NHTSA Complaint #11547573 — 2017 KIA OPTIMA

Complete engine failure while driving 70mph down the freeway. No lights came on before engine started shaking, knocking, and failed. We were stranded at a gas station. We checked oil and there was none. (This was shocking because we changed oil regularly and car had just received complete oil change several weeks prior) We bought enough oil to drive it to nearest auto mechanic shop. He inspected the car and said complete engine failure and that we needed to contact KIA immediately. Spark plugs were burnt and melted more than he had ever seen. He said this is a recurring problem with their engines. (A few months prior to this incident, check engine light came on and car had a slight sputter during acceleration. We took the car to local repair shop. Car received complete tune up weeks prior to incident and check engine light was resolved.) Car was taken to Kia dealership in Little Rock, AR. Diagnosis: Major oil consumption caused engine to overheat and lose pressure/fail. Engine is non-repairable. New engine will cost $10,000. Kia will not back their product. After investigating further, I have found a Facebook group with tens of thousands of people with similar incidents in their Hyundai/Kia cars. This is a dangerous problem and KIA needs to be held accountable. The most recent class action settlement DOES NOT cover engine failure due to major oil consumption, only rod bearing failure. Where is the oil going? There were no leaks detected, no oil light to warn me. Where does the oil go? Burning up through exhaust? Surely that violates some sort of environmental standard that car manufactures should be abiding by. These cars are dangerous to consumers, and bad for the environment. I’m stuck with a car that I still owe money on that is worthless. If I spend $10,000 to repair, they will put the same engine back in the car and I will repeat the cycle of engine failure and loss.