2011 Kia Optima: won't start

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Transmission · CA

While driving on the road, I came to a stop at an intersection. While waiting for the green light the engine stopped running. I tried starting the car by pressing the brake and the push start button and the car only clicked and did not start. I pushed the car off the road. After several attempts to start the car it wouldn't start and it started smoking it looked like it was coming from the starter location. It appears that the engine seized and it won't turn over.

Filed Oct 20, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · OR

I was driving out of town and when I went to accelerate and the engine had seized, the brakes had locked up and I lost power steering which almost resulted in an accident. On the dash was showing the engine, oil, and esc light, which were not on the dash before and there was nothing wrong or weird going on with the car prior to the first incident to even indicate that something was wrong. Had to get the car towed home then realized there had been a recall on the engine. Contacted the kia manufacturer and they had towed it to a kia dealership where they replaced the engine. Waited 2 Months to get my car back, the dealership let me leave with the ABS and Eps light on the dash, and couldn't give me a reason why the lights were still on. I had it for 3 days, it drove okay and now it no longer drives nor does it start. I was stranded because the car wouldnt start again giving the same issues as before the recall repair was done, with only accessories turning on. On the dash it only shows Engine, Oil, Eps and battery light. Found the Serpentine belt already coming apart and misplaced, found strips of the belt laying in the bottom of the hood. Also had found out the entire engine block ROCKS BACK AND FORTH while car is in motion. If I had driven the car any longer the belt would have completely snapped and would most likely result in an injury or worse. With the Engine movement that is also going to cause other damages to the car and more safety hazards. I have not even known about the engine recall on this car until after everything happened and when the car was purchased no one had notified me in anyway about the recall. Now they refuse to cover towing costs back to the dealership because the "5 year warranty had expired" When this in no way is my fault. Second incident was Oct. 17th 2022.

Filed Dec 20, 2021 · Engine · TX

I as driving on the highway and all of a sudden the car would not accelerate. The engine light, oil light, air bag lights etc. all turned on. The speed quickly dropped but I was able to to move into the safety lane. The card finally stalled and would would not start. I tried turning it back on, but the engine would not crank. The lights, radio, AC would still turn on, but the engine would not start. I have maintained it's scheduled maintenance and I was under miles until it's next oil change considering I had just changed it a month ago. I took it to get checked and was advised there was no oil and the engine was seized. I never received a warning the oil pressure was low. My car is over the 10 years and/or 100,000 k warranty as it was purchased 8/2011.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CO

When accelerating in traffic car will completely shut off for about two seconds. This kicks off the traction control and power steering is lost. This did not start happening untill the engine was replaced in June 2021.

Filed Jan 10, 2021 · Engine · 152,138 miles · WY

I was driving down the road and all of a sudden it stalled on me. It won't turn over or anything. It still has almost 1500 miles on until the next oil change and the oil plug is on and tight. When I checked the oil it was not reading anything on the dip stick. The has not been any oil leaking on the ground. I was driving on a major street in my town going straight

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Engine, Suspension · 79,000 miles · AL

18v363 17220 it has made a loud clanking/knocking noise. It stalled then completly died once I got off the main highway and wouldnt crank again. It uses an awful lot of oil. Upon first oil change it had shards of metal in it. The place I got the vehicle from says they put new motor in it among other things but I havent seen in change in things other than it doesnt smoke under the hood while idling.

Filed Feb 19, 2020 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MD

Car driving at highway speed. Sudden loss of power. No crank, no start. Mechanic says the engine has seized.

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 43,193 miles · CA

While parked in various locations (on street, at gas pump, in parking lots), and on about 8-10 occasions, I was unable to get the car to start after depressing the brake and start button on my car. All the lights lit up on the instrument panel and the radio went on as well - the rest of the car electrical system worked fine. The brake pedal became very stiff and was hard to depress. I put my key fob into the bypass in the trunk and it still would not start. The only way to get the car to start was to depress the stiff brake pedal, then shift from p to d and back again. Then the brake pedal seemed to loosen up and I was able to start the car successfully. I had researched the remedy through you tube. The first time it happened was october 2, 2018 and it has happened about 8-10 times since then. I have a video of the problem, but not of the solution that I found online, therefore I am unable to attach any documentation. I noticed that the replacement of the brake switch was "voluntary" the federal safety agency # 13v‑114, but feel that this should be a mandatory fix instead since it has happened so often to me. Just last week when it happened again, I remembered what to do quickly as I was stuck in a long line at the gas station just last week, with cars honking at me to move when I could not. It happened to me the last time just yesterday 10/8/2019 inside my garage. Please look into making this a mandatory recall. I will be contacting my local dealer this week as well. Thank you.

Filed Jun 11, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 101,700 miles · NH

Bought the car january of 2018.28 days of having the vehicle and I got a flat tire and come to find out my strut was never properly installed and thats what popped my tire.dan obrien tried to deny having a warranty to fix the car saying it was my fault.it was covered under warranty. I had to buy the new tire. When the recall for the engine came out,I took my car right in. They passed it. In september while driving home from my daughters 2 month appointment the car just lost all power and my engine light came on & car would not start daughter was present.engine had locked up they replaced the long block under the sc147 recall 11/30/18 recall sc165, ecu upgrade. On 2/11/19 I had the inspection for recall sc172 car passed.3/21/19 no warning engine light came on & stayed.p1326 engine code car went into limp home mode,daughter was present. Engine light flashed,got towed.3/26/19 kia told me it was due to the previous recall,it was my knock sensor. They replaced under warranty.5/22/19 front right side wheel bearing went bad,kia wouldnt cover,same side strut issue occured on.6/6/19 I went to accelerate on bypass and lost all engine control,I was able to coast. No warning lights came on.put in park, oil light,battery & eps came on & off. Turned car off & on.car would drive but with hesitation and little power.6/8/19 I went to accelerate on bypass and car lost power. 6+ cars behind me ,my car blocked the road.restarted car,went to take off and the car began to vibrate jolt and I couldnt get out of the way,I had to go into the other lane because I was blocked.steering wheel locked up, brakes lost power & I almost hit the guard rail.daughter was present. 6/10/19 kia told me it was my throttle body sensor not covered. Bought car with over 79k,now around 101k.im scared for my daughters life & mine it will catch on fire at anytime with all the symptoms.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · TX

The car had been driven for 200 miles and would not start so a new battery was purchased. While driving the vehicle on the highway it stalled, lost power and had to be pulled over. When stopping for gas the car only started after it was jumped. The vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving which is dangerous and could cause a major accident. The battery is brand new, the alternator was test and is in good condition. When the car stalls the lost of power steering makes it difficult to pull the vehicle out of the line of travel. This vehicle is being driven by a young adult that could be in danger if this continues to happen

Filed Oct 18, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 111,000 miles · TX

Vehicle will not start. Engine and ignition replaced due to bearing wear recall. Transmission replaced 2 weeks ago for rebuilt one, and now car won't start. It's been 2 days and kia has not been able to tell me what is wrong with it. The reason I wanted to submit this complaint is because I believe there should be a recall on transmissions installed in these vehicles. Kia wanted me to wait from 10 sep to mid dec because these transmissions are on back order. Which means there's so much demand that dec is the earliest they could receive it. Their shop is full, mostly of these cars (optima). They expected me to wait 3 months without a car in order to give them time. It just boggles my mind that they could do this. The craziest thing is that expect everyone to wait this long. I talked to 3 different costumers who are all having the same exact problem with the same cars, and they were told the same thing. I purchased this vehicle in 2014 used, only one previous owner, never had any accidents, now has 111,000+ miles. Always did all maintenance checks, oil & filter changes, tune ups, fluids change and yearly inspections. Only used for going to work and coming home 5 days a week (approx. 54 miles per day). I decided to repair transmission at other place & ended up saving $1100. Kia wanted to charge $2,700 for rebuild transmission & found a guy that charged me $1,600 for rebuild one. Kia never gave me quote copy. Just told me over the phone. How convenient! Guy told me the way these transmissions were built it's simply bad engineering. And showed me the part of the transmission that broke. Would upload the documents , but I left in my car! Can still provide them though! The safety issue was that the transmission went out while driving at 65 MPH on a busy highway in houston! The car simply died on the middle of the highway. So I can only assume you know what that feels like!

Filed Jul 25, 2018 · Engine · 103,000 miles · WI

Was driving on a city street. Came to a stop at a stop light. Proceeded to go on green and on a main busy road my car shut down completely and all my lights came on in my vehicle. As I pulled over onto a side street my car began to smoke and smell like it was burning. My car would not start back up.. Had to have it towed to 2 different shops. It is currently at the dealership waiting on a new engine and we have been for over 2 months now. Getting very aggravated as nobody can tell me when my car will be done. The dealership keeps telling me they cant find an engine for it. Which I find a little ridiculous. Somebody needs to tell me something or pay me blue book value for my car and keep it. This is not my fault as this a recall on my car that seems to be an issue all over with them.