Quick News About Kia Problems

There's a lot of news out there, so we try to boil down it to the most important bits and pieces -- the recalls, service bulletins, and lawsuits that can help you solve you car problems.

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  1. Safety regulators are looking into how Kia and Hyundai handled their Theta II engine recalls, specifically if the companies acted fast enough.

    They want to know if Hyundai and Kia did enough and fast enough concerning the recalls of nearly 1.7 million vehicles with Theta engines prone to a lot of noise and finally locking up.

    At this point, we know the widespread engine problems are caused by metallic debris left behind during mechanical deburring on the assembly line. Those tiny bits of metal are carried through the engine by oil, wreaking havoc on the way.…

    keep reading article "Why Did it Take So Long to Recall the Theta II Engine?"

  2. A lawsuit thinks it has enough evidence to prove fault in an incredibly sad crash that killed 7-year-old twins and an 83-year-old driver last year.

    According to the lawsuit, Parks had enough time to not only repeatedly hit the brakes, but she also turned on the hazard lights and flashed her headlights to warn other drivers. The lawsuit also alleges Parks tried to shift the Optima into NEUTRAL but on top of that not working, she couldn't turn off the ignition.

    Parks’ car was going 90mph at the time of the crash. Even the parents of the two young boys think unintended acceleration is to blame.…

    keep reading article "Kia Sued for Not Installing a Brake-Throttle Override System"

  3. The Theta II recall that so many Kia owners have been waiting for is finally here.

    Kia is recalling more than 618,000 model year 2011-2014 Kia Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles because the engine bearings can wear out too early and cause the engines to seize. The automaker says machining problems occurred during manufacturing, something dealers will need to fix by replacing the engine assemblies.

    We’ve been tracking Theta II engine problems for a while and let’s just say … they’re not good.…

    keep reading article "Kia is Recalling the Notoriously Defective Theta II Engine"

  7. Owners worried about a defectively designed crankshaft in the first-generation Sorento have a reason to celebrate.

    The plaintiffs claim Kia knew about the problems but concealed that knowledge from consumers and refused to cover repair costs under warranty … Kia says it agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit to save on the expense of additional legal costs. However, the automaker has not admitted any wrongdoing concerning the bolts.

    Admission of fault or not, this settlement could mean up to $4,900 for owners of the 3.5L Sorentos manufactured between March 1, 2002 to June 12, 2006. All claims for benefits under this settlement must be postmarked or submitted by May 17, 2017.

    keep reading article "Crankshaft Pulley Bolt Lawsuit Settled by Kia"

  9. The Theta II Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine is earning a reputation for stalling and eventually seizing, leading to a class-action lawsuit.

    The [lawsuit] targets the Theta 2-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engines, also known as GDI engines. According to the plaintiffs, the engines contain defects that cause a restriction of oil flow through the connecting rod bearings and other parts of the engines.

    Hyundai is facing a similar lawsuit that is currently awaiting final class-action approval.

    keep reading article "Theta II Engine Lawsuit Says the GDI Engines Have Oil Flow Problems"

  10. Kia's Theta 2-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engines, also known as GDI engines, are giving owners a ton of headaches by stalling or failing at just about any time.

    According to a new lawsuit, these engines contain defects that cause a restriction of oil flow through the connecting rod bearings and other parts of the engines. In turn, the engines can stall without warning.

    The plaintiffs say Kia knows about the Theta engine problems, but refuses to freely repair the engines or order a recall. Another Theta II engine case with Sonata owners is awaiting final settlement approval.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Kia Theta Engines Are Defective"

  11. Corrode on me once, shame on you. Corrode on me twice ... well, shame on you again.

    For the second time, the Kia Sedona has been recalled to fix front lower control arms that can break from corrosion. This time Kia is going to replace the arms that weren't fixed before, and add an extra applcation of an anti-corrosion coating.

    The problem affects vans that were originally sold, or currently registered in, the salt belt states.…

    keep reading article "Sedona Lower Control Arms Recalled for Corrosion (Again)"

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