Starter problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima

2011 kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to melted wiring harness that's is connected to starter. The consumer stated the after purchasing the vehicle in February, by July the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle died while being driven. Within 2-3 of the motor being repaired, the started failed. The starter was repaired, but the failure recurred.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted off the road and was unable to restart. The vehicle and the motor locked up with the presence of smoke from the starter when the contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

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.

While driving 70 mph on the highway my 2011 kia Optima engine shut down and would not accelerate and the brakes would not function. Luckily, I safely made it to the far shoulder of the highway only to find that my car was smoking and smelled like something was burning. Had to get the car towed to the dealership and they informed the engine needs to be replaced and the starter is also fried. I have seen four complaints so far of 2011 kia Optima's with the same issue and am sure I will find more. That seems like too much of a coincidence that it happens so frequently with these models and there isn't any sort of recall. No breaks at 70 mph is pretty dangerous. I have contacted my attorney and hope this manufacturer will do the right thing.

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.

I was leaving work @ 5:45 pm and got in my car, but it would not start. I tried for 20 minutes before I called kia ledgen dealership for help. They told me where to put the aux key starter inside the glove box area. After several attempts the car still would not start. They told me a would have to call the 800 number to get a jump or have my car towed. I found a CO-worker who gave me a jump and the car started right up. I proceeded to a firestone station and got a new batter ($146. 00). Started right up and had no problems until my wife and I went to the mall today (Dec 28) and my car would no start again. I thought we were going to get stranded or needed to find a jump. After 5 attempts it finally started and I took my car back to the dealership and they said they could not duplicate the problem so there was nothing they could do. After stating that I read about other kia owners having the same problem they decided to keep it over night. Are there other owners with similar problems that can lead me in the right direction to get this problem fixed?.