KIA 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)

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving at various speeds, but mostly while driving at slow speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, which required the contact to add a quart of oil to the vehicle every 2 to 3 days to reduce the frequency of the failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for recall repair, the local dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had put a hold on the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

After receiving the recall letter I immediately scheduled the inspection. After waiting for 2 weeks I arrived for my appointment and was sent home. The service manager seemed to have little information for me other than to say that KIA was reevaluating their inspection procedure. A couple days later I called the KIA support line and was told that the new inspection procedure had been established and that I should call my dealer to reschedule the inspection. I called the next day and the dealer told me again that all inspections are still on hold and seemed surprised that someone from corporate would have told me otherwise. I called KIA customer support back again that same day but got no answers. Others are reporting this same issue on various online forums. The feedback they are getting from their dealerships is that a large number of inspections have been failing and that KIA has decided to revise their inspection procedure so that more of them pass without requiring engine replacement. I'm not understanding why KIA has made a bad situation worse by leaving their customers in limbo concerning this major engine malfunction. It should have been a simple matter of scheduling the inspection, making any necessary repairs and sending their customers on their way. KIA has handled this matter very poorly.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the manufacturer had put a hold on the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

I have had this car for about two years. A year ago I was having issues with the car stalling, and the check engine light. I took the car in and it was "fixed". I have to get oil changes very frequently, and still have to top up my oil in between changes. I made my appointment for this current recall. While waiting for the recall, my check engine light came on. My car displays all of the symptoms of the issues in the recall. I took my car in for the appointment on April 28th. They told me they would update me the following day after the testing. Kia called to inform me that the next day that the recall is on "halt" and they have no further information. My car has been sitting at the dealership since 4/28 with no further information. They have not called to update again, I've had to call them. They also have not checked into the check engine light. My car is under warranty so I don't understand how they haven't checked into that regardless of the recall. When asked about a loaner car they state they don't have any, and provide no assistance with getting one.

All the dash lights come on randomly has happened 3 separate times the 4th time they came on I also couldn’t shift out of park.

I am currently making very expensive car payments for this car and was not informed this car was on recall. I pay 375 every other week. And I have been having electricitial issues. I was seeing about some short of reimbursement.

Car cuts off while driving almost causing a accident. The brakes randomly stop working while driving also. The code says P1777 relating to the transmission/ hybrid system. Kia dealerships are charging customers to diagnosis their vehicles. Eventhough they already know this is a common problem with the hybrid cars. Also the 12v battery and hybrid battery needs to be replaced every 2 years, which is costly. The tech also advised that Hybrids are the worst cars and I should sale my car. This is unfair to customers and a waste of money. Please make this a recall and extend all warranties past 150k. This is a huge safety problem and could cause deaths in the future.

Have a shake during accelerating 35-40 mph and then again at 70 mph. There is an axle, recall on 2016 kia optima. for certain months, my is not included. how is the recall determined. Have not had it checked out yet. It seems to be getting worst, will check soon.

Loss of power while driving. Oil level severely low, almost two quarts of oil. No oil leakage under vehicle or in engine compartment. All scheduled maintenance was performed. Once brought to the dealership to diagnose, I was stated nothing was wrong and it was over on oil. No reason to be low on oil or recognize the loss of power.