Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
TSB-06805/01/201010034246Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. provides information relating to certain vehicles. in affected vehicles an intermittent short to ground in a circuit only intended for testing purposes may c10/29/2010
TSB-04411/01/200910033464Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with08/18/2010
03811/01/200710023626This bulletin provides information relating to an engine hesitation or the illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) for p0123 (throttle position sensor / switch (a) circuit high input). *nj01/15/2008

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE
07/03/20121160391
 2006 kia optima needed a new timing belt within the next few thousand + miles (needs to be changed every 60,000 miles or sooner), but one the crankshaft pulley just came off and then the belt came off a couple pulleys because of this. the belt actually looks fine, but the pulley failure caused the belt to come off. this belt runs several things so the initial loose pulley caused the car to lose power steering, battery light to turn on, the a/c failed, etc., and then the inner part of the pulley came off and the outer ring (magnetized) fell and stuck to part of the car frame that is actually metal. my wife made it to work while the belt had to still be on but loose, and it now sits in her parking spot at her job (hospital parking ramp). i will probably have it towed tomorrow. this could have easily led to an extremely dangerous situation if it happened on the highway. i found the outer part of the lower pulley laying above the car frame close to the engine. if the car drove after this, engine damage would be most likely. i will hopefully have it towed to the nearest kia dealership by tomorrow to see if i just need the pulley and belt or if the engine is damaged. this is unbelievable, because i found many people that had the same issue with the crankshaft pulley bolt breaking off and sometimes causing engine damage immediately afterward. as a consumer, i shouldn't have to go under the vehicle and tighten a factory tightened bolt every now and then. i hope that the newer bolts actually hold like a grade 8 american bolt, because that wouldn't fail. rubber can't break steel, and i can't believe this obvious oversight by kia hasn't been recalled or in a technical service bulletin!!!! *tr
07/03/2012116039
 2006 kia optima needed a new timing belt within the next few thousand + miles (needs to be changed every 60,000 miles or sooner), but one the crankshaft pulley just came off and then the belt came off a couple pulleys because of this. the belt actually looks fine, but the pulley failure caused the belt to come off. this belt runs several things so the initial loose pulley caused the car to lose power steering, battery light to turn on, the a/c failed, etc., and then the inner part of the pulley came off and the outer ring (magnetized) fell and stuck to part of the car frame that is actually metal. my wife made it to work while the belt had to still be on but loose, and it now sits in her parking spot at her job (hospital parking ramp). i will probably have it towed tomorrow. this could have easily led to an extremely dangerous situation if it happened on the highway. i found the outer part of the lower pulley laying above the car frame close to the engine. if the car drove after this, engine damage would be most likely. i will hopefully have it towed to the nearest kia dealership by tomorrow to see if i just need the pulley and belt or if the engine is damaged. this is unbelievable, because i found many people that had the same issue with the crankshaft pulley bolt breaking off and sometimes causing engine damage immediately afterward. as a consumer, i shouldn't have to go under the vehicle and tighten a factory tightened bolt every now and then. i hope that the newer bolts actually hold like a grade 8 american bolt, because that wouldn't fail. rubber can't break steel, and i can't believe this obvious oversight by kia hasn't been recalled or in a technical service bulletin!!!!
05/12/201262000
 After a recent oil change, the car was running horribly, making a knocking sound. had an episode where the oil light was flashing on and off and the engine about died, so i had made an appointment for the vehicle to get checked for monday morning. the saturday before, while running errands, had the episode occur again, but this time, the engine locked up and it has been sitting at the dealership every since because although i have a manufacturer warranty, kia won't honor it with all my oil change receipts. i am frustrated, because i know others have had the same issue i have and haven't complained loud enough or whatever, but this is an issue with the engine, not me. no car should blow an engine at 62k. it's ridiculous.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
08/06/201091000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 kia sportage. ther contact stated the vehicle has experienced many failures. while driving the vehicle stalled out and would not restart. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the head gasket was replaced but did not remedy the failure. the vehicle is at the dealership again and they advise the sensor needs to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current and failure mileages were 91,000. vin unknown. rd
11/05/200715263503/01/2006
 Beginning 9/9/2006 our 2006 kia optima lx has been in the dealership 5 times now for the same problem.....excessive noise at start up. .9/9/06,2/22/07,3/8/07,4/10/07,11/5/07. 3 drive belts and 2 drive belt tensioners have been replaced. i was informed by the dealership that kia was contacted and should be issuing a tsb. i was told by the dealership that kia is aware of a problem. i was told to let the dealership know if the car began to make excessive noise at start up and to give it 3-4 months for a tsb to get issued, then bring the car in again. i can only assume what would happen if the drive belt or tensioner fail during operation of the car. the dealership has been very helpful in this matter. this is the second odi complaint filed on this car. please ref # 10170291 for the details of the first complaint. *tr
11/08/200610000510/02/2005
 Tl* - on 11/8/06, the contact stated she was driving down the highway at approximately 75 mph. the road conditions were dry. the oil pump exploded and cracked the engine block. there were no warning signs. the vehicle is a 2006 kia optima. the mileage at the time of failure was 10,123 miles. the vehicle was towed away. the dealer replaced the short block on the engine. the contact received the vehicle back on 12/11/06 and on 12/14/06 the vehicle stalled in the road. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the engine head was replaced. the contact stated that she continues to have problems with the vehicle, she hears a tapping noise, the vehicle runs rough when driving at speeds over 40 mph. *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
08/10/20062000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. the contact stated as she was driving at 60 mph all of the warning lights came on and the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road. the contact tried to drive the vehicle to the side of the road so that it could be towed to the dealer. the dealer would replaced parts on the vehicle but the vehicle would continue to shut off. the crankshaft sensor had to be replaced three times but that was not the cause of the failure. the kia manufacturer was called and stated that they do not cover any parts that are not under the warranty. vin was unknown. the failure mileage was 2,000. the current mileage was 78,000.
09/23/20066119303/01/2006
 After driving approx. 200 miles i stopped for a meal. approx. 30 minutes later i started my kia optima (2006). it ran very rough then stalled & died. i had planned to stop at winery approx. 3-4 miles from cafe i ate at. i started car again. drove to winery and as i pulled into parking slot, car ran rough & died again. i went back to shell station across from cafe i ate at. called kia roadside asst. car was taken to kia dealership in peoria,il. service dept found misfire and changed crank sensor. also performed other tests with regards to fuel pressure, etc. retrieved car the following sat 9/30/06. approx. 100 miles later that day on way to indianapolis, we stopped at museum. started car approx. 2 hours later, car ran excessively rough at start up , but did not die this time. drove back to indianapolis. informed kia and took car to local kia dealer on 10/3/06. car did not display symptoms until later in the day approx. 2-3 p.m. when i drove back in after start up while running errands. service dept did notice misfire at that time. i am now waiting on a loaner car from kia, so my car can go in for testing to find problem. kia authorized waiting ref#k1230868 on 10/4/06. *nm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
12/05/20075033403/01/2006
 Ref the two previous complaints first. #10170291 & 10208029. this is the 3rd complaint on our 2006 kia optima lx. on 11/5/07 a new tensioner and drive belt were replaced. this made the 4th attempt to repair the same pulleys & belts system. the problem began @ mileage 5033 in sept 2006. aprox 16,500 mileage and the problem continues and appears to be getting worse. on 12/5/2007 i took the car to dealership #113211 with same problem. loud belt squeal at start up and constant chirp while driving. i was given a written receipt that stated the dealership drove the car 5 miles and heard a slight chirp coming from the belt area. tech asst was called and the dealership was advised not to attempt repairs until a platform manager was contacted and spoke to service manager. it was put in writing that the car had no drivable issues or safety concerns and released to the owner. i expressed strong concern to the service manager about our reservations driving a car with the pulleys & belts system making such noises. i also explained that we were going out of state on 12/7/07 and would be traveling i-65 south from indianapolis, late at night and without a cell phone. we traveled with the car in the current state of disrepair. the problem has increased. i have expressed this to the dealership on 12/12/07. since the car was released to me on 12/5/2007, i have heard nothing from the dealership. i have sent a certified letter requesting the car be repaired. the parts put in the car on11/5/2007 are under warranty. today is 12/19/2007 and i have still not been contacted by kia or the dealership. if the pulleys & belts system fails we i will be left on the road & i do not carry a cell phone. if the car is repaired again this will make the 5th attempt to repair the same problem and the car qualifies for the in lemon law. i have consulted the consumer action handbook which is free to the public and has resources for consumers to involve agencies who take care of these problems for us. *tr
11/28/200715948503/01/2006
 On 11/05/07 our 2006 kia optima lx was taken is the shop for a fifth time since a squealing noise had appeared again. the car has now had 2 tensioners and three drive belts replaced as of 11/5/2007. i strongly expressed to dealer # 113211 that i wished to have the in state lemon law applied due to the fact a reasonable amount of attempts had been made to repair a nonconformity per ic 24-5-13-10. i was told by the shop manager at dealer 113211, that the car is in working condition after the reaper and the lemon law does not apply to a car that is good working order. i was instructed to let the dealer know if the problem returned. on 11/26/07 the squealing returned. i spoke with kia, i was instructed to take the car to the dealer. i requested a kia rep be present. i was told a rep would not be available until jan.08. i requested the dealer to diagnose the car and stop at that point so a decision could be made regarding the in lemon law. i was told by the dealer that unless i sign a repair order to have the car fixed, it can not be diagnosed per kia policy. i was told i had two options. sign and allow the squeal to be diagnosed and repair if under warranty or not leave the car. i have taken the car out of service as on 11/28/07 with 15,974 miles. it is in my garage. i have sent this matter to the in atty gen office for review.this is the 3rd complaint filed on this car, please ref #10170291 & #10208029 also. it is my understanding that if a tensioner or drive belt fail during operation, i will be left stranded. i do not own or carry a cell phone. i bought a new 2006 car for dependability. *tr