2012 Kia Optima Complaint Log

DRIVING ONE DAY PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY.HEARD KNOCKING ON LOWER PART OF ENGINE. OPENED HOOD YOU CAN HEAR KNOCKING, WHEN I ACCELERATED KNOCKING GOT LOUDER, A SPUN BEARING. I HAVE BEEN A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALL MY LIFE. 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AT 76,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THANK YOU [XXX]. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL PAN CONTAINED BRASS COLORED METAL PIECES, THE OIL FILER HAD PARTICLES, THE PISTON CAP BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO TURN IT BLACK. THE CONNECTION CAP BEARINGS DID NOT HAVE A OIL FLOW HOLE. THERE WERE ALSO SCRATCHES ON THE PISTON WALLS. *JS 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).

AIR BAG LIGHT ON. CLOCK SPRING DEFECTIVE. DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL KIA DEALER ($389.39)

THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER IT IS MOVED, SHAKEN OR TURNED. IT MAKES THE SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY AND IT OCCURS WHILE ON ALL ROAD TYPES, AT ALL SPEEDS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAWRENCE KIA (1225 E 23RD ST, LAWRENCE, KS) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE IN MOTION ( 60-80 MPH ). RIDE IS SMOOTH UNTIL TIRES ROLL OVER IMPERFECTION IN ROAD. STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT-END BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. SHAKING STOPS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND BEGINS AGAIN ONCE VEHICLE HAS STRAIGHTENED OUT.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 6:20 P.M IN THE SLOW LANE AT 65 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HER OR AROUND HER THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE KICKED UP A ROCK OR DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD. SHE WAS ALSO NOT PASSING UNDER AN OVERPASS OR BRIDGE. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HURT IN THE INCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS A PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND THE MOVING PART OF THE GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERED.

MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND REMAINS ON. I TOOK TO MARTIN KIA IN NEWARK DELAWARE FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SAID THE CODES WERE C1259 AND C1260 AND THAT I NEED TO HAVE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY REPLACED BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE MY CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. (I DID STRIKE A SMALL DEER, BUT DAMAGE WAS COSMETIC TO LEFT FRONT FENDER AND DID NOT AFFECT STEERING OR DRIVABILITY, AND WAS REPAIRED IN A PROFESSIONAL BODY SHOP). THE ESC DID NOT COME ON UNTIL MONTHS AFTER MY ACCIDENT. DEALER WOULD NOT CERTIFY THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS CONDITION, NOR DID THEY OFFER ANOTHER LESS EXPENSIVE REPAIR SUCH AS JUST REPLACING SENSORS. THEY WANTED AN ESTIMATED $1370 TO HOLD MY SAFETY HOSTAGE. SINCE THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW EPISODES OF INSTABILITY WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. I NOW LEAVE ESC OFF WHEN WEATHER IS BAD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN A PATCH OF SNOW. WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN MOVING THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH TO FREE THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, INTERMITTENTLY , THE STEERING WILL GET STUCK IN THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND, REPEATABLY HAPPENS ONCE IT STARTS HAPPENING, UNTIL OFF HIGHWAY. STEERING CAN BE FINE FOR MONTHS, AND THEN ISSUE CAN COME BACK. THEN WHEN DEALER INSPECTS IT, ISSUE IS GONE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE AND SERIOUS ISSUE, EVEN A SPLIT SECOND OF REDUCED RESPONSE TIME CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. DEALER SAID THEY PERFORMED THE STEERING LOGIC IMPROVEMENT UPDATE, BUT ISSUE STILL HAPPENS ON OCCASION.

MY VEHICLE STARTING MAKING KNOCKING NOISE AND I PULLED OVER PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS RUNNING FINE BUT STILL MAKING THE NOISE. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN DRIVING IT TO THE SHOP THE VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL OUT AND I HAD TO PUT INTO PARK SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON.

THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE INSIDE IT. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK COMPLETELY AND I'LL LOSE ALL STEERING WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT MAKES THE NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR VEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT JERKS. I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT AND HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD CHILD. I'VE ALSO READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER PEOPLE. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND AM ASKING SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND ADDRESS IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SLIPPING. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED GEWEKE KIA (1234 SUNSWEET BLVD, YUBA CITY, CA 95991). THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. *TT *TR

SINCE ABOUT 40K MILES MY STEERING HAS CLICKED, LOCKED, AND MISSED AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW WRECKS FROM INABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND TO CALL KIA OF CHATTANOOGA (WHO I PURCHASED FROM) TO LOOK INTO IT ALONG WITH OTHER RECALLS I MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BEFORE TAKING A TRIP ACCROSS COUNTRY WITH MY SON. I HAVE TRIED CALLING AND THE DEALERSHIP HEARS RECALL AND HANGS UP ON ME. I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE ONE VOICEMAIL FOR THE MANAGER BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK AND CONTINUE TO BE HUNG UP ON. MY CONCERN IS MOSTLY WITH THE STEERING AND POSSIBLE BEARINGS WITH ENGINE. STEERING WILL CLICK EVEN AT A STAND STILL, LOCKS AND MISSES WHILE IN MOTION RATHER BADLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE AROUND 40K MILES. UNSURE OF ANY OTHER SAFETY RELATED RECALLS AS I HAD MOVED MULTIPLE TIMES AND BELIVE THAT IS WHY I DID NOT GET LETTERS.

my snow white pearl paint is peeling on several sections of the car. I obtained quotes from 2 body shops and its recommended to repaint the entire car. peeling started in 2018 and has continued to become worse every day.

SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN MAY OF 2016, IT HAS MADE A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. AS TIME HAS GONE ON THE SOUND IS GETTING LOUDER. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF VIDEOS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT IS SUGGESTED FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

IN NOVEMBER 2017 I CONTINUOUSLY TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT STARTED, AND/OR NEEDING A JUMP. JIM MARSH KIA HAD ME REPLACE MY BATTERY AFTER 6 WEEKS OF COMPLAINTS AND COMPLICATIONS. ONLY FOR A WEEK LATER TO HAVE ME AND MY KIDS LIFE AT RISK, HEADING SOUTH BOUND ON I-15 MY CAR FLASHED A WARNING SIGN STATING DO NOT START ENGINE HYBRID BATTERY UNDETECTED AND SHUT OFF WHILE A SEMI TRUCK WAS BEHIND US. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS GOING DOWN HILL SO I SWERVED TO THE SIDE OF THE DESSERT AND ROAD TO SPARE OUR LIVES. JUST TO HAVE KIA TELL ME 4-5 DIFFERENT EXCUSES AS TO WHY MY ENGINE FAILED.

'TAKATA RECALL' I'M CURRENTLY BUYING A KIA OPTIMA 2012 AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND HAD MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AT KIA OF ORANGE. THEN I DID FULL SERVICE WHICH I PAYED 600$ OR SO AND AFTER THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS, I WENT TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE AND MY BOYFRIEND GOT OFF TO GET TOOLS FROM THE HOUSE IT TOOK HIM TEN MINUTES TO COME BACK. THE CAR WAS ON AND I WAS WINDOWS UP AND AC ON WHEN HE CAME OUT HE SAW FIRE UNDER THE FRONT LEFT LIGHT. IT GOT ON FIRE AND WE WERE SCARE FOR OUR LIFE'S AND WE MANAGE TO RUN AROUND AND FIND ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP WE HAD WATER AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF, WE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ELECTRICAL SO IT WAS MELTING PLASTIC UNTIL WE MANAGE TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE I WAS CALLING 911 WE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. SECOND OF ALL WE FIX IT INSURANCE COVER. WE CALL KIA THEY TOLD US OUR INSURANCE HAD TO PAY IT. SO WE DID NEXT I TOOK IT TO GET MAINTENANCE UPDATE AND OIL CHANGE, WE TOOK FOR A DRIVE TO CHINO HILLS CALIFORNIA AND THEN THE CAR TURN OFF BY IT SELF ON THE FREEWAY I WAS 65 SPEED LIMIT AND MY STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON. I COULD OF LOST MY LIFE. I MANAGE TO MOVE IT SLOWLY TO THE SIDE AND IT WAS ON FIRE WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD SOMETHING WAS BURNING AGAIN. A SHERIFF HELP US TURN IT OFF WITH HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE ENGINE HAD BLEW UP A WROT BLEW MAYBE BECAUSE OF NO OIL OR IDK I'M NOT MECHANIC THAT'S WHY I TAKE IT TO KIA. I BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB RIGHT AND MY INSURANCE DOESN'T WANNA COVER IT, NOW I'M CARELESS AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER TO FEED AND I NEED HELP TO GET THIS OUT THERE IF ANYBODY HAS THE SAME ISSUE PLEASE MAKE THIS GO VIRAL. HIGHWAY 91 EAST

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SMOKE WAS SUDDENLY PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (DIFEO KIA IN LAKEWOOD, NJ) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

BREAK LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN PARKED AND EVEN WHEN IN MONTION EVERY TIME.

WHEN EVER I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING IT SEEMS LIKE THE STEERING COUPLER ON THIS CARS GO BAD WITHIN TIME. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN MOTION OR NOT.

I FIRST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD RANDOMLY DISENGAGE WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS A TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET. WHEN I FIRST PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR STARTED TO GO AND THEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN PUSHED BACK DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO GO. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL EXTRA SECONDS LONGER THAN NECESSARY. A SIMILAR SITUATION HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MORE TIME AND WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HOME I NOTICED THAT BRAKE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR WHICH FIXED ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO NOT THAT HYUNDAI ISSUED A RECALL ON THE NEARLY IDENTICAL SONATA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND DID SO YEARS AGO AND YET NOTHING FOR THE OPTIMA.

THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS

WHEN IN MOTION THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING BROKEN INSIDE. ALSO MOTOR FOR RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOWS ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK SEAT DO NOT WORK AND FROM DRIVER'S PANEL.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY(60MPH AND ABOVE) STEERING WHEEL APPEARS TO STICK AROUND 12 O'CLOCK POSITION. HAVE HAD THE FLEX COUPLER REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. I STARTED TO NOTICE THIS SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY.

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

CLICKING IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE MAKING TURNS.GETTING WORSE EACH TIME. WHEN IN MOTION OR NOT.CLICKING IS ALWAYS THERE. STARTED A WEEK AGO.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 W. CAR SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE OCTOBER 20, 2017. PASSENGER SAW SMOKE FROM FRONT SEAT. DRIVER PULLED-OVER. WE GOT OUT OF CAR. SAW FIRE UNDERNEATH. MOVED AWAY, CAR GRADUALLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FILED REPORT IN CONNECTICUT. INCIDENT NUMBER 17-0000359 SANDY HOOK FD FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED. 61,852 MILES

DUE TO A RECALL, I HAD MY ENGINE REPLACED BY KIA PATTERSON IN JULY OF 2017. ABOUT A WEEK OR SO AFTER GETTING IT BACK, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. NATURALLY, I CONTACTED KIA PATTERSON REGARDING THE MATTER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I'M NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG OR CLOCKSPRING, BOTH OF WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL KIA VEHICLES HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME FATE WITH NO RESOLUTION. MY CAR DOES NOT FALL INTO THE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED MODELS YET IT SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION IS SO HIGH AT THIS POINT AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THESE PROBLEMS. UNFORTUNATELY, I WILL HAVE TO DO SO UNTIL I AM ABLE TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. SHAME ON YOU KIA!!!

ELECTRICAL RACK AND PINIONS RECALL. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. STEERING WHEEL STARTS SHAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH

ENGINE LOSING ALL OF THE OIL WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS OF GETTING THE OIL CHANGED. COMPLETELY GONE BEFORE AN OIL CHANGE IS NEEDED.

BRAKE PEDAL RELEASING AS I AM PUSHING DOWN ON IT COMING TO A STOP. HARD TO GET THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP AT TIMES. CAR IS MISSING ON ACCELERATION. CAMERA DOES NOT WORK 80-90% OF THE TIME. A/C STOPS WORKING WHEN SITTING STILL OR PARKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

MY FIANCE WAS DRIVINGDRIVING 55 DOWN THE I77 HIGHWAY NORTH GETTING READY TO TURN OFF THE EXIT AND SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG. NEXT THING SHE KNEW SHE HAD GLASS ALL OVER HER.THE POWERED SUNROOF EXPLODED!!!!THE GLASS CUT HER HAND IN A FEW SPOT BUT THANKFULLY SHE IS OK AND DIDNT WRECK THE VEHICLE AND THAT OUR KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR. MY FIANCE CALLED THE POLICE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND MY INSURANCE HAS A 1000$$$ DEDUCTIBLE.

THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS ALS RESULTED IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE DEFROSTERS AND RADIO TO MALFUNCTION

I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WHEN I HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR A ROUGH ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE AND I CAN FEEL A SHAKING SORT OF. I CLICKED ON SUSPENSION BECAUSE OF HOW ROUGH IT FEELS RIDING RIGHT NOW AND I DONT KNOW IF IM JUST FEELING THE STEERING OR IF ITS AFFECTING THE WHOLE RIDE. IT HAS BEEN VERY COMFORTBALE SINCE BOUGHT NEW IN 2012.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DES MOINES (LOCATED AT 4475 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50310, (515) 270-0706) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FEED LINE THAT ENTERED THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel seized in either direction with the electric power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. After multiple repeated failures, the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THE ILLUMINATION PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM VIEWING THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,597.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PALM SPRINGS KIA (LOCATED AT 68130 KYLE RD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (760) 844-7200) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,725.

OIL FEED PIPE/TUBE TO TURBO LEAKS ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE TUBE REPLACED. (CAR WAS SITTING AND NOTICED OIL LEAK AND BURNING OIL SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL)

LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BOTH WAYS MAKING STEERING AND DRIVING VERY UNSTABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,538. UPDATED 10/25/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED: WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, GETTING READY TO STOP AT STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY TO A SPEED OF 30 TO 35 MPH. I DID NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DID SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE UNCONTROLLABLY. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAD OCCURED. I DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON AUG.11,2017. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. UPDATED 10/3/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. A BEEPING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A SERIES OF UNKNOWN KIA DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SLIGHTLY AND GOING EITHER WAY IT MAKES THIS SMALL SLIPPING OR CLUNKING NOISE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF THE STEERING. HAPPENS IN MOTION WHEN TURNING EVEN SLIGHTLY AND EITHER DIRECTION AND WHEN IT IS STATIONARY. CITY STREET, HIGHWAY, FREEWAY, BACKING UP, GOING FORWARD AND TURNING. AND IT HAS HAPPENED NOW FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 - 3 MONTHS. I AM TOLD BY INTERNET THAT IT MAY BE FLEX COUPLING IN STEERING. I AM NOT MECHANIC. STILL HAPPENING. ON-GOING.

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.

WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND IF YOU HIT A BUMB ITS LOUDER. IF YOU BARELY TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN HEAR IT MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMB IT INTENSIFIES THE SOUND AND AND MAKES YOU THINK SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

I WAS NOTIFIED BY KIA EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. ON 6/12/17 I TOOK MY OPTIMA TO CAMELBACK KIA FOR RECALL WORK AND INSPECTION. ON 8/1/2017 AS I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON AZ SR51, MY ENGINE STALLED WHILE MOVING ABOUT 40 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I THEN PULLED OVER TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, A SHORT TIME LATER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD BY KIA UPON THEIR INSPECTION THAT THE STARTER IS WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED DUE TO THE SEIZED ENGINE. THE VEHICLE BURNED AND IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. THIS CAUSED A 3 LANE CLOSURE ON THE FREEWAY AT 5PM AS WELL AS A CRASH DUE TO SPECTATORS.

Several areas on my vehicle the paint is chipping in large chunks. The paint is not fading but coming off. I enquired to the dealership about this years ago but they said it was not in warranty for that anymore. The only reason im enquiring about it now is because I see many vehicles (kia optima in pearl white) on the road with the similar issue as me.