Engine Failure problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima

While operating at 65+ miles per hour on the interstate my kia Optima hybrid had a catastrophic engine failure causing my car to have total loss of power. I had to safely pull over to the side of the road due to this. This engine failure occurred at approximately 97300 miles, which would still be under the original warranty, had I been the original owner. A local mechanic told me the engine was seized. After doing research about these specific types of cars I learned that the regular, non-hybrid, kia Optima had recalls for engine failures so I called kia corporate to see if I had coverage. Kia corporate initially told me that my car would possibly be covered if a specific part failed (rod bearings). If this was true then I would have gone through a claims process to get warranty coverage for my car. Because of this I decided to have my car towed to a kia dealership. After a few days at a dealership I was again informed that my engine had seized (without determining why/ what part failed), but the story changed. Kia then told me that there was zero chance that my car would be covered even if the specific part had failed ( which we didn't know). I called corporate again upon hearing this news and spoke to someone who looked at the transcript/summary for my initial call and told me that what I was initially told didn't happen. They told me that I was lying to them and that what I was told in my first conversation with corporate didn't happen. Kia quoted me a new engine for 10000+ dollars (thousands more than the car is worth) and billed nearly 200 dollars for a diagnostic that likely took mere minutes. Ultimately I decided to have another mechanic put in a refurbished engine for about half the price. I believe that the deception that kia put me through was wrong and that it is completely unacceptable for a well-cared for car to suddenly die without warning.

I reported my kia with an engine failure problem a few weeks ago. Got a call from kia today and they refuse to cover because even though the recall by NHTSA is for 2 and 2. 4 l Optima , kia is claiming it is for a specific type of engine. I should pay 6200 and submit for possible reimbursement. Mine is an mpi and it is excluded. How can you exclude my engine? why would my engine fail for no viable reason and the dealership claims to have never seen that happen? my car has always been serviced at the dealership. I am asking for a thorough investigation and not a phone investigation. . My car is a 2. 4l i4 mpi hybrid electric dohc. An engine fails for a reason. Kia has had debris issues with engines and if mine is the first then so be it. Please have someone look at the car to ascertain this was not a lemon engine from the get go. This brush off by kia is unacceptable.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated after making a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started to jerk. The vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with complete engine failure. The contact spoke with stokes kia (202 s goose creek blvd, goose creek, SC 29445) where she was informed that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the remedy was a four step process. She was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed on vehicle to determine whether she would be eligible for an engine replacement under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Motor oil keeps disappearing; I change the oil on schedule and 2-3 weeks after it is dry. I'm afraid of engine failure or lock up due to this. Raising the hood does not show any oil splatter. Electrical problems; lnterior lights keep going out or go completely dim.

While traveling in a 65mph zone the vehicle stalled with out indication or dash lights. Vehicle lost steering and control, putting myself and others at risk of danger. Stopped the vehicle. While trying to start the vehicle, turned the key and all dash lights were present but the vehicle would not start, click or turn over. Issue resulted as an engine failure.

(aw dealer info?) tl the contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. While driving approximately 72 mph, the vehicle stalled and began to skid off the road. All the instrument panel warning indicators were illuminated. There were no injuries. The contact also noticed smoke under the hood. When the contact lifted the hood, he found that the smoke was coming from the starter. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

At approximately 118,000 miles, the connecting rod and engine failure happened while travelling approximately 35 mph on rhode island state route 114 in east providence, ri. The engine seized completely and I was able to coast the car to the side of the road where I then required a tow truck. Thankfully it was 1am and no cars on the road. Nobody was hurt. Bald hill kia in warwick, ri now has my car, but no eta on when it will be ready. They tell me that there are two other Optimas waiting for engines ahead of mine. This is 100% unacceptable. I spent $26,000 on this car in good faith and kia will not honor the warranty they extended on the engine in a timely fashion. While they have offered a loaner car for now, they will not provide in writing that the loaner will be of no cost to me. I am now stuck with the option of hope and wait that kia does the right thing, or take matters in to my own hands by contacting NHTSA and considering the purchase of a new vehicle.

Car was being driven on city street when smoke appeared out of the hood of the car. Car was driven to a safe spot in a residential neighborhood to assess the problem. Flashlight showed a large hole at the bottom of the engine. Car was towed to kia dealership and inspected. All oil change receipts were submitted as per dealership request. Dealership submitted claim to kia headquarters to see if engine would be covered, I. E. ,replaced. Next day engine replacement was approved at no cost to me. It has now been over a month, there are other kia cars at this dealership with the same problem and still no replacement engine. I spoke to kia customer service in so. California and was given a case number and the message that the engine is on back-order. No eta can be provided and apparently there is a backlog of cars with this catastrophic engine failure with no end in sight. Any assistance from your office would be greatly appreciated.

On sept 24 2016 around 10 pm, driving home engine locks up, car turns off and I was unable to steer the car. Luckily I was heading around a wide turn and was able to slow the car down as it drifted off the road onto the edge of the road. Kia dealer diagnosed the engine failure with a hole in the block. Kia consumer support today sept 29, 2016 said they will not replace the engine. This problem seems to be pretty wide spread with many kia models as well as Hyundai models. There also seems to be a class action starting against kia for not follow suite with Hyundai when Hyundai make owners aware. Same engine from same plant. Going to keep calling kia support until I get some help. I have not received any notice from kia about a recall or service notice as other have made note of receiving.

Engine failed suddenly while operating at highway speed.

March 2016 while traveling on highway at 65 mph and passing a slow moving vehicle car lost power, became difficult to steer and unresponsive. We were lucky that we were right by rest area and coasted safely. Inspected the vehicle while and noticed a smell reminding an electrical short/fire. Car was towed to kia dealer and diagnosed to be engine failure. The engine was inspected and per dealer it was pristine, kia decided to cover under warranty @ approx 98k miles. Dealer stated that per kia it was due possibly to non oem oil filter (nice). When we got the car back it did not want to start occasionally, where it hesitated especially as temperatures increased. Noticed dealer, dealer took it in verified battery and starter were to spec. In June on a hot day car almost did not start, set an appointment with dealer for later in the week. Next day car did not start, was towed to dealer and diagnosed to week starter. Starter was replaced and car started on for one day, the second day temperatures increased and car was dead with similar electrical meltdown, also noticed fog lights were not working after bulb replacement. Dealer diagnosed with kia to bad engine again due to tolerances causing friction and more heat. Spoke to kia and started a case but they just want to replace the engine again and not discuss potential issues with electrical harness compromise and ongoing issue with engine failing for no reason. This car is scarry and hope it does not start on fire when the third engine fails.

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that while traveling at approximately 50 mph attempting to slow down for a stop light, the vehicle stalled with no warning and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the starter burned out and that the engine seized. The dealer replaced the starter and was not able to diagnose the source of the failure. It was stated to the contact that a more extensive diagnosis was required and the engine needed to be taken apart. The engine failure was not repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was not able to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Pam.

Tl-the contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,887. Djr.

My 2011 kia Optima has gone through 2 engines without any indication of a problem. Both time I was driving and the car stopped. I change my oil every 5000 miles. No lights came on before the engine failed, that lead me to believe there was a problem. I will be submitting a complaint to the kia organization shortly.

2011 kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to engine replacement recall notice and seeks reimbursement information. The consumer stated the engine failed and was replaced under warranty. The consumer received the recall notice 17-v224 and requested to be advised if this repair was already completed. Updated 09/11/2017.