2007 Kia Optima Under Investigation for Transmission Issues, Recall Possible

Along with the 2006 Honda CR-V, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced an investigation into the 2007 Kia Optima. Both NHTSA probes have been sparked by just three complaints, with the Kia Optima being investigated for transmission shifting issues.

A total of 41,000 Optimas are involved, with complaints that the automatic transmission shift cable may detach, resulting in the shifter not being able to select gears. The three complaints revolve around not being able to engage park, drive or reverse and one complainant reported that his vehicle rolled away after it was left in park. Kia has issued a technical service bulletin to fix this issue in 2006 and 2007 Optima models in the past.

NHTSA has been on a tear, investigating and recalling vehicles since it took heat after the Toyota recall crisis. A recall of the 2007 Kia Optima is likely.

[Source: The Detroit News]