NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Optima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WHEN I'M GOING AROUND A CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND STAYS IN THE TURNING POSITION. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY TURN IT BACK
Paint has began chipping and p Delamanating starting on the driver side column and hood.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that several times the brake pedal was depressed approximately a half-inch to an inch. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SEIZED GIVING ME KNOW ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE THAT MAY HAVE GOTTEN LOOSE VERY SIMILAR TO THE KIA OPTIMAS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT THE HYBRID MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED.
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL NOT ALLOWING ANY POWER WHILE PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT KIA EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY FOUND A PIN IN THE ENGINE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE R REMOVED BUT NEVER WAS CAUSING THIS TO CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE AND HEAD GASKET.
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CAUSE FOR THE RATTLING WAS NOT DETECTED. AS THE CONTACT RESUMED DRIVING, THE RATTLING NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. INVALID VIN.
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???
My engine seized up while driving with no warning or prior issues. My safety was put at risk because this happen while I was driving down a public road and could have gotten into an accident due to the cars malfunction. Kia has inspected the car but has refused to reimburse me for their engine failure although they had recall campaign for my model vehicle and other models of Kia vehicles. The only warning I was given was right before the engine failed the car said "hybrid system failure, do not drive"
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.
THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS AS YOUR DRIVING PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. I CAN JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL TO HELP CORRECT IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS.THE DEALERSHIP ALIGNED THE FRONT END BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD POSSIBLY FIX IT IF I SPENT OVER A $1000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE PARTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT END. THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO "MAYBE" FIX IT.
ENGINE LOCKED UP AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNINGS
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.
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.
STEERING COLUMN COUPLER
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.
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...
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).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA LX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE DEFROST THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHICH THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 117,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, the front end of the vehicle and the steering column vibrated significantly, and the vehicle was pulling to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times, and unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who informed the contact that the failure could be related to the tie rod and to unknown bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
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.
THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT A SAFE TIME FRAME. FOR EXAMPLE IF I NEED TO CROSS A BUSY STREET. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO CARS COMING BECAUSE WHEN I ACCELERATE MY ENGINE REVS BUT DOESN'T MOVE. I'VE BEEN ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE WILL HIT 8 OR 9 THOUSAND RPM THEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO CATCH AND THROW MY HEAD INTO THE SEAT. WHICH IF THERE IS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO REAR END THEM BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
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.
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-PEELING-SNOW-WHITE-PEARL-HYUNDAI-CHEVROLET-TOYOTA-KIA/ (5)HTTPS://WWW.COMPLAINTSBOARD.COM/COMPLAINTS/KIA-MOTORS-BAD-PAINT-C644680.HTML THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
THERE IS A CLICK OR CLUNK UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STILL OR TURNING ANYPLACE.
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.
ON FEB18 2020 HEAD LIGHTS AGAIN STOPPED WORKING NEW BULBS WERE PUT IN OEM REPLACEMENTS LIGHT GO OFF WHEN EVER THEY WANT THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF YOUR A RURAL ROADS INTERIOR LIGHT STAY ON OR GO OFF ON THERE OWN BUT MOSTLY IT'S THE HEAD LIGHT THAT WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY KIA HAS TO DO SOMETHING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THIS ISN'T A WEAR AND TEAR PEOPLE'S THIS IS SUBPAR CRAFTSMANSHIP ON A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M AFRAID SOMEONE WILL DIE. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WHERE THE CAR OWNERS PAYED 400.00 TO REPLACE THE WIRING AND BULBS ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THAT KIA USED A PLASTIC STAR LOCKING BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BROKE AND I HAD TO FIX AT MY EXPENSE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE CARS. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR MAKING A TURN YOU WOULD FEEL THE GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEAR CLICKING. THIS WAS ON REGULAR CITY PAVED STREETS.
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.
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.
10-15 MPH T BONED A CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF
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.
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.
THE ENGINE KNOCKED AND IT MAKE A NOISE.
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 HITTING A FEW CARS IN FRONT OF ME (WHICH WOULDN'T OF BEEN MY FAULT EACH TIME IT'S HAPPENED) AND MY CAR JUST TURNING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY HAS BEEN THE WORST SINCE I'VE HAD IT. MIND YOU THIS IS ALL WITHIN A 2-3 MONTH TIME FRAME AND MY CAR WASN'T LIKE THIS BEFORE. JUNE 14TH WAS THE DAY MY CAR GOT HIT SINCE THEN HAS BEEN HELL WITH THIS CAR
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.
THE KIA GAVE NO WARNING ABOUT THE CAR HAVING ISSUES ABOUT THE ENGINE WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IT GAVE ME THE ERROR HYBRID BATTERY NOT CHARGING TO PULL OVER AND STOP DRIVING WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE HYBRID THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE THE CAR TURNS ON PUT WONT MOVE EVEN IF I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE IT WON'T MOVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT THE HYBRID BATTER NOT CHARGING AND THE SPECIALIST I HAD COME CHECK THE CAR TOLD ME ITS NOT THE HYBRID BATTERY HE CHANGED THE BATTERY TO SEE IT WOULD WORK BUT THE CAR STILL WON'T MOVE.
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.
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.
THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND WOULDN'T GO IT BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING RIGHT PAST PURRFECT AUTO AND TURNED AROUND AND PULLED INSIDE THE SERVICE AREA BEFORE THE CAR WAS ABLE TO CATCH FULL FIRE. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE CAR GOT HOT AND THAT'S WHAT I TOLD PURREFCT AUTO BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE SO I THOUGHT THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND THAT MAYBE IT JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT TOO HOT AND DECIDED TO CATCH ON FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS STALLING BEFORE THE FIRE AND DIDN'T WANT TO GO I TOOK IT TO KIA TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET THEY SAID THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AFTER PERFECT AUTO BASICALLY TOOK THE WHOLE ENGINE OUT OF THE CAR TO TRY TO SEE WHY THE CAR WASN'T WORKING RIGHT AND THEY STILL COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT I PAID THEM $3,000 ALMOST $4,000 AND THE CAR STILL WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY SO I WHEN I TOOK IT TO KIA THEY DENIED ME BECAUSE THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT IN WARRANTY AND THAT I NEEDED TO BUY A NEW ENGINE.
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