Fire engulfs Michigan man's Kia; he's not the only one [View all]

Matthew Rose described his beloved 2012 Kia Optima as a “big toasted marshmallow.”

Seeing a car burst into flames for no apparent reason was a new experience. And, it seems, Rose isn’t the only Kia or Hyundai driver to experience something so scary.

Rose said his Optima delivered great gas mileage for his 45-minute commutes back and forth to work in Grand Rapids. He really loved that midsize car.

But then it burned to a crisp on Feb. 28.

“This was the first brand-new car I’d ever purchased in my life. I never had any real major issues with it, except for some recalls and guest service bulletins here and there,” said Rose, 53, a systems analyst from Holland, Michigan. “When I took it in, people were friendly at the dealership. It was a comfortable car to drive. It was kind of a shock that it just, all of a sudden, it did this.”

The company said in a statement that Kia has taken proactive steps to address an engine manufacturing issue that “can, in rare instances, result in a non-collision fire, including the recall of more than 680,000 vehicles, and is committed to taking any necessary actions in a timely manner.”

But a consumer advocacy group wants a total 2.9 million Kias and Hyundais recalled: 2011-14 Kia Sorento, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Santa Fe; and 2010-15 Kia Soul.


Much more (Includes video): https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2019/03/11/kia-catches-fire/3105713002/



Matthew Rose was driving home from work in Grand Rapids on Feb. 28, 2019 when his Kia Optima stalled and he pulled to the side of the highway. He noticed smoke, then flames. (Photo: Matthew Rose)