- NHTSA has opened an investigation into the 2007 Kia Optima.
- The feds have received three complaints that the automatic transmission cable could detach.
- The probe affects an estimated 41,000 Optima vehicles.
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the 2007 Kia Optima after receiving three complaints that the automatic transmission cable could detach. The probe affects an estimated 41,000 Optima vehicles.
NHTSA "has received three complaints concerning automatic transmission shift cable detachment and inability to select and engage the gears (Park, Drive and Reverse) in model-year 2007 Kia Optima vehicles," it said. "One of the complaints also reported a rollaway incident after parking the vehicle."
It has opened a preliminary evaluation, which is sometimes the precursor to a recall.
"Kia Motors America is not aware of any injuries as a result of a transmission failure in the subject vehicles and is cooperating with NHTSA in its investigation," said Kia Motors America in a statement on Tuesday.
In 2007, Kia issued a technical service bulletin concerning incorrectly installed automatic transmission shift cables in some 2006 and '07 Optima vehicles. According to the bulletin, over time these cables can detach from the shifter assemblies' dowel pins, resulting in the inability to select or engage drive gears.
Inside Line says: These investigations take time, so we'll just have to sit tight. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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jlflemmons says:
07:39 PM, 12/01/2010
I do not use the parking brake on an auto unless parking on an incline, and then only to make it easier to get the vehicle out of park. Any slope that can shear the parking pawl in an automatic is probably going to overcome the parking brake.
A manual is a totally different animal. I ALWAYS use the parking brake with a stick. Seen too many manuals roll away when unexpected.
bigmuggle says:
02:25 AM, 12/01/2010
Most people do not use the parking brake. That is my observation. I myself do not use it unless parking on a conspicuous hill, because with continual usage the parking brake cable tends to stretch (I have noticed this on several cars), and then requires frequent adjustments to maintain its efficacy. I would rather save it for cases when I really need it.
tbone85 says:
07:40 PM, 11/30/2010
Agentorange, in general I agree that parking brakes should be employed with automatics just as with manuals. I'd heard it debated that this relieved some stress on automatics parked on hills, but the safety angle is fairly strait-forward.
However here's a funny story: I was about to make my way to work one morning and found my manual transmission car resting against the garage door--with the parking brake lever fully engaged! The parking brake cable had snapped overnight. I lived on a fairly steep hill, and the story would have been less funny if I had parked outside that night.
nto1 says:
06:34 PM, 11/30/2010
Gee, the old Dodge minivans used to blow transmissions on a regular basis and nobody gave a shit.
agentorange says:
03:33 PM, 11/30/2010
Does nobody in the US use the handbrake any more. Sorry, there is NO excuse for a rollaway when parking a car.