2012 Kia Optima Complaint Log

I was driving down the street and smelt somethinf burning and the car lost power and was driving slow I pulled over and it smelled like burent. Now the car has no power, wont charge the hybrid battery and has a load knockinf noise

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at 30 - 35 mph, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The oil warning light was first illuminated then all of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact tried to restart the vehicle when she detected a smoke odor and saw there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle with her daughter. The contact then opened the hood and saw that the engine had caught fire. The contact had a friend from nearby come help to put out the fire with water. No medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained on the side of the road. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

Car stalls when it’s hot outside and while using the A/C

sterring has become loose and makes noise when sterring wheel is moved back and forth

My pulley and belt went bad but still my engine making noises and my mechanic said it sounds like bearings are loose in my engine.

My wife had been complaining that while driving 2011 optima hybrid at highway speeds the car would suddenly lose power and slow to 30 or 40 mph while the pedal is floored. Took it to the dealer who said we needed a new battery which did not solve the problem. 2nd time came with a warning on the dash to check hybrid system, back at the dealer they said it appears to be some special fuse in the trunk ($300)…problem sill persist however this time the car completely shut down on the road, dash was lit up like a Christmas tree. Had to get it towed. Now dealer says its the HPCU and that’s going to run almost $6000. Dealer was willing to install a used one i got on EBay, they charged $1300 for the install they tell me the problem still exists.

Brake pedal stopper breaking apart causing the ESC indicator to come on and loosing acceleration while driving. I contacted dealer and no recall on th.is issue.

I was at a stop sign when my car shut off. Now it won't start. Took it in to check it out and found out that the motor seized up. I know that there is a recall on the engine for the same problem on other models. Not safe to be driving the cars. Could cause a major accident resulting in possible loss of lives. This model needs to be recalled before this happens to anyone else.

While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire

I purchased 2012 kia optima hybrid june 14, 2021. 1 week after I purchased vehicle i started to hear "clicking noise" & felt a "bump" each time I moved steering wheel slightly left or right. example moving steering wheel to change lanes, turning vehicle left or right, and moving steering wheel when straightening out car when parking. As of 7/6/2021 "clicking noise" in steering wheel/steering column is louder.

MY VIN IS [XXX] ITS A 2012 KIA OPITMA HYBRID 2.4L AND I SEE IT HAS THESE RECALLS ON IT NEEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT MY NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel made clicking sounds whenever turned. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

While in cruise control hitting the breaks resulted in the car not wanting to slow down or stop. Had to go off road inorder to not hit vehicles in front of me. I turned off ABS and this issue isn't there. I have no warnings for my ABS system and this doesn't happen often. However it's getting worse now this is the worse it has ever been.

Driving at 60 mph on the highway engine seized up with no warning what so ever no engine light or oil light. Once vehicle stopped checked oil and it was almost empty. No warning of oil pressure or oil low. Vehicle always inspected an oil change done on time. Can't find recall on my vin but other 2012 models had a recall for this exact reason. I was almost hit by a semi when the vehicle just died with no warning at all and everything locked up. Never had 1 issue with this vehicle until now. And I am worried kia will not fix it when clearly other optimas of the same year had the same issue. I can't understand why when vin search it doesn't show this recall. It's all over the internet.

I driving to park,I heard a loud popping noise and i them preceeded to pull out the driveway and al’s 5 minutes in the drive the KIA hybrid warning system came on and then told me to park the ending at the nearest location to park. the car started smoking real lot bad and me and my kid exited the vehicle because of all the smoke. the oil was everywhere on the car, on the motor, leaking out of the car.i then got car towed back home

Oil changed every 3000 miles. Driving to work the other day check engine light came on. Car went into limp mode. Pulled code and it was for rod bearings. Supposedly rod bearings had been repaired by recall before. Car only has 91,000 miles on it. So shouldn't need another set of rod bearings if previously replaced.

I was driving normal and started to hear a hissing noise in the front of vehicle. A vehicle cut in front of me I hit the brakes and another vehicle didn't slow fast enough and I went to hit the accelerator and had no power as usual and swerved to avoid the collision. I called dealership they said possibly my wastegate is out of normal voltage or need new turbo. I had a second opinion and they noticed the bolts and nut to service wastegate are rounded showing an attempt to maybe service or repair but unsuccessful. The turbo shows full function just inadequate boost.. The manufacturer has a bulletin and testing procedure Released on WASTEGATE test and adjusting procedure if needed as possible remedy. But I saw no recalls for my vehicle so reporting what I almost experienced and glad I have good driving experience to avoid an accident or life threatening situation behind the wheel of this vehicle now I don't feel safe until its proven resolved not just temporary fix.

When getting on oil change at myCarDoc they wrote the wrong mileage on my car so the CARFAX is off. My engine broke down randomly the other day on the highway and now I need a whole new engine..and to find out the mileage was off when getting maintenance done.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was being serviced. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,850.

the engine failed at 152000. it had a recall .so i took it in at 91000 and complained of the rod nock.and was told they checked the rod bearing clearance .and found nothing .i again took the car in again at around 111000 miles and complained of the rod nock again.and again was told they see no problem now im with out a car

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and making clicking sounds. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was waiting to speak to a representative. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to contact the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS ENGINE FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 66 mph, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

THA CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WOULD NOT START ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND COULD NOT STEER GAVE THE CAR GAS ON GAS PEDAL NOR COULD I BRAKE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEMONTROND KIA TO SEE IF UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIRS ALMOST LOST MY LIFE ON HIGHWAY

Car started idling and running rough out of no where. When I put the computer diagnostic on it it tells me there's problems with the fuel rail pressure sensor. Also the car won't go into drive or reverse but nothing is wrong with the transmission?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITH THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO QUALITY KIA OF GREENWOOD (1706 MONTAGUE AVE EXT, GREENWOOD, SC 29649, (864) 223-2542) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

CAR BROKE DOWN. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. ENGINE IS SHAKING. SMOKE NOTED TO BE COMMING FROM THE ENGINE.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANY SORT OF DEBRIS, IT EXPLODED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOUD EXPLOSION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND PANIC BRAKE AS GLASS SHARDS RAINED DOWN ON ME FROM THE BROKEN SUNROOF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT'S GRAND DAUGHTER STATED WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A STOP SAFELY. THE CONTACT STATED FIRE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

KIA OPTIMA EX 2012 WITH 57000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS STUCK ON R (REVERSE) AND IT DOESN'T RELEASE EVEN WITH THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE ENGAGED. THE BACKUP CAMERA IS ON, BRAKE IS VERY STIFF, THE CAR IGNITION CAN BE ON/OFF BUT DON'T STARTS THE ENGINE. DASH AND SHIFTER INDICATOR SHOWS R AND IT DOES NOT CHANGE TO ANY OTHER STATUS. VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO GARDEN GROVE KIA (13731 HARBOR BLVD, GARDEN GROVE, CA 92843) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ENGINE FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS RELATING THE ISSUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLE HAD TO MANY MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 290,00.

BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY,CHANGED PADS BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM. A NOISE ON ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SPEED MORE THAN 65-70 MPH. DRIVERS SEAT DON'T WORK PROPERLY.

2012 OPTIMA 45,000 MILES BOUGHT IN 2013. REGULAR ON TIME SERVICE AT LITHIA KIA OF ANCHORAGE WHERE PURCHASED. AIR BAG LIGHT TRIGGERED AFTER OIL CHANGE. DESPITE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED BUMPER - BUMPER COVERAGE, HAD TO PAY $150 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG CODES READ AND RESET. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO PERFORMED A RESET FOR THE PASSENGER WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE SRS SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. IN MY CASE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD DEACTIVATED DUE TO UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. HISTORICAL CODES THAT WERE PULLED BY THE DEALER'S KIA SRS READER SHOWED LOW POWER CODES AND THE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT MALFUNCTION. I SHOULD NOTE MY INTERSTATE BATTERY IS 1 YEAR OLD AND BOTH BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL, HOWEVER KIA AND MY DEALER SKIRT FIXING THE PROBLEM BY THE FACT THAT I AM HAVING A CODING AND PROGRAMMING ISSUE AND NOT A BROKEN MODULE OR CLOCK SPRING. THE SERIOUSNESS OF A NON FUNCTIONING AIRBAG (SRS) SYSTEM IS A BIG DEAL AND A BIT SCARY. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SKIRT RECALLS UNDER TECHNICALITY AND SHOULD BE HELD FULLY LIABLE IF THE SYSTEM FAILS LEADING TO INJURY. ESPECIALLY AS METICULOUS AS MY WIFE AND I ARE ABOUT MAINTAINING OUR VEHICLES. RECALL NUMBER : SC165 THANK YOU.

CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED APPROPRIATELY, CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TURNING OFF ON US WHILE IN DRIVE. WE HAD IT CHECKED ACCORDING TO THE SCANNER, IT SAYS IT IS THE SAME KNOCKING SENSOR THAT KIA HAS REPORTED. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY RUN MY VIN AND SAY I HAVE NO RECALLS SO THEY CANNOT HELP ME. MY CAR IS A 2012 WHICH FALLS WITHIN THE YEARS KIA HAS REPORTED YET THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO RUNNING VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO CHANCE DRIVING IT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE IN MOTION 4 TIMES NOW, TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY, TWICE ON A 2 LANE ONLY CANYON. (ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR)

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID ON THE FARTHEST LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY, A WARNING MESSAGE POPPED UP ON MY DASH BOARD THAT WAS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO "SAFTLEY PULL OVER AND DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE." I BEGAN TO CHANGE LANES TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND AS I WAS APPROACHING THE EDITS STOP LIGHT THE MOVING HEHICLE SEEMED TO LACK MUCH POWER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE CAR ROLL FAR ENOUGH ON MOMENTUM TO GET ME OUT OF THE WAY OF A VERY BUSY ROAD. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT THE CAR ROLLED TO THE SPOT IT DID BECAUSE THAT HAPPENED TO BE THE ONLY PLACE THE SHOULDER COULD FIT MY CAR. I HAD IT SENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT TOOK THEM ALMOST AN ENTIRE WEEK TO FINALLY HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. ENGINE SEIZED AS THE MAJOR PROBLEM AND OFFERED TO REPLACE IT FOR ABOVE $8000! THE CAR ISN'T EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH! COME TO REALIZE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY ENGINE SO I AM NOW WAITING UNTIL KIA TECH SUPPORT REACHES OUT TO MY MECHANIC FOR THE APPROVAL OR DENIAL. I BOUGHT THIS USED CAR ABOUT 30 DAYS FROM TODAY'S DATE WITH 80K MILES

A few months ago the paint on my car begin to bubble, chip, and peel away. The paint color is Snow white and I have been informed of and read a lot about de-lamination occurring in the pearl and snow white paint of some Kia models. The car has not been involved any accidents and is in great condition aside from the unknown cause of the paint chipping.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 45 MPH. THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE BEGINNING TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAD GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE TO ADD OIL TO THEIR VEHICLE EVERY 100 MILES. THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (VALLEY HI KIA 14644 VALLEY CENTER DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92395; 877-305-9865). THE VEHICLE HAD TOO HIGH LEVELS OF THE OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OIL AND CHANGED THE CRANK SENSOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT ROD BARRING MATERIAL WAS FOUND IN THEIR OIL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE FAILURES PERSIST TODAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE JUST DIED, NO WARNINGS LIGHTS, STARTER AND BATTERY ARE FINE. PER MECHANIC THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY FAILED

I WAS IN THE PARENT PICK UP LINE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND I PLACED MY SHIFT IN PARK HOWEVER MY CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND SHIFT GEAR WAS STUCK. STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND I KEPT FOOT ON BRAKE TO SLOWING MANEUVER CAR TO A PARKING SPOT. ONCE IN PARKING SPOT CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS IN PARK ON THE SHIFT GEAR THE DRIVE MODE WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAR FINALLY TURNED OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THAN RESTARTED BY ITSELF AND REPEATED TO DO SO. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT AFTER ACCESSING THE SHIFT GEAR RELEASE LOCK HOWEVER THE SHIFT GEAR REMAINED IN DRIVE MODE. THEN ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED TURNING ON. CAR WOULD NOT TURN, NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR REPAIR.

I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT A GROCERY AND FOLDED MY SIDE VIEW MIRRORS UP AND BACK DOWN AND NOW THE MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR WILL NOT STOP RUNNING. THE MOTOR RUNS DAY AND NIGHT AND THE MIRROR NO LONGER FOLDS LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THE ISSUE WITH THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN OCCUPANT WAS WEARING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT HOWEVER, THE BUCKLE CEASED AND FAILED TO RETRACT OR RELEASE. THE OCCUPANT HAD TO SLIDE OUT THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED GRAND KIA (1950 W 104TH AVE, DENVER, CO 80234, (720) 943-1144) TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

PER NHTSA RECALL 20V750, A KIA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME TODAY (2/17/2021) THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO SERVICE THIS RECALL DUE TO A 'NATIONWIDE COMPUTER OUTAGE'. HOW CAN THEY BE ALLOWED TO ISSUE A MAJOR RECALL AND THEN NOT BE PREPARED TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO SERVICE THE VEHICLES?

I HAVE A 3 MONTHS OLD AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RUNS OUT OF OIL AND IT START SMELLING LIKE BURNED AND IT STARTS TO SMOKE A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE. WHEN I CHECK THE OIL COMPARTMENT IT SEEMS LIKE THE OIL EVAPORATES OR GET CONSUMED BUT IT DOESN'T LEAK. THIS HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET.

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING; FAULTY ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY AND GOING UPGRADE (UPHILL), VEHICLE JERKING ON LOCAL ROADWAYS; AUTO ZONE SAYS ITS A FAULTY KNOCK SENSOR. IT COULD POSSIBLY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE BUT I'M NOT SURE.

JUN 01,2018 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERSC165A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER18V363 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY KIA MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN ALL 2010-2013 MY FORTE AND FORTE KOUP , ALL 2011-2013 MY OPTIMA, ALL 2011-2012 OPTIMA HYBRID, AND ALL 2011-2012 MY SEDONA VEHICLES. THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT ("ACU") DETECTS CRASH SEVERITY AND COMMANDS DEPLOYMENT OF THE ADVANCED AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS WHEN NECESSARY. THE ACU CONTAINS A CERTAIN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT ("ASIC") THAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ELECTRICAL OVERSTRESS ("EOS") DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASH EVENTS. THE CONDITION IS LIMITED TO FRONTAL AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASH EVENTS. SAFETY RISK IF THE ASIC BECOMES DAMAGED, THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES WHERE DEPLOYMENT MAY BE NECESSARY, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. REMEDY KIA HAS ADVISED ITS AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS KIT BETWEEN THE ACU CONNECTOR AND VEHICLE HARNESS CONNECTOR IN YOUR VEHICLE. THE WORK WILL BE PERFORMED AT KIA'S EXPENSE AT NO COST TO YOU. THE ACTUAL TIME REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE (1) HOUR. HOWEVER, YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE NEEDED LONGER; THEREFORE, WE RECOMMEND SCHEDULING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO MINIMIZE ANY INCONVENIENCE. (REFER TO SC165A.) MANUFACTURER'S NOTES SC165A

WILL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPS ACCELERATING AND ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHT COME ON WITH CARS AT MY TAIL. SCARY ORDEAL BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER.

THE ENGINE WON'T TURN OVER I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR TOO

THE ENGINE BLEW. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 105,000 MILES. I WAS RESEARCHING THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY AND I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR FALLS UNDER THOSE DEFECTED CARS.

CAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF IMMOBILIZATION PHASE, WITH EITHER KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK TO USE PUSH TO START. ALSO COMMON ISSUE IS WASTE GATE ACTIVATOR FAILURE, CAUSED US TO ALMOST CRASH DEALER SAID IT IS A EXSTREMLY COMMON ISSUE BUT KIA WON'T ISSUE RECAL.

TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD PULL WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS FROM THIRD GEAR TO SECOND GEAR AND A HARDER PULL ON FIRST GEAR THIS IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN REGULAR GEARS GOING IN DRIVE WOULD ACTUALLY DO FINE I NOTICED A WEEK LATER WHEN I WAS OUT DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST SECOND GEAR SO I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD MY CAR TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD ANY DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON CURRENTLY MY CAR IS IN LIMP MODE AND WILL ONLY GO IN REVERSE TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO INITIATE AN ENGAGE TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR.DEALERSHIP DOES NOT REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE IF IT DOES NOT HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TRANSMISSION I HAVE 168,000 MILES. IT SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME TYPE OF WARNING THAT SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH YOUR TRANSMISSION BUT IT DOES NOT EVEN LIGHT UP ON YOUR DASHBOARD IF YOU GO TO PRESS THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE IT DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED OUT SO I KNOW IT IS NOT THAT THE GEARS ON THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO PAST SECOND GEAR NOW IT IS IN WHAT THEY CONSIDER LIMP MODE OR DEFAULT MODE SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION ON ALL THE 2012 KIA OPTIMAS I HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THESE CARS THE LIGHTS THAT ARE CONSIDERED AS THE LOW BEAMS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT EITHER I JUST RECENTLY HAD THOSE CHANGED AND NEW ONES PUT IN THEY DO NOT GIVE YOU ENOUGH LIGHT IF YOU'RE DRIVING AT NIGHT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD