2016 Kia Optima: complete transmission failure

Filed Feb 25, 2024 · Engine · CA

When I was coming home from work my car lost power and didn’t accelerate anymore when I was on the freeway. I almost didn’t make it to the shoulder when trying to pull over. Every single light I could imagine came on when I was trying to pull over, It said check hybrid system, BSP system failed, etc. All the lights came on at once. My car didn’t start, so I had to wait on the side of the freeway at 4am for a ride and a tow. Kia told me that I need service records to prove that I was up on my maintenance and that the reason my engine failed was at no fault of my own, But I am up on maintenance. That same dealership had my car in February 2023 and said my car was in perfect condition and up on maintenance, I just needed a new transmission. Now just a year later, Suddenly my engine failed and they are saying it might be because I didn’t get oil changes. There are recalls on Kia engines made in 2016 but for some reason my car isn’t included in the recall even though I know I took car of my car and that engine just wasn’t good.

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I have already had to have motor and transmission replaced once under warranty. The replaced transmission was worse than the original problem. The original problem was hard shifting. Now I have intermittent hard shifting, occasional lunging forward, occasional shuddering while pressing accelerator, and feeling like there is hesitation to change gears. I have not taken it back to the dealer yet. I always get the excuse that they cant replicate the problem. It took me 2-3 years to get it acknowledged the first time.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

Was traveling to dallas, texas from waco, texas on 10/05/2019. The transmission in my vehicle went out. The vehicle surged erratically multiple times, while the car was slowing down, speed limit was 75mph, with barriers on both sides (no shoulder on either side. Of interstate 35 north) my vehicle got down to about 40mph when we had to coast until I finally found a break in the barriers. Was a very scary situation. They were vehicles obviously driving speed. Limit behind us. I was able to get off the interstate and call road side assistance. They towed the vehicle back to university kia in waco, texas. Where it currently sits, awaiting a new transmission. We are terrified to get behind the wheel of this car again. All I am being told is that a new transmission is being ordered at this time.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · CA

After the kia dealership replaced the transmission the first time. Due to a mcu failure. 2 weeks later car was due for oil change, jiffy lube stated my transmission was leaking. I took it back to kia. After 2 days of it bei n.v g in the shop. I went to kia on the 3rd day, to check it on the car and was told the dealership was waiting on approval from kia automotive to replace the transmission a 2nd time do to the leaking of the first transmission

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · CA

I started the car, which appeared normal, about 10 minutes into my trip, the dashboard display was flashing, " check hybrid system, stop vehicle and turn off engine " a dinging bell was going off, I was startled by it, so I immediately pulled over and stopped I let car sit for a minute the tried to start it again. No luck. The nav screen showed motor control unit, issue. Asked me to send a report, then call road side assistance. Roadside showed up towed me to the kia dealership, they called me 1 pm saturday afternoon. Saying they needed more time to diagnose it,ABS put me in a loaner car I did not hear anything from the dealer monday they thursday afternoon. I stopped by and was told they replaced the transmission. The car only had 56k miles on it. I pick up the car on friday.

Filed Aug 18, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · LA

Shutter/hesitation upon take off. I signed my lease on 9/29 and was at the service dept first of 7 times on 10/4. At first I was told the car had to "learn the way I drive" that there were no issues with my car. Since then the dealer has "reset" the transmission, changed fuel injectors, replaced transmission, and now has done 'several updates' (seriously?) this car has nearly caused accidents on numerous occasions. When I asked the tech if he would drive his family in this car I got no response. I have asked on the last 2 trips to the dealer for them to simply replace my car. I am currently consulting a lawyer.