NHTSA Complaint #10552403 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

THIS CAR SEVERELY HESITATES/STALLS AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS (RED LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, YIELD SIGNS, AND ETC). CAR HESITATES/STALLS FOR 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATING WHILE AT A DEAD STOP. THIS HAS CAUSES SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AND SCARES TO MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND MYSELF. THIS MORNING, I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE/RESPOND UNTIL 2-3 SECONDS LATER. THIS IS SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM, WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC INCOMING CARS CAN CLOSE THE SAFETY GAP QUICKLY IN 2-3 SECONDS. COLD WEATHER CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE/STALL MORE OFTEN THAN WARMER WEATHER. I URGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND FORCE KIA TO FIND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THIS ISSUE CAUSE A FATALITY. FUEL ECONOMY IS ANOTHER ISSUE IN THIS CAR (HYBRID), I TYPICALLY DON'T GET THE ESTIMATED 35 MPG/CITY THAT THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME ON, IT IS USUALLY 28-30 MPG/CITY. *TR