What 1,000 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR , WHEN HE HAD TO PULL OVER AND REALIZE THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAT WAS JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED 3WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH PAULDING CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. A DOWN PAYMENT WAS MADE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE

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I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A TWO LANE STREET AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED WHEN THE MOTOR CUT OFF. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WHEN I GLANCED UP I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS SMOKING AFTER FUSE CHANGED NOT WORKING CAUSING BURNING SMELL FROM WHEEL REPORTED AT 75000 MILES AT 115000 DAY OUT OF WARRANTY..IF MY AIRBAG OR CAR CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THIS ISSUE I AM COMING FOR KIA

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VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT PROVOCATION. VEHICLE WAS IN PERFECT, PRISTINE CONDITION. WAS IN VEHICLE 5 MINUTES ON WAY TO WORK IN AM. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN APPROX 5 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD. SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT RED LIGHT AND THE CAR DIED, INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED FLASHING AND ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES.

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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 3 VEHICLES PASSED WAVING FRANTICALLY BEFORE SPEEDING BY. I NOTICED A REFLECTIVE ORANGE FLICKER ALONG THE BASE EACH VEHICLE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED UP BY A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND BEFORE I LOST ALL ACCELERATING POWER BUT RETAINED RPM REVS AS I PRESSED THE PEDAL. I ALLOWED THE MOMENTUM TO GET ME AS FAR UP THE EXIT RAMP AS POSSIBLE PRIOR TO PULLING OVER ONTO THE GRASS. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF TO BE MET WITH AN INSTANT ROLL OF SMOKE UP THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, OUT OF THE FRONT GRILL, AND FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AREA. I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO THE SOUND OF LIQUID HITTING A HOT SURFACE AND HISSING. I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO BE MET WITH ROLLS OF FIRE DRIPPING TO THE GROUND FROM BENEATH THE ENGINE AND ALONG THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY CLEARED THE AREA AND MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN LESS THAN 4 MINUTES. NO SENSORS OR ALARMS NOTIFIED ME OF ANY TYPE OF MALFUNCTION.

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND 1/3 CAR HIT THE SECOND CAR IN THE SECOND CAR HIT ME STOPPED AT A LIGHT IN THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY I HAVE A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FROM IT THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED FROM THE ACCIDENT AND NOW IS AT KIA OF CANTON BECAUSE IT'S THROUGH A RIDE WHICH IS A RECALL BUT FROM THE ACCIDENT I AM NOW UNABLE TO WORK OR DO ANYTHING

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL OF THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED HAVING WHIPLASH; THE RIGHT ARM, CHEST AREA, AND RIGHT SHOULDER WERE ALL BRUISED BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A SECURITY OFFICER FROM THE PROPERTY TOOK A REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A FREEWAY IN THE THIRD LANE (FAR LEFT), THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND A FIRE STARTED IN FRONT OF THE FIRE WALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN COASTING TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, HE NEARLY CRASHED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING A GALLON OF WATER THAT WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT PRESENT. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER FID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE BY AAA. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED THEN TO A REPAIR CENTER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BEARING SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE AND AS A RESULT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS OF YET AND THE CONTACT HAD BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL VEHICLE IN THE MEANTIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

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I HAD JUST REACHED MY DESTINATION. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 - 45 MINUTES WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK UP TO LEAVE. I PUT IT IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN PUT IN THE REVERSE GEAR; THEN I HAD IT TOWED. THEN WHEN ATTEMPTED TO CRANK IT; IT CAUGHT A FIRE AND DESTROYED ALL OF THE MOTOR, AND MOST OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE COULD BE EXTINGUISHED

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I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON A 4 LANE ROAD AT 45 MPH. AS I WAS PASSING THRU A GREEN LIGHT, A WESTBOUND VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING ME TO "T-BONE" HIS VEHICLE. ALL OF HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.....NONE OF MINE DID. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, SURPRISINGLY; YET I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I SUSTAINED CERVICAL AND LUMBAR SPINE INJURIES, AS WELL AS A SEVERE WHIPLASH AND CONCUSSION. I AM UNABLE TO WORK, DUE TO SURGERY THAT WAS NECESSARY. I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS SAFE?? I WAS ALSO IN A SIDE COLLISION THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT; TWO YEARS AGO,WHERE SOMEONE HIT ME, AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AT THAT PARTICULAR ACCIDENT,I WAS STATIONARY; AT A STOP LIGHT.

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TAKATA RECALL JUST PULLED INTO MY JOB CAR WAS IN PARKED. CAR WAS STILL RUNNING HAD ABOUT 45MINS TO SPARE BEFORE CLOCKING IN. NOTICE THE CAR BEGIN TO SMOKE AS I'M SITTING PREPARING MY SELF FOR WORK. NO WARNING SIGNS APPEARED TO NOTIFY ME THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO SEE IF CAR WILL COOL DOWN. SMOKE SEEMED TO GET HEAVIER. I GOT OUT THE CAR AND SEEN THERE WAS FIRE UNDERNEATH. IMMEDIATELY I NOTIFIED EMERGENCY OFFICIALS. GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED PUT OUT THE FIRE. EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED IT.

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 FRONT END COLLISIONS BOTH AT DIFFERENT RATES OF SPEED. THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. IT WAS FIXED BOTH TIMES BY PROFESSIONAL SHOPS AND INSPECTED BY A KIA CARLOTTA WHERE THEY CLEARED CODES ON FAULTY AIR BAGS AND TOLD ME IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. I WANT THIS MATTER LOOKED INTO FURTHER. I HAVE CHILDREN AND NEED MY AIR BAGS TO WORK.

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BRAKES DID NOT WORK CAR SHUT OFF HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR IN NEVER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT TOTAL LOSS

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VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 70. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED DUE TO THE FIRE. YOU CAN SEE THE BURNED SQUARE SHAPE ON THE HOOD WHICH SHOWS THE DESTRUCTION UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.

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ON JANUARY 15, 2019 MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FIRST THEN TIRED TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK SO SHE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD POPPED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.

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TAKATA RECALL MY SON AND I WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM! AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WE CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD ONLY TO SEE FIRE! WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED RUNNING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SCARED FOR OUR LIFE'S. SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE OR RIDE INSIDE OF ANY VEHICLE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. WHEN THE HOOD WAS LIFTED UP, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF AND ONLY SMOKE REMAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND STATED THAT THE EXHAUST HAD BURST AND OIL LEAKED OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

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AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 12, 2018, THE ENGINE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND TURNED OFF. NO ONE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR, MELTED THE TIRES AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH SMOKE. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD TO THE GAS TANK.

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2015 OPTIMA SXL WITH 130K MILES REGULARLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL HIGHWAY MILES. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A MILD KLANKING SOUND. SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A LOUD BANG OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. PULLED OFF THE ON THE SHOULDER AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE AND A FEW OTHER LIGHTS WERE ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CONTINUED TO BURN. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NO PRIOR SOUNDS OR NOISES SUGGESTING A PROBLEM. ALL KIA UPDATES OR MAINTENANCE NOTICES WERE HANDLED BY A KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE DONE BY A SHOP. HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT ONLY A SURPRISE BUT A CONCERN AS THIS IS MY SECOND KIA (PRIOR ONE IS STILL OWNED).

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KIA OPTIMA 2015 WITH 20K MILES CAUGHT FIRE. ENGINE STOPPED WHILE AT RED LIGHT, IN DRIVE. STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. CALLED 911. VEHICLE BEHIND ME CALLED REPORTING SEEING FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. KIA REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THICK, BLACK SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON KIA (36 WATER ST, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,386. *TT CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER ON 5/11/18, SERVICE REPORT STATES ENGINE DEFECT AND EVAP CANISTER RECALL WHICH DOES NOT SHOW UP ANYWHERE. UPDATED 9/21/18*JB

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WAS AT LIGHT THEN PROCEEDED ONCE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TRAVELING ON LEFT LANE ON A 2 LANE CITY ROAD. USED TURNING SIGNAL TO MOVE TO RIGHT LANE WHEN ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD TURNED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON TO THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING ON. I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AFTER TURNING TO LOOK DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT IN REAR OF MY CAR. AT THE TIME I HIT THE OTHER CARS FRONT LEFT FENDER/TIRE AREA CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. I WAS TICKETED FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE EVEN THOUGH I TURNED MY SIGNAL ON & LOOKED. I NOW HAVE TO GO TO TRAFFIC SCHOOL TO KEEP POINTS OFF MY LICENSE & PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIR DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OTHER CLOSE CALLS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT AREA IN MY CAR.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUIDE WIRE AND A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEFT ARM AND LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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COMING OFF AN OFF RAMP ON GREENBRIAR SOUTH IN CHESAPEAK VIRGINIA, I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD NOR WAS THERE ANY POT HOLES. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT I CONTINUED TO DRIFT RIGHT. I THEN LANDED INTO A GUARD RAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A WITNESS BEHIND ME THAT CAN ATTEST TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIE ROD END HAD BROKEN CLEAN IN HALF AS IF IT WAS CUT WITH A PAIR OF SICCORS WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY THEN ULTIMATELY CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE GUARD RAIL. BASICALLY DESTROYING MY FRONT END AND THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND CURVED TURN ON AN OFF RAMP. OFF HIGHWAY 64.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ *TR

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