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.
Engine, Jun 27, 2020
DRIVING NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AND ENGINE SEIZED HAD TO BE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED AND HAD PLENTY OF OIL AND OIL HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED? TOWED TO KIA DEALER IN LOWELL TO BE LOOKED AT AND HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD FOR 2 WEEKS..CALLED THE KIA HOTLINE AND NO WORD FROM THEM EITHER? IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 THERA II ENGINE... NOW I'VE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ENGINE AND IT APPEARS IM STUCK WITH A 6500 DOLLAR LAWN ORNAMENT!!!! THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL SC147 BUT WHEN I LOOK UP MY VIN NUMBER ITS NOT INCLUDED NOT SURE SAME ENGINE AND SAME PROBLEM? A NEW DRIVER BUT WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY OFF ROAD WAY. *TR
Steering, Jun 25, 2020
MY VEHICLE STEERING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING IT. IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IN PARK. I WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS WITH KIA'S(STEERING COUPLING) AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW IF ESTABLISHED AS A RECALL SO I CAN TAKE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE DRIVING LIKE THIS. *TR
Engine, Jun 25, 2020
FIRST, I WAS ON IN A ROAD TRIP TO ARIZONA FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE AND SMELLED LIKE OIL WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND LOST ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED MORE OIL WHEN MY LIGHT NEVER CAME ON AND I STILL HAD 1000MI LEFT UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. SO THEY PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGE AFTER GETTING IT TOWED THERE AND HAVING TO THEN COME BACK FOR IT (4 DAYS AFTER GETTING IT TOWED THERE). AFTER THAT, WE TRIED ONCE AGAIN TO GO TO ARIZONA AND ABOUT HALF WAY THERE GOING ABOUT 73MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR MADE A LOUD BOOM NOISE, SAW LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. HUSBAND'S STEP DAD CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. WE WENT TO GRAB MORE OIL AND WHEN WE POURED IT THROUGH, IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM. AFTER HOURS OF TRYING TO GET IT ON THE BACK OF OUR OTHER TRUCK TRAVELING WITH US WE FINALLY GOT IT TO A KIA AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED. LONG STORY SHORT, WE RENTED A BETTER TRUCK FOR $480 TO HAUL MY CAR BACK TO ARIZONA. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND UPSET. MY CAR IS NOW AT A KIA IN TEMPE, AZ AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S NOT APART OF THE ENGINE RECALL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT EVEN THOUGH AN ATTORNEY TOLD ME IT WAS. *TR
Engine, Jun 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SON WHO OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIS SON THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE SENT AN EMAIL TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE SPOKE WITH TWO UNKNOWN DEALERS WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDED HER WITH THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE MANUFACTURER. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. *LN CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE.*JB
Engine, Jun 24, 2020
HI ENGINE KEEP LOSING POWER BECAUSE THE EWGA VOLTAGE IS INCORRECT. I'VE HAD THIS ADJUSTED 3 TIMES SO FAR OVER 60,000 MILES BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. NOW I NEED TO GO IN AND SPEND ANOTHER 200 DOLLAR TO HAVE IT FIXED OFR THE 4TH TIME. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN AND IT IS DANGEROUS AS THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. HOW TO ADJUST THE EWGA VOLTAGE IS DESCRIBED HERE: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10090612-5448.PDF IT SHOULD BE MADE A MANDATORY AND PERMANENT FIX PAID BY KIA FOR THE LIFE TIME OF THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DORSCHEL KIA (3817 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine, Jun 17, 2020
6/17/20 I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EX (2.4L GAS DIRECT INJECTION 4-CYL ENGINE) AND HAD JUST STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION FOR A RED LIGHT. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I ACCELERATED TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE INTERSECTION, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MADE A CLUNK SOUND, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED AND THE ENGINE DIED. I WASN'T SURE WHAT HAPPENED SO I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED UNTIL I REACHED A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE VEHICLE. I TRIED RESTARTING IT BUT IT JUST MADE A CLICK SOUND AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A COUPLE MORE TIMES THERE WAS A LITTLE SMOKE THAT CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD / ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT KIND OF SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT'VE BEEN SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIC SHOP FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT THE NEXT DAY. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED UP AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS BONE DRY OF OIL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS EVEN POSSIBLE WHEN I NEVER RECEIVED ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CHECK OIL LIGHT, NO OIL LEAKS ON THE MOTOR, NO OIL LEAKS IN MY DRIVEWAY OR ANYTHING. HOW DOES A VEHICLE THAT IS SERVICED REGULARLY ALL OF A SUDDEN SEIZE UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHAT SO EVER? I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE THAT INDICATES KIA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2011-2014 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. HOWEVER, WHEN I LOOK UP THE SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER FOR MY VEHICLE IT SAYS I DON'T HAVE ANY CURRENT RECALLS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM A KIA DEALER AND DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT HAD I KNOWN THAT THE MOTOR WOULD SEIZE UP ONLY 8 YEARS LATER. I EXPECT AN ENGINE FROM KIA TO LAST LONGER THAN 8 YEARS. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WASN'T TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SAD KIA CUSTOMER. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 11, 2020
THERE IS METAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS NO SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THE ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Engine, Jun 11, 2020
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT WOULDN'T GO PAST 40 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH AND COMPLETELY STOPPED AND TURNED OFF AT A STOP SIGN. IT DID NOT WANT TO START ANYMORE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEE JOHNSON KIA (11845 NORTH EAST 85TH STREET KIRKLAND, WA 98033, (425)827-0521, TO BE INSPECTED. THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Jun 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAFFORD KIA OF FREDERICKSBURG (5204 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, (540)-891-7400. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE CODE AT THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AT THE SAME DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). AS PART OF THE RECALL REPAIR THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE WAS INSPECTED BUT WAS NOT REPLACED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN FOUND NO FAILURE WITH THE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PIPE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,227. *LN*JB
Engine, Jun 3, 2020
AS I WAS DRIVING 45MPH, I HEARD A RIDDLING NOISE. AFTER HEARING THE NOISE I SAW MY MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS BLINKING SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS THE NOISE. AS I WAS SEARCHING I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING HOT OR NEEDED OIL SO I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. I WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO START AGAIN, STILL NOISE AND LIGHT BLINKING. OVER THE TIME THE NOISE GROW LOUDER AND LOUDER EACH TIME I TURN THE CAR ON.TRIED TO DRIVE BACK TOO SAFE AREA, THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO PULL LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. PULL OVER IN A LOT TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICKUP TO RETURN HOME. NEXT DAY BEFORE TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP I TURNED THE CAR ON TO SEE IS ANYTHING HAD CHANGED. THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE NOISE WAS LOUDER BUT THIS TIME THE CAR CUT OFF BY ITSELF. IT ALSO HAD LOST POWER AFTER A FEW SEC OF HAVING IT ON. WHILE IT WAS ON THE MOST IT WOULD DO WAS 20MPH. SO I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL ANYMORE. TOOK TO NEARBY REPAIR SHOP STATED IT NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. GOT A SECOND OPINION TO SAY THE SAME. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR SIX MONTHS!! *TR
Engine, Jun 3, 2020
KIA REPLACED A BLOWN ENGINE IN 2017 ON RECALL. FROM THE BEGINNING I NOTICED IT FELT DIFFERENT. IT GOES THROUGH OIL , BUT DOESN'T LEAK ANYWHERE. WHEN I TAKE OFF AFTER ITS SAT FOR A WHILE A BIG CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED IT AND SAID IT WAS ("BURNING OIL IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER") . THE ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 40000 MILES ON IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE BLEW UP, I ALMOST CAUSED A GIANT ACCIDENT! NOW THE CAR IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT WORTHLESS AS WELL. I HAVE KEPT ALL DOCUMENTS ON THE CAR, OIL CHANGES, PARTS & REPAIRS, RECALLS, ETC. *TR
Engine, Jun 1, 2020
RECENTLY WHEN DRIVING I'VE HEARD A PRONOUNCED "KNOCKING" NOISE COMING FROM MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT CAN ALSO BE HEARD AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL. I WAS AWARE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT HAD BEEN PLACED ON MY ENGINE BECAUSE OF IT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A KIA SERVICE CENTER FOR THEM TO RUN THE AUDIO TEST REQUIRED BY THE RECALL. ALTHOUGH THEY ADMITTED THAT THE KNOCKING WAS COMING FROM THE ISSUE STATED IN THE RECALL, THEY SAID IT WAS STILL "IN SPEC" AND IT WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH YET TO WARRANT REPLACING THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THEY ALSO MENTIONED TO BRING IN THE CAR AGAIN IF IT GOT WORSE. JUST A FEW DAYS LATER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE KNOCKING WAS SO LOUD I COULD NOT HEAR MY RADIO. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND I ALSO DON'T BELIEVE I WILL BE ABLE TO SELL IT IN THIS CONDITION. IF KIA IS ADMITTING FAULT WITH THE ENGINE ISSUE, WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR? IS THIS SAFE? IF THEY ARE WAITING FOR IT TO FAIL BEFORE REPLACING IT, I COULD HAVE MY ENGINE SEIZE ON THE HIGHWAY OR CATCH FIRE BASED ON WHAT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS TARGETED AT. *TR
Engine, May 23, 2020
THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL EXTREMELY I CAN GET A OIL CHANCE AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT I'M SO FEW MILES MY OIL STICK IS ON LOW AND THE CAR IS MAKING A TICKING NOISE LIKE IT'S TRYING TO COOL OFF EVERYTIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING. *TR
Engine, May 16, 2020
ENGINE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE WITH CHILDREN. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON BUT IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. WOULD NOT RE START AFTER POWERING OFF. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITH THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE BRAKE LAMPS OFF, WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 7, 2020
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.
Engine, May 4, 2020
WHILE ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ROTATE. COULD NOT JUMP START. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THERE WERE NO PRE-EXISTING AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. INITIAL INSPECTION HAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE SEIZED. VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE IS 132,720. LAST OIL & FILTER CHANGE PERFORMED AT 130,330. NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IS NOT DUE UNTIL 134,330. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALER AND ALSO TO KIA MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH HAVE INFORMED ME THAT YES, THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY ON THIS VEHICLE'S ENGINE FOR THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF FAILURE, SC147. HOWEVER, SINCE THE RECALL TEST PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED AND PASSED OVER 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THEY WILL NOT REOPEN THE RECALL INSPECTION FOR THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. RECALL SC147 IS AN ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION FOR RESTRICTED OIL FLOW TO THE BEARINGS BY METAL DEBRIS IN THE CRANKSHAFT'S OIL PASSAGES. IS IT NOT POSSIBLE THAT THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME EVEN AFTER A NOISE CHECK IS CONDUCTED? THE ENGINE MAY NOT HAVE MADE NOISE AT THE PREVIOUS TEST BUT IT IS NOW SEIZED WITHOUT ANY OTHER INDICATIONS OF FAILURE. I SEE ON KIA FORUMS THAT HAVING THE ENGINE FAIL IS NOT UNCOMMON EVEN AFTER THE RECALL INSPECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED. WHY IS THIS A ONE TIME INSPECTION AND NOT RECURRING AT CALENDAR AND MILEAGE INTERVALS? SINCE KIA IS UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, I AM HAVING THE ENGINE REPLACED BY MY LOCAL MAINTENANCE PROVIDER. IS THERE ANY COURSE OF ACTION FOR REIMBURSEMENT AGAINST KIA ON THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT?
Steering, Apr 30, 2020
MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLANKING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT, RIGHT, OR EVEN GO OVER BUMPS. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE REVIEWS ON PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS RELEASED! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CAN CAUSE CAR ACCIDENTS. PEOPLE CAN LOSE LIVES OVER THIS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
Engine, Apr 8, 2020
CODE P1326 CAME UP INDICATING VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE OR A KNOCK SENSOR OR AND ENGINE BEARING IS ABOUT TO NEED REPLACING
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
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.
Engine, Mar 11, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I'VE NEVER MISSED AN OIL CHANGE AND ALL WORK PREFORMED HAS ALWAYS BEEN DONE AT DEALERSHIP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED KIA AND THEY TOLD THEM THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. KIA TOLD THEM TO NOT INVESTIGATE IN THE ENGINE, JUST REPLACE THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY WILL LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH NEW ENGINE WILL COST. MY ENGINE(2.4L) FALLS UNDER THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT GOING ON, BUT MY CAR IS NOT BEING RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS A HYBRID. I DRIVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 10, 2020
THERE'S A RECALL ON LOW PRESSURE FUEL HOSE DEFECT FOR 2013 AND 2014 KIA OPTIMA (KIA RECALL #SC187) BUT MY 2012 ALSO HAS SIMILAR FUEL SMELL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO KIA OF IRVINE (CA) FOR DIAGNOSIS ON MARCH 7, 2020 AND WAS TOLD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR TO FUEL PUMP IS MISSING A SMALL TAB AND MAY NEED REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SINCE I RECENTLY REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET MYSELF WHICH WOULD INVOLVE DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP, THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LINE MISSING TAB. BUT THE ISSUE IS THERE WAS NO FUEL SMELL AFTER I REPLACED THE GASKET. THE SMELL WAS RIGHT AFTER THEY REPLACED THE TURBO WHICH ALSO INVOLVED DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE FUEL LINE TO FUEL PUMP. INTERESTINGLY, THERE'S ANOTHER SIMILAR RECALL (KIA RECALL #SC172) WHERE IT INVLOVE KIA'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN DAMAGING THE SAME FUEL LINE AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT WORK ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES. THE FACT THAT KIA HAS HAD RECALLS DUE TO FUEL ODOR ON SAME MAKE/ MODEL, AND THE FUEL SMELL WAS AFTER THEY SERVICED MY VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VEHICLES FUEL LINE ISSUE. FURTHERMORE KIA SHOULD TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AS THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY SPARK FIRE. PLEASE HELP!
Power train, Mar 8, 2020
I STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED TO PUT THE SHIFT LEVER TO PARK, THE CAR INDICATED THAT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS STUCK IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART BUT IT WOULD NOT BECAUSE THE CAR THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. I COULD NOT MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK WITHOUT USE THE SHIFT UNLOCK. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAME DETACHED FROM THE SHIFTER LEVER. IT APPEARS THAT A PLASTIC RETAINER DISINTEGRATED.