2006 Kia Optima complaints

THE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS VISION IMPAIRMENT. THE SWITCH FOR THE BOTH SEATS DOES NOT WORK. THE WHEEL BEARING IS BAD. THE TIRE PRESSURE WHEEL SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SPEED ADJUSTMENT SENSOR ARE BAD ON THIS 2006 KIA OPTIMA , CONSTANTLY BULBS FOR TAILLIGHT BLOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER A COLD START, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND THAT THE RPM'S WOULD NOT INCREASE OVER 2000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION ON THE THROTTLE BODY OR THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73000.

DOOR JAM ON RIGHT BACK DOOR AND SUN VISORS ON RIGHT PASSENGER OVER VIEW JUST DROPS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER OR CHILD VIEW THATS CAUSES ONE TO BECOME FEARFUL. *TR

2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TELEPHONE REQUEST FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FILING AN INJUNCTION TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR FALSE ODOMETER READINGS AND/OR FRAUD *TGW THE ODOMETER MOVED SLOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED A HAND HELD DEVICE AND STATED NOTHING INDICATED A MALFUNCTION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER ADDED AN EXTRA GROUND WIRE TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,983. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRES WERE TOO SMALL WHICH PREVENTED AMP FLOW, WHICH CAUSED THE BULBS TO BURN. UPDATED 08/11/10

BOTH SUN VISORS WOULD FALL DOWN WHILE IN THE "UP" POSITION. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FREE OF CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA, I NOTICED A DISTINCT "CLUNKING" SOUND EMANATING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION EVERY TIME I ENCOUNTERED A SHARP BUMP IN THE ROAD. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT "THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT." I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THAT IT COULD BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WOULD REPLACED PARTS ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO SHUT OFF. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE KIA MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY DO NOT COVER ANY PARTS THAT ARE NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

06 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS; ONCE LOCKED THE KEY WILL NOT WORK TO OPEN DOOR CORRECTLY, NEITHER WILL THE DOOR OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED BUT WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM ALTHOUGH VEHICLE IS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES OVER WARRANTY. THROUGH PERSONAL RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND WELL KNOWN DEFECT. PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE DOOR LATCH (AKA DOOR CHECKER) PER KIA. THIS DEFECT ASSIGNS TO THIS VEHICLE THE TITLE OF " DEATH TRAP". THE FACT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED AND KIA FORCED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM IS APPALLING AND CASTS DOUBT ON THE SERVICE OF THE NHTSA. *TR

BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE FAILED WORKING AND WILL DROP DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MISUSED THEM IN ANY WAY. THEY JUST SNAPPED UPON OPENING. MANY COMPLAINS HAVE BEEN POSTED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT'S TIME SOMEONE STEPS UP AND REPORTS THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS REMOTE WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE LATCH ON THE VEHICLE FAILED NOT THE KEYLESS REMOTE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS GIVEN HIM A NEW KEYLESS REMOTE THAT BEGAN WORKING NORMALLY AND THEN IT FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE LATCH ON THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,537. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10

I BROUGHT A NEW 2006.5 KIA OPT. AT LESS THAN 3000 MILES PARKING LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF, AUTO LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, DASH LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. TOOK TO DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES AND THEY JUST PLAYED WITH THE SWITCHES AND SAID NOT TO WORRY. AT ABOUT 5500 MILES AND A DAY AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNER SHIP THE CAR WAS DEAD AND NEEDED A TOW. NEW BATTERY.TWO LATER SAME THING, THEN AGAIN 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH AND DID WIRING REPAIRS, I NOW HAVE 23500 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE HAD OVER 12 TOWS OR JUMP STARTS. THIRD BATTERY, FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR AND OTHER REPAIRS. IN 12/2009 WITH 23000 MILES IT DIES AGAIN 4 TIMES IN 3 WEEKS AND HAD TO BE TOWED, ANOTHER NEW BATTERY. SOMETHING UNKNOWN IS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND THEY CAN'T FIND IT. AM WORRIED THAT CAR WILL DIE OUT WHEN DRIVING IT OR THE LIGHTING WILL ALL GO OUT CAUSING ME TO CRASH. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER BY KEY OR BY THE REMOTE CONTROL. THIS BEGAN RANDOMLY A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND WOULD OPEN IF WE JIGGLED THE KEY A CERTAIN WAY. WE COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR SINCE WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE COULD GET IT OPEN AGAIN. WE BOTH WORK FULL TIME AND ARE AN HOUR AWAY FROM A KIA DEALER. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OPEN SINCE. AS A RESULT, MY HUSBAND, AGE 63 AND I, AGE 62 HAVE TO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR, OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE KIA DEALER CONTACTED WILL NOT REPLACE THIS AT NO CHARGE, IT WILL COST $200 JUST TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO OUR CAR! IT IS PAST THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER SAID IT WOULD BE UP TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER TO FIX IT AT NO COST. THE SERVICE DEPT. TELLS ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS AND KNOWS WHICH PART TO ORDER WITHOUT EVEN SEEING THE CAR. WILL IT TAKE AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING THIS DEFECTIVE DOOR PART? THIS IS NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WE HAVE NO WAY OUT SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE BE RAMMED AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO JUST QUIT DRIVING THIS CAR THAT'S NOT PAID FOR! THIS IS NOT AN ACCESSORY, IT'S A BASIC CAR PART! *TR

WENT TO DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK BY THE KEY BUT WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE THE DOOR WOULD LOCK BACK AND NOT COME AWAY FROM THE DOOR FRAME. THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD GET IN THE CAR WAS TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CRAWL ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE. EXITING THE VEHICLE WAS THE SAME PROCESS. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO THE SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC OPENED THE DOOR BY UNLOCKING THE DOOR AND PULLING THE POWER LOCK FUSE AND OPENING THE DOOR. THE ACTUATOR (OR AJITATOR, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE SPECIFIC NAME BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE TWO) HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEN THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BECAUSE IT WARPED DUE TO THE ACTUATOR GOING OUT. WITH THE CAR BEING APPROX 3 YEARS OLD, THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISMS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON. NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR AND EXITING THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

I HAVE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE ELECTRIC LOCKS LOCK YOU IN THE CAR. SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR SHOULD SOMETHING ELSE ELECTRICAL HAPPEN CAUSING A FIRE I WOULD BE DEAD! KIA HAS HAD THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS AS I FOUND LOOKING ON INTERNET, THEY STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED IT. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WILL NOT GO OFF. PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT NOT ALWAYS WORKING. DEALER SAYS $115 FOR TEST. IF WARRANTED THEY WILL PAY. IF NOT I WILL PAY. READ OF MANY REPORTS LIKE THIS. 87,000 MILES. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT OR IT WILL GO OUT AND BACK ON. IT IS NECESSARY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESET THE COMPUTER FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR

YOUR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 08V161000, CONCERNING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON 2006-08 HYUNDAI SONATAS, SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE KIA OPTIMAS. I JUST HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2006 KIA OPTIMA, , WHICH I PURCHASED FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES AND THEN RETURNED WITHIN THE 7-DAY RETURN PERIOD DUE TO DISCOVERY OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SOFTWARE DID NOT RECOGNIZE A 120-POUND ADULT AS AN ADULT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AS A RESULT OF WHICH WE GOT THE SIGNAL THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. *TR

I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. MY SAME LEFT TURN SIGNAL BURNS OUT EVERY MONTH- MONTH AND A HALF. MY HEAD LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT AT THE SAME RATE. MY PARKING LIGHTS GET STUCK ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND THE SWITCH IS OFF. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET THEM TO GO OFF. THE ALARM HAS JUST GONE OFF WITH NO ONE AROUND IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE TO BE FIXED BUT THEY KEEP SAYING IF THEY DON'T SEE IT HAPPEN THEY CANNOT FIX IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. ON AUGUST 3, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. DURING THE FIRST REPAIR, THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRE SHORTAGE. DURING THE SECOND REPAIR, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WOULD CONSTANTLY BLOW OUT. HE HAS REPEATEDLY CHANGED THE BULBS, BUT APPROXIMATELY 4-5 DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT CONSULTED THE DEALER, BUT HE COULD NOT RECALL WHAT THEY STATED. THE KIA MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYDAY, BUT WORSENS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT FASHION AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,220.

I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 KIA OPTIMA EX IN APR 2006. SEPT 2006 THE KEY FOBS QUIT WORKING AND THE PASS SIDE BACK SEAT DOES NOT SECURE ITSELF IN PLACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AND STAY/TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND FIXED. JULY 2007, THE KEY FOB AGAIN QUIT WORKING/TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD A TSB WAS OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE RECEIVER WHICH WAS DONE. NOV 2007 AFTER THE TSB SUPPOSEDLY WAS TAKEN CARE OF, AGAIN THE KEY FOB QUITS WORKING/DEALERSHIP HAS AGAIN REPROGRAMMED TO WORK AGAIN AND CURRENTLY THEY CONTINUE TO WORK. THIS CAR HANDLES EXTREMELY POORLY AND IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY RISK. IT SEEMS TO HAVE A PRETTY LOOSE SUSPENSION AND A LOT OF SWAYING WHEN DRIVING. THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT CAUSING ONE TO HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT TO KEEP IT FROM TAKING NEARLY A 45 DEGREE LEFT TURN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR PULLS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT/USUALLY LEFT. WHEN DRIVING OVER A SMOOTH DIP IN THE ROAD, IT FEELS THE FRONT TIRES ACTUALLY LEAVE THE GROUND SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE RIGHT/LEFT QUICKLY. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HANDLES EXTREMELY POORLY ON ICY ROADS. THIS IS WITHOUT ANY QUESTION THE WORST HANDLING VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN...CONCERNS ME AS I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 35 MILES TO WORK ONE WAY DAILY, AND DRIVE IN WINDY AS WELL AS SNOW AND ICY CONDITIONS FAIRLY FREQUENTLY. AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES, THE LATCH ON THE GAS DOOR DOESN'T WANT TO STAY CLOSED AFTER YOU FUEL UP AND THE ELECTRONICS THAT OPERATE THE SIDE V

CAR PURCHASED NEW 3/1/2006. AT MILEAGE 5,033 AND TO CURRENT 16,675 BELTS AND PULLEYS PROBLEM EXISTS.. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY A TECH EXPERT THAT THE MFR AND CUSTOMER AGREED TO ALLOW INSPECT THE CAR. A RECURRING DRIVE BELT TENSIONER AND DRIVE BELT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AFTER SEVERAL BELTS AND TENSIONER HAVE BEEN REPLACED.....5 CONFIRMED REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR. WE ARE AFRAID THE TENSIONER OR BELT MAY FAIL DURING OPERATION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE MOTOR CAN BE SEVERELY DAMAGED. POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP AND ALL ELECTRICAL CEASE TO FUNCTION. THIS IS THE EXPLANATION I HAVE FROM A KIA REP ON AUDIO. THE MANUFACTURE CLAIMS THERE ARE NO VERIFIABLE WARRANTY CONCERNS AND THE LOUD NOISE AT START UP AND CONSTANT SQUEALING AND CHIRPING WHILE DRIVING ARE NORMAL. THE KIA REP ALSO CLAIMS ON THE AUDIO THAT THESE PARTS HAVE NEVER FAILED ON THERE CARS. THE TECHNICAL EXPERT ALSO CONFIRMED A SURGING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS EVEN THOUGH THE MFR STATES THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT. THE FIRST TIME THE SURGE & STALL PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED (9/23/2006) IT WAS ALREADY A TSB ISSUED BY MFR TO NHSTA IN DEC 2004 FOR MODEL 2006 WITH REGARDS TO A CANISTER VAC. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ELECTRIC SWITCH DOES NOT WORK DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR ELECTRIC SWITCH DOES NOT WORK BOTH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES KEEP LOSING THEIR PROGRAM. *TR

I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 13,800 MILES ON THIS CAR (KIA, OPTIMA, LX, 2006), AND THE TIRES (4) HAVE BEEN CHANGED ALREADY. THE TIRES SOUND HOLLOW, AND PING, BESIDES PULLING TO RIGHT AND LEFT. THE SECOND SET ARE DOING THE SAME THING. I THINK AND FELL THAT KIA SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAY ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM. THESE TIRES ARE ON A KIA? *TR

FRONT SUSPENSION RATTLES, BOUNCES NOT ABSORBING BUMPS AND ROAD WELL FOR A NEW CAR. TIRES SOUND HOLLOW OVER BUMPS, AND PING ALSO. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY KUMHO TIRE MANUFACTURE, BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING HELP FROM DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT IS ALWAYS GOING ON NO MATTER IF I HAVE LESS AIR OR MORE AIR IN THE TIRES, ITS BECOME A REAL PROBLEM. *TR

REF THE TWO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FIRST. #10170291 & 10208029. THIS IS THE 3RD COMPLAINT ON OUR 2006 KIA OPTIMA LX. ON 11/5/07 A NEW TENSIONER AND DRIVE BELT WERE REPLACED. THIS MADE THE 4TH ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE SAME PULLEYS & BELTS SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM BEGAN @ MILEAGE 5033 IN SEPT 2006. APROX 16,500 MILEAGE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. ON 12/5/2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP #113211 WITH SAME PROBLEM. LOUD BELT SQUEAL AT START UP AND CONSTANT CHIRP WHILE DRIVING. I WAS GIVEN A WRITTEN RECEIPT THAT STATED THE DEALERSHIP DROVE THE CAR 5 MILES AND HEARD A "SLIGHT CHIRP" COMING FROM THE BELT AREA. TECH ASST WAS CALLED AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED NOT TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS UNTIL A "PLATFORM MANAGER" WAS CONTACTED AND SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER. IT WAS PUT IN WRITING THAT THE CAR HAD NO DRIVABLE ISSUES OR SAFETY CONCERNS AND RELEASED TO THE OWNER. I EXPRESSED STRONG CONCERN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT OUR RESERVATIONS DRIVING A CAR WITH THE PULLEYS & BELTS SYSTEM MAKING SUCH NOISES. I ALSO EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE GOING OUT OF STATE ON 12/7/07 AND WOULD BE TRAVELING I-65 SOUTH FROM INDIANAPOLIS, LATE AT NIGHT AND WITHOUT A CELL PHONE. WE TRAVELED WITH THE CAR IN THE CURRENT STATE OF DISREPAIR. THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED. I HAVE EXPRESSED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/12/07. SINCE THE CAR WAS RELEASED TO ME ON 12/5/2007, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER REQUESTING THE CAR BE REPAIRED. THE PARTS PUT IN THE CAR ON11/5/20

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY FAILED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A CRASH. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,803.

ON 11/05/07 OUR 2006 KIA OPTIMA LX WAS TAKEN IS THE SHOP FOR A FIFTH TIME SINCE A SQUEALING NOISE HAD APPEARED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS NOW HAD 2 TENSIONERS AND THREE DRIVE BELTS REPLACED AS OF 11/5/2007. I STRONGLY EXPRESSED TO DEALER # 113211 THAT I WISHED TO HAVE THE IN STATE LEMON LAW APPLIED DUE TO THE FACT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF ATTEMPTS HAD BEEN MADE TO REPAIR A NONCONFORMITY PER IC 24-5-13-10. I WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP MANAGER AT DEALER 113211, THAT THE CAR IS IN WORKING CONDITION AFTER THE REAPER AND THE LEMON LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO A CAR THAT IS GOOD WORKING ORDER. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO LET THE DEALER KNOW IF THE PROBLEM RETURNED. ON 11/26/07 THE SQUEALING RETURNED. I SPOKE WITH KIA, I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I REQUESTED A KIA REP BE PRESENT. I WAS TOLD A REP WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JAN.08. I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR AND STOP AT THAT POINT SO A DECISION COULD BE MADE REGARDING THE IN LEMON LAW. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT UNLESS I SIGN A REPAIR ORDER TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED, IT CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED PER KIA POLICY. I WAS TOLD I HAD TWO OPTIONS. SIGN AND ALLOW THE SQUEAL TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIR IF UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT LEAVE THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR OUT OF SERVICE AS ON 11/28/07 WITH 15,974 MILES. IT IS IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE SENT THIS MATTER TO THE IN ATTY GEN OFFICE FOR REVIEW.THIS IS THE 3RD COMPLAINT FILED ON THIS CAR, PLEASE REF #10170291 & #10208029 ALSO. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF A TENSIONER OR DRIVE BELT FAIL DURING OP

BEGINNING 9/9/2006 OUR 2006 KIA OPTIMA LX HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.....EXCESSIVE NOISE AT START UP. .9/9/06,2/22/07,3/8/07,4/10/07,11/5/07. 3 DRIVE BELTS AND 2 DRIVE BELT TENSIONERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT KIA WAS CONTACTED AND "SHOULD "BE ISSUING A TSB. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT KIA IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD TO LET THE DEALERSHIP KNOW IF THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE EXCESSIVE NOISE AT START UP AND TO GIVE IT 3-4 MONTHS FOR A TSB TO GET ISSUED, THEN BRING THE CAR IN AGAIN. I CAN ONLY ASSUME WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE DRIVE BELT OR TENSIONER FAIL DURING OPERATION OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN THIS MATTER. THIS IS THE SECOND ODI COMPLAINT FILED ON THIS CAR. PLEASE REF # 10170291 FOR THE DETAILS OF THE FIRST COMPLAINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TPMS ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SENSOR MALFUNCTION FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW TPMS INDICATOR, BUT THE FAILURE STILL CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR AND/OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THEY STATED THAT HER CELL PHONE OR RADIO FREQUENCIES MAY HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,616 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,413.

HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT. DEALER TELLS ME THAT AFTER MARKET BULBS WILL NOT WORK AND ORIGINAL BULBS ONLY LAST 1 YEAR. WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OUT WHILE RIDING DOWN INTERSTATE AND AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. *TR

I HAVE A KIA OPTIMA AND I CALLED ABOUT A PROBLEM. IT WAS THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO ON A DARKNIGHT ON LOW BEAM. AND SOMETHING WAS TO WALK OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU HIT THE HIGHBEAM SWITCH. AND BANG YOU CRASH BECAUSE ALL YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND LEAVE YOU IN THE DARK IT COULD HAPPEN AND THEY DO GO OUT. MY CAR IS 2006 OPTIMA. I HAVE TRIED THIS ON TWO HYUNDAI'S ONE YEAR OLDER AND THE SAME YEAR AS MY KIA BOTH OF THEM THE HEADLIGHTS WORK FINE CAN YOU MAKE MINE WORK LIKE THAT? PLEASE GEORGE HURD, THANKYOU *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OVER 100 LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE RESET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THIS MEANT THAT WHEN A PASSENGER ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE SHUT OFF AND THEN REACTIVATED FOR THE AIR BAG TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. SHE STATED THAT THE SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE MORE THAN TWO FEET IN FRONT OF HER WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ENGAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE PASSENGER WEIGHED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,791 STARTING 60 MILES. THE DEALER STATED HEARS A RATTLE FROM THE SUNROOF AND GASKET ON TRUNK. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THESE VEHICLES AND MAY BE PREVENTED BY SITTING IN A CERTAIN POSITION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.*AK

MY 2006 KIA OPTIMA IS NOW IN THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE CLUTCH, BALL BEARING, SOME TYPE OF PLATE, AND THE FLY WHEEL. THE CAR IS JUST OVER 13 MONTHS OLD AND HAS 19,000 PLUS MILES. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS OVER $1,700.00 WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. I HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THIS TO MANY MECHANICS (BOTH CERITFIED AN NON CERTIFIED) AND NO ONE EVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A CLUTCH FOR A NEW CAR AT 20,000 MILES. IS THIS A CONTINOUS PROBLEM - I AM A LOST AT WHAT TO DO. I HAVE CALLED A SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRING THE CAR AND THEY SAY IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NODEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE CAR. IT WAS FIRST BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR ON FRIDAY MARCH 9, ON MARCH 12 I WAS TOLD FROM THAT THE CLUTCH IS TO BE REPLCED FOR 1000.00 AND WILL TAKE FEW DAYS. WHEN I CALLED AT 3:40PM OON THURSDAY MARCH 15 AND WAITED ON HOLD FOR OVER FIVE MINUTES AND HAD TO CALL BACK I WAS THEN TOLD THE FLY WHEEL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 700.00 NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I AM STUCK WITH NO 1 YEAR OLD CAR THAT TH 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY (AND A PURCHSED EXTENDED WARRANTY) DOES NOT COVER

PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA,,,THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. MY WIFE WAYS 170 SO THIS IS WELL ABOVE A 130 LB LIMIT I HAVE READ ABOUT BUT NOT VERIFIED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT QUITE FREQUENT THOUGH. 9 TIMES IN LAST 2 DAYS...TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP AND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. THOUGH I HAVE WITNESSED THIS MALFUNCTION AT LEAST 100 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST MONTH. I TOLD THEM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THEY SAID THEY CANT JUST THROW MONEY AT IT HOPING TO REPLACE THE BAD PART BY LUCK AS THE SENSORS ARE $1200.00 A PIECE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE 5 SENSORS IN THE SEAT. I THEN TOLD THEM THAT THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE CAR WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT IT, AND NOW IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE, I CANT TRUST IT TO PROTECT ANY PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 7558. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED A GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

TL* - ON 11/8/06, THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE OIL PUMP EXPLODED AND CRACKED THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 10,123 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK ON 12/11/06 AND ON 12/14/06 THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARS A TAPPING NOISE, THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AT 25 - 35MPH, HE EXPERIENCES AN ILLUMINATION PROBLEM WITH HIS LEFT HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT OPERATING CORRECTLY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT CASTS A DARK SHADOW, WHICH HAMPERS HIS ABILITY TO SEE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM WITH HIS CAR, BUT WITH ALL OF THE KIA MODEL CARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA CORPORATION ON 01/11/2007 AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER FOR HIS COMPLAINT (K1266127). KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL OF THE MODELS AND IS UNCORRECTABLE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE MEETS FEDERAL STANDARDS, AND THEREFORE A RECALL IS NOT IN ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN OUT ON A DARK ROAD AND A LEFT TURN MADE TO SEE THE SHADOW FROM THE HEADLIGHTS.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HE PURCHASE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA ON 11/30/06, WITH 377 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICE THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE NO ONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SOMEONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. HE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAS INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ORDERED THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED HIM AND TOLD HIM TO BRING VEHICLE IN TODAY EVEN THOUGH THE PART WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED THE PADDING FOR THE CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NHTSA SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL BLEW BACK OUT OF THE GAS TANK, AFTER THE AUTO SHUT OFF VALVE ON THE PUMP HANDLE STOPPED. THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX ATTEMPTS AND WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AN OFFER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE WAS MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER WEIGHING 125 POUNDS WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, WHICH INDICATED A LACK OF AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH DID NOT PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE DEALER REFERRED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED IN SOME INSTANCES WITH LIGHTER PASSENGERS, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM MAY NOT BE ACTIVE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WE PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA A FEW MONTHS BACK. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A FEATURE, THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS VACANT. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 104 LBS AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE THE SWITCH AS INDICATED BY THE FACT THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF, AND THEREFORE IS UNPROTECTED IF THERE WAS A FRONTAL CRASH. THE DEALER CHECKED AND INDICATED THAT THE SWITCH IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES SHE CAN GET THE INDICATOR TO GO OFF BY MOVING AROUND AND/OR BOUNCING ON THE SEAT. THE OTHER FUN FACT IS THAT WE CAN BE RIDING ALONG AND THE INDICATOR WILL COME ON OR IF IT IS ON IT WILL SOMETIME TURN OFF. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RHYME OR REASON FOR THE ACTIVATION OR DE-ACTIVATION OF THE SENSOR SWITCH. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SENSOR SWITCH CAN NOT BE BY-PASSED BECAUSE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM

I JUST PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. MY CONCERN IS WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT; THE AIR BAG DOES NOT ARM. KIA STATES THAT THE NEW STANDARD (NHTSA) STATES THAT ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. IF TRUE, I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE. THERE IS NO STATEMENTS WITHIN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR IS THERE A PLACARD ON THE DASHBOARD WARNING ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, WHO IS LIABLE, YOU OR KIA. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE RULES, THE LAW AND IF THIS IS SO, WHAT INDIVIDUAL, FELT INDIVIDUAL LESS THAN 130 LBS DO NOT DESERVE THAT SAFETY FEATURE. *JB

KUMHO RADIAL TIRE ON THE BACK (PASSENGER SIDE) OF A 2007 KIA OPTIMA FAILED AT APPROXMIATELY 70 MPH. THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WALLS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TREAT ITSELF, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL FAILURE (SUCH AS A FOREIGN OBJECT) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE'S FAILURE. *NM