew something was off why we weren't home for so long a close friend have to my house and that's words been parked ever since

NHTSA ODI 11425740

The engine under recall they switch it then the trains mission goes bad

NHTSA ODI 11421906

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle shut off and rolled in a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the dashboard and vents melted and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed there were metal shavings in the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11421621

On 5/23/2021, while driving my Optima on US94 in Indiana, I noticed a clicking sound. Uncertain if it was my car, or somerhing else, I turned off my media, and realized it was my car. I decided I would exit the next available exit, when I saw black smoke behind me. I realized I wouldn't make it the one mile to the exit, so I decided to pull off unto the shoulder of the highway. The instrumentation panel showed the coolant on normal, right in the middle of H and C. The Electrical Panel indicator was no longer in the middle as normal, which is right in the middle of H & L. Instead, it was berween the middle and Low. As I began to slow down, the panel showed a message of "Turn off Hybrid Now", then the red engine light appeared. I wasn't stopped yet, slowed to about 40 mph when I suddenly lost power. I coasted and brake to the shoulder, when I began to see smoke coming up from the hood. Mostly from the passenger side of the hood. I popped the hood of the car, then went out and opened the hood. I saw flames under the engine, more towards the passenger side of car. I grabbed my purse and ran to the field away from the car. The car burned up completely within about 5 to 8 minutes.

NHTSA ODI 11418279

I LEFT THE DEALER LOT AT CLOSING TIME 2/5/2021 THE TRACTION LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WARNINGS WERE ON THE ABS LIGHT THE CAR BRAKES SKIDDED UPON APPLYING BRAKES DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THE CAR SHOOK WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE MOTOR WAS GOING TO FALL OUT . LATER MY 17 YEAR OLD WHOM HAS DRIVEN FOR 2 YEARS WAS DRIVING A FEW MILES FROM HOME SHE SAID THE STEERING WENT OUT THE BRAKES WENT OUT SHE SKID ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD DID NOT HIT ANYTHING YET THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR CAME APART THE FRAME AND ALL . SHE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN KILLED I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY. I TOLD HER TO DRIVE SLOW AND SHE WAS ONLY GOING AROUND THE CORNER I HAD PLANNED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY BJUT WAS TOTALLED BEFORE I DID. SHE REPORTED GOING 45 MPH ON A ROAD WHEN I HAD THE ISSUES I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 45 ON A REGULAR ROAD DID NOT DRIVE IT ON AN INTERSTATE YET DUE TO THE UNEASY WAYS IT WAS HANDELING AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING AND 1 AND A HALF HOUR DRIVE EACH WAY TO WORK FOR 40 YEARS . THE CAR ALSO FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN ALSO'

NHTSA ODI 11396011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WHICH RESULTED IN HER VEHICLE ROLLING OFF THE ROAD AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND LANDED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WAS IMMEDIATELY RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND CHEST; AS WELL AS LACERATIONS TO HER RIGHT LOWER ARM AND LOWER ABDOMINAL AREA. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AT THE SCENE AND WAS UNCERTAIN OF ITS CURRENT WHEREABOUTS. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER HAD YET TO BE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:17V224000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, SHE HAD NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11378662

STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND WENT INSIDE TO USE BATHROOM CAME OUT TO START MY CAR ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR STARTED SMOKING AND THEN WHEN HOOD WAS OPENED THERE WAS ACTUAL FLAMES COMING OUT OF HOOD OF MY CAR AND IT PROCEEDED TO BURN UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT

NHTSA ODI 11365332

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO WAS MAKING A U-TURN. THE CONTACT TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT GOT OUT RAN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE HIS FIANC WAS UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO CUT THE SEATBELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE AND DRAG HER OUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO RETRIEVE ITEMS BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ENGULFED IN FLAMES CAUSING AN EXPLOSION. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT FRACTURED HIS RIGHT WRIST, RIGHT ANKLE AND SUSTAINED SEVERE BURN TO HIS BODY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACTS FIANC WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT LEGS, WRISTS, RIGHT FOOT AND ANKLE FRACTURED, FIRE BURNED THROUGH OUT HER BODY CAUSING HER TO LOSE HER LOWER INTESTINE. THE CONTACTS FIANC WAS IN A COMA AND IN THE HOSPITAL FOR OVER 90 DAYS. THERE WAS A VEHICLE WHO MADE A U-TURN IN FRONT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE AND IT WAS INFORMED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER OF THAT VEHICLE DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) APRIL 13, 2020 WHICH THE CONTACT BELIEVES CAUSED THE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11364123

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE RESTART THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE THEN PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD, HEARD A SCREW FALL AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED DUE TO THE CONTACT SWITCHING INSURANCE COVERAGE TO ANOTHER USED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ALERT THEM OF THE INCIDENT BUT THEY HAD NOT CALLED BACK SINCE THE ISSUE OCCURRED IN 05/31/17. THE UNKNOWN DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11329713

2014 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE STRUCK 2 PARKED CARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11325813

DRIVING ON CITY STREET CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. ENGINE SEIZED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324341

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (KIA ATLANTA SOUTH; 7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLACK BOX DID NOT CAPTURE THE INCIDENT DETAILS. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE BUT 3 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE BEING RETURNED, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DETERMINED ON ANY INSPECTIONS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIGHT SHOULDER AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CAPITAL ONE BANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11292091

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT AND THEN TOWED TO KIA ATLANTA SOUTH (7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260, (770) 968-3400); HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11277353

DRIVING TO FROM AUSTIN TO HOUSTON ON 290 EAST ON 9/15/2019 AT AROUND 12:00 NOON. I WAS GOING AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR AND I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE AND I SAW WHITE SMOKING COMING FROM THE HOOD AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND OPEN THE FRONT HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, I ACTUALLY SAW FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS TURN OFF AND I GOT AWAY FROM THE CARE AND IT DID STOP SMOKING. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO AUSTIN AND IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER WERE CARE WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA ODI 11256524

TL* THE CONTACT WAS AN AUTO DETAILER WHO WAS SERVICING A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND TENDED TO HIS INJURIES AT HIS JOB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,421.

NHTSA ODI 11253639

AT A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE SAID HYBRID FAILURE TURN CAR OFF AND REMOVE YOURSELF. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF PUT HAZARDS ON WENT TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED BY MY CAR TO THE POINT IT MADE ME LOSS CONTROL OF MY BLADDER!! HAD WONDS TO MY RING FINGER WHERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WENT IN AND WAS IN LOCAL ER. LOCAL KIA DEALER SAID THERE IS A BULITN TO REPLACE THE 125 WAT FUSE TO THEY HYBRID SYSTEM TO A 150 FUSE AND THAT IS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I FEEL THE DANGER OF ELECTROCUTION IS SO GREAT IT MUST BE A RECALL. I CONTACTED CORPORATE WHO TOLD ME THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT RECALL WORTHLY!! NOT ACCEPTABLE I SPENT 5 HRS IN THE ER WITH EKG , AND BURN MARK'S ON MY LEFT FINGERS AND. NOW MY SKIN IN MY LEG IS PEELING DUE TO THIS. ACCORDING TO ER DR. I WAS LUCKY AND MOST LIKELY RECEIVED 100 VOLTS ANYMORE COULD HAVE CAUSED INTERNAL ISSUES. MY LEFT ARM IS STILL TINGLING FROM THE SHOCK DAYS LATER. IT IS COMPLETE INCOMPETENTS TO ALLOW KIA OPTIMA HYBRID OWNERS DRIVE THESE CARS WITH A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE. PLEASE PUT A SAFTY RECALL OUT BEFORE A CHILD ENDS UP HURT OR DECEASED.

NHTSA ODI 11240440

I PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA 2014 BRAND NEW OFF OF A DEALERSHIP LOT. A FEW YEARS LATER I WAS DRIVING TO CALIFORNIA AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY WENT OUT, I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER FOR KIA THEY TOWED MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. KIA HAD FAILED TO INFORM ME THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR A RECALL FOR MY ENGINE HOWEVER THEY DID REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE EXACT SAME DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED OUR STARTED TO SMELLING GASOLINE AROMA ALONG WITH LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS NORMAL AND THOSE THINGS WOULD SOON SUBSIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER AS I WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE MY NEIGHBOR FRANTICALLY WAVE ME DOWN STATING THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE CAR I LOOKED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I DID SEE SMOKE AND I LOOKED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND I SAW A RED FIRE AND SMOKE I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOON CAME WITHIN 6 MINUTES MY CAR WAS HALFWAY IGNITED INTO FLAMES. HE HAS STATED THEY WOULD SEND OUT A FORENSIC FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND I SHOULD HIRE MY OWN FIRE INVESTIGATOR. I DID SO HE HAS YET TO DISCLOSE THEIR FINDING ON CAUSE OF FIRE. HOWEVER SHORTLY THEREAFTER MY FORENSIC FIRE INVESTIGATORS HIT ME OVER INFORMATION STATING THAT KIA FAILED TO REPLACE THE CLIP THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE ENGINE. THIS POSES A BIG ISSUE FOR CONSUMERS CAN POTENTIALLY PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. UNFORTUNATELY I'M A VICTIM OF THIS AND I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE OBLIGATED TO WRITE THEY'RE WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11220939

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STALLED RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. I HAD JUST MADE A TURN & THE CAR WENT DEAD. STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED NOT TO MENTION THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FIANC WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A FRACTURED HIP.

NHTSA ODI 11165223

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, SMOKE ASCENDED FROM THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOB UTTER KIA (2433 TEXOMA PKWY, SHERMAN, TX 75090, (903) 892-3555) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11151813

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SCRAPS AND BRUISES FROM ESCAPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIM MARSH KIA (8555 W CENTENNIAL PKWY, LAS VEGAS, NV 89149 (702) 946-1000) BUT A CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AT THE SAME DEALER BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11144563

FIRE! MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. FIRST, I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THEN, SMOKE QUICKLY FILLED MY CABIN. I PULLED OVER LOST STEERING AND BRAKES, PUT CAR IN PARK. GOT OUT LOOK BEHIND ME. SEE SPARKS ON GROUND. GET IN CALL 911 AND WITH IN SECONDS MY CAR SNAP, CRACKLED, AND POPPED AND FLAMES ENGULFED MY VEHICLE. I GRABBED MY PURSE AND RAN. I HAD TO WATCH MY CAR BURN. I AM VERY THANKFUL I MADE IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11139148

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF POLICE OR FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BAILEYS WRECKER SERVICE TOW LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11132973

CAR STALLED ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING. NOW MAKES CYCLIC NOISE WHEN I DRIVE. I DON'T DRIVE IT AT ALL HAD MECHANIC CHECK IT AND HE SAID I NEED A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11121559

I WAS HEADING NORTH BOUND, CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 WHEN MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA THERA II MOTOR STARTED MAKING A GRINDING SOUNDS, LOST COMPLETE POWER AND STALLED OUT. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON ANYMORE, A TEXAS STATE TROOPER AND SMALL TOWN COP HELPED ME PUSHED THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ENGINE BAY. LUCKILY NO ONE GOT HURT BUT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSE AND I HAVE A FEELING KIA IS GOING TO GIVE ME THE RUNAROUND. THE THETA II DOES HAVE AN OPEN RECALL. THE MOTOR WAS CHECKED TWICE AND PASSED BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11113500

I PARKED MY KIA OPTIMA AT 7 PM. AT MIDNIGHT I WAS WOKEN UP TO FIRE TRUCKS OUTSIDE OF MY APARTMENT. MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR REPORTED NO FOWL PLAY BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW IT HAPPENED. SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE LEFT. HAD 62K MILES AND WAS FREQUENT WITH OIL CHANGES. NO LIGHTS ON DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11102293