NHTSA Complaint #10861979 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA
ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA
Complaint Details
| ODI Number | 10861979 |
| Vehicle | 2012 KIA OPTIMA |
| Component | ENGINE |
| Date of Incident | |
| Date Filed | |
| Mileage | 60,100 miles |
| Crash | No |
| Fire | No |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Vehicle Towed | No |
| State | PA |
Consumer Description
AT 60,100 MILES THE ENGINE FAILED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DENIED IT ALONG WITH KIA CORPORATE. PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. MAINTAINED TO KIA STANDARDS AS WELL WITH OIL CHANGES. WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE OIL WAS FINE AND NOTHING SEEMED WRONG OR AMISS WITH THE OIL IN THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE MY ENGINE BLEW. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN IT MADE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AS THE SECOND OWNER. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS.
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