2012 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

Subject: Recall Denial Due to Salvage Title – 2012 Kia Optima (VIN:[XXX]) Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a complaint regarding Kia Motors’ refusal to perform a recall repair on my 2012 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX]) due to the vehicle having a rebuilt title. My vehicle is equipped with the 2.4L GDI Theta II engine, which has been recalled for known safety defects including risk of engine seizure and fire. I brought my car to a local Kia dealership for the recall repair, but they refused service based solely on the vehicle having a branded (salvage) title. I then contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and was again told that the recall does not apply to salvage vehicles—even though the engine defect clearly stems from poor design and is unrelated to any prior accident or title status. I am concerned that Kia is ignoring its obligations under federal recall law and putting drivers like myself at risk. Denying a recall based solely on a salvage title—especially when the defect has nothing to do with the car’s condition—undermines public safety. I respectfully ask the NHTSA to investigate Kia’s refusal and consider whether policies like this should be permitted under federal recall enforcement standards. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost power. A semi truck was right behind me. Luckily I was able to get over to the emergency lane safely. My car had no acceleration at all or any control of the steering. Prior to this incident there was no problem or warnings of any lights on dash or car having problems. It’s a daily driver for me to work. It’s never gave me any problems prior to this. I’ve had the routine maintenance done on along with the recommended mileage maintenance done. It’s been over a month now and my car still won’t start I haven’t had time to get it towed to a dealer ship or repair shop because I work 17 hour days. Everything I’ve researched about my make and model is starting to indicate that the engine seized up. I really hope that’s now the case because my car will be paid off in 3months. It has 165k miles on it I need help on weather the engine is part of a recall.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving downhill at approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The battery, oil, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the pedal was firm. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was smoke coming from the engine. The contact attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the transmission failed to shift to park. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 154,782.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound while the steering wheel was vibrating. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal clicking sound was heard while making right turns. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Rapid Delamination and paint peeling in the color of snow pearl white. The entire car is affected by this defect. Somewhere on the paint assembly line a missing step in the paint procedure is causing detrimental corrosion and overall safety and protection of the elements from outside.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions and making a turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering column and the wheels. Additionally, while attempting to shift into reverse, there was a popping sound coming from the steering column and floorboard. A mobile mechanic went to the residence where the vehicle was parked and stated that the failure might be associated with the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a parts store where a handheld diagnostic scanner retrieved a fault code for steering wheel angle sensor signal failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (STRUCTURE) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at the residential driveway and starting the vehicle, smoke started emitting from under the hood. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke primarily emitting from the front passenger side of the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed and a police report was not filed. The fire was extinguished by the contact with three fire extinguishers however, the fire department used water to be certain the fire was extinguished. The vehicle had damages due to the fire, however, it was not destroyed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were needed however due to costs was taken back to the residence and remained in the contact's possession. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was created. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

I brought my Kia optima sx in at Kia Atlanta South dealership for a Hydraulic electronic control Unit recall to be service since the problem can result in a engine fire while driving or parked but the dealership did not do the recalled service and told me that it was done. I checked my engine fuse to see if the new fuse were installed and new label was put on in place of old fuse label and none of it was done.

MY VEHICLE HAS 75,583. I received a recall for 3 items and made an appointment and took the car in for the work. I noticed that their wasa slight dead spot in the centeing of the steering and asked if there was any adjustmen. I was told there wasn't but they would check it because there was a known problem thith the plastic gear in the electric motor's connection to the rack that wears out and can completely disintegrate. when I picked up the vehicle they had obviously checked it because the slight dead spot had turned into a clunk. As there was no recall they would nothing about it as the vehicle was out of warranty (10 years, 100,000 miles). Had it had a higher annual mileage it would have been replaced under warranty. My concern is that this fault may be hidden by the warranty coverage. If the plastic gear fails completely the steering could become locked or inoperable. This is clearly a well known problem as there is a youtube video showing the replacement process. This actual mechanism may be used on several other years and models. The video is here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)