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
919 reports, newest first.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2021
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 27, 2021
CAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF IMMOBILIZATION PHASE, WITH EITHER KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK TO USE PUSH TO START. ISSUE IS WASTE GATE ACTIVATOR FAILURE OR NEEDS ADJUSTMENT.
Engine, Feb 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE AND SAW METAL PARTS AND OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE THAT THE BEARING ROD WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT THE CALLED THE CABLE DAHMER KIA OF LEE'S SUMMIT (400 NE COLBERN RD, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64086, (816) 207-6200) AND WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 150,000 MILES. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
Engine, Feb 26, 2021
DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE JUST DIED, NO WARNINGS LIGHTS, STARTER AND BATTERY ARE FINE. PER MECHANIC THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY FAILED
Engine, Feb 23, 2021
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
Seat belts, Feb 23, 2021
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.
Air bags, Feb 19, 2021
MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, WHICH I WAS TOLD IT IS CONNECTED TO THE AIRBAG PROBLEM. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE CODE AND THE CODE SAID IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON AIRBAGS FOR THE KIA OPTIMA BUT NOT FOR MY 2012 EX. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS DESCRIBED FOR THE RECALLED KIA OPTIMA AIRBAGS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED TO SEE IF IT WAS A SIMPLE CABLE CONNECTION ISSUE UNDER THE SEAT BUT THAT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO PAY $$$$ TO GET THE AIRBAG FIXED WHEN THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH KIA OPTIMA AIRBAGS. BUT I ALSO DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK AND KIA WON'T FIX IT UNDER A RECALL.
Engine, Feb 17, 2021
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?
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 13, 2021
I'D HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES W/ MY VEHICLE, WHATSOEVER & ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IS DONE ON TIME. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY & SUDDENLY ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON & LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FEW DAYS, IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, BY THE SERVICE TEAM THAT MY ENGINE WAS SHOT, BUT I WASN'T GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AT THAT TIME ON THE HYBRID VEHICLES; HOWEVER, I JUST GOT A RECALL LETTER FOR MY OPTIMA HYBRID, DATED 1/27/2021 THAT DESCRIBED THE VERY THING THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY CAR. THIS PROMPTED ME TO VISIT THIS WEBSITE TO EXPLAIN MY ISSUE.
Engine, Feb 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO ARAPAHOE KIA (9701 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD ALSO INFORMED THEM THAT HER VEHICLE HAD BEEN CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) PLACED ON HER YEAR MODEL VEHICLE HOWEVER, KIA COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN CLEARED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CASE WOULD BE OPENED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A TEXT FROM THE DEALER MECHANIC THAT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL WITH DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 5, 2021
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 4, 2021
CAR WILL NOT START UP. WHEN TURNING KEY I HEAR CLICKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE GOD FROM FUSE BOX AND THINKING IT'S STARTER RELAY BUT I REPLACED IT AND STILL NOTHING EVENTUALLY BY KEEP TRYING TURNING KEY TO START FOR 18 MINUTES IT STARTS UP FINALLY. NO CLUE WHAT IT COULD BE. MAYBE STARTER SOLENOID
Power train, Engine, Jan 30, 2021
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITH LOW POWER AT 50 MPH WITH ALL LIGHTS WORKING. COMPUTER HAS CAR SHUT DOWN AND CAN NOT START.
Engine, Jan 28, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HE WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICE SMOKE EXIT THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED A POLICE OFFICER WAS NEARBY AND PARKED BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON IT'S OWN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO THE LOCATION. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER NORTHTOWN KIA ( 3900 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226: (716) 217-2390) AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED DUE TO A OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Engine, Jan 26, 2021
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.
Power train, Jan 20, 2021
APRIL 2018 WAS DRIVING HEARD LOUD NOSE FROM ENGINE, HYBRID SYSTEM CAME ON , HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING TURN OFF ENGINE. ENGINE LOCKED UP.TOWED HOME.PULLED OIL PAN. BRASS BEARINGS BOTTOM OF PAN.CRANKSHAFT AND PISTON ROD BEARNIG WERE IN PIECES. HAD ENGINE REBUILT. MAY 2018. FILLED 2 COMPLAINTS THEN. ONLY 73,000 MILES.COMPANY'S GETTING AWAY FOR INSUFFICIENT ENGINES. TRIED TO SELL CAR. BUT NOT GOING TO GIVE AWAY.I DON'T WANT IT. I THINK I DESERVE COMPENSATION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 16, 2021
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.
Engine, Jan 15, 2021
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE SOON AFTER REFUELING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ORR KIA OF SHREVEPORT (1111 E. BERT KOUNS INDUSTRIAL LOOP, SHREVEPORT, LA 71115) WHERE SHE WAS PROVIDED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHICH SHE DECLINED. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED ORR KIA OF BOSSIER CITY (3601 BENTON RD, BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111) WHERE SHE WAS ALSO GIVEN ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHICH SHE ALSO DECLINED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HER FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 13, 2021
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.
Engine, Jan 9, 2021
DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 55 MPH ON TWO LANE ROAD COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AND KIA OPTIMA SX 2.0L TURBO STARTED LOSING POWER THEN AT 45 ENGINE SHUT DOWN. COASTED TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WILL NOT START. TOWED TO HOME THEN TOWED AGAIN TO SHOP WAITING ON REPAIRS. KIA SAYS NO RECALL AND NOT PART OF THE 618000 KIA OPTIMA SX TURBO 2.0L RECALL
Engine, Jan 9, 2021
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN I WAS GETTING OFF MY EXIST I NOTICE THE CAR WAS NOT ALLOWING ME TO START IT UP AND MOVE. I KNEW IT WASN'T MY BATTERY BECAUSE I JUST GOT I KNEW ONE, BUT I NOTICE HOW MY ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. SO I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH NO WAY TO MOVE MY CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. I HEARD THEIR WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR SO I'M CHECKING TO SEE WHY I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY INFORMATION FROM KIA.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2021
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
Engine, Jan 4, 2021
AT FIRST IT STARTED WITH MY ENGINE OIL BURNING QUICK, AND HAVING TO DO AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 15 DAYS. NOW IT STARTED DOING THE ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I DROVE IT 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY CITY STREET. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT NOW. I HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER BECAUSE I'M STILL WAITING TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK.
Engine, Dec 28, 2020
AS MY STEPDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A HIGHWAY, A LOUD KNOCK NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT WHICH TIME SHE WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE, SO SHE PARKED ALONGSIDE ROAD AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME GET HER. THE CAR WAS THEN TRAILERED TO THE HOUSE AND THEN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED TO LOAD ONTO THE TRAILER, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND ON THE DASH BUT THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS NOISE THAT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE CAR. UNLOADING IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE NOISE BEGAN TO GET LOUDER AND AGAIN, NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND CAME UP AS A WARNING. BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WE CALLED KIA AND SPOKE WITH ROBERT ON 12/9/2020. ROBERT SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE CURRENT RECALL THAT IS ALL OVER THE PAPERS AND NEWS STATIONS. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND HE SAID NO. TODAY WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT THE CARS ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE ROD BEARINGS, AGAIN WE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OPEN RECALLS ON THIS CAR. WE WERE AGAIN TOLD NO. AFTER VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS, IN FACT AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG. I KNOW THE AIRBAG HAS NOTHING TODO WITH THE ENGINE, BUT CONSIDERING KIA WAS NOT HONEST ABOUT THAT RECALL IT WOULD LEAD SOMEONE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY AREN'T BEING HONEST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. I OPENED A CASE WITH KIA AND THAT NUMBER IS 13909518. WE AREN'T ASKING FOR ANYTHING BUT THE RIGHT THING TO BE DONE. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. WE WERE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO PURCHASE HER A CAR AND WILL NOW HAVE TO SOMEHOW FIND A WAY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. PLEASE HELP US!