Page 9 of 19 · complaints 401–450 of 920

2012 Kia Optima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 9, 202071,000 milesCT

MOST RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (A STRAIGHT ROAD) IT ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS POWER AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL UNTIL IT FINALLY DECIDES TO SPEED UP, ONCE THIS OCCURS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH AND DOES NOT DISAPPEAR AND WILL NOT DISAPPEAR UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE LOSS OF POWER CONTINUES TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE CAR IS POWERED OFF. AFTER REALIZING THIS ISSUE I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I POWERED BACK ON AND DROVE AGAIN THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND THE TRACTION LIGHT REAPPEARED ON MY DASH. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD BE A FAULTY PROGRAMMING ISSUE THAT IS TELLING THE CAR THE TRACTION IS NEEDED WHEN IT IS IN FACT NOT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS POWER LOSS WILL HAPPEN AND DOES SO IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WHICH SLOWS THE CAR WAY DOWN AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND ALSO HAVING TO CONTINUOUSLY KEEP THE ACCELERATOR DOWN UNTIL IT DECIDES TO REGAIN POWER IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WILL SUDDENLY RAMP UP THE RPM AND TAKE OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND COULD BE HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS.

Steering
Filed Jan 8, 2020120,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2020106,000 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 45 MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY, AND THE OIL LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE AND MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR THE STARTER AT FIRST BUT NOW I'M PRETTY SURE ITS EITHER THE ENGINE GOT LOCKED UP OR THE WIRES IN THE CAR JUST BURNT UP.

Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2019100,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEZED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOUSE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Dec 27, 2019CA

I WAS MERGING BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY AFTER I HAD A PANIC ATTACK DUE TO BEING OVER A BRIDGE WITH ALL THESE CARS AND THE CAR BEHIND ME PROCEEDS TO AGGRESSIVELY TRY TO CUT ME OFF FROM GETTING OVER AND HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR CAUSING DAMAGE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 22, 2019102,000 milesVA

MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. MY INTERIOR 3WAY SWITCH LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T SHUT OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS OFF.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 201999,000 milesME

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING AT APPROX 70 MPH CHANGED LANES AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE STALLED LOST POWER I COASTED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD AAA TOW IT TO A HARDINGS GARAGE IN FAIRFIELD. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THIS MORNING THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT STALLED AS SOON AS HE TRIED TO MOVE IT. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A KIA RECALL 17V224000 THAT APPLIED TO THE ENGINE SO I GOT AAA TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO CHARLIES KIA IN AUGUSTA, ME. THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. WHY WOULD I HAVE THE SAME STALLING AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL IF MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY???

Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2019130,000 milesFL

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS DRIVEABLE BUT IDLING ROUGH. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. ENGINE HAD FOLLOWING CODES SHOW UP ONCE DIAGNOSED. P0014 - B CAMSHAFT POSITION - TIMING OVER-ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. P0017 - CRANKSHAFT POSITION - CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK 1 SENSOR B. AFTER DIAGNOSIS MECHANIC FOUND FAULTY OIL CONTROL VALVE, PART ACTUALLY HAD A PIECE OF THE SCREEN HAD BEEN DISLODGED LEAVING A CIRCULAR HOLE. OTHER PIECE OF SCREEN WAS NEVER FOUND. ONCE REPLACED ENGINE STILL HAD A CODE, STATED CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. MECHANIC REPLACED THAT PART AND FINALLY CODE CLEARED FOR ENGINE.

EngineFire
Filed Dec 6, 20192 milesFL

THE CAR ENGINE MADE A NOISE AND THE ENGINE AND STARTING SMOKE WITH FIRE AND IT COMPLETELY STOPPED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR SHUTDOWN IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PUSHED OUT OF THE STREET TO AVOID ME BEING HIT.

Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2019125,000 milesTX

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED MOTOR SEIZED UP BUT UNSTUCK AFTER COOLING HAS BAD KNOCK NOW. STUCK ON HIGHWAY WAITING TO BE TOWED.

Engine
Filed Nov 30, 201930 milesTX

ENGINE LOCKED UP AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNINGS

Power Train
Filed Nov 29, 2019137,456 milesOH

STEERING COLUMN COUPLER

Engine
Filed Nov 22, 2019130,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13418572, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Engine
Filed Nov 21, 2019147,000 milesOH

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. NOW THE ENGINE IS SEIZED UP AND WON'T TURN ON OR ANYTHING. NO LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNS OF ANYTHING HAPPENING. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT ON A CITY STREET.

Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2019130,389 milesTN

ON 9/3/2019 I TOOK MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA TO GOSSETT KIA SOUTH TO GET IT REPAIRED. IT DIDNT GET FIXED BEFORE I LEFT THE LOT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. I WAS STRANDED FOR 4 DAYS AFTER THAT DAY. I WENT TO THE NEAREST PART STORE AND PURCHASED A BOTTOM RADIATOR HOSE AND ANTIFREEZE. I HAD A MOBILE MECHANIC TO PUT THE HOSE ON. THERE AFTER I WAS STRANDED AGAIN THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO FIRESTONE 10/4/2019. MY CAR STAYED THE LOT FOR A MONTH AND IT WAS THEN TOWED TO GOSSETT KIA NORTH FROM THERE IT HAS BEEN REPOSSESSED. I MADE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS TO GET THE CAR BACK I AM DETERMINED TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. I USE THE CAR TO MAKE IT TO APPOINTMENTS. I AM DISABLED AND THIS DOESNT SEEM FAIR AT ALL IM PAYING NOTES ON A NONWORKING CAR. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON WITH FURTHER ADVICE

Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2019136,000 milesNC

AS MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR KIA DOWN A HIGHWAY IN ROCKWELL NC IT JUST SHUT OFF, LOSS POWER WOULD NOT START BACK UP, SO HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND MECHANIC SAID THE MOTOR IS SEIZED UP, SO I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND THE EXACT THING HAS HAPPEN TO A TEE TO PEOPLE WHO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF THANKFULLY MY SON OR ANYONE ELSE DIDN'T GET HURT...

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 201958,388 milesTX

VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKE ACTIVATE RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING THE ABS BRAKE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD,WHILE IN MOTION AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP. EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT INCREASE SPEED, ONLY DECREASE. THE ISSUE HAPPENS 8/10 TIMES WHILE MAKING TURNS AND APPROX 5/10 WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON FREEWAY . THIS HAPPENED ON 11/08/2019 IN THE EVENING, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO KIA AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR FOR 20 MILES AND DIDN'T SEE OR EXPERIENCE ANY ISSUES. MY CAR IS A 2012 AND ONLY HAS 58, 388 MILES. I DEMANDED THEY KEEP LOOKING BUT THEY CAUGHT AN ATTITUDE LIKE I MADE THE SCENARIO UP AND ANY STATED THAT I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR WITH THEIR MECHANIC AS THEY "CANNOT REPLICATE MY DRIVING", LIKE I'M DRIVING IN THE [XXX] INDY 500. SINCE IT IS NOW SUNDAY, AND THE DEALER IS CLOSED IT WILL BE SITTING IN THEIR SERVICE CENTER MONDAY MORNING! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 6, 2019140 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING 60-70 MPH WHEN MY HYBRID SYSTEM ALERTED ME THAT MY BREAKS WERE AN ISSUE. I THEN TRIED TO SLOW AND COULD NOT. THE CAR SLOWED ITSELF AS A SAFTY PROCAUTION BUT I WAS IN 70 MPH TRAFFIC. NOT SAFE. IT WOULD NOT COMPLETELY STOP SO I WAS FORCED WITH THE OPTION OF HITTING A TREE TO MAKE IT STOP. KIA SAYS THAT IT MY BREAKS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE SINCE. I HAVE MY CAR WORKED ON REPEATEDLY TO AVOID THIS AND NOW LOOK? SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 5, 201967,000 milesNM

BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FOR SOME TIME. WHEN PUSHING THE WINDOW UP, IT KEEPS GOING BACK DOWN. AFTER MENTIONING IT TO THE KIA DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WELL, JUST YESTERDAY THE ENTIRE WINDOW MADE A CRACKING SOUND WHILE TRYING TO ROLL IT UP WHILE DRIVING. THEN THE ENTIRE WINDOW JUST FELL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND NOW IT WON'T GO UP AT ALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOT SURE IF IT CAME OFF THE TRACKS OR IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF KIA OWNERS HAVE OR HAD THAT SAME ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY SOME KIND OF DEFECT/PROBLEM IF SO MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 3, 201948,000 milesTX

2012 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 48000 MILES NOW DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING, SO AS OF NOW I AM DRIVING WITH PASSENGER SIDELIGHT IN COMBINATION WITH PARKING LIGHTS. BUYING KIA OPTIMA IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER DONE, IT SEEMS EVERY MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. SURPRISINGLY NHTSA HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION AS PER KIA OPTIMA WELL KNOWN DEFECTS.

Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2019150,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE BEARING IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 31, 2019121,000 milesNC

CAR ENGINE DIED AND LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY PUTTING ME AT RISK OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON SHOULDER QUICKLY AND THEN BLEW OUT A TIRE A I RAN OVER A UNAVOIDABLE OBJECT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 31, 2019112,400 milesTN

HELLO I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CORRECT PLACE TO SEEK INFORMATION OR FILE AN COMPLIANT ABOUT WHAT I THINK IS A DEFECT IN KIA MOTORS PAINT ON THIS MODELS THAT WAS PAINTED WITH WHITE. WHILE DRIVING I SEEN PAINT START TO FLY OFF MY HOOD OF CAR. MY CAR IS KEPT INSIDE SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS AND REP STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF ISSUE BUT CANT PAINT ALL CARS WITH FLAKING OR PEELING PAINT. I ASKED IF THEIR IS A KNOWN ISSUE OR PROBLEM WITH MODEL AND YEAR WHY WOULD YOU NOT OFFER SOME TYPE OF REIMBURSE/ ASSISTANCE OR RECALL TO CORRECT. SHE STATED TO HOLD AND CAME BACK TO SAY HER BOSS SAID THE COMPANY WOULD GO BROKE. AFTER THE CONVERSATION PHONE HUNG UP. I HAVE CALLED LEFT MESSAGE WITH LIVE PERSON THAT SAY THEY WOULD CALL BACK AND NO ONE HAS. IN LOOKING FOR THE NUMBER TO CONTACT KIA MOTORS. I RAN ACROSS A FORUM THAT OTHER HAVE CONTACTED KIA MOTOR ABOUT SAME ISSUE. CAN/WILL YOU HELP WITH THIS. THE PROBLEM /ISSUE IS WITH KIA MOTORS WHITE PEARL PAINT ON 2011-2016 CARS AND TRUCKS. THEY ALL ARE PEELING INF=G FLAKING IN THE SAIME AREA. TOP BACK TRUNK, DRIVER SIDE BACK QUARTER AND HOOD. THE LINK IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO IS (1) HTTPS://KIA-MOTORS.PISSEDCONSUMER.COM/2013-KIA-OPTIMA-SX-PAINT-CHIPPING-AND-FLAKING-OFF-201802151190418/2.HTML (2)HTTPS://KIA-MOTORS.PISSEDCONSUMER.COM/2013-KIA-OPTIMA-SX-PAINT-CHIPPING-AND-FLAKING-OFF-201802151190418/3.HTML (3)HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/KIAMOTOR/OPTIMA/PAINT-PROBLEMS.PHP (4)HTTPS://3DBODYWORKS.COM/PENNSYLVANIA-CAN-FIX-PEEL

Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2019130,000 milesCO

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN E 470 IN COLORADO WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY CEASED UP AND BLEW A ROD GOING 70 MPH. A CAR ALMOST HIT ME FROM BEHIND AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER SO I DIDN'T CAUSE ANY MORE DAMAGE TO ME MY FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE. MY CAR HAD OIL AND HAD BEEN CHANGE JUST RECENTLY. I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. JUST WANTED TO REPORT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ALSO.

Engine
Filed Oct 24, 201979,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BEV SMITH KIA (5655 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 465-8589) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A MAIN FUSE UNDER THE VEHICLE THAT BLEW OUT. SOUTH DADE KIA OF MIAMI (17120 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33157, (786) 673-8136) AND KIA ATLANTA SOUTH (7310 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260, (770) 968-3400) WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2019121,000 milesCA

MAY-2018 MY CAR WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND, & I CALLED THE VALLEY KIA DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID (THE CAR HAS NO RECALL, & NO WARENTY) 10-2019... I CALLED THE SALESMAN WHERE I BOUGHT THE KIA. FRANK WONG SAID YES I HAD WARRANTY, BUT EXPIRED 11-2018... I COULD OF GOT MY CAR FIXED...

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 2019120,000 milesNV

VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKE ACTIVATE RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING THE ABS BRAKE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD,WHILE IN MOTION AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP. EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT INCREASE SPEED, ONLY DECREASE. THE ISSUE HAPPENS 8/10 TIMES WHILE MAKING TURNS AND APPROX 5/10 WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON FREEWAY . THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS. FOR EXAMPLE ON FRIDAY 10/11/19 THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE CAR TO COME TO A SUDDEN DECELERATION 12 TIMES WITHIN A 30 MILE DISTANCE. THE LOCAL DEALER STATES THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. VEHICLE JUST HIT 127,000 MILES. SECOND OWNER SINCE 32,000 MILES. REGULARLY SERVICED AND PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE.

Steering
Filed Oct 14, 201969,149 milesOH

THERE IS A CLICK OR CLUNK UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STILL OR TURNING ANYPLACE.

Engine
Filed Oct 11, 201999,198 milesWV

FAILURE DATE: 06/25/2019 MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND LUCKILY I DIDNT GET INTO ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE PULL OFF THE ROAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE THEY CHANGED OUT THE STARTED AND CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY IT JUST MADE A CLICKING SOUND BUT WOULDN'T START. I STARTED READING ON LINE THAT THIS EXACT SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE HAS 99189 MILES SO IT FALLS WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES

Engine
Filed Oct 11, 201982,000 milesCA

KIA HAS NOW SETTLED THEIR CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES, YET THE HYBRIDS ARE STILL BEING LEFT OUT OF ANY RECALLS. THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE IN THE COMPLAINTS HERE THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. I SUNK $7000 THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO SPARE INTO GETTING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN THIS CAR. ONLY TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION BLOW RIGHT AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK FROM KIA AFTER WAITING 6 MONTHS FOR AN ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION COST ANOTHER $5000, AND IT TOOK THEM THREE TRANSMISSIONS TO INSTALL A NON-FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST LOST MY JOB BECAUSE I COULDN'T RELIABLY GET TO WORK ON TIME, IF AT ALL. KIA THEMSELVES HAVE SAID THAT THE ENGINES WEREN'T MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY AND THAT LABOR BEING DONE IN KIA DEALERSHIPS WASN'T BEING DONE CORRECTLY. HYBRID ENGINES SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE BLOWING RODS AT 60000 MILES, OR 80000 MILES, AND NOT EVEN 100000 MILES. KIA IS KNOWINGLY DELAYING ANY SORT OF RECALL AND FORCING PEOPLE TO GO INTO FURTHER DEBT OR LOSE JOBS.

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 201975,000 milesDE

DURING MY LAST VISIT TO THE KIA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, THEY INFORMED MY THAT I HAD NO OIL INDICATING ON THE DIP STICK. NO LEAKS DETECTED SO MUST BE BURNING OIL. EVERY TIME I DRIVE, I CAN SMELL BURNING OIL AND TAIL PIPE ARE COMPLETELY BLACK.

Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2019120,000 milesTX

2012 KIA WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ENGINE RECALL IN 2017. KIA INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD PASSED INSPECTION AND RELEASED THE CAR. 2019 THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING, TRAVELING 40MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO FIND A SOMEWHAT SAFE LOCATION. MY ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE VERY BADLY FROM A POSSIBLE SMALL FIRE. AFTER A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, OUT OF POCKET TOWS, DIAGNOSTICS, RENTALS, ETC. KIA CONFIRMED IT WAS AN ENGINE ISSUE RELATED TO THE RECALL. MY SAFETY WAS PLACED AT RISK AFTER I FELT ALL THE RECALLS HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I COULD OF VERY WELL BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN THAT DAY. TODAY, MY CAR HAS HAD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, YET I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE. I AM STILL TRYING TO RECOVER THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. I HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO VERY RUDELY AND IN A UNPROFESSIONAL MANNER FROM KIA. THE COMPANY IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR ALL OF MY EXPENSES WHILE THE CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED FROM THEM PUT ME IN HARMS WAY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN AND AM CONSIDERING A LAW SUIT.

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 201976,000 milesPA

THERE ARE TWO (2) ISSUES THAT ARE POSSIBLY CONNECTED. THE FIRST IS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THAT I AM USING APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART PER 250 MILES, BUT THEY STATE THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR HAS ALSO BECOME SLUGGISH. ACCELERATION TIME HAS BEEN GREATLY INCREASED AND CAR HESITATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAVE ME CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ALSO WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY.

Engine
Filed Oct 1, 201993,371 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SEIZED IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF CARSON (LOCATED AT 22020 RECREATION RD, CARSON, CA 90745, (424) 277-0368) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,371.

Engine
Filed Sep 29, 201920 milesNE

THE ENGINE KNOCKED AND IT MAKE A NOISE.

Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2019117,000 milesTX

CAR BEING DRIVEN BY MY DAUGHTER SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH A PULL OVER AND SAFELY SHUT OFF VEHICLE WARNING. SHE HOWEVER COULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOWED AN ERROR TO THE VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM. WE TOWED THE IMMOBILE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THEY REQUESTED THAT I ALLOW THEM TO REMOVE THE VALVE COVER TO CHECK ON BELTS. I APPROVED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CHECK IN BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD. I WAS TOLD THE HYBRID PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. NO REASON OR EXPLANATION, NO WARNING. MY CHILD COULD HAVE DIED DUE TO HER VEHICLE STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

Air BagsCrash5 injured
Filed Sep 27, 2019240,000 milesCA

10-15 MPH T BONED A CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 26, 201965,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND REMAINED LIT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BY AAA. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED TEXAS MOTORCARS HOUSTON TEXAS AT 832-794-0499 (LOCATED AT 11031 BISSONNET ST, HOUSTON, TX 77099), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Engine
Filed Sep 24, 201984,000 milesCA

UNTIL NOW (ONLY 84K MILES), MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR. WHEN LEAVING A DRIVEWAY GOING ABOUT 15MPH, A LIGHT TAPPING BEGAN WHEN THE GAS ENGINE STARTED. A SOUND IT WAS NOT MAKING WHEN DRIVING UNDER ELECTRIC POWER (BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED). THE SOUND QUICKLY GREW TO A LOUD KNOCKING, ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTICEABLE LOSS OF POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON, EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE BLEW UP. ALL SIGNS ARE POINTING TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SIMILAR, IF NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE REGARDING METAL FILINGS BEING LEFT ON THE BLOCK. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE MODEL AND YEAR THAT TRIGGERED OVER .5M CARS BEING RECALLED. NOW THE SAME ISSUES ARE HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL, WHICH FOR SOME REASON WASN'T INCLUDED. A MODERN AND WELL-SERVICED CAR SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 84K MILES. THIS WILL BE A SAFETY HAZARD UNTIL ALL MODELS CONTAINING THESE ENGINES ARE REPAIRED.

Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2019125,000 milesCA

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 74K MI. NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. TAKEN CAR IN TO KIA DEALER EACH TIME AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MY CAR STALLED OUT 1 MONTH AGO ON THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. NOW AT 125K MI DEALER IS TELLING ME MY ENGINE IS SEIZED, HYBRID BATTERY AND REGULAR BATTERY ARE DEAD. AND ALSO REPLACED THE EMC FOR $2500 PRIOR TO FIGURING OUT THE ENGINE/BATTERY'S WERE DEAD.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 24, 201989,979 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING SAFETY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO HONDA NEW & USED SALES (1595 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, (415) 687-0174) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,979. *AS

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2019138,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 18, 201980,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 17, 201979,985 milesCA

I HAVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID AT 80,XXX, AND HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH THE SCHEDULED SERVICES/MAINTENANCE. I BARELY DRIVE MY CAR NOWADAYS, AND JUST RIDE MY BICYCLE TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THAT IS 1-MILE AWAY. MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, GOING 65MPH, 47-MILES INTO OUR DRIVE, OUR CAR STARTED JERKING. WE HAVE ABOUT 3-4 MILES LEFT TO OUR DESTINATION. WHEN YOU PRESSED ON THE GAS, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS JUST ACCELERATING AND NOT SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION AS TO WHY THAT WAS HAPPENING. WE EXITED FROM THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED AT A LOCAL PLAZA TO TRY AND RESET THE CAR, AND GAVE THE CAR ABOUT 20-MINS BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. WHEN WE TRIED DRIVING ABOUT THE LAST 10-MINS, EVEN AT 20MPH, IT WAS STILL JERKING AND STILL SOUNDED LIKE IT WASN'T SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR, AND STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS. WE ENDED UP TOWING OUR CAR BACK HOME BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO RISK GETTING STUCK ON THE FREEWAY AT 1-2AM. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM THE 2ND OWNER, HOWEVER, I DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO I HOPE THIS ISSUE IS NOT THAT SERIOUS. I WILL DEFINITELY CONTACT KIA AND RAISE THIS CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Sep 16, 2019105,000 milesMD

IDK WHO IS GOING TO READ THIS BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEONE CAN TELL ME A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT MY KIA OP.HYBRID! ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, A TRUCK HIT MY CAR AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO HUBCITY HAGERSTOWN MD THEY FIXED THE BODY REPAIRS, THEN THEY TOOK IT TO KIA HAGERSTOWN MD TO GET THE ABS SYSTEM FIXED (WHICH MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAD TO PAY FOR IT). ABOUT A WEEK AGO I TOOK IT TO KIA LETTING ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS KNOW IT'S HAVING SOME PUSH BACK WHEN I'M DRIVING THAT IT WASN'T HAVING BEFORE HE ACCIDENT SUCH AS ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL FEEL LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO. I'LL BE GOING A CERTAIN SPEED FOR A WHILE, IT'LL GIVE PUSH BACK REV ALL THE WAY UP TO 5RPM ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO KEEP GOING THEN IT GOES BACK DOWN TO A LOWER NUMBER AND ACTS FINE. THEN A FEW TIMES NOW I'LL BE AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN I'LL PRESS ON THE GAS IT DIDN'T GO I'LL LET GO OF THE GAS IT REVS UP, JERKS AND GOES BY ITSELF!!!!!! ALMOST MAKING ME HIT THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. HE DROVE MY CAR FELT HOW IT WAS DRIVING AND SAID CERTAIN THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE CAR ACCIDENT AND TO BRING IT BACK ASAP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE 14TH OF THIS MONTH I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 70 IT WAS ACTIN A LITTLE JERKY AND WASN'T GOING ANYMORE THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SAID HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING DO NOT DRIVE AND THE CAR LITERALLY WOULDN'T LET'S ME GO ANYMORE. I GOT STUCK MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND FREDRICK MD HIGHWAY PATROL HAD TO ASSIST ME. OUT OF ALL THE TROUBLES I HAD ALMOST HITTI

Air Bags
Filed Sep 10, 201984,500 milesCA

WAS DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 2019100,000 milesCA

MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHILE DRIVING, AS I DECREASE MY SPEED, SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL EXPERIENCE JERKING AND THEN SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND TRAFFIC HAS SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH OR LESS AND WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT OR CROSSING AND INTERSECTION AND TRAFFIC IS SLOWING DOWN. WHILE THE CAR IS AT STEADY SPEED, AT 20 - 40 MPH THE CAR JERKS AS I'M TRYING TO MAINTAIN WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. MY CAR HAS HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY OR REMEDY THE ISSUE. MY LAST TWO INCIDENTS WERE 8/21/19 FREEWAY WHILE IN THE FAST LANE NEXT TO THE CARPOOL LANE AND NOW 8/29 ON CITY STREET. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS ON MARCH 3,2019 (HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT WHICH STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE)

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 31, 201949,000 milesCA

AC AIR CONDITIONING UNIT: WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE DAY 1. WHEN UTILIZING AC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DURING HOT TEMPERATURES, FAN BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AND HUMID AIR EVEN AT THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE SETTING. THIS HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TIME WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ALWAYS STATE THAT THE UNIT IS WORKING AS IT IS DESIGNED. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS TO BRING IT IN EACH TIME IT HAPPENS, WHICH IS ABSURD SINCE IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS AFTER THEY ARE CLOSED. WHEN I ASKED TO DIAGNOSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CORRELATES WITH THE AC UNIT, THEY STATE THAT I WOULD NEED TO AUTHORIZE THE WORK AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE. IT COULD TAKE 2 OR 4 HOURS. AT MECHANICAL RATE, THAT WOULD BE AROUND $500. THE MOST RECENT EVENT WAS ON AUGUST 28, 2019 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 88000 MILES. I WILL TAKING IT BACK FOR WARRANTY ISSUE ON THE CLICKING OF THE STEERING AND WILL HAVE THEM DO THEIR BASIC DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE A TEAR OWN WOULD BE AT MY COST. BECAUSE I MAINTAIN MY CARS TO KEEP THEM BEYOND 100K MILES, I AM CONCERNED AT THE COST OF AN AC UNIT THAT HAS SHOWN TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I WAS WILLING TO LIVE WITH LOOSE STEERING ISSUE, BUT THIS IS MORE PROBLEMATIC SINCE MY WIFE IS IN MENOPAUSE.

Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2019134,000 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND AS I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE CAR DIED AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. TONIGHT I WAS IN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70-75 MPH CAR LOST POWER AND ENGINE MADE TERRIBLE KNOCKING SOUND.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 201977,770 milesTX

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING. BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME RENDERING CRUISE CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INOPERABLE. LOSS OF POWER IN ENGINE AS IT THINKS BRAKES ARE APPLIED MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. ROOT CAUSE IS BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER (KIA PART 32876-36000) DEVELOPING A PUNCTURE HOLE OVER TIME MAKING THE BRAKE SWITCH BELIEVE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. KNOWN ISSUE ON OTHER KIA MODELS. BELIEVE THE SORENTO ALREADY HAVE A RECALL FOR SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2012 Kia Optima → · Every Optima year → · How the figures are calculated →