NHTSA Complaint #11005872 — 2013 KIA OPTIMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE CLINKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO DRIVE ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF, PASSENGER SIDE, REAR, AND FRONT ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE LUX AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BRUISING TO THE KNEE, SHOULDERS, AND HANDS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1241495. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.