2012 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 919 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 77 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsAug 1, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
Campaign 22V560000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
122 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DON FRANKLIN SOMERSET KIA (60 HIGHWAY 2227, SOMERSET, KY 42503, (606) 679-1177) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY FUSE, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2019
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 16, 2019
BRAKE SWITCH RECALLED ON 2011 MODELS, BUT MY 2012 WILL NOT START MOSTLY WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE, BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENS AND WONT DECOMPRESS FOR ENGINE TO START, PUSH BUTTN WONT START CAR BRAKE LIGHTS DONT WORK. VEHICLE WILL LEAVE STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WILL WORK AND THEN NOT WORK, INTERMITTEN.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 14, 2018
2012 KIA OPTIMA SX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE DASHBOARD SET ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 29, 2018
CLOCKSPRING FAILURE CAUSES ON-STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO FAIL. KIA SERVICE DID NOT FIND ANY SERVICE CODES PRODUCED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL VOLUME CONTROL SWITCHES, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES AND CELLPHONE SWITCHES DISPLAYED INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONALITY. FAILURE OF THE SWITCHES GENERALLY DISPLAYED UPON INITIAL START OF THE CAR AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT OR AT THE END OF A WORK DAY. TEMPERATURES WERE CONSISTENTLY OVER 100 DEGREES F. DURING AN APPROXIMATE 1 HR 15 MIN SURFACE STREET AND FREEWAY COMMUTE (EACH WAY),SWITCHES WOULD FUNCTION AFTER A FEW MINUTES DRIVING, BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN. CORRECT FUNCTIONALITY WAS INCONSISTENT. AND DID NOT PERSIST. CAR WAS TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES BUT NO CODES WERE PRODUCED. SERVICE REP SUGGESTED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING MAY BE INVOLVED, BUT RECOMMENDED ONLY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY SWITCHES. VOLUME AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES REPLACED, BUT AGAIN SHOWED INTERMITTENT FAILURES THAT WOULD NOT PRODUCE CODES. FINALLY, THE REPLACEMENT VOLUME SWITCHES AND THE CELLPHONE SWITCHES COMPLETELY FAILED; AGAIN, NO CODES WERE PRODUCED. KIA SERVICE NOTED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING IS INTEGRAL TO THE CORRECT FUNCTIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SYSTEM ALONG WITH ALL THE STEERING WHEEL SWITCHES. KIA SERVICE NOW CONFIRMS THAT A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING SHORTED OUT THE STEERING WHEEL SWITCHES; A NEW CLOCKSPRING, VOLUME CONTROLS AND CELLPHONE CONTROLS ARE BEING INSTALLED. AGAIN, PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, NO CODES WERE GENERATED FOR KIA SERVICE TO OBSERVE. PRIOR TO RELEASING THE CAR, THE SWITCHES WERE CHECKED FOR CORRECT FUNCTION, BUT FAILED. AT THAT POINT, THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT WAS INITIATED. NOTE: KIA SERVICE ALSO PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK ON THE ACU WIRING HARNESS DURING THIS SERVICE INCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CERRITOS (LOCATED AT 18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (562) 860-2424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 2, 2018, fire
MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF WITH SEVERAL FLASHING LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING BUT A SLIGHT TICK. I RETURNED TO THE CAR WITH JUMPER CABLES TO SEE IF IT WAS THE BATTERY AND BEFORE I TRIED THE JUMPER CABLES I TRIED ONE MORE TIME TO START AND THE ENGINEER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR DID NOT TURN OVER OR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 24, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALUE KIA (6915 ESSINGTON AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153, 215-937-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,630.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 19, 2018, fire
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 31, 2018
KIA OPTIMA 2012 LX COMPLAINT..I LIKE TO START OFF SAYING THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE UP FRONT STOP WORKING. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WILL NOT WHINE DOWN OR UP SOMETIMES. IT IS AN ISSUE AND MORE. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE WHEN I CRANK UP, IT IS A WEIRD NOISE WHEN WARMING UP STAND STILL. THAT GOES FOR THE WINDOW AND CAR OVERALL STAND STILL. IT HAS BECOME AN BURDEN FOR THE WINDOW CAN NOT GO DOWN.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 8, 2018, fire
'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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2017, fire
THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS ALS RESULTED IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE DEFROSTERS AND RADIO TO MALFUNCTION
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 19, 2017
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 system, Air bags, Engine, Oct 12, 2017
ENGINE LOCKED UP HAD A WARRANTY THEY FIXED IT AND AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK THE THE HORN DIDN'T WORK OR ANY OF MY CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED I NOTIFIED THEM AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX IT. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OVER TO KIA DEALERSHIP EVERYTHING WAS WORKING AND AFTER THEY PUT THE NEW ENGINE IN EVERYTHING WENT WRONG THE ABS SYSTEM WENT OUT THE HORN STOP WORKING THE TURBO IN THE CAR WASN'T ANY GOOD MY AIRBAG AND ENGINE WAS ON AND STILL IS AND I NOTIFIED THEM AGAIN EVEN TOOK IT TO MANAGEMENT AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I'M NOT A SATISFIED CUSTOMER AT ALL CAN U GUYS PLEASE HELP ME. I'M A HARD WORKING MAN HAVE A FAMILY AND JUST TRYING TO HAVE A CAR THAT WE CAN ENJOY.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 23, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DURING EACH ATTEMPT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAR LOCK KIA (LOCATED AT 4301 GREENSBORO AVE, TUSCALOOSA, AL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY, BATTERY, AND STARTER WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPON DOING RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2017, crash, fire
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.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2017
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON WHICH MEANS IT WON'T DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL AREN'T WORKING, AND STEERING WHEEL HEATER ISN'T WORKING. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS CLOCKSPRING IS WORN OUT. PREVIOUS MODELS OF OPTIMAS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND EVENTUALLY A RECALL WAS MADE. HOPEFULLY THIS GETS RESOLVES BEFORE A WRECK HAPPENS AND INJURY IS CAUSED BY THIS AIRBAG DEFECT.
Electrical system, Engine, May 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 29, 2017
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, WHEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED AND THE GAUGES BEGAN TO ACT UP. I THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AS SMOKE WAS DETECTED MY TURBO SEEMED TO BE VERY HOT AND BRIGHT RED. THE ENGINE BECAME LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED EVER SINCE.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2017, fire
OPEN CAR DOOR AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL OF ELECTRICAL, SMOKE COMING FROM DOOR SILL.BY THE TIME I GOT COVER OFF SMOKE AND FLAME COMING FROM THE LETTERING THAT LIGHTS UP WHEN DOOR OPENS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 11, 2017
MY CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE BURNING PLASTIC AND THEN IT COMPLETED SHUT OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS ALREADY IN A TURNING LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I ONLY HAD 60K MILES ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. SEEMED LIKE AFTER MY ENGINE WAS REPLACED MY WINDOWS STOPPED ROLLING UP. THEN MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. I NOTICED THAT IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS PRESSING ON MY BRAKE AS I WAS TRYING TO GO AND THEN MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WE FIXED THIS. NOW IT NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER AND ITS DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS PEOPLE ARE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2016
THE CAR WILL NOT START AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO MARKET, SHOP FOR <HOUR, COME OUT TO START CAR TURN IGNITION, CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, I JIGGLE SHIFT GEAR IN PARK AND THEN TURN KEY IN IGNITION AGAIN AND IT MIGHT START AFTER A FEW OR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THIS HAPPENS ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND THEN MAY SKIP SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. ON THREE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PROBLEM CAN'T BE DUPLICATED ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENED IN OCT 2015, (41,575 MI) JULY 2016 TWO TIMES, AUGUST 21,23, 26, 27,28, SEPT 11, 12, 20, MOST TIMES IT WAS STATIONARY EXCEPT FOR THE JULY 26, 2016 WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT LOST MOMENTUM AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD STOPPED TURNED IT OFF AND THEN IT WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH KIA OPTIMA 2012? I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I WON'T DARE TAKE THE CAR ON A TRIP I HAVE ASKED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO AUTHORIZE A LOANER CAR FOR UP TO 30 DAYS SO THEY CAN TAKE THE CAR AND CHECK EVERYDAY UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS DUPLICATED. KIA WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR SO THAT I HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND THEY CAN KEEP THE CAR TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.