@Fielder
That’s definitely the issue. I’m sure Kia would sort it out if they had to settle a lawsuit and offer lifetime engine warranties, but it seems to be a maintenance issue.
@Fielder
We loved our 2013 Kia Forte5 2.0 until it suddenly threw a rod, and now we wouldn’t touch them again. You could often sense when there’s something wrong with cars, but Kias are different. Suddenly they fail, even with regular maintenance. My uncle was ready to help replace the engine, but I turned it down because I don’t think it would hold up.
@Fielder
You don’t speak for the many others who encountered well-known issues.
Possible engine problems are the primary concern. If it fails, there’s a good chance Kia will replace the engine for free if you have your maintenance records, though that’s not always necessary. I have a 2012 with 162k miles and haven’t experienced any issues yet, aside from a small leak in the valve cover gasket which I plan to fix soon. Another issue is how easy these cars are to steal. I just use a club on the steering wheel and have had no problems. I bought this car for cheap before the engine issue was announced and the theft risks were highlighted, as the price was too good to pass on. I plan to just keep driving it until it stops working.
@Amani
I’m a bit concerned about this, but luckily we’ve gotten our Kia maintenance help when needed and also handle normal maintenance at home. I think Kia sent me a recall notice for an engine issue, but the part wasn’t available yet. Once it is, I’ll get another notice in the mail.
@Aris
The recall you mentioned doesn’t relate to crank failure; it’s about a different problem. Haha.
Amani said:
@Aris
The recall you mentioned doesn’t relate to crank failure; it’s about a different problem. Haha.
Oh no, really? I need to check for that paperwork.
@Aris
I know there’s one recall they don’t have a fix for, and that’s related to fires.
Bailey said:
@Aris
I know there’s one recall they don’t have a fix for, and that’s related to fires.
Great.
@Amani
I didn’t learn about the engine issues and theft risks until much later. Now my plan is to keep driving it until it won’t run anymore.
I own a 2013 Kia Optima, and my engine failed around 114k miles. They replaced it for free. It’s been running well since the replacement, and now I’m at 126,500 miles. Make sure you get recalls done, and you should be fine. Good luck!
Most likely transmission problems.
I hope not. I just bought a 2015 model about 45 days ago. After reading some things online, I got really nervous. I called Kia and learned my car could get a replacement motor if this one fails. So far, I’m at almost 2800 miles, and the oil is still full. I enjoy the car, and good luck. Don’t let all the negativity get to you. Most of those voices probably don’t own one.
@Bailey
Thanks! I will contact Kia about these possible issues. I enjoy driving the car. I’ve had it since 2019, and it hasn’t given me any trouble. I hope it stays that way! I hope you enjoy your Kia too.
People have different experiences with the same cars. Just keep it maintained and warm it up before using the AC or driving hard, and it’ll last a long time.
You have the older version with the problematic engine. I would trade it in for a new Kia or consider a different brand.
DO NOT BUY. Those engines are likely to fail.
Check your oil regularly to ensure it’s always at full level. Change the oil on schedule. They recommend every 3,750 miles or so.
Dexter said:
Check your oil regularly to ensure it’s always at full level. Change the oil on schedule. They recommend every 3,750 miles or so.
I plan to do my oil change next Saturday. I try to change it every 3-5k miles.
@Aris
The oil change interval doesn’t replace checking the oil level. You should check it every time you fill up. This way, you’ll know how much oil you need to add and how often. You can’t just wait until it’s time to change the oil to check the level; those two things are not connected.