NHTSA Complaint #11552081 — 2015 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number 11552081
Vehicle 2015 KIA OPTIMA
Component ENGINE
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage 76,000 miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State CO

Consumer Description

Kia has a Nation Wide Campaign for faulty engines, that will display a code (consistent in the campaign), my daughter purchased a 2015 Kia Optima, 76,000 miles, that was a rebuilt title, however the damage was on the back passenger door, body damage only. Was surprised it was even totaled out from the insurance, however due to the high theft issues with Kia's insurance companies are paying them out to avoid the theft as well as the engine issues. Currently, Kia is telling us that they will not replace the engine (even though this is the campaign they are advertising) due to the rebuilt title, even though the defective engine is from the manufacture and nothing to do with the body damage to the back passenger door. This car was repaired in full and cleared to be re-titled as a rebuilt title. These engine issues can cause the vehicle to seize while driving, it goes into Limp mode (safety mode) which reduces the speed and power to the engine and there are reports that the engine can catch fire. Kia is doing these engine replacements under the MFG warranty and have stated they are lifetime replacements, due to the continued problems and yet they want to not replace hers when a insurance company decided to total the car our for damage that could have been repaired.

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