| Issue ID | 1202462 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10736205 |
| Manufacurer | Kia Motors America |
| Brand | KIA |
| Model | OPTIMA |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| File date | 21/07/15 |
| Component | ENGINE |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Was driving to work(2013 kia optima appx 32000 miles) as i accelerated to merge on the intestate, a large cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust,there was no indication or any warning, there is no maintenance light to indicate there is a problem with the vehicle. I took the vehicle to my kia dealership they removed the valve cover and was told there is excessive sludge on the engine that i would need a new engine, this is not cover by kia warrenty,after doing several day of research i have discovered that there are many kia owner who are experiencing the same type of problems we are being told that excessive sludge is the cause but most mechanic know that sludge is a symptom not a cause, and what is excessive 1%or 5% who makes that determanition? I have done regular oil changes myself. I contacted the kia home office and am waiting for a reply. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 32000 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | DIBERVILLE, MS |
| VIN pattern | XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 45 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |