NHTSA Complaint #11016266 — 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER IN IRVINE, CA. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TORN DOWN TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A ROD BEARING AND THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS THE THIRD OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO A PREVIOUS UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHICH WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.