NHTSA Complaint #11708746 — 2017 KIA OPTIMA

The engine in my 2017 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX] ) seized and locked up, a known defect associated with Kia’s Theta II 2.4L GDI engines. When I contacted Kia regarding engine replacement, I was told coverage would not apply because a required KSDS ECU update recall was not completed. During multiple phone calls with Kia Customer Care, Kia admitted that they did not have my contact information on file and added it during my call. Because Kia did not have my information, I never received any recall notification and was denied the opportunity to comply with the KSDS update. Kia has also provided conflicting information regarding whether recalls were open on my VIN while still relying on recall completion status to deny coverage. I believe Kia failed to properly notify me of a safety recall and is unfairly denying coverage for a known engine defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)