2014 Kia Optima Hybrid problems

“The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,997.”

“While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.”

“WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR YOU CAN SMELL A RUBBER BURNING SMELL COMIMG FROM THE AIR VENTS. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN.”

“DRIVING NORMALLY, HCU ERROR POPPED UP ON NAV DISPLAY AS WELL AS DRIVERS DISPLAY. TOLD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE. I WAS TRAVELING ON ONCE HE INTERSTATE, BY THE TIME I GOT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER. TURNED ON EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS AND AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND BROUGHT IT TO ROCK RIVER KIA IN ROCKDOED, IL. LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS NO LONGER HOLDING A CHARGE. ESTIMATED 14,000 REPAIR COST.”

“WHILE TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT STRUCTURE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BEYOND CONTROL ON IT'S OWN AND HIT THE WALL HEAD ON. I WAS ALREADY IN MY PARKING SPOT AND ONLY FEW FEET AWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED AND BODY DAMAGE OCCURRED. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY, I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. NOTE: THIS COMPLAINT IS A DUPLICATE OF 10620789. THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED TO INDICATE A TREND OF SIMILAR SUDDEN ACCELERATION SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE KIA HYBRID OPTIMA. THIS IS A REQUEST TO INITIATE A SAFETY INVESTIGATION AS THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR REPORTS WITH KIA OPTIMA HYBRID AND KIA OPTIMA. THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE: 10608382 FOR KIA OPTIMA HYBRID 2013, 10615352 FOR KIA OPTIMA HYBRID 2012, 10552403 FOR KIA OPTIMA HYBRID 2012, 10608739 FOR KIA OPTIMA 2014 AND 10588733 FOR KIA OPTIMA 2013. *TR”

“I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS (PURCHASED OCT. 2017). A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED MORE AND MORE THAT THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY ABOVE 55 OR 60 MPH. ( WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR STARTS TO DRIFT SLOWLY, I TRY TO RE-ADJUST THE STEERING AND WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, NOTHING HAPPENS. I TURN A LITTLE MORE AND IT OVER-REACTS MAKING ME DRIFT WAY INTO THE OTHER DIRECTION. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE ON THE FREEWAY IN THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY AROUND BIGGER VEHICLES) I TOOK IT TO 3 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS TO TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE FIRST SUGGESTED THAT IT NEEDS A 'STEERING WHEEL UPDATE' SINCE IT HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING. THAT DID NOT SOLVE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO TWO OTHER DEALERS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS UNSAFE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MY PROBLEM AND SO THEY CANT FIX ANYTHING ON IT. I TOLD THEM THAT THEY NEED TO DRIVE IT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES OR SO, ON THE FREEWAY AND ABOVE 55/60 MPH. THEY SAID THAT THEY STILL CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. - - AFTER CALLING KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES AND FLING A REPORT,…”