Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE
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

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
07/21/20121
 The rear passenger seat belt was jammed. i pulled it a few times and it became unjammed and i fastened the safety belt around my 4 year old child. approximately 3-5 minutes later as i was driving i smelled smoke. i started checking the control panel and turned off the a/c and radio and rolled down the windows. the smoke stopped so i continued to drive about a mile and stopped the car in a parking lot. i was there approximately 4 minutes when i smelled smoke and turned my head to the rear of the vehicle towards my child. my child screamed for me the same moment i was turning my head and there were flames melting the plastic casing around the seat belt cover. the flames almost reached her head. i frantically got in the back seat and removed the safety belt and pulled her from the car to safety. the entire interior of the car was burned from the fire. there were no burn injuries due to the fact that i was stopped and able to remove myself and my child before the flames engulfed my car. *tr
07/21/2012
 The rear passenger seat belt was jammed. i pulled it a few times and it became unjammed and i fastened the safety belt around my 4 year old child. approximately 3-5 minutes later as i was driving i smelled smoke. i started checking the control panel and turned off the a/c and radio and rolled down the windows. the smoke stopped so i continued to drive about a mile and stopped the car in a parking lot. i was there appoximately 4 minutes when i smelled smoke and turned my head to the rear of the vehicle towards my child. my child screamed for me the same moment i was turning my head and there were flames melting the plastic casing around the seat belt cover. the flames almost reached her head. i frantically got in the back seat and removed the safety belt and pulled her from the car to safety. the entire interior of the car was burned from the fire. there were no burn injuries due to the fact that i was stopped and able to remove myself and my child before the flames engulfed my car.
09/18/200810000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia optima ls. the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. the sun visors would not remain in the closed, upright position and the driver side child door lock would not unlatch. in addition, the safety lock for the trunk would detach and cause the trunk to occasionally fly open while driving. the contact stated that the vehicle would constantly break down and the dealer would not repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted who sent her to a second dealer for the repairs. the failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 54,800.
09/18/200810000
 Tl-the contact owns 2008 kia optima ls. the contact stated the horn has failed, the sun visor kept falling down and fail. the child door lock on the left driver side was stuck and would not open the door. the safety lock for the trunk would fly open while driving occassionally. the contact stated her vehicle constantly breaks down and the dealer will not repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted who sent her top another dealer for the repairs. the failure mileage was 10,000 and the cuurent mileage was 54,800
03/19/2010
 I called kia roadside assistance when locked my keys in the truck of my 2008 kia optima accidently. when he used his instrument to open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm sounded. he waited until it stopped and attempted to open the trunk with the release but it would not operate due to the car shuuting down. when i got in the vehicle and closed the door it locked again and i was not able to get out. i was literally trapped inside my car. there is no way to access the trunk from the inside. you can only fold the back seat down by using a release found only inside of the trunk. if i had been alone or the driver had left, i would have been trapped inside of my vehicle with no means of exit. the anti-theft devicce may protect the car from being stolen but it sure does nothing to protect the consumer. what would have happened if i had a baby inside with me or it was 100 degrees outside and i could not unlock the doors to get out? i contacted the dealership where i purchased the car and was promptly told that it was really my fault for locking my keys in the trunk in the first place. the also explained that the 'no access to the trunk from the inside' is to protect against thieves breaking into my car and entering the trunk through the backseat and steal something such as my suitcase. well, i think it would be easier to replace a suitcase than my life or the life of a child. needless to say, i definitely don't feel safe driving this car!
01/01/19011
 Consumer states that the vehicle headlights dim at low speeds and when applying the brakes or just slowing down. *nj the consumer was informed it was the design of the vehicle. *jb