Continuation of concerns

ROSEROBERTA

MEMBER
2009 KIA OPTIMA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
43 MILES

So you don't think that it is just a bad module? I have never had ESC before, so I have no idea how it should work. The car bucked on me several times along with not seeming to build up enough pressure to get itself going. I literally went down the hill a bit to try to give it more juice, but there was a limit to what I could do, since there were cars coming in the other direction. The car was swaying from hide to side. The the snow was soft, and I feel that the tires should have gone through it, since I had less problems with my 95 Infiniti that had 14 inch wheels. I feel like they are not going to admit that there is a trans problem, and I don't know what to do. It is snowing badly out. I have to work tomorrow, they are an hours drive, and I am really concerned about driving the car in this weather? My understanding is that if you turn off the ESC the antilock and traction control should still be working. I opened up the hood after I parked. I heard a kind of beating or clicking sound under the hood that did not sound natural to me, but I am not used to that car. I am the second owner and I did get bumper to bumper 100K ins. I don't think returning it is an option or are they responsible to let me return the car if the transmission is bad?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

If you just got the car and the trans is bad, they should be responsible. It could be a module, but they need to check it. This could be a serious safety issue. THe ESC is really only used when you are driving in snow. Electronic Stability Control will kill the power from the engine if it recognizes a slipping. I can't exactly remember your first post. Are you the one that was pulling a fuse? Just so you know, I have read there have been other issues with the ESC off control not working which can lead to other safety issues if you are driving on a freeway or at higher speeds. When it engages, you will be lucky to get the vehicle over 40mph on a flat surface.

Regardless, if there is a problem, and it sounds like there is, they need to fix it.

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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 6:39 AM

ROSEROBERTA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I was not the one that mentioned the fuses. Where did you read about the known ESC problems. This is really scary for me. I don't know where you are statewise, but I am in MN and we are having one storm after another and will have to shovel out in the morning. Really scared about having to go downhill and then back uphill again. Did you hear about the same problems with the Forte just out of curiousity? The first time it happened I had just got the car and I thought it was just the wet icy snow and the tires getting too hot, but tonight I realized there was a hell lot more than that. What I had heard about ESC is that if you are in a situation where the wheels need to spin to get you out when you are stuck you have to turn it off. It did seem to me that sometimes the car was not picking up speed easily and other times with cruise on it really trucked to stay at the set speed. Also, it seemed that when I was checking out the car more after the first day of really bad weather and for a few days after, that the car would be almost at a stop, but the speed would be between fifteen and twenty. I also felt sometimes that I was at 30 but going really slowly and cars were passing me by but I thought they were speeding. Another thing is the back defrost was not working correctly and they repaired it was putting some lines back, but the radio when the back windsheild was really cold would go on, but no sound. If you turned the car on a second time it went on. The dealership said there was a relationship between the defrost and the radio because there were antenna wires lines there as well. I did not turn the defrost on yet, because I had to let the strips they painted on settle for three days. Today, the radio did not go on (sound) but when I turned the car on a second time the sound went on. Personally, I find it hard to believe that the radio itself would make the kind of problem that it needs to be turned on a second time. Okay now you have heard all the details and you have a lot of knowledge that I do not have. What do you think?

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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 7:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

I believe there is an issue with the radio seperate from the other problem. As far as the ESC, it sounds like it is oversensitive and shutting down engine power. Thus, the lack of power.

As far as where you are located, I understand your concerns. I was offered a job there and decided to stay in Pittsburgh. We're getting the snow now. God, I hate winter.

If you just purchased this car from a dealer, I would demand they fix the problems or give your money back. Based on your descriptions, the car is unsafe and isn't doing what it is designed to do. That is a lemon law issue. They have 3 chances to fix the problem. If they can't and it's a safety issue, they have no choice.

Let me know.

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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 5:36 AM