While driving, there was a spontaneous explosion from under the hood accompanied by a gush of oil from under the car. the car did not catch fire but there were sparks. the oil that spilled from under the car caused the car to slip out of control.
Vehicle engine will randomly shut off while driving, causing complete power failure, including power steering. it has happened 7 times in 5 months. it has happened four times while slowing to a stop, twice while easing through a drive thru, and once while going 30mph down a main city street.
The persistent problem that we have had with our vehicle is the engine shuts down while driving, causing a serious safety hazard. the safety hazard is serious in that, while the vehicle is in motion, power steering shuts off and the brakes are slow to work. each occurrence has happened when the vehicle is in drive and moving at a speed of approximately 20-25 mph. this has happened 3 times: - january 29,2017 - january 30, 2017 - february 16, 2017 the circumstances in each instance included driving and maintaining approximately 20-25 mph. other factors are unknown. fortunately, in each instance, i was able to pull safely to the side of the road and assess the vehicle. the first two occurrences, i pushed the start button and it was evident the vehicle starting system was acting unusual as it tried starting. the vehicle eventually started and i was able to continue driving. the third occurrence on february 16, 2017, i took kia's advice and did not attempt to start the vehicle and contacted kia roadside service. the second event occurred the next day on january 30, 2016 under similar circumstances. again i was able to pull over without the power steering system functioning properly to a safe area and re-start the vehicle with the same uncommon sounds from the starting system. i called joe myers kia in houston, texas and explained the occurrences. on january 31, i drove the vehicle to joe myers kia for troubleshooting and repair of the vehicle. the vehicle has been to the dealership two times to address the safety defect. the first time was january 24, 2017 for 8 days. the service department could not duplicate the concern. the next time, it was towed on february 16, 2017 and it stayed there for 41 days. kia did install a flight recorder to record all systems the second time the vehicle was brought in.
My daughter was driving when this incident occurred. while in heavy traffic, she had come to a stop. after stopping then resuming a very slow speed (5 mph or less), while her foot was on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward in to the vehicle in front of her, causing significant front-end damage and air bag deployment. a few weeks prior to this, i was in the vehicle in my front yard at a stand still, engine running and transmission in drive because i was going to be moving it slightly, and it suddenly lunged forward while my foot was on the brake. at the time i thought i had done something wrong, but now with a similar thing happening with a different driver, and such extreme damage, there must be a bigger problem. *tr