Kia went "kiaboom"....well almost

[bubbanik]

The MPI engines were not as much an issue as the GDI’s were.

Maybe so. But I know of one that indicates it's a definite possibility

 

[KrisZ]

Stay away for used Hyundais and Kias.

All adds that mentioned a new engine were Hyundai or Kia, that was enough to convince me to stay away from them.

 

[CKN]

Well, add me to the list of Kia's that bit the big one!
2020 Soul x-line with the 2.0 NU. Bought it in 2022 when it was almost impossible to find anything. Only had 4,000 miles on it, which hindsight being 20-20, should have been a huge red flag.
Anyway, I found out soon after buying all the issues revolving around these engines so I was sure to keep good records and receipts of all maintenance. Shame on me for not doing the research but lesson learned. I even went as far as keeping track of all the times I CHECKED the oil by dates and when I had to add. I was down to checking the oil every 3 days maximum and doing oil changes NLT 3,000 miles.
I kept track of everything in a 3 ring binder using those plastic document protectors I remember from high school.
So about a month ago I was headed to my daughters house in the Kia when the check engine light started to flash; 26,450 miles on the motor. There was no change in the sound or power, just going around a corner at 35 mph and the light started flashing. So I turned around and headed home, about 10 miles away, waiting for the inevitable boom.
When I got home I put a code reader on and saw the 1396 code and during research the recommended fix was "long block replacement."
Contacted Kia and set up the appointment for service. The service lady was cool and agreed that it was probably a motor change but it had to be inspected. When she asked if I had all my service done by Kia I told her that they weren't able to manufacture the car correctly, why would I trust them with the maintenance? She kinda sighed and said I would have to provide proof of all maintenance or there could be a problem with the warranty. I laughed and slapped my binder on her desk.
Needless to say I got a call the following day that indeed the motor needed replacement and that it would be covered under warranty. She said the technicians response was "holy s----" when she showed him my maintenance book.
Motor arrived 3 days later and was installed in 2 days. So, although the whole thing was a pain in the neck, I didn't have the horror story I've heard from others about dealing with Kia.
Anyway, picked up the car, drove to the Mazda dealer and dumped it for a 2025 CX-5.
I'm not a Hyunkia hater like some but I'll never consider either ever again. Just don't trust them anymore.
But I learned a really good lesson. I've been doing my own maintenance for years and "kinda" kept up with receipts and things. I'll keep much better records from now on for sure.

Kia said sales rose 12 percent to 57,007 last month (Jan/2025) over January 2024, while Hyundai reported 54,503 sales, up 15 percent.

It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase for both brands, which are coming off a record 2024.

 

[bubbanik]

Kia said sales rose 12 percent to 57,007 last month (Jan/2025) over January 2024, while Hyundai reported 54,503 sales, up 15 percent.

It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase for both brands, which are coming off a record 2024.

Ok?
I clearly stated I wasn't a Hyunkia hater, but that I wouldn't consider buying one because of a personal experience.
The fact that their sales have increased means absolutely nothing to me and doesn't change anything I said previously. They could be responsible for 99% of the vehicles sold around the world, I would be in the 1%.
I dont really understand the point of throwing sales numbers out.
I probably could look up the number of Hyunkia motors that blew up in the past 10 years and/or the dollar amount they shelled out from class action lawsuits due to those substandard motors but honestly, I don't care. MY car let ME down. If others love the Hyunkia's that's wonderful; once again I don't care.

 

[gabriel9766]

Mine never used "alot" of oil. Never saw a motor like this. I was literally checking the oil every day or every couple days at the most. Right about when I'd get to 600 mile intervals, a 1/4 quart would just disappear! It was like a magic act. Everything would be fine each day then right about 600 miles, bam, 1/4 gone. Kept this way steadily for the 2 years I owned it.
What I did notice was the piston slap. When I drove it off the lot it was a typical 4 cylinder engine. Within 6 months it became a diesel. That's when I knew I was in trouble.

I got a BG EPR and MOA for free kit im gonna use on it tomorrow when I change the oil. He text me today saying his engine was making a ticking sound and it was 2Q low when he got home. Topped it off and it’s getting changed tomorrow.

 

[bubbanik]

I got a BG EPR and MOA for free kit im gonna use on it tomorrow when I change the oil. He text me today saying his engine was making a ticking sound and it was 2Q low when he got home. Topped it off and it’s getting changed tomorrow.

I'd like to know if that makes a difference.

 

[gabriel9766]

I'd like to know if that makes a difference.

Hopefully it does

 

[D60]

I'm dealing with a '13 Optima right now that appears to be using a quart every 700 miles. Our local dealer told the owner it should be subject to the LT warranty and bring it in to start the process. We'll see!

edit: not that it matters, but it's a Korea-built unit per the VIN. I just found that interesting

 

[bubbanik]

I'm dealing with a '13 Optima right now that appears to be using a quart every 700 miles. Our local dealer told the owner it should be subject to the LT warranty and bring it in to start the process. We'll see!

edit: not that it matters, but it's a Korea-built unit per the VIN. I just found that interesting

Well hopefully it goes well for you. Mine was pretty seamless.

 

[dishdude]

I'm dealing with a '13 Optima right now that appears to be using a quart every 700 miles. Our local dealer told the owner it should be subject to the LT warranty and bring it in to start the process. We'll see!

edit: not that it matters, but it's a Korea-built unit per the VIN. I just found that interesting

How many miles are on it?

 

[D60]

How many miles are on it?

Around 166k IIRC

 

[dishdude]

Around 166k IIRC

Please let us know if they honor the class action settlement, I read it was 15 years/150k for original owners.

 

[D60]

Please let us know if they honor the class action settlement, I read it was 15 years/150k for original owners.

Yeah I have no idea and she's not original owner. I told them I had no idea and call our dealer. Dealer presumably asked these questions, but we'll know eventually. I, too, am VERY curious so I'll pry for regular updates

 

[CKN]

Please let us know if they honor the class action settlement, I read it was 15 years/150k for original owners.

If you buy a certified Kia/Hyundai it is covered as well.

 

[350Rocket]

Well, add me to the list of Kia's that bit the big one!
2020 Soul x-line with the 2.0 NU. Bought it in 2022 when it was almost impossible to find anything. Only had 4,000 miles on it, which hindsight being 20-20, should have been a huge red flag.
Anyway, I found out soon after buying all the issues revolving around these engines so I was sure to keep good records and receipts of all maintenance. Shame on me for not doing the research but lesson learned. I even went as far as keeping track of all the times I CHECKED the oil by dates and when I had to add. I was down to checking the oil every 3 days maximum and doing oil changes NLT 3,000 miles.
I kept track of everything in a 3 ring binder using those plastic document protectors I remember from high school.
So about a month ago I was headed to my daughters house in the Kia when the check engine light started to flash; 26,450 miles on the motor. There was no change in the sound or power, just going around a corner at 35 mph and the light started flashing. So I turned around and headed home, about 10 miles away, waiting for the inevitable boom.
When I got home I put a code reader on and saw the 1396 code and during research the recommended fix was "long block replacement."
Contacted Kia and set up the appointment for service. The service lady was cool and agreed that it was probably a motor change but it had to be inspected. When she asked if I had all my service done by Kia I told her that they weren't able to manufacture the car correctly, why would I trust them with the maintenance? She kinda sighed and said I would have to provide proof of all maintenance or there could be a problem with the warranty. I laughed and slapped my binder on her desk.
Needless to say I got a call the following day that indeed the motor needed replacement and that it would be covered under warranty. She said the technicians response was "holy s----" when she showed him my maintenance book.
Motor arrived 3 days later and was installed in 2 days. So, although the whole thing was a pain in the neck, I didn't have the horror story I've heard from others about dealing with Kia.
Anyway, picked up the car, drove to the Mazda dealer and dumped it for a 2025 CX-5.
I'm not a Hyunkia hater like some but I'll never consider either ever again. Just don't trust them anymore.
But I learned a really good lesson. I've been doing my own maintenance for years and "kinda" kept up with receipts and things. I'll keep much better records from now on for sure.

I don't trust my wife's much either. I'm going to try to talk her into a Mazda when she finally wants a new one but for now she's fine with hers and it is paid for.
I wasn't as careful with the documentation on hers and that's on me. When the engine seized we had to pay $200 for the inspection but then it was covered. I think $200 is a pretty good price for a new engine installed.

 

[Number_35]

When did the Hyundia/Kia engine woes begin? 2010-12? It hasn't slowed the sales of them.

I had a 2008 Santa Fe 2.7L 4AT, AWD years back. Aside from the oddity of loosing 3 of 4 wheel bearings and one ignition coil before 70K miles, that was a great vehicle. That was a different era of Hyundai/Kia though.

There's a general consensus that Hyundai and Kia had a really good period from c. 2002 through about 2010.

Reliability was really good, on par with the better Japanese auto manufacturers, and they were priced lower than comparable Japanese vehicles.

Since then, there have been the easy thefts (due to the lack of a good anti-theft ignition system) and the engine failures. It seems they started focusing more on style than on good drivetrains.

 

[Leroybrown]

I had a 2017 Forte with that same engine. I didn't know about the problems with the NU engines until after I got mine. I wanted to dump it, but I bought it in 2020 right before the market went haywire. Then in 2023 the Kia Boyz tried to steal it. After I got it fixed I had to move on from it.

 

[TomYoung]

Well, add me to the list of Kia's that bit the big one!
2020 Soul x-line with the 2.0 NU. Bought it in 2022 when it was almost impossible to find anything. Only had 4,000 miles on it, which hindsight being 20-20, should have been a huge red flag.
Anyway, I found out soon after buying all the issues revolving around these engines so I was sure to keep good records and receipts of all maintenance. Shame on me for not doing the research but lesson learned. I even went as far as keeping track of all the times I CHECKED the oil by dates and when I had to add. I was down to checking the oil every 3 days maximum and doing oil changes NLT 3,000 miles.
I kept track of everything in a 3 ring binder using those plastic document protectors I remember from high school.
So about a month ago I was headed to my daughters house in the Kia when the check engine light started to flash; 26,450 miles on the motor. There was no change in the sound or power, just going around a corner at 35 mph and the light started flashing. So I turned around and headed home, about 10 miles away, waiting for the inevitable boom.
When I got home I put a code reader on and saw the 1396 code and during research the recommended fix was "long block replacement."
Contacted Kia and set up the appointment for service. The service lady was cool and agreed that it was probably a motor change but it had to be inspected. When she asked if I had all my service done by Kia I told her that they weren't able to manufacture the car correctly, why would I trust them with the maintenance? She kinda sighed and said I would have to provide proof of all maintenance or there could be a problem with the warranty. I laughed and slapped my binder on her desk.
Needless to say I got a call the following day that indeed the motor needed replacement and that it would be covered under warranty. She said the technicians response was "holy s----" when she showed him my maintenance book.
Motor arrived 3 days later and was installed in 2 days. So, although the whole thing was a pain in the neck, I didn't have the horror story I've heard from others about dealing with Kia.
Anyway, picked up the car, drove to the Mazda dealer and dumped it for a 2025 CX-5.
I'm not a Hyunkia hater like some but I'll never consider either ever again. Just don't trust them anymore.
But I learned a really good lesson. I've been doing my own maintenance for years and "kinda" kept up with receipts and things. I'll keep much better records from now on for sure.

You should be able to go at least three oil changes between engine changes in these things.

 

[TomYoung]

There's a general consensus that Hyundai and Kia had a really good period from c. 2002 through about 2010.

Reliability was really good, on par with the better Japanese auto manufacturers, and they were priced lower than comparable Japanese vehicles.

Since then, there have been the easy thefts (due to the lack of a good anti-theft ignition system) and the engine failures. It seems they started focusing more on style than on good drivetrains.

They sell because they are cheap, and maybe because they compare favorably to some of the current American designs (of small SUVs). It is a piece of nerve to suggest that they were ever on par with the better Japanese auto manufacturers. There is no consensus that there was some golden age between 2002 and 2010, but we can probably agree that the current engines, many of them, have oil consumption and sludge issues that are so bad that they should not be marketed.

Just to add to the absurd comparison to the Japanese manufacturers: you can find plenty of stories about Honda’s ubiquitous 1.5 liter turbo engine and oil dilution. So also with current Hyundai engines. What you won’t find are the engine replacement stories.

I used to think that the Nissan and Hyundai cars suffered primarily from low credit score buyers who sometimes would not keep up with maintenance, but there is more to it.

 

[D60]

Please let us know if they honor the class action settlement, I read it was 15 years/150k for original owners.

So she got this '13 Optima into our local dealer. They said the valve cover is leaking that has to be fixed before the oil consumption test.

I agree on its face this is logical but I feel it's overall disingenuous. I mean how much oil is a valve cover going to lose over the course of the consumption test??

I'm sure the dealer offered to do that for an insane amount (I should ask) but they said they'd rather pay me. I'm going to do the valve cover gasket for a song just on principle and not allow the dealer to upsell like this.