2013 Kia Optima complaints

IF THE WHEELS SLIP SLIGHTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER AND STOPS. I REALIZE THAT THERE ARE SKID CONTROL MECHANISMS, BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE KIA DEALER IN DENVILLE NJ AND THEY CLAIM IT IS "NORMAL". THIS MORNING, I PULLED OUT ONTO A BUSY ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIPPED SLIGHTLY ON THE WET SURFACE. THE CAR LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I CAN CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE FOR ME TO ENTER THE ROAD. *TR

HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/11/14 MY DAUGHTER DID NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE CAR.... ON DECEMBER 27 SHE "LOST CONTROL" OF THE CAR, AND RAN INTO THE WALL ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DRY EVENING, AND SHE EMPHATICALLY STATES THAT SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE ONLY RATIONALE CONCLUSION WAS THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. THAT IS, UNTIL A FRIEND RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE WEB, AND CHECK IF OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN OR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. ALTHOUGH I HAD DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE WHEN RESEARCHING THE CAR E.G. RECALLS, KNOWN PROBLEMS, ETC. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR, I DID NOT CHECK SPECIFICS SUCH AS STEERING. LONG OF THE SHORT, TWO DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WHEN I GOOGLED STEERING PROBLEMS, THIS SITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/OPTIMA/2013/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO SHOW UP. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND 35 COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS I AM I CONVINCED THAT THIS STEERING ISSUE IS THE CONTRIBUTOR TO MY DAUGHTER'S ACCIDENT. IT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A BLOW OUT. I THINK THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS IT IS GOING TO TAKE FOR KIA TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING? IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THERE NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS' RECALL BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS, IF IT HASN'T ALR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ETERNAL SAULT PCM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE LIGHT RAIN HITTING THE CAR AND THE ROAR OF THE FREEWAY. WE QUICKLY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND UPON LOOKING AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR'S SUN ROOF WITH SHARP SHARDS OF GLASS TILTED TOWARDS THE SKY AND LARGE CRACKS EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE SUNROOF FRAME TO THE OTHER. CONDITIONS WERE RAINING, 7:30AM AND ABOUT 50 DEGREES F OUTSIDE. THE CANVAS SCREEN WAS CLOSED TO CATCH THE FALLING GLASS SO NO GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND NO DEBRIS OR OTHER CARS IN THE AREA. *TR

THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS DESIGNED SO POORLY THAT WHEN I PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP I HAVE TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY OR RISK BEING A SITTING DUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM DETECTS ANY AMOUNT OF TIRE SLIPPAGE IT CUTS POWER TO BOTH WHEELS COMPLETELY. YOUR INSTINCT IS TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER TO MAKE THE CAR GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHICH CAUSES THE WHEELS TO SLIP WHEN THE CAR REAPPLIES POWER AND THE WHOLE PROBLEM STARTS AGAIN AND YOU ARE STILL IN THE INTERSECTION. THE POWER IS CUT SO DRAMATICALLY THAT IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AND VEHICLE OCCUPANTS LURCH FORWARD. AFTER A SECOND OR TWO THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY REAPPLIES POWER. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID THIS IS TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM WHICH HAS TO BE DONE EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR. IF YOU FORGET TO DISABLE IT YOU ARE FUMBLING ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING TO DISABLE IT. WHEN I REPRODUCED THE EVENT AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS HOW THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO WORK. ALL IT TAKES IS A COUPLE ROCKS ON THE GROUND, A LITTLE RAIN, OR EVEN A HEAVY FOG AND THE SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY KILL THE POWER FOR BETWEEN 1 - 2 SECONDS WHEN YOU START OFF FROM A STAND STILL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. ONCE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, HE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. AS A RESULT, BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO WEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2013, IT WAS LESS THEN TWO WEEKS AND I TOLD THEM AT CENTURY KIA SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I LATER TOOK IT AND HAD THE ALIGNMENT LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD IT WAS OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER IT IS SWAYING ALL OVER THE ROAD, I CALLED CENTURY KIA AND SPOKE WITH THEIR REPAIR DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM TO HIM AND HE SUGGESTED IT SOUND LIKE MAYBE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND I TOLD HIM IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE BUT HE TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED TO CHECK IT OUT TO MAKE SURE, I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE IF IT'S THE SAME THING BUT WILL ALLOW THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. HOPEFULLY I WILL GET SOME REAL HELP BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE MY CAR AS WELL. *TR

REAR SEAT BELTS IN CLOTH SEAT CONFIGURATION DO NOT HOLD THE BUCKLE IN AN EXPOSED POSITION SO THAT A CHILD OR AN ADULT CAN REASONABLY OPERATE IT. MOST VEHICLES HAVE A PLASTIC SHEATH THAT HOLD THE BUCKLE EXPOSED SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT A CHILD SEAT ON THE SEAT AND THEN ATTEMPT TO BUCKLE A CHILD IN PLACE. THIS DESIGN IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS USERS WILL BE FRUSTRATED AND OMIT USING THE REAR SEAT BELTS. *TR

VEHICLE IS HARD TO HOLD STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE STEERING LOCKS INTO A POSITION AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. THIS CAUSES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE ON LONGER TRIPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. I HAVE A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. I WAS AT 62,000 MILES WHEN IT WENT OUT, WHICH MEANT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD IT REPLACED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, IT COST AROUND $800.00 TO REPLACE. NOW LESS THAT 2 MONTHS LATER I AM HAVING SOME HESITATION AND JERKING IN THE CAR. HAD THE CAR TROUBLESHOOT AND IT'S NOT THE TEMP SENSOR. THE CAR IS TOO NEW FOR THINGS LIKE THIS TO HAPPENED. ONCE I GET RID OF IT, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA, OR WILL I ALLOW MY FAMILY AND FRIEND TO. *TR

PROBLEM IS ONGOING. VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION NECESSARY. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAPPENS ON PERFECTLY FLAT ROADS WITH NO WIND. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS INDEPENDENTLY IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT HELD TIGHTLY. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SLIGHTLY RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. IT BECOMES A STRAIN ON MY ARMS AND MY WRISTS ACHE AFTER A LONG DRIVE. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T KIA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? I DON'T TRUST GOING TO THE DEALER BECAUSE, FROM ALL THE REVIEWS, IT SEEMS LIKE NOTHING IS OR CAN BE DONE. I HAD A HYUNDAI SONATA FOR YEARS AND LOVED IT. I WENT WITH THE KIA DUE TO THE NEW LOOK, PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR A QUALITY CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BOTH THIS PROBLEM!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

VERY HARD TO KEEP ON A STRAIGHT TRACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE, IT IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE. I'VE TRIED REDUCING THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES AND IT HELPED A LITTLE, BUT ONLY A LITTLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. NOW I FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME STEERING ISSUE. KIA/HYUNDAI CORPORATE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THIS STEERING ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT. REQUEST RESEARCH HELP. *TR

AT A 4 WAY STOP, (STOP SIGNS ONLY) THE CAR TO MY LEFT WAS COMPLETELY OBSCURED BY THE SIDE MIRROR AND WINDOW HOUSING. STREET LIGHTS ABSORBED HIS HEADLIGHTS, CAR WAS DARK BLUE. AFTER LOOKING BOTH WAYS I LET OFF THE GAS TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO SEE A DARK OBJECT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I BRAKE BUT WE MADE CONTACT SCRAPING THE PAINT FROM MY BUMPER. I WILL SAY I JUST MOVED HERE FROM A LARGER TOWN THAT ONLY HAD STOP LIGHTS SO I HAD NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I AM 5'2" TALL WHICH ALSO PUTS MY EYE LEVEL DIRECTLY LINE OF SIGHT WITH THE SIDE MIRROR. IT'S A PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA ACCIDENT ON 9/24/2014. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, FACING EAST, TURNING TO GO NORTH, IN SC IA A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT, COMING WESTBOUND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HIT THE TRAFFIC GOING SOUTH BOUND WHICH IN TURN THE 1993 FORD EXPLORER HIT ME HEAD ON. PUSHED MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA 40FT FROM THE LIGHT. THE IMPACT WAS PRETTY INTENSE AND I WAS HIT HEAD ON AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AS I LOOKED IN THE BACK SEAT MY BACK SEATS WERE LAYING DOWN, BEFORE THE IMPACT THEY WERE IN A UP POSITION AND FULLY LOCKED..UPDATED 10/17/14 *BF UPDATED 3/30/15 *JS *TR

OUR VEHICLE CHANGES GEARS FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL SHIFT ON ITS OWN WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. AFTER THE 1ST OCCURRENCE WE CONTACTED OUR DEALER TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE ISSUE. WE WERE TOLD UNLESS THE ISSUE HAPPENS AGAIN AND THEY SEE IT, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. WELL SINCE THEN THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES. THE LAST OCCURRENCE, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEN WERE ADVISED TO CONTACT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO HAVE THEM AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE AT THAT TIME OF DROP OFF. AFTER 2 WEEKS OR INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE, IT WAS DEEMED THAT THE CAR WAS OPERABLE AND SAFE. MY WIFE, WHO DRIVES THE VEHICLE, FEELS NO CONFIDENCE AND SAFETY TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGAIN TO DISCUSS OPTIONS UPON WHICH I WAS TOLD A FEW TIMES THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER TO DO AND THAT IF THE ISSUE HAPPENS AGAIN WE SHOULD BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS WOULD THEN BRING US BACK TO STEP 1 AGAIN AND THE POSSIBILITY OF NOTHING BEING RESOLVED. I CANNOT ACCEPT THAT AS MY FINAL ANSWER. IF THE VEHICLE SLOWS SUDDENLY AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, WE WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT DISCUSSION. I CANNOT ACCEPT THE FACT THAT IT WOULD TAKE AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR BEFORE REAL ACTION IS DONE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2013 KIA OPTIMA FROM A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS SELLING IT SECOND-HAND. THE CAR HAS 13,500 MILES ON IT AT PURCHASE. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE I WENT IN A SMALL CIRCLE THAT INCLUDED ONLY VERY MINIMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. ON JUNE 26,2014 MY FAMILY LEFT FOR A 5 HOUR TRIP TO CHARLESTON, SC. IT WAS ON THIS TRIP I STARTED NOTICING VERY EARLY ON THAT I WAS HAVING TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING TO THE LEFT AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN...ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHARLESTON. SINCE NOTICING THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ISSUE EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, AND IT HAS RESULTED SEVERAL TIMES IN ME VEERING INTO THE LANE BESIDE WHETHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I LITERALLY HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY MICRO-STEER THE CAR JUST TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE LANE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLAY IN THE STEERING WHATSOEVER. YOU CANNOT LOOK IN YOUR SIDE VIEW OR REAR VIEW MIRROR WITHOUT THE CAR DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN THE 2013 OPTIMAS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TO KIA, AND KIA DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S WITHIN SPECS. THERE WILL BE MANY HEAD ON CRASHES WHERE CARS CROSS THE CENTER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING, AND IM SURE MANY FATALITIES WILL RESULT. I CAN PROMISE YOU THIS WILL HAPPEN IF IT ALREADY HASN'T. THERE ARE CERTAIN 2013 KIA/HYUNDAI MODELS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM REPORTED. 2013 WAS THE FIRST YEAR KIA/HYUNDAI UTILIZED E

THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE LOCK UP REALLY EASILY ON SLICK ROADS, THEY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE OPERATING TO SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE OPTIMA. I'M SPECULATING, BUT THEY APPEAR TO WORK AS THOUGH SOME ENGINEER SET THEM UP TO WORK ON ROADS THAT DON'T HAVE ICE OR SNOW ON THEM, NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING OR REALIZING THAT WE HAVE ICE AND SNOW ON OUR ROADS, HERE IN THE USA. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED OR ENGINEERED, BUT IT REALLY APPEARS TO ME THAT ICE AND SNOW COVERED ROADS WERE NOT ACCOMMODATED FOR. I THINK THEY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE VEHICLE ON ICY, OR SNOW COVERED ROADS SAFELY AND WITHOUT THE FRONT WHEELS SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL. THE ANTI-LOCK FEATURE DOES RELEASE THEM BUT AS SOON AS THEY APPLY AGAIN THEY GO INTO A SKID. *TR

WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT AND TRYING TO GO AFTER THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN ACCELERATOR WON'T GO DOWN AND MOVE CAR FORWARD BECAUSE IT STICKS AND I HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND PUSH IT DOWN AGAIN TO GET IT TO GO. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING EVERY DAY FROM TIME TO TIME. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW BECAUSE I FOUND NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR LISTED YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE FRACTURED GLASS PENETRATED THE VEHICLE INTERIOR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED REDUCTION INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE DECELERATING AND HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/8/2015 *JS

I HAVE FOUND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO BE TOO DRASTIC AT TIMES. WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY THERE IS USUALLY A SMALL BUMP (DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT, ABOUT 2", BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE PARKING AREA). IF I'M ACCELERATING (WHICH YOU USUALLY HAVE TO DO TO GET ONTO A BUSY ROAD), WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER THE "SMALL BUMP" THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN AND THE CAR LOSES A LOT OF THE POWER YOU NEED TO AVOID THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRACTION CONTROL CAUSES THE CAR TO COME TO A "ROLLING STOP". THIS SEEMS A LITTLE TOO EXTREME TO ME AND I FEEL LIKE THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE. I HAVE OWNED 4 OTHER CARS WITH TRACTION CONTROL (2 SATURNS, 1 CORVETTE, AND A KIA FORTE). NONE OF THE VEHICLES MENTION HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. USUALLY THE TRACTION CONTROL WILL "GRADUALLY" SLOW DOWN THE WHEEL OR WHEELS THAT ARE TURNING FASTER THAN REQUIRED. THE OPTIMA ALMOST COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, LOSING 95% OF IT'S POWER ON JUNE 6, 2014 I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FETTE KIA). I WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS WAS HOW THE CAR WAS DESIGNED. THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES THE DATE ABOVE WAS USED TO COMPLETE THE FORM. *TR

DURING THE SECOND OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST WAS VERY STRONG AND WAS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE BOTH AT SPEED AND WHILE SITTING. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE ONLY PREMIUM FUEL IN IT TO STOP THE ISSUE. THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT STATE THAT THIS IS THE CASE BUT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE STRONG EXHAUST, WE SWITCHED TO ONLY USE PREMIUM FUEL WHICH PREVENTED THE MAJORITY OF THE STRONG FUMES BUT NOT ALL. IN GETTING THE VEHICLE'S THIRD OIL CHANGE, THE OIL WAS EXTREMELY DIRTY AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN NO REASON WHY A VEHICLE OF SUCH LOW MILEAGE SHOULD HAVE OIL ANYWHERE NEAR THE CONDITION THAT IT DID. *TR

ON NOV 22ND MY SON WAS DRIVING IN DETROIT AT 11PM WHEN THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE BLEW. WENT TO THE TRUNK TO GET THE SPARE AND THAT'S WHEN WE DISCOVERED IT DIDN'T COME WITH A SPARE. NEXT DAY GOT IT TOWED AND PAID 234$ FOR A NEW TIRE. ON DEC 21ST, HUSBAND DRIVING HOME LATE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND BLEW THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. GOT IT TOWED AND AGAIN 234$ FOR A NEW TIRE. ON MAY 25TH WAS DRIVING MY STEPSON HOME AND BLEW THE SAME FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. IT TOOK OVER 3 1/2 HOURS FOR THE TOW TRUCK AND SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR TWO DAYS. AND THIS TIME IT ONLY COST ME 211$ CUZ I HAD A COUPON. 3 TIRES IN 6 MONTHS IS NOT RIGHT! THERE'S 2 OTHER DRIVERS AT MY HOUSE AND THEY HAVEN'T HAD PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING ON THE ROADS! *TR

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT AND THEN LEANED FORWARD TO PICKUP SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR. WHEN I STARTED TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT AND THE SHOULDER STRAP PULLED MY HEAD INTO THE HEAD REST MY MY NECK. THE MORE I PULLED THE SEATBELT TO LOOSEN IT, THE TIGHTER IT GOT. NOTHING HELPED. FINALLY MY FRIEND WHO HAD BEEN DRIVING, REMOVED THE SIDE PANEL AND THEN REMOVED THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE SEATBELT TO RELEASE MY NECK. *TR

MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA LX, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW WITH ONLY 7 MILES, IS HARD TO KEEP ON A STRAIGHT TRACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SLIGHT CORRECTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY MADE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. THIS DRIFTING WILL HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE WIND BLOWING OR THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE, IT IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE, BUT I CHALKED IT UP TO THE NEW TIRES NEEDING TO BE BROKEN IN. NOW THE CAR HAS 12,000 MILES AND TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. I'VE DRIVEN ENOUGH CARS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. NOW I FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME STEERING ISSUE. KIA/HYUNDAI CORPORATE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THIS STEERING ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

ON 5/15/14 AT APPROX. 0430AM, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR MOVED LESS THAN TWO FEET. I THEN PLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, WHERE THE MOTOR REV'D TO APPROX. 7000 RPM. I THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON. AFTER TURNING IT BACK ON, THE CAR THEN RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTIONS. LATER THE SAME DAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICEMAN, A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HE HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE SUN ROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,369. UPDATED 06/12/14 UPDATED 07/15/14 MA UPDATED 07/18/2014*JS

THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, AND JUST THE THIRD THIS PAST WEEKEND SO I AM FINALLY WRITING A COMPLAINT. MY KIA HAS A FAULTY MAP SENSOR, THE DEALER SAYS, AND WHEN IT GOES OUT (ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS) MY CAR COMPLETELY DIES ON ME; I HAVE NO ACCELERATION, BRAKES LOCK UP AND MY POWER STEERING IS GONE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE TWO OF THE THREE OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I AM FORCED TO YANK THE STEERING WHEEL TO A SHOULDER AND LET THE CAR COME TO A STOP. SOMETIMES IT RESTARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. IN ALL THREE INSTANCES, MY CAR HAS HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR NOT ONLY ME BY ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME AS WELL AS ANY OTHER KIA DRIVER'S OUT THERE. I HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THEY DO NOT OFFER A REPLACEMENT, JUST MONEY. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE OFFER, MONEY DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR MY CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THE CAR. IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR, JUST ONE YEAR OLD. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EACH TIME I DRIVE MY CAR BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION, I DRIVE A LOT FOR WORK. ALL I AM SEEKING IS A REPLACEMENT CAR, I LOVE THE CAR AND ALL IT OFFERS BUT IT DOES NOT PERFORM WELL AT ALL AND I AM VERY FEARFUL OF THIS. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN OR IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

I WAS EXITING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE STREET WHEN I LOOKED DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND HIT THE MEDIAN HEAD ON. THERE WAS A BIG TERRA-COTTA POT WITH A TREE PLANTED IN IT THAT I HIT HARD. IT RIPPED THE FRONT BOTTOM PART OF MY CAR OFF AND BROKE MY TRANSAXLE. IT WOULDN'T DRIVE ANYMORE AND IT TOTALED MY CAR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS EVER CAME OUT EVEN WHEN I HIT HEAD ON. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A CSCAN. I ENDED UP WITH A CONCUSSION FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS AND STILL HAVE A KNOT ON MY HEAD. I WAS ALSO WEARING MY SEAT BELT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR ABRUPTLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OTHER LANE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE CONCRETE BARRIER. WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING BARRIER. RETURNED TO DEALER TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT WE DID NOT WANT THE CAR ANYMORE DUE TO IT BEING A DEATH TRAP. THEY COULD NOT REENACT THE SITUATION SO THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. TOLD THEM THIS CAR NEEDED TO BE DISSECTED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THEY CLAIMED THEY CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD TO CALL 800-333-4KIA NUMBER THEY HAD NOT RECORD OF THIS ISSUE. WE NO LONGER OWN THE CAR AND ACCORDING TO KIA WE NO LONGER HAVE A SAY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8000.

THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE HANDLING OF THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS WINDY. IT IS A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30MPH. I'M HAVING TO AVOID CERTAIN ROADS AND BRIDGES (I.E. TAMPA BAY'S SUNSHINE SKYWAY) DUE TO THE FAULTY AND INCONSISTENT RESPONSE OF THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WIND. GOD FORBID THAT A SUDDEN GUST COME ALONG!! I, TOO, HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION. THINKING THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL!! AND SOON!! *TR

DEAR NEXEN & SOUTHWEST KIA 39650 LYNDON B. JOHNSON FWY, DALLAS, TX. 75237 (972) 283-9797: I AM REACHING OUT TO YOUR COMPANY IN HOPES OF GAINING RESOLUTION ON A RECENT SAFETY ISSUE I EXPERIENCED WITH YOUR TIRES. ON JUNE 28TH 2013 I PURCHASED A MOTOR VEHICLE FROM YOUR DEALERSHIP VIN# [XXX], KIA SUV. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORY BECAUSE ON 3/14/14 I WAS DRIVING IN TO WORK TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE REAR TIRE ON THE SUV COMPLETELY CAME APART TO MY DISMAY, LEAVING ME DRIVING ON THREE GOOD TIRES AND A BARE RIM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED & ING SWITCH IS PRESSED ??? *TR

DURING THE FIRST INCLEMENT WEATHER I ENDURED WITH THIS CAR (LATE NOV/EARLY DEC 2013) THERE WAS SOME SNOW AND ICE. I CAME TO A STOP THEN PULLED OUT TO TURN RIGHT. THE NEAREST TRAFFIC WAS 2 BLOCKS AWAY. AS I TRIED TO TURN, MY CAR STOPPED THEN STARTED, STOPPED, STARTED. THE TRAFFIC WAS HEADED DIRECTLY FOR ME AND BLARING THEIR HORNS. SUDDENLY, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND WENT ON ITS WAY. I EXPERIENCED THIS AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES THE SAME DAY AND MANY MORE TIMES SINCE THEN DURING THE COURSE OF THIS WINTER. IT HAS HAPPENED ON INTERSTATES, GOING UP HILLS, MAKING TURNS AND DRIVING SLOWLY ON SLIPPERY STREETS. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THIS; IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

I AGREE WITH THE MAY 24, 2013 - SCOTTSDALE, AZ OVERVIEW REGARDING WIND. THE CAR IS EASILY AFFECTED AND MOVES IN THE WIND AND IS A CHALLENGE TO STAY STRAIGHT IN THE LANE. I FEEL LIKE OTHER DRIVERS MUST THINK I AM A DRUNK DRIVER. THE CAR DOES NOT REALLY DRIFT BUT THE STEERING IS SLUGGISH WITH PLAY AND DEAD SPOTS/HARDER TO MAKE FIRST PART OF A TURN, (ALMOST LIKE STEERING STICKS). ALSO AS SOMEONE ELSE SAID, THE STEERING IS A CHALLENGE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IS HARD TO MAINTAIN IN THE LANE.... MAY ALSO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT IS EASY TO LOSE CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS IF THE ROADWAY IS NOT PERFECT. CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE LOOSE STEERING TO THE POINT WHERE AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE I AM A DRUNK DRIVER. INCREASING THE AIR IN THE TIRES WAS OF NO HELP TOWARD THE STEERING STABILITY. I SPOKE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER (FEBRUARY 2012), AND HE NOTED THAT THE CONDITIONS SOUNDED TYPICAL OF WHAT HE HAS HEARD WITH THE NEWER MODEL OPTIMAS WHICH HAVE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING. HE WAS GOING TO CHECK WITH KIA FOR THEIR THOUGHTS. NO RESPONSE YET. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE GOOD OLD TIGHT, RACK AND PINION STEERING? ENOUGH OF THIS MUSHY STEERING, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPORTY CAR... AM I FINDING OUT THAT IT IS JUST GOOD LOOKS? I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN SIMILAR PRICED CHRYSLER AND FORD PRODUCTS PRIOR TO THIS AND NEVER UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE STEERING. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ONE EVENING FROM WORK. THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME BUT SEVERAL BEHIND ME. I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND HAD JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP AND THERE WAS A 'BIG BOOM/EXPLOSION', I HAD SERIOUSLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. THEN REALIZED IT WAS MY SUNROOF. I PULLED OVER TO EXAMINE THE SUNROOF AND COUNTED MY BLESSINGS THE SUN VISOR COVERING WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE SERIOUS. I COULD TELL BY THE WAY THE GLASS WAS PUSHED UPWARD THAT NOTHING HAD HIT IT. BUT IT WAS SHATTERED IN MANY, MANY PIECES. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND LEFT IT IN THEIR HANDS. IT TOOK OVER TWO WEEKS TO GET IT BACK (BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION). I JUST HOPE THEY FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING IN THESE KIA'S AND GET IT RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SEVERELY INJURED OR CAUSES INJURY TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE OF THE FRIGHT IT CAN CAUSE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

THE SUNROOF ON MY 2013 KIA OPTIMA EXPLODED OUT WARDS RAINING BROKEN GLASS DOWN ON MY HEARD. THE CAR WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT AND NO CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT CREAKING NOISE AND THEN A VIOLENT EXPLOSION LEAVING AN UP TURNED CRATER IN THE GLASS ROOF. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY SUNROOFS DISPUTE THE RECALL ON SIMILAR ROOFS ON OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 7:30AM ON MY WAY TO WORK, BEAUTIFUL DAY PROBABLY ABOUT 60 DEGREES AT THE TIME. MY SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT BLAST. IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME, I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HIT MY CAR THAT IS WHY I THOUGHT THIS WAS REALLY STRANGE. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT THE DEALER AND OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. I WENT ON LINE AND WHAT DO I FINE? THIS HAS HAPPENED QUIT A BIT. I AM NOW WAITING ON KIA'S ENGINEERS TO LET ME KNOW IF KIA IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE DAMAGES. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE NOW, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN? I NEED SOME HELP IN GETTING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

MY KIA GETS STUCK IN A FEW INCHES OF SNOW OR ANY ICE. SLIDES EASILY IN RAIN OR ICY OR COLD WEATHER. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN PUSHED BY STRANGERS, COUNTLESS TIMES, TRYING TO GET ME OUT OF SUBDIVISIONS BECAUSE THIS CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HE MENTIONED HE HAD TO TOW 3 OF THESE SAME FANCY VEHICLES THAT WERE STUCK IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW. I AM UNABLE TO PARK IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT DEPENDABLE IF ANY SNOW OR ICE IS ON THE DRIVEWAY. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PATIENT'S DRIVEWAYS. THEY LAUGH AND SAY THE OTHER NURSES DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS. THIS IS HUMILIATING. THIS CAR COSTS ALMOST 40,000. IT SHOULD BE DEPENDABLE INSTEAD IT IS UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS: OTHER CARS MAY RUN INTO ME WHEN MY CAR STARTS SLIDING BACKWARDS ON THE STREETS. I HAVE LITERALLY BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD TO CALL IN SICK SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE MY CAR WILL NOT BACK OUT A FEW FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY IF THERE IS 3 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. ALSO THE ENGINE WHINES ALOT. IT SEEMS TO LAG IN SHIFTING AND THE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4 BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. I AM AFRAID THE ENGINE WILL EXPLODE OR BLOW UP. *TR

STEERING WHEEL STAYS STRAIGHT BUT CAR WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN LANE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED AS THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 3/14/14*CN

DRIVING ALONG ON A MAIN ROAD, BUT NOT A HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 45 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A MASSIVE EXPLOSION. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT ME, IT WAS JUST RANDOM. THANK GOD IT WAS CLOSED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ALL OVER ME. AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT IT'S NOT COVERED AND WAS MY FAULT! THE CAR IS 4 MONTHS OLD. *TR

RECENTLY I LEASED A KIA OPTIMA SX, AFTER 1 WEEK NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN LANE WHILE STEERING WHEEL KEPT STRAIGHT AT CENTER POSITION. WHEN CORRECTING "DRIFT" STEERING OVER COMPENSATES FOR CORRECTION AND SWAYS VEHICLE OTHER WAY. HAVE HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2600 MILES FOR THIS ISSUE. FIRST TIME THEY RESET ALIGNMENT, THE 2ND SERVICE DEPT. SAYS EVERYTHING IS WITHIN KIA SPECS AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. CAR STILL "DRIFTS"WHILE ON ROAD MOST NOTICEABLY ABOVE 50-60 MPH WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY, WHILE SOMEWHAT PRESENT CAR ACTS MORE NORMALLY ON STREET SPEEDS UNDER 45 MPH. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING TO TRACK STRAIGHT. REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN AN OTHERWISE VERY NICE VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE PERFORM AS IT SHOULD AND TRACK PROPERLY WHILE BEING OPERATED. I FEEL THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANT TO TRAVEL INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THE CARS STEERING WHEEL STICKS AT CENTER. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CAR WONDERS DRASTICALLY ON THE ROAD - TO CORRECT YOU TRY TO STEER THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT WITH THE STICKING IN THE CENTER YOUR CORRECTIONS CAUSE DRASTIC "BACK AND FORTH". HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 3 TIMES. ALL I AM TOLD IS IT IS THE ALIGNMENT. NOTHING IS FIXED. *TR

2013 KIA OPTIMA. HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE STEERING, HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND FIGHTING THIS PROBLEM IS REALLY GETTING STRESSFUL. I WOULD SUGGEST KIA LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE A MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURS DUE TO A FAILURE. *TR