NHTSA Complaint #11520869 — 2016 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	11520869
Vehicle	2016 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	October 10, 2022
Date Filed	May 8, 2023
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	IN

Consumer Description

I have been having problems with my vehicle since 2020 (when it was still under warranty). My engine is burning oil and there has always been carbon build up on the engine parts. I followed their recommendation and did the combustible engine clean and was never given a pass or fail result. Since 2021, I have replaced cylinder 4 spark plug 7 times. My warranty was up in December 2021 and now the problems are just getting worse. I have been told that I have a bad engine but until a knock sensor comes on or my engine fails, Kia will not do anything about it. I am driving an unsafe car as I have no way of knowing when the engine will fail. When my spark plug fouls, I am unable to drive the vehicle and have to have the car towed to the dealer (which has now been five times). I am now replacing the same spark plug (cylinder 4) every three days because of carbon buildup. The dealership has no solution or fix for this problem besides replacing the engine. My engine is still burning oil and they have no solution for that either, besides replacing the engine. Kia is doing nothing about this problem, when they know that these engines are bad.

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