NHTSA Complaint #11662125 — 2015 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	11662125
Vehicle	2015 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	May 2, 2025
Date Filed	May 20, 2025
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power while driving when cylinder 3 completely failed (0 PSI compression). Metal particles found in oil and excessive oil consumption (1 pint/100 miles). KIA dealer diagnosed as piston rings but ignored metal in oil that suggests bearing failure covered under recall campaign. Refused proper diagnostic testing. Vehicle now unsafe to drive with failed cylinder that could cause complete engine seizure while driving. Kia had all recommended services and oil changes since acquired in 11/2016. These service records demonstrate the progression of my vehicle's engine issues, from early oil consumption problems documented by York Auto Care in July 2023 (3 quarts low) to complete cylinder 3 failure with zero compression confirmed by Kia's own diagnostic testing in May 2025. Despite this documented history and Kia's own test results showing catastrophic engine failure, they have denied warranty coverage under their engine campaign that specifically covers bearing-related failures on my 2015 Kia Optima 2.4L.

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