Recently, a relative of mine wanted to have her car seriously fixed. She went to one of these mechanics, but he refused to execute the expensive fix because she could get it done for free.
Specific Kia automobiles are included in this. This is not the current Kia recall that you may have heard about because of possible engine compartment fires.
The number of automobiles in this volunteer initiative was once much higher. In order to preserve the engines of 624,460 Sorento, Sportage, and Optima automobiles from specific years, Kia launched the product improvement campaign (PI 1803) in 2018.
According to Kia, customers should be on the lookout for vibrations in these vehicles because they “may signify the beginning of excessive connecting rod bearing wear in the engine” and cause knocking noises. The campaign’s goal is to have sensors identify conrod bearing deterioration over time before the driver may feel vibrations.
“Kia additionally voluntarily provided lifetime warranty coverage to both new and used vehicle owners for engine long block assembly repairs needed due to excessive connecting rod bearing damage,” the carmaker continues.
The vehicle models that underwent the initial remedy but may now require engine long block assembly repairs are addressed by the most recent fix.
If you or your mechanic noticed a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Knock Signal Range/Performance), you may have realized you needed the second patch.
You might have to wait if you need to bring your car back for a second fix.
While Kia was unable to provide wait times or an estimate of the number of vehicles waiting to be evaluated or repaired under this program, it did acknowledge that, contrary to what has been widely reported in American media, challenges with employee staffing levels and parts supply are not specific to Kia or automotive dealerships in general.
My acquaintance inquired with a Kia dealer in the Dallas area earlier this year to see if they could inspect and fix her car. There were around 40 others in line before of her for the same thing, so she was told that she would need to drop the car off and wait a few weeks before they could examine it.
She waited for Kia to decide if her car was eligible for a free installation of a remanufactured engine for several weeks (Kia says the replacement engines are primarily re-manufactured).
After Kia confirmed her vehicle was qualified, there was a further delay of several additional weeks while the engine was ordered and replaced.
However, Kia does provide compensation for automobile rentals during this period. With the rental, you might have to get creative. Kia will provide coverage up to $40 per day, which would have been sufficient in earlier, more normal times.
You might be entitled to compensation from Kia if your mechanic failed to inform you that you might be eligible for a free replacement or repair and you previously paid out of pocket to fix a car that was experiencing this problem.
Consumers who made legitimate engine repair claims by August 9, 2021, according to the business, “have been paid for their repair charges.” “For repairs completed beyond that time, Kia will examine each one individually to determine if reimbursement will be granted in light of its particular circumstances.
In This Article...
Do Kia engines come with a lifetime warranty?
Please stop by a Kia dealership to get this software update if you haven’t already. The short block assembly, which consists of the engine block, crankshaft and main bearings, connecting rods and connecting rod bearings, and pistons when damaged as a result of failing connecting rod bearings, is covered by a lifetime warranty.
How much does a Kia engine replacement cost?
You must speak with your dealership to find out the precise cost of replacing the engine in a 2015 Kia Optima. You may be eligible for a free engine replacement if the engine suddenly failed without any prior notice and was caused by metallic debris that was obstructing the oil path and harming the bearings.
as the engine’s self-destruction was not your fault. As far as we know, only engines manufactured between 2011 and 2014 qualified for these recalls. Therefore, if you own a 2015 Kia Optima, getting it fixed will cost you a big penny.
Therefore, a brand-new engine for the 2015 Kia Optima will generally cost between $5,000 and $6,500.
These are the prices you should expect to pay if you want to restore your Kia Optima to proper operating condition. Many users claimed that they had previously replaced their engines.
A sizable sum, but sometimes that is the price to be paid. If you don’t want to lose this money on an engine replacement, sell it and try to recoup some of it.
Is engine failure covered by Kia?
To the extent that it was not already extended as part of a servicing campaign, the Powertrain Warranties for the Class Vehicles will be upgraded to a Lifetime Warranty for the engine short block assembly. The short block assembly, which consists of the engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons, will be covered by the warranty extension for Class Vehicles owned by private consumers who have finished the knock sensor program software update. The Lifetime Warranty shall otherwise endure for bearing wear or damage regardless of the Class Vehicle’s mileage, ownership duration, or prior warranty engine repairs and/or warranty replacements, with the exception of cases of Exceptional Neglect (defined below) and subject to the existing terms, limitations, and condition of the original Powertrain Warranty.
The warranty is extended to include all inspection and repair expenses for the engine short block assembly, including materials, labor, and diagnosis. It is advised that class members keep all records of their vehicle maintenance after August 18, 2020. If Kia suspects exceptional neglect, such class members might be asked to show documents of their vehicle maintenance from after August 18, 2020 in order to get Lifetime Warranty repairs.
The warranty extension may be refused for “Exceptional Neglect of the Vehicle,” which is defined as (a) when the vehicle clearly evidences a lack of maintenance or care for a significant period of time of not less than one (1) year, such that the vehicle appears abandoned, beyond repair, and/or (b) when a Class Member has failed to have the KSDS (“Knock Sensor Detection System”) installed.
Regardless of mileage or previous repairs, Kia will offer a free recall inspection for up to 90 days following the Final Approval Order for any vehicle where recall inspections were not finished.
If necessary, Kia shops will offer a complimentary loaner car of equal value up until repairs are finished. Kia will fully compensate you for reasonable rental car costs up to $40 per day if a loaner car is not available. (How to submit a claim for reimbursements for a rental car is described below.)
For this extension of the Powertrain Warranty for the engine short block assembly under this Settlement, you DO NOT need to submit a Claim Form.
To acquire the Lifetime Warranty extension, a Kia Dealer must complete the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign.
Reimbursement for Rental Cars, Towing, Etc.
Based on the following conditions, you may be entitled to full reimbursement for any towing costs or other out-of-pocket costs reasonably associated to getting a qualifying repair, as well as up to $40 per day for rental car costs:
- The cost was legitimately connected to getting one of the qualifying repairs listed below.
- any maintenance work on the short block assembly of the engine, which consists of the engine block, the crankshaft and bearings, the connecting rods and bearings, and the pistons.
- Repairs to any other parts (such as the starter, battery, or long block assembly) if the documentation demonstrates that the work was done in an effort to solve one of the following issues: engine seizure, stalling, noise, or oil lamp illumination. (Repair expenses won’t be covered if the documentation shows that they were obviously unconnected to the short block assembly.)
- Repairs brought on by collisions with Class Vehicles are not included, unless the collision was directly brought on by a Class Vehicle breakdown that would otherwise be covered by a Qualifying Repair, like as engine fire.
Compensation for Vehicle involved in Engine Fire
If the cost of the repair was too high or you had to sell your car at a loss due to an engine fire that would have otherwise been resolved by a Qualifying Repair, you may be entitled to reimbursement for the value of the vehicle as well as an additional $140 goodwill payment. To be eligible for this benefit, you must submit a timely claim within 90 days of the engine compartment fire.
If you submit a Claim proving the fire started in the engine compartment and was unrelated to any form of collision, the amount of compensation will be determined by the vehicle’s maximum Black Book value.
Before the repair diagnosis, the vehicle’s maintenance history, or lack thereof, shall not be a justification for denying or reducing reimbursement under this provision (excepting limited Exceptional Neglect circumstances). Exceptional Neglect includes the following situations: (a) when the vehicle clearly demonstrates a lack of maintenance or care for a significant period of time of not less than one (1) year, such that the vehicle appears abandoned, beyond repair, and/or (b) when a Class Member has neglected to have the KSDS (“Knock Sensor Detection Software”) installed in the vehicle in accordance with the KSDS Product.
Rebate Program
If you buy a replacement Kia car after losing faith in your Class Vehicle due to an engine failure or engine compartment fire, you might be eligible for a rebate. To be eligible for any rebate, you must submit the Claim Form. You may be eligible for up to the following sums: $2,000 for model-year 20112012 Class Vehicles; $1,500 for model-year 20132014 Class Vehicles; $1,000 for model-year 20152016 Class Vehicles; and $500 for model-year 20172019 Class Vehicles. To be eligible for this benefit, your claim must be submitted in a timely manner within 90 days of the engine failure or fire.
Informational Pamphlet
According to the Settlement, KMA will supply Class Members with an instructional leaflet that offers additional advice on how to maintain the engines in the Class Vehicles and notifies Class Members of the available inspections and repairs.
Does the Kia engine settlement exist?
In re:
No. 18cv02223 (C.D. Cal.) alleges that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle’s warranty for the 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles. The lawsuit also claims that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if it occurs. In any of the claims made in these lawsuits, neither KMC nor KMA have been determined to be at fault. Instead, in order to avoid protracted litigation, the Parties have come to a negotiated settlement. “Class Members” are the people who purchased or rented Class Vehicles. If Settlement Class Members make legitimate claims in a timely manner that are accepted in accordance with the review procedure outlined in this notice and approved by the Court, they may be eligible to compensation.
On June 10, 2021, the Court entered judgment; no appeals were submitted. According to the Settlement’s conditions, the initial tranche of payments for accepted Claims will be mailed on August 10, 2021. Payments for qualified claims that can be submitted after August 9, 2021, will be made on a rolling basis. Only until the deadlines specified in the Initial Determination Notice or Final Determination Notice have passed can payments be disbursed.
Contact the Claims Administrator here with any inquiries regarding claims submitted before or on November 30, 2021.
Any claim or potential claim filed after November 30, 2021, will not be in the Claims Administrator’s records, and they will not be able to help in any way.