2012 KIA Optima window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact pressed on the horn, and the horn failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, upon starting the vehicle and attempting to adjust the driver’s side mirror, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the side-view mirror motor. The contact stated that several days later, the abnormal clicking sound ceased, and the driver’s side mirror failed to function as intended. On a separate occasion, the passenger’s side mirror motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. Several days later, the clicking sound ceased and the passenger’s side mirror failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the sunroof, the motor failed to function as intended and the sunroof was half closed. The contact had to place a tarp over the sunroof to protect inside the vehicle from the elements. No warning lights were illuminated. Recently the vehicle received maintenance and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown part had failed in the engine. The contact was unsure what part of the engine had been replaced. The failure recurred, and the contact had safety concerns about the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11681327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, she was unable to close the sunroof and heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealers; Kia of East Hartford (99 Ash St, East Hartford, CT 06108:(860) 291-7000) and Gary Rome Kia (809 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082:(860) 253-4753) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.

NHTSA complaint #11511751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANY SORT OF DEBRIS, IT EXPLODED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOUD EXPLOSION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND PANIC BRAKE AS GLASS SHARDS RAINED DOWN ON ME FROM THE BROKEN SUNROOF.

NHTSA complaint #11413135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2012 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 48000 MILES NOW DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING, SO AS OF NOW I AM DRIVING WITH PASSENGER SIDELIGHT IN COMBINATION WITH PARKING LIGHTS. BUYING KIA OPTIMA IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER DONE, IT SEEMS EVERY MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. SURPRISINGLY NHTSA HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION AS PER KIA OPTIMA WELL KNOWN DEFECTS.

NHTSA complaint #11277793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF GLASS FRACTURED AND FELL ONTO THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,119.

NHTSA complaint #11242904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THERE WAS EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. ALSO, THE OIL LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER (OSSETT KIA SOUTH, 2680 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38115, (901) 328-8173) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, BUT THE VISIBILITY WAS STILL POOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED WITHOUT THE PART BEING REPLACED. THE FAN ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A REPAIR PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION FOR THE STEERING COUPLER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER STRAIGHT. ALSO, THE SUN ROOF AND MOON ROOF GLASS HAD A CRACK GOING DOWN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT MET THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE STEERING FAILURE, HEADLIGHT FAILURE, AND MOISTURE IN THE REAR CAMERA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11189905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 6:20 P.M IN THE SLOW LANE AT 65 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HER OR AROUND HER THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE KICKED UP A ROCK OR DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD. SHE WAS ALSO NOT PASSING UNDER AN OVERPASS OR BRIDGE. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HURT IN THE INCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS A PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND THE MOVING PART OF THE GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERED.

NHTSA complaint #11073025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10946316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE SENT IN COMPLAINTS ON MY KIA MANY OF TIMES AND THE ONE JUST CAME OUT ABOUT THE LATCHES, MINE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE HAD THE MIDDLE PART OF MY GLASS CRACK THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND MORE BUT IT SEEMS I AM BEING OVER LOOKED ON MY CAR. I GUESS THE ONLY ACTION TO TAKE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA AMERICA. WHEN YOU HAVE THE PROOF THEY STILL DO NOT BELIEVE YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10873841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

ON 5/13/16 I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR WITHOUT NOTICE AND GOT IN. AS OF THEN I NOTICED A LONG CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM RUNNING UPWARDS OVER HALF WAY AND OUT TO THE MIDDLE CRACKS. I CALLED THE POLICE TO GET A REPORT BUT THE OFFICER SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT FROM THE OUT SIDE AND TAKE IT TO KIA. I TOOK IT THERE AND I WAS TOLD I WAS HIT BY SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK OR BALL. THE MAN AT KIA SAID TAKE IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I TOOK IT THERE AND THE AGENT SAID IT WAS HIT BUT I HAD TO PAY $100.00 BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. A MAN FROM THE GLASS REPAIR CAME TO LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AND HE COULD TELL BETTER WHEN THE OLD ONE HAS BEEN REMOVED. HE CAME OUT ON 5/3/16 TO REPLACE IT AND HE SAID THAT WHOEVER TOLD ME THAT WINDOW WAS BROKEN ON THE OUTSIDE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. AFTER LOOKING AT IT VERY CLOSE HE SAID THAT WHAT BROKE IT AND MADE THE CRACKS WAS THE LAMINATED PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE TWO PIECES OF GLASS TOGETHER AND IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE GLASS. KIA ALWAYS TELLS ME WHEN I HAVE A PROBLEM, THAT IN NO WAY THE PROBLEMS WAS FROM KIA'S MAKING THE CAR. THIS IS MY THIRD PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR THAT THEY TELL ME THEY EITHER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM LIKE WITH THE TRUNK OPENING UP, THE BATTERY THEY REPLACED ON ME BY TAKING OUT ALMOST A NEW ONE AND REPLACING IT WITH A OLDER ONE. NOW I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $100.00 WHEN IT WAS NO ONES FAULT ABOUT THE GLASS BUT KIA BECAUSE I STILL HAVE SEVEN MONTHS WARRANTY LEFT ON THE GLASS AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO INSTALL A NEW ONE SO THEY COULD SAVE MONEY AND TIME AND KEEP PEOPLE THINKING THAT KIA IS NUMBER 1. THIS KIA WITH UNDER 19,000 MILES IS JUNK TO ME AND WITH SOME RECALLS ON THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THIS ONE, NOT BUT ONE SINGLE RECALL WAS EVER MADE BUT YOU DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE. ON THIS AND OTHER KIA'S THEY SHOULD MAKE KIA AMERICA REBUY ALL THOSE CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10864925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD AREA NEAR THE VEHICLES ANTENNA WAS FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONLY THE FIRST LAYER ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED AS LARGE THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10853734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10730966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,050.

NHTSA complaint #10730677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE I77 NORTH AT 70MPH WITH THE SUNROOF AND SHADE SHUT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SHADE STARTED GOING THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND GLASS CAME RAINING DOWN ON MYSELF (I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT) AND MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND US. IT WAS SUNNY AROUND 80 DEGREES.

NHTSA complaint #10650497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OR ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY TRIP. IT WAS ABOUT 80-82 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH CLEAR SKIES. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH KIA OPTIMAS, HYUNDAI VELOSTERS, AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS INVESTIGATING. LUCKILY I REMAINED CALM AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR OFF THE GLASS AND GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SOUND AND SHOWER OF GLASS COULD HAVE EASILY STARTLED SOMEONE ELSE AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO BREAKING AWAY THE ADDITIONAL, BROKEN GLASS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR IT, SHOULD IT BE NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10596546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OR ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY TRIP. IT WAS ABOUT 80-82 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH CLEAR SKIES. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH KIA OPTIMAS, HYUNDAI VELOSTERS, AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS INVESTIGATING. LUCKILY I REMAINED CALM AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR OFF THE GLASS AND GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SOUND AND SHOWER OF GLASS COULD HAVE EASILY STARTLED SOMEONE ELSE AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO BREAKING AWAY THE ADDITIONAL, BROKEN GLASS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR IT, SHOULD IT BE NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10596546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS PARKED IN A SECURED POLICE PARKING GARAGE THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS TO EXCEPT POLICE OFFICERS. UPON GETTING INTO MY CAR, PLACING IT INTO DRIVE AND BEGINNING TO MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE GLASS SHATTERING. I EXITED MY VEHICLE TO FIND THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT STRUCK THE GLASS THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. UPON DOING RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE KIA VEHICLES SUNROOFS HAVE. KIA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS TELLING ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER TO KIA. KIA IS TELLING ME THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OBJECT THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS IN THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10592152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10573182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN EARLY EVENING ON NORMAL DAILY COMMUTER ROUTER WHEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE. INCIDENT SCARED WIFE ENOUGH THAT SHE CALLED HUSBAND FOR ADVICE ON SITUATION. SUNROOF SHATTERED. NO OVERPASSES WITHIN SEVERAL MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. NO FLYING ROAD DEBRIS. NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT CIRCUMSTANCES. REPORTED INCIDENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS BECAUSE "NO SUNROOF IN STOCK". RECEIVED CALL FROM KIA CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING INCIDENT AFTER 2 OR 3 DAYS ASKING FOR DETAILS. JUST AFTER PICKING UP THE REPAIRED CAR, RECEIVED CALL AND SUSPICIOUS LETTER (EMAIL) ASKING FOR US TO SIGN AND RETURN ESSENTIALLY A LIABILITY RELEASE. WE DID NOT SIGN IT. SUSPECT THAT KIA CORPORATE INTENDED TO HAVE US SIGN LETTER BEFORE RETURNING THE CAR TO US.

NHTSA complaint #10566422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SHORTLY AFTER 7AM ET. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT IT AND THEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10545476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SOUND OF GLASS RATTLING. AT FIRST I THOUGH I HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF MY TIRES, SO I MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I THEN DID A WALK AROUND OF MY CAR AND SAW THE BUSTED SUNROOF. THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD NOR DID I SEE ANY FLYING ROCKS OR DEBRIS AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. THERE WAS NOTHING OTHER THAN THE EXPLOSION. THE GLASS WAS BUBBLED UP LIKE IT BLEWOUT AND NOT IN. THERE WAS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF. THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING INSIDE THE FLAP BETWEEN THE GLASS AND INTERIOR. ALSO THE FLAP COVER IS VERY THIN AND FLIMSY, IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN ON IT, IT WOULD HAVE HIT ME ON THE HEAD BECAUSE IT IS JUST A THIN MATERIAL COVER. FURTHERMORE, IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, AT ROUGHLY 73 DEGREES. ALL I CAN SAY IS FOR A SUNROOF TO EXPLODE OUTWARDS, THE GLASS HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE IN SOME SORT OF WAY. IT SCARE THE LIVING LIGHTS OUT OF ME, IT WAS SUCH A LOUD EXPLOSION. IF I HAD THE COVER UNDONE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT BY THE BROKEN FLYING GLASS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE MANAGER THERE TOOK PICTURES AND THEN MADE A COMMENT THAT HE WOULD FORWARD THE PICTURES TO THE DEALER BUT THAT IT WOULD BE DENIED BECAUSE THE LAST KIA THAT CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PERSON HE WAS PLANNING ON FORWARDING THE PICTURES TO HAD DENIED THE CLAIM AND IT LOOKED THE SAME! THIS SHOWS ME THAT KIA IS VERY AWARE THAT THEIR PRODUCT (SUNROOF) IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A POTENTIAL TO EXPLODE BUT OF COURSE THEY WILL NOT CLAIM THEIR PRODUCT HAS ANY DEFECTS BECAUSE IT WOULD COST THEM TOO MUCH. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS INCIDENT OBVIOUSLY. I NEED FOR YOU TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THE GLASS IS NOT TEMPERED ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND CERTAIN TEMPERATURES OR IF THERE ARE OTHER DEFECTS THAT CAUSE IT TO EXPLODE.

NHTSA complaint #10505723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE, ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MIRROR SUDDENLY JUST FELL OFF! THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF WAS THE CABLE RUNNING INTO THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE!" IT WILL BE 4 DAYS BEFORE MY MIRROR GETS REPLACED! THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10465126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I PURCHASED THIS NEW CAR IN JANUARY AND HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME ADAPTING TO THE BLIND SPOTS OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THIS CAR ARE AMAZING EVEN WITH WHAT I BELIEVE IS 1 EXCEPTION. THE REAR HEADRESTS OF THIS CAR WERE DESIGNED TOO LARGE. EVEN IN THE DOWN POSITION THESE HEADRESTS BLOCK NEARLY 2 THIRDS OF THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY. SELECTING SAFETY OVER LOOKS I'VE COMPLETELY REMOVED BOTH REAR HEADRESTS (THEY SLIDE RIGHT OUT) AND CARRY THEM IN THE TRUNK IF PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR REQUEST THEM. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT KIA PRODUCE AND RETROFIT LOWER SLEEKER HEADRESTS FOR THE REAR THAT ARE 1/2 AS HIGH AS THE CURRENT. DEALERS COULD PROBABLY SWAP THEM OUT AND KIA COULD REUSE OVERSEAS IF THEY CHOOSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL IF PHOTOS ARE NEEDED BUT FOR THE MOST PART YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD LOOK AT ANY 2012 OPTIMA AND SEE WHAT I SEE. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS AN AMAZING CAR BUT I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT / CONCERN. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10463033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED A ROCK STRUCK THE MIRROR WHICH CAUSED THE DETACHMENT AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE FOR THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,653. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10439066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.