Was my accident due to a gearbox fault in my Kia cee'd?
I drive 2008 KIA cee'd automatic which I've had since new. Last year, when attempting to reverse into a parking space, I put the car in reverse and without my touching the accelerator, the car shot backwards at such a speed that it hit the parked car behind, pushing it into a parked van. Obviously I had to admit liability and after my car was repaired I took it to the KIA dealer to check it out. They didn't believe my story, insisting I must have hit the accelerator. Unfortunately, the same thing happened again this morning as I prepared to reverse into a parking space. Again I know I didn't touch the accelerator, but again the car shot backwards out of control and hit another parked car. A witness said she saw my car reverse at speed. Do you have any views on this?
Asked on 21 July 2012 by JB, Fareham
Answered by
Honest John
The engine of any car could suffer a surge at any time, especially just after starting from cold and with an automatic this could be enough to engage ‘Drive’. So when starting an automatic or when manoeuvring one, the sensible thing to do is keep your left foot over the brake pedal so you can stop the car immediately, within a few feet.
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