RPM "locks" at about 4000 rpm during hard acceleration

[CanukStinger]

Did KIA tell you what the problem was? Can they provide you with specifics?? I'm glad you and your Stinger are okay!

So here we are 8 visits to the shop later and I still have this issue. I've been dealing with this now since November 2019!!

It went away for the last 2-3mo but since my most recent oil change (at 16,000 km) the problem has returned. Say 50% of the time, it will RPM lock during acceleration at ~3500-4000 rpm and the gas pedal becomes unresponsive for about 1-2 seconds and all acceleration stops (hard enough to throw your arm forward and if on the shift knob, will knock it into N).

Local Kia dealer here has looked into the computer again and can find NOTHING. He has also said he wont place his employees at risk by attempting to launch the vehicle from a stop. So now I am stuck with a 2yr old car where I am unsure if I can pass another vehicle if needed, placing myself and my family at risk. He said he would talk to a Kia Canada rep on Thursday when they are on site.

Any thoughts as to where to go next? This is a leased vehicle and now I'm thinking I need to scour the contract for an exit clause, or seek legal assistance. Seems like I should threaten to go to Transport Canada and start the CAMVAP process?

 

[Luc]

Just an idea, could you move up a gear when stuck @4kRPM? Perhaps re-flashing the TCU could help?

 

[Slip_Angle]

Recourse for vehicle defects

 

[MerlintheMad]

I'd forgotten this thread. This is a nightmare scenario. @CanukStinger you didn't answer my question before: does applying the brake bring the RPMs down? If so, that at least eliminates the dangerous aspect almost entirely, if you can regain control with a tap on the brake.

 

[cncBilly]

So here we are 8 visits to the shop later and I still have this issue. I've been dealing with this now since November 2019!!

It went away for the last 2-3mo but since my most recent oil change (at 16,000 km) the problem has returned. Say 50% of the time, it will RPM lock during acceleration at ~3500-4000 rpm and the gas pedal becomes unresponsive for about 1-2 seconds and all acceleration stops (hard enough to throw your arm forward and if on the shift knob, will knock it into N).

Local Kia dealer here has looked into the computer again and can find NOTHING. He has also said he wont place his employees at risk by attempting to launch the vehicle from a stop. So now I am stuck with a 2yr old car where I am unsure if I can pass another vehicle if needed, placing myself and my family at risk. He said he would talk to a Kia Canada rep on Thursday when they are on site.

Any thoughts as to where to go next? This is a leased vehicle and now I'm thinking I need to scour the contract for an exit clause, or seek legal assistance. Seems like I should threaten to go to Transport Canada and start the CAMVAP process?

What part of the country you in? Have you been taking it to the same dealer each time? There are a few guys in the Vancouver area with this issue they are FB’er but one recently brought their problem to the forum. If I find the thread I will add it on an edit. Keep us posted.

Edit: Losing boost full throttle

Here ya go. Same problem perhaps mods can combine the two threads.

 

[CanukStinger]

I'd forgotten this thread. This is a nightmare scenario. @CanukStinger you didn't answer my question before: does applying the brake bring the RPMs down? If so, that at least eliminates the dangerous aspect almost entirely, if you can regain control with a tap on the brake.

Hey, missed that part. the brakes still work, but I have only really been trying the gas at that moment in time. I'll have to try the scenario of hitting the brakes to see if the RPM drops. Will try it and come back.

 

[CanukStinger]

What part of the country you in? Have you been taking it to the same dealer each time? There are a few guys in the Vancouver area with this issue they are FB’er but one recently brought their problem to the forum. If I find the thread I will add it on an edit. Keep us posted.

Edit: Losing boost full throttle

Here ya go. Same problem perhaps mods can combine the two threads.

I'm on Vancouver Island, so actually pretty close to those other folks with the issue. Thanks for sharing the link! It could very well be the same thing... I never thought about boost loss before. Going to have to grab a passenger and try capturing some more vids!

 

[Regs120]

I feel very sorry for you. The more I read and even with my own experiences like the car being stuck in aux mode after engine was turned off and a oil leak between the trans/engine, Kia is still a Kia.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Tesla is still a Tesla. Works with any car, actually.

 

[SomeBlondeGuy]

I have a 2018 GT Limited, stock also.
My transmission actually has trouble locking into a gear, sometimes.
It revs a little higher than it should before finally locking in, usually after I give it a little bit more gas.

 

[DoctorStiches]

I have a 2018 GT Limited, stock also.
My transmission actually has trouble locking into a gear, sometimes.
It revs a little higher than it should before finally locking in, usually after I give it a little bit more gas.

Sounds like a different issue maybe 'clutch slip' in the torque thingagiger

 

[CanukStinger]

Bringing everyone up to speed here. 9 visits to the dealership later (and nearly 2 years!) I believe the issue is finally resolved. They ended up replacing both the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps. 2 weeks without another incident since the replacement.

At first they replaced just the high pressure fuel pump, then it became damaged (within 2 weeks) as a result of the low pressure pump issue. So they replaced it again when replacing the low pressure pump.

Glad to have this all behind me!

 

[Slip_Angle]

Bringing everyone up to speed here. 9 visits to the dealership later (and nearly 2 years!) I believe the issue is finally resolved. They ended up replacing both the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps. 2 weeks without another incident since the replacement.

At first they replaced just the high pressure fuel pump, then it became damaged (within 2 weeks) as a result of the low pressure pump issue. So they replaced it again when replacing the low pressure pump.

Glad to have this all behind me!

Wow - that really sucks it took so long to figure out. Glad you stayed with it and can now FULLY enjoy the car!!

 

[MerlintheMad]

I am assuming that your car was drivable (you were able to compensate) by disengaging the throttle with a push on the brake pedal?

 

[CanukStinger]

Did KIA tell you what the problem was? Can they provide you with specifics?? I'm glad you and your Stinger are okay!

Yes, the both the High and Low Pressure Fuel Pumps required replacement. Replacing just the high pressure fuel pump did not fix it (first attempt at replacing a part).

 

[CanukStinger]

I am assuming that your car was drivable (you were able to compensate) by disengaging the throttle with a push on the brake pedal?

I could use the brakes still, yes.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I could use the brakes still, yes.

You weren't braking against a held 4K RPM, were you? What I am trying to determine is if the locked RPM behaved like cruise control: which disengages when you tap the brake pedal. Did your locked RPM disengage when you tapped the brake?

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Bringing everyone up to speed here. 9 visits to the dealership later (and nearly 2 years!) I believe the issue is finally resolved. They ended up replacing both the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps. 2 weeks without another incident since the replacement.

At first they replaced just the high pressure fuel pump, then it became damaged (within 2 weeks) as a result of the low pressure pump issue. So they replaced it again when replacing the low pressure pump.

Glad to have this all behind me!

Why didn't you just lemon the car and have it replaced with another new one?

 

[RM7]

Why didn't you just lemon the car and have it replaced with another new one?

Yeah. People don't understand the lemon laws. Usually a dealer has 2 chances to fix something and one last chance, where if unsuccessful, they have to buy the car back or provide a new car. This takes putting a letter together with the documentation (the prior service attempts) and sending the letter, but it's not all that big of a deal to do. If people were doing this for the brake VIBRATION problem, I bet Kia would come out with a real fix REAL QUICK, rather than the half-ass continual replacement of brake pads. The other option is to take them to court for a class action lawsuit (of the brake vibration issue, since it's widespread), but the much easier option would be for people to start demanding compliance with the lemon law.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Yeah. People don't understand the lemon laws. Usually a dealer has 2 chances to fix something and one last chance, where if unsuccessful, they have to buy the car back or provide a new car. This takes putting a letter together with the documentation (the prior service attempts) and sending the letter, but it's not all that big of a deal to do. If people were doing this for the brake VIBRATION problem, I bet Kia would come out with a real fix REAL QUICK, rather than the half-ass continual replacement of brake pads. The other option is to take them to court for a class action lawsuit (of the brake vibration issue, since it's widespread), but the much easier option would be for people to start demanding compliance with the lemon law.

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