2006 Optima Starting Problem

I bought a 2006 Optima June 30, 2006. About a month after I had it, I noticed some random starting problems--sometimes it start really rough (it would actually sound loud and like it was going to die out), sometimes it would take more than one try to get it to catch, sometimes it would take a bit longer to crank for it to catch, etc. I took it to the dealership 6 times from August to October and they weren't able to duplicate the problem and then the weather started getting colder and it seldom happened. About a month ago when the weather started getting warmer, the problem is back and happens more frequently and when it happens, it sounds like the car is not getting enough gas when it starts and almost sounds like it's going to die and then it'll start running normally. Now when it happens, it's usually during a "warm start." I can go to work in the morning, go to lunch 5 hours later and then it's when I'm coming back from lunch that it'll happen. A couple of weeks ago when I had it in the dealership, they did find one problem and fixed it but I got the car back and the next day, the same thing happened and again 4 days later. It's been in the shop since and the guy called me yesterday to tell me that it hasn't acted up on them since they've had it (it's been 8 days now), they've had the scanner thing on it and no codes are popping up and he's basically implying that they're going to give me the car back.

Does anyone have any ideas of what could be causing the problem? I know it's not a gas issue, I'm not putting my foot on the accelerator to start it (he asked me that yesterday), etc. I would like to tell them to replace "such and such" sensor but I have no idea which one:-)

Thanks.

--Molly

No clue as to what your problem might be. However, for certain I'd be in contact with Kia's customer support and the area service rep on this one.

I know I'll sound like a clueless newbie with this question but here goes: how do I find out who the area service rep is? Do I just call Kia's customer support and find out? I've never been in a situation like this before. This is the second Optima I've owned and I bought it from the same dealership that I bought my first one and I never had problems with my first one so that's why I didn't think twice about getting another Kia. I know the ownership of the dealership has changed but some of the same guys are working in the service department as before (I did write a letter to the manager of the dealership in November but never got a response). They called me last night and I'm going to get my car today and I expressed my frustrations to the guy and asked him why they couldn't try putting in some new sensors and he said that there are a lot of sensors that could be acting up based on the description I gave and because there's not a code being shown and it's not acting up on them, it's hard to determine which one. I told him that a person doesn't expect this sort of thing when they buy a new car--that it's been 8 trips to the dealership and I still feel like I don't have a reliable car. He told me that if it acts up again, that I'm to bring it back and that he hopes that maybe some tightening they did of something might be enough to fix it (sorry I'm not a mechanic:-) and that there was really nothing else they could do until it quits or acts up when they have it.

Thanks.

--Molly

I know I'll sound like a clueless newbie with this question but here goes: how do I find out who the area service rep is? Do I just call Kia's customer support and find out?

BINGO!

BTW keep/get a record of all service visits & letters you have written.

You might, depending on your state, be eligable for the lemon law. It can be a lengthy process but one that should be considered and if you feel it's an option I'd then start communications with my state attormeys generals office.