Amanti Acceleration Problems

[Wild2005Amanti]

I noticed a "lurch" when I took the test drive of my vehicle. I even commented to the sales guy, "Wow! I barely touched it. That's a very sensitive skinny pedal!"

Since buying it two weeks ago, I've experienced the same jump more than a couple times. I think it may have something to do with a cold start, but not sure. Either way, I don't see it as a major problem. This was not purchased to be a race car or a Honda Civic...going easy on the gas is just fine with me.

Also keep in mind that your '05 Amanti is a VERY heavy vehicle...the heaviest in its class. The slow acceleration you experience at other times is because the mere 200 HP is somewhat weak for such a heavy car. Go easy on the gas and not only will you experience less "lurch", but also get better fuel economy.

Just my $0.02. I wish you the best of luck in finding more happiness with your car.

[skidoofast]

Our distric rep came into our shop today and i asked him about this concern because i have had two customers come in for this same concern and i have read about the frequency of this problem on this forum, he said that the problem is in the egr system, he stated that they have been replacing the egr solinoids and it was curing the problem, he also stated that there was a tsb in the making, he told me to order the egr valve and the egr solinoid for the two customers that i have

just wanted to let you know what i am seeing in our dealership.
It is great to be able to see what is going on and to deal directly with the customers and help them if i can, I dont get to meet many of the customers whose vehicles i repair.

[Schnauzer]

Hi Jeremy, you are a good person and I for one appreciate mechanics who have pride in their expertise like you do. I am fortunate to be on a first name basis at the Kia dealership where I purchased my Optima. I go out of my way to thank the mechanics who service my car. I routinely visit the dealership and always say hi to several people there. It is a much nicer experience with Kia than with any other dealer I have had in the past. I am impressed with the staff and want them to know I appreciate their work and patience they show me.

Jeremy, you are definitely appreciated here on the forum. Thanks for being here.

[umeweall]

I purchased a 2005 Amanti in May of this year. I noticed the sudden acceleration/lurching forward on July 4th. I was in a parking lot, packed with kids and their parents, there to watch fireworks. I started my car, put it in drive, and barely touched the gas pedal. The can flew forward and I had to slam on the brakes. If someone had been walking in front of my car, in the lot, I would have ran over them, before I could have stopped. At the time, I thought maybe it was because the car had been sitting a while, and maybe I had pressed the pedal too hard. That was the only explanation that I would come up with at the time. I later started noticing that the car kept doing this lurching/jumping forward with acceleration, mostly when it had been parked for a while. The last straw came when the car started NOT accelerating. I would give gas, to get across a street and the car would barely move, feeling like it was stuck in first gear. This is NOT a good thing to not be able to move, when merging into traffic, and you need to get out of the way! I took it to the dealer and left it almost a week. They could find nothing. I took the car back and the same two items started happening immediately again, plus a new one. I went to stop the car and the car did not stop. I heard a revving/whining of the engine, and the car moved slowly forward. It finally stopped, after about 7-9 feet. At that point, I took the car home and parked it. The combination of 'issues' with this vehicle makes it an extreme safety hazard. None of the items are normal, and depending on the circumstances can cause an accident. I am really surprised that KIA has not actively been working this issue. Is it going to take someone getting seriously injured before KIA does something about this?

[rayray]

Well it appears that there might be a serious problem brewing here as this thread seems to be growing and the jump/lurch/lag thing obviously is dangerous and is being experienced by more and more owners.......so I am happy to see the posts explaining in detail what's going on......KIA might need to stop, look and listen to those who are having problems so as someone doesn't crash as a result of this apparent problem.....I have really never had an issue with this other than the accelerator is rather "touchy" on my Amanti and generally need to be pushed gently for slower acceleration which I have grown accustomed to doing and have not experienced the other problems mentioned here but that does not diminish other people's concerns.........hopefully it will something which can be fixed and fixed soon!!!!!! actually if you want to experience a bizarre set up try driving a Hyundai Xg350 ( I had an 03 ), the fly by wire accelerator which literally SHOT you forward like a bat out of hell in nanoseconds...that was something which helped me decide to get rid of it, it was not a safe car for that reason only but it was an outstanding automobile in every other aspect!!!! I don't know why the Korean car companies can't get the acceleration thing and the way the cars ride ( too soft, too much roll, too much lean, etc.) right???? AND MANY THANKS TO JEREMY FOR HIS EXPERTISE AND WILLING TO SHARE...........PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED....rayray

[umeweall]

My issue is my own health, and the safety of other drivers. The circumstances of when one of these issues happens can be potentially hazardous. If the car had one of its' lurching fits, while parallel parked, you could easily slam into the rear of the car parked in front of you, before you could have time to stop it. A lack of acceleration, when you need to merge into traffic quickly puts myself and other drivers at risk. You would never know when either of these items was going to happen, so you would be caught by surprise. I have this issue of liking to KNOW that my vehicle is going to respond properly, not having to guess if everything is alright, every time I get in it to drive. Now, it may be possible that these issues were in a small percentage of the Amanti's, I don't know. It may be that more people are affected by this, and just have not realized it. If all of these problems did not exist, I would be otherwise very happy with my car. Well, maybe I would wish for a stronger motor, with better mileage.

[umeweall]

Well, the car is on a down hill slide. Within the past 1.5 months, it was in the shop for 27 days. The previous acceleration issues is still happening. It is now back in the shop. I forgot to mention previously that this vehicle only has 18,000 miles on it. While driving on the freeway yesterday, the engine started making noises like it was a washing machine, with an imbalanced load. It kept shaking, thumping, and sounding like I was running over a bad road. When I got off the freeway, and started to make a left turn, the 'malfunction light' came on. The car shuddered when I tried to gain speed and continued making the previous sounds and feels. I did not know if I was going to get over the overpass, as the speed would not increase. I coaxed it up to about 30 mph finally, and let it go at that. I was not sure if I was going to get home. I did not know what to expect this morning, when I started it, to take it to the shop. The 'malfunction light' was still on, but the rest did not happen. As I told the service manager, I suspect that the vehicle might have to be warm for it to occur. The short drive to the dealer was not enough to warm the engine up. Summarized, when it comes to acceleration and driving, this vehicle continues to exhibit some serious issues.

[blondi]

Hello, I have a 2006 Amanti (8000 miles currently) that I have had problems with since the first few weeks. After a short trip, turn the car off, back on, back out and coast to a exit point, push the accellerator to the floor and all you get is about 10 miles an hour. The engine revs, rpm's go up but you don't go anywhere, quit accelleration possibly pump accellerator before the car responds, at that point it lurches forward. I have had the car in the shop four times (several days at a time) in the past 4 months (only had it four months) and they have offered no solutions and ignore the possibility that anyone else is having this problem. This occurs about once a week or 300 miles. Has anyone recieved any help? My car has also lurched as noted in others comments. Has anyone considered using the lemon law process? I am concerned for my safety, I have to stop at a stop sign, then cross on coming traffic at 55 mph. When it doesn't go, what are you suppose to do, say excuse me?
Thanks
Blondi

[cmhj2000]

Originally Posted by blondi

Has anyone considered using the lemon law process? I am concerned for my safety, I have to stop at a stop sign, then cross on coming traffic at 55 mph. When it doesn't go, what are you suppose to do, say excuse me?
Thanks
Blondi

Just mentioning the words "lemon law" got my dealer off his dead can with a safety issue on our new Optima. It can be a very effective tool when applied properly.

I've found over the years, if time is not an issue, to start with your attorney generals office as this will likely cost you nothing more than stationery and postage. Once the wheel of justice are in play you might be surprised how fast things will happen in your favor.

Keep in mind the lemon law varies from state to state. A few moments of education will be a great assistance to you.

[blondi]

Thanks cmhj2000 for your comments. I'll be following up with this process according to my owners manual.
blondi