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: engine
415 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING TO PICK MY KIDS UP WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER THE CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND KIND OF JERKED SOME. I PICKED UP 1 KID PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR JERKED AGAIN AND BARELY WAS MOVING, EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS. THEN MY DISPLAY FLASHED HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 200 YARDS TO PARK SAFELY AND THAT WAS IT. MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK IT UP LATER WITH A TRAILER AND OIL WAS POURING OUT OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING AND THERE WAS NO REASON. THIS IS THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR IN MY CAR, IN 2017 WE HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE AS WELL DUE TO SOME KIND OF BEARINGS. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN YET, IT'S IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE NEWEST RECALL IS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE WITH KIA.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
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.
Engine, Nov 24, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR ACCELERATING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE JUST STALLED OUT I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND COAST TO THE NEAREST DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE OR I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN PARK ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLEI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE JUST STALLED OUT I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND COAST TO THE NEAREST DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE OR I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN PARK I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY CAR AND ALL I HEARD WAS A FAINT CLICK OF THE STARTER THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER I CONTACTED MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE VIA MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO REQUEST A TOW TRUCK ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TO 45 MINUTES LATER THE TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP AN MY BATTERY WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DEAD THE TOW TRUCK UNLOADED MY CAR INTO MY GARAGE WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY CAR AND ALL I HEAR IS A FAINT CLICK OF THE STARTER THE ENGIN WILL NOT TURN OVER I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SOME LOOKING UP AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE RECALL BY KIA ON MULTIPLE MODELS OF CARS WITH THE SAME ENGINE. MINE IS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA LX 2.4L AND I DID FIND OUT THAT ANYTHING FROM 2011 UP TO A 2015 KIA OPTIMA HAS ENGINE RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE STALLING OUT AN THE ENGINE SEIZING UP BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN THE ENGINE
Engine, Nov 22, 2020
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I NOTICED MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EX MAKING A LOUD CLICKING/TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE SUDDENLY THE CAR TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE CAR WAS OFF SO I TURNED IT ON AND CONTINUED TO HEAR THE LOUD CLICKING/TAPPING NOISE.
Engine, Nov 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STOKES KIA (202 S. GOOSE CREEK BLVD, GOOSE CREEK, SC 29445, (843) 572-7300 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Engine, Nov 15, 2020
I JUST BOUGHT THE THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO . THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE CAR APPEARED AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO DIE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING . I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE AREA TURNED THE CAR OFF . I WAITED A FEW MINUTES BEFORE TRYING TO RESTART . MY CAR WOULDN'T START . AFTER SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOKING AT THE CAR THEY BELIEVE IT'S THE ENGINE AND TOLD ME THE CAR HAD A RECALL. I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON TOP OF THAT THE TURBO IS LEAKING FLUIDS . THIS CAR IS A MESS.
Air bags, Engine, Oct 30, 2020
I BOUGHT MY CAR 3 MONTHS AGO. NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES, MAKE SURE I DO MY OIL AND ALL,NO LIGHTS HAVE COME ON ON MY DASH BOARD EXCEPT THE AIRBAG LIGHT AS OF RECENTLY. I WAS DRIVING IT TO PICK UP MY SON AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON SO I PULLED OVER TO THE GAS STATION AND CHECKED MY OIL. NO ISSUE I JUST GOT AN OIL CHANGE THE WEEK BEFORE. MY ENGINE IS KNOCKING NOW. WITH NO WARNING OR ANYTHING.
Engine, Oct 20, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE SEEMS TO HAVE A POWER LOSS AND THEN IT CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I AM IN MOTIONG WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY/STREET.
Engine, Oct 13, 2020
RECALL INFO SHOWS IT WAS REPAIRED BUT KIA FOUND METAL SHAVINGS AGAIN IN THE ENGINE AND SO EITHER THE RECALL WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY OR THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS GOING DOWN THE 59 FREEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING SO I ATTEMPTED TO VERY OFF THE FREEWAY BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELLERATE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR ONLY 8 MONTHS AND KIA SAID THE MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. MY DAD AND MY BROTHER ARE BOTH MECHANICS SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH WHAT CAUSES METAL SHAVINGS TO BE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE NOT DROVE THE CAR NOT NEGLECTED THE MAINTENANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL WHERE THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE. I THINK IT WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. I AM REQUESTING FOR INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE ON THE WORK PERFORMED FOR THAT RECALL. AND I AM REQUESTING FOR KIA TO PAY FOR THIS 2ND REPAIR DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS FOUND AGAIN. I ALSO NEED A RENTAL CAR TO BE PAID FOR DURING THE TIME KIA STILL HAS MY VEHICLE. AT FAMILY PARKWAY KIA IN KINGWOOD, TEXAS. ALSO I GOT A CLAIM FORM MAILED TO BE TO BE PAID FOR ANY REPAIRS I PAID FOR OUT OF MY POCKET. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTATION.
Engine, Oct 5, 2020
ENGINE PUTS OFF A BURNING OIL SMELL AND SEEMS TO NEED OIL ADDED IN BETWEEN IT'S 3,000 MILE OIL CHANGE. IT HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES OF CAR RUNNING, EITHER STOPPED OR MOVING. HAVE HEARD ABOUT ENGINE FAILURES AND CARS BURNING WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2020
I WAS DRIVING 75MPH, I WAS COMING UP OVER A HILL, AND THE VEHICLE CUT OUT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE, AND I WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER, THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING HYBRID BATTERY LOW, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WOULDN'T COME ON. WARNING LIGHT ON DASH STATED TO NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS ONLY AROUND 110,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 30, 2020
MY CAR SLOWED DOWN IN WOULDN'T REACH OVER 2000 RPM AND THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING AND WHEN I PUT IT ON A COMPUTER ENGINE CODE P1326 POPPED ON. IT'S CALLED THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE COMBUSTION QUALITY INPUT SIGNAL AFTER KIA DEALERSHIP OF SKIBO ROAD SUPPOSEDLY ALREADY FIXED THE PROBLEM BACK IN JUNE 2019 NOW IT'S SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 N IT CAME ON AGAIN N YES LAST YEAR HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET IN THE MORNING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IT WAS RAINING.
Engine, Sep 29, 2020
KIA OPTIMA 2012 ABRUPTLY POWERED DOWN IN MIDDLE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING. THE ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER NEARLY CAUSED A VEHICLE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. AFTER ENGINE SHUT DOWN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND READ CODE P1326. CAR WILL NO LONGER START.
Engine, Sep 24, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. ABSOLUTELY NOT SAFE AT ALL. MY 2012 OPTIMA HYBRID IS ROUGHLY AT 115K MILES. AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HOW'S KIA NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE! VERY DISAPPOINTED AND HOPING TO SEE A RESOLUTION FROM KIA.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 23, 2020
BUT MY MOM WAS DRIVING HER CAR ONE DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BEARING OR SOMETHING CAME LOOSE AND OIL SQUIRTED ALL OVER THE GROUND AND THE CAR DIED AND AND WE HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT 4500 BUCKS AND NOW THE HYBRID LIGHT SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON THE DEALERSHIP THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING THEY HAD TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER KIA PLACE AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ONAND NOW WITH THE MOTOR REPLACE THE HYBRID LIGHT SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON THEY DON'T KNOW WHY
Engine, Sep 17, 2020
CAR ENGINE BEGAN MAKING INCREASINGLY LOUD NOISES. PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK IT OUT. TURNED OFF THE CAR THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND CAR ENGINE MADE EVEN LOUDER KNOCKING SOUNDS. MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK AND SAID IT WAS A INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM/FAILURE
Engine, Sep 16, 2020
WE WERE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET SLOWING DOWN FOR A SIGNAL. THE CAR STALLED AND A MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED 4 MILES TO THE DEALER. NO OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING ANY PROBLEMS.THE DEALER TOLD US WHILE THEY WERE CHECKING FOR THE PROBLEM THE ENGINE CEASED UP. THEN THEY SAID THE BELT HAD COME OFF. I THINK THE ENGINE CEASED CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF.TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE PROBLEMS KIA HAS BEEN HAVING.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 14, 2020
TRANSMISSION ISSUES: BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. WOULD LAG THEN JERK THE CAR WITH SOME TORQUE ONCE IT CAUGHT 3RD GEAR. HAD TO GET 2 REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. ALSO ENGINE SEIZER ISSUE, MY ENGINE STARTED TO SEIZE WHEN I WAS GOING 45 MILES AN HOUR WITH ALOT OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED MAKING LOUD THUNKING NOICES THEN A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THEN I WAS STUCK ON A ROAD NOT BEING ABLE TO GET ABOVE 22 MILES AND HOUR, THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. AND I WAS STUCK TRYING TO GO UPHILL AND ALL THESE CARS BEHIND ME. I ENDED UP HAVING TO STOP THE CAR AND LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A 2 LANE ROAD ON A HILL WITH THE EMERGANCY BREAK ON. KIA KNEW IT WAS ANOTHER SEIZED ENGINE WHICH I THOUGHT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AGAIN WHICH I HAD BROUGHT IN BECAUSE THIS 3RD TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING THE SKILLING ISSUES AROUND 20-25MILES AND HOUR, BUT AFTER THEY KNEW I WASNT GOING TO BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN THEY WOULDNT FIX MY TRANS THAT SHOULD PROBABLY BE RECALLED ANYWAYS. BUT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER OPTIMA SEIZED ENGINE, AND EVEN THOUGH ALL OPTIMAS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, THEY SAY THAT MINE ISNT COVERED BECASUE ITS A HYBRID AND HAS A MOTOR IN THE CAR ALSO SO ITS DIFFERENT SET UP. BUT THERES ARE OTHERS ONLINE WITH THIS KIA OPTIMA 2011-2013 HYBRID ENGINE SEIZER JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER OPTIMAS. AND I THINK THE HYBRIDS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AS WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Sep 10, 2020
I BOUGHT A 2012 KIA OPTIMA FROM AUTONATION IN AMARILLO,TX AND I HAVE MULTIPLE SAFETY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE WHICH AUTONATION DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALLS CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND A FATAL ACCIDENT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO KIA DEALERSHIPS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE RECALLS. KIA HASN'T FIXED OR REPLACE THE SAFETY RECALLS. I WILL NOT HAVE ME OR A FAMILY MEMBER DIE CAUSE THE NEGLECT THAT KIA HAS BEEN DOING ON MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA" VIN# [XXX]". I HAVE FILED A SETTLEMENT CLAIM WITH KIA SETTLEMENT CLAIM'S DEPARTMENT "CLAIM #[XXX]". I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 KIA DEALERSHIP'S. I'VE DONE ALL OF THE STEPS KIA DEALERSHIP HAS ASKED ME TO DO AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX OR REPLACE THE RECALLS. I USE MY 2012 KIA FOR MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS CAUSE I'M DISABLED. I LOST FAITH AND CAN'T TRUST THIS 2012 KIA OPTIMA THAT IM STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. I NEED THIS CAR FIXED BEFORE ME OR ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DIES IN A CAR ACCIDENT FROM THE NEGLECTED RECALLS FROM KIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Sep 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER SOUTHWEST KIA OF ROCKWALL LOCATED AT 1790 I-30 FRONTAGE RD, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (469) 402-2900 AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 4, 2020
DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY HEAD LIGHT BULBS MELTING TO HEADLIGHT HARNESS SMOKING
Engine, Aug 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE AN UNKNOWN NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO JIM ELLIS KIA OF KENNESAW, 1221 AUTO PARK DR NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
Engine, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD BLOWN OUT AND WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF CERRITOS (18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703), AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BELT WAS MELTED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Engine, Aug 10, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CRUISE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND WHEN LIFTING THE HOOD SAW FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER RAN TO HIS EMPLOYER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH 5 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FOUND SEVERAL UNKNOWN RECALLS ON LINE THAT WAS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
Engine, Aug 5, 2020
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60MPH . SUDDENLY ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. CAR IMMEDIATELY MAKES AWFUL SOUND AND LOOSES POWER AS I'M PULLING OVER TO GET OFF ROAD. HAD TOWED IN TO HOME. OUR NEIGHBOR MECHANIC THINKS THREW A ROD. NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! LOUD KNOCKING SPUD UNDER HOOD.