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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2019
ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I WENT TO PUMP GAS AND IT IS SPITTING THE GAS BACK AT ME, I ONLY GOT TO PUT IN LIKE $1.80. WENT TO ANOTHER GAS STATION, SAME THING, IT WILL NOT LET ME PUMP GAS INTO IT. I TRY THE NEXT DAY AND I GET A LITTLE BIT OVER $2.00. I CALLED KIA, TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP AND A CANISTER, WITH LABOR COST ME $1436.76. MY DAUGHTER GETS GAS THE FIRST TWO TIMES AFTER THIS SERVICE AND LETS ME KNOW IT IS STILL SPITTING OUT GAS TOWARDS THE END OF FILLING UP. SO THE NEXT TIME (WHICH WAS A MONTH AFTER SERVICE) I GO TO FILL THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY IT KICKS THE GAS BACK OUT. I TRY PUMPING LIKE A SECOND OR TWO SECONDS OF GAS AT A TIME, THE GAS IS BUBBLES UP AND IT LITERALLY TAKES ME ALMOST 20 MINUTES TO PUMP $27 IN THE TANK. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THE KIA STORE AFTER GAS TRIP NUMBER TWO AND HE THEN SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE THEY CAN DO BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS NEW. SO AT THIS POINT I FEEL HELPLESS!! AND I AM NOT SELLING THIS CAR TO GET OUT OF IT TO BURDEN SOMEONE ELSE. I ALREADY SEE THINGS ONLINE THAT SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME JUST DRIVING THIS KIA WITH OTHER ISSUES REPORTED. NOW I HAVE A FUEL ISSUE, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A SINGLE DAUGHTER AND WE CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Engine, Jan 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. CONTACT NOTICED CAR WAS MAKING A WEIRD SOUND, CONSUMER'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED EVERY TIME CONTACT PRESSED THE GAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS SERVICED FOR PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WITHIN WEEKS OF THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS IN A LIMP MODE AND IT FAILED TO OPERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHAKER'S KIA (1230 MAIN ST, WATERTOWN, CT 06795, (860) 417-0900) WHERE IT REMAINED FOR OVER A MONTH. THE DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED BY THE CONTACT AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH OLD ENGINE COMPONENTS LIKE THE SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ETC. THE DEALER ADVISED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRING PENS WERE WET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT '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).'*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 22, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN UNION NJ ON SEPTEMBER 25 2018. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY NEXT PASSENGER DOING UBER. WHEN I GET TO THE STOP LIGHT LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM THE CUSTOMER I START SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I ACCELERATE THE CAR SO I CAN LOOK FOR A SAFE SPOT TO GET OUT AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I TOOK A RIGHT INTO THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE VEHICLE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE! THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICER MINUTES WITHIN THE CAR CATCHING ON FIRE AND CALLED THE FIREFIGHTERS. POLICE CALLED BACK UP AND ANOTHER PATROL OFFICER CAME. FIREFIGHTERS CAME IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND TURNED THE FIRE OFF. THE VEHICLE IN TOTALED, EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE BAY BURNED. THE POLICE CALLED A TOWING COMPANY AND SETON TOWING INC CAME AND TOOK THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 18, 2019
I'VE BEEN MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EX SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2014 LIKE CLOCKWORK. LAST MONTH, I EXPERIENCED ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY ROADS AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE GAS PEDAL. I FRANTICALLY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN TRIED TO START IT, ONLY TO BE MET WITH A WEIRD SOUND AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM THE HOOD. MY STARTER WAS FRIED, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND WHEN HE CHANGED THE STARTER, THE NEW STARTER BURNED AGAIN AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LOCKED UP/SEIZED. AFTER FINDING OUT A RECALL (SC147) WAS ACTIVE AT THE TIME, I CALLED KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE ISSUES AFTER CONFIRMING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. ONCE I PICKED MY CAR UP, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STARTING UP IN AN ODD MANNER BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ABOUT 3-4 DAYS LATER, MY CAR DID THE EXACT SAME THING AS THE FIRST TIME (SAME SMELL, SOUND, AND SMOKE CLOUD BUT LUCKILY I WAS PARKED AT THE TIME). I ASSUMED THE STARTER WOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL SINCE IT BROKE DOWN THE EXACT SAME TIME AS THE RECALLED ENGINE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO KIA, WHO TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR A NEW STARTER EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE RECALL CAUSED IT TO BURN UP IN THE FIRST PLACE AND IS CONSIDERED A COMPONENT OF THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AGAIN AND THE CASE WAS GIVEN TO AN ESCALATION MANAGER. I HAD TO SPEAK TO ABOUT 8 DIFFERENT AGENTS AND PUT AN EMAIL IN ACTION TO HER SUPERVISOR TO GET HER TO EVEN CONTACT ME ON THIS ISSUE. IT TOOK HER ALMOST A FULL MONTH TO CONTACT AND TELL ME KIA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STARTER. I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE I'VE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY STARTER UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILED. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET KIA TO SEE WHO IS REALLY AT FAULT. MY MECHANIC ALSO STATED THIS IS THE 1ST TIME HE'S EVER SEEN THOSE 2 PARTS BREAK SIMULTANEOUSLY.
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.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2019, crash
TRAVELING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, APPROACHED SLOWING/STOPPED TRAFFIC. ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT ROADWAY WAS SLIPPERY, ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE HAD TO RESORT TO PUMPING BRAKES AND STEERING TO AVOID ACCIDENT. WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. NON OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COMPARTMENT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY COLLAPSED.
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING COLUMN GETS STUCK AND CLICKS.IT PREVENTS YOU FROM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKES IT UNSAFE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL.IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
Engine, Jan 7, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED INVESTIGATION NUMBER: DP18003. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Engine, Jan 6, 2019, fire
I HAVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE ENGINE RECALL THE DEALER SAID IT PASSED NO NEED TO FIX. A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR GAUGES WENT CRAZY AND ENGINE SEIZED. I SAW SMOKE AND POPPED THE HOOD. I THAN SAW A FIRE IGNITE INSIDE THE ENGINE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE WHOLE FRONT END OF CAR WAS BURNT UP. I SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH KIA VEHICLES STARTING ON FIRE FOR NO REASON.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2019
LOCKED OUT OF CAR AUTOMATICALLY WHILE KEY IS IN THE CAR ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE (JULY 2018), I WAS EN ROUTE AND STOPPED BRIEFLY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING WHILE THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE CAR. AS SOON AS I CLOSED THE DOOR, THE CAR DOORS LOCKED ME OUT AUTOMATICALLY. THIS WAS INCONVENIENT AND CAUSED MUCH DISTRESS BECAUSE I WAS AWAY FROM HOME PICKING UP MY INFANT CHILD FROM PRESCHOOL, AND DID NOT HAVE THE SECOND KEY AVAILABLE. THIS WAS ALSO EMBARRASSING AS MY PHONE ALSO WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IN THE SECOND INSTANCE (DECEMBER 2018), I USED THE REMOTE START TO START THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER I PUT MY INFANT CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT AND CLOSED THE DOOR, THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF AND ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. MY KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR WITH MY CHILD. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AND IT WAS COLDER THAN 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD TO WAIT OVER 30 MINUTES TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS NOT JUST CONCERNING, IT IS NEGLIGENT FOR THE MANUFACTURERS OF THIS CAR TO PUT UNSUSPECTING CAR OWNERS IN THIS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE POSITION. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I THOUGHT WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND MANY ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS SIMILAR TO MINE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME OWNER AWARENESS ISSUED ON HOW TO RECTIFY THIS AND RESOLVING THIS ALL TOGETHER.
Steering, Air bags, Engine, Dec 18, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL"WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. I'VE HAD PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME THING SINCE 2012, FIRST THE STRING IT WOULD PULL LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVE STRAIGHT. KIA SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM,NOW MY RACK AND PINION IS BROKEN,AND THAT'S BECAUSE KIA REFUSE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM BACK IN 2012 WITH THE STRING. KIA SENT US A SETTLEMENT LETTER , WHICH STATES THEY WILL PAID US $531.95 BY MEANS OF A CHECK, IT STATES IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT THIS SETTLEMENT IS A COMPROMISE OF DISPUTED CLAIMS AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, AN ADMISSION OF LIABILITY ON THE PART OF KIA. WE DID NOT SING THAT LETTER BECAUSE KIA CARS ARE NO GOOD! AND THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS SINCE THAT LETTER WAS SENT. THEY TRIED TO BLACK MAIL US WE DIDN'T FALL FOR THE SCAM. THE COMPANY KNOW THIS CAR IS NO GOOD. IF YOU NEED THAT LETTER SENT TO YOU I CAN DO THAT TO. SOMEONE COULD DIE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ITS DANGEROUS,I WORK IN THE MOUNTAINS THIS PROBLEM NEEDS FIXING NOW NOT LATER NOW!!!. SINCERELY, NEED THIS PROBLEM FIX *TR
Engine, Dec 18, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
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
Engine, Dec 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PALM SPRINGS KIA (LOCATED AT 68130 KYLE RD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (760) 844-7200) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,725.
Engine, Dec 12, 2018, fire
ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2018, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE KIA OPTIMA 2012 FROM SAN ANTONIO TO HOUSTON ON I-10 E. AT 4:15 PM CST, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND MULTIPLE OTHER LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON IN THE DISPLAY AND THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP BEFORE EXIT 591 (SCHERTZ). SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT TO THE RIGHT-SIDE CURB OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE CAR WAS SLOWING AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. SHE TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES, IT WOULD NOT START, AND SHE QUICKLY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT HOOD SO SHE IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN CALLED 911 AS THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND A FEW NEARBY DRIVERS HELPED HER QUICKLY GET AS MUCH OF HER STUFF FROM THE CAR AS POSSIBLE. THEN THEY ALL MOVED ACROSS TO A SAFE PLACE AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE (BY 4:25 PM). SEE PICTURES ATTACHED. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND BLOCKED THE HIGHWAY AND AFTER A WHILE THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED. IT TOOK SOME TIME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AS THEY WERE WAITING UNTIL THE HALF TANK OF GAS COMPLETELY BURNED. I HAD A FEW RECALL LETTERS FROM KIA, SO I HAD TAKEN THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 30TH TO THE DEALERSHIP IN CONROE (COWBOY KIA) AND THEY TOOK CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS ' A TOTAL OF 3 ITEMS INCLUDING THE ACU WIRING EXTENSION INSTALLATION. THE DEALER ALSO DID A MULTI-POINT FREE INSPECTION AND REPORTED EVERYTHING WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE CAR HAD AROUND 54,000 MILES. I ALSO HAD AN OIL CHANGE RECENTLY ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2018.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 12, 2018, fire
ON DECEMBER 9, 2018, I ATTENDED MY SON'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT ON A COLD SUNDAY AFTERNOON (APPROX. 30 DEGREES). DURING HALF-TIME I DECIDED TO SIT IN MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA TO WARM UP. AFTER 10 MINUTES OR SO, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE THE SMELL OF A BURNING ENGINE. I THEN NOTICED GREYISH BLACKISH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHICH QUICKLY TURNED INTO FLAMES. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT MY CAR OFF AND BARELY EXITED THE VEHICLE IN TIME. THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR, DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL AND HOOD WAS ON FIRE. WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES, MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I GOT A BRAND NEW ENGINE (SO THEY SAY) INSTALLED BY KIA JUST 8 MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BAD AND PART OF A RECALL. THEY ORDERED THE ENGINE AND HAD IT INSTALLED IN A MATTER OF DAYS. ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS JUST 8 MONTHS AGO!! I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE HOWEVER, DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGES, WE MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT THE TRUE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS IS WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME. KIA NEEDS TO GIVE ME AND THE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF TRAUMA SOME ANSWERS AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND HOW THEY PLAN TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION! THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SIT IN MY CAR IN 30 DEGREE TEMPERATURES FOR HOURS IF I WANTED WITHOUT IT GOING INTO FLAMES. I AM PLEADING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW
Engine, Dec 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Steering, Dec 7, 2018
STEERING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNRESPONSIVE, INCREASING ROTATIONAL OF PLAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. INITIALLY NOTICED JULY 2017 BUT HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE DELAYED RESPONSE OF THE STEERING WHEEL MADE IT DIFFICULT TO AVOID A VEHICLE SWERVING INTO MY LANE.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF CHERRY HILL (1803 MARLTON PIKE W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (856) 471-1054) AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER FOUND OTHER FAILURES THAT WOULD HAVE COST THE CONTACT $8,500 TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE $8,500 WORTH OF REPAIRS WERE NOT ALL NEEDED AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, BUT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE AIR BAGS, BUT THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE WHY THE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,853.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2018
KIA OF SAVANNAH ON DECEMBER 3, 2018 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL 18V363 TO HAVE AN AIRBAG WIRE HARNESS INSTALLED PER THE RECALL. UPON ATTEMPTING TO PICK MY VEHICLE UP I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE HAD SHORTED, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $825.00. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE, ELISA FRANCE, THE AIRBAGS MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THE REPAIR WAS DONE. I ASKED HOW THE MODULE WENT BAD WHEN THEY WERE FIXING IT WITH THE NEW WIRE HARNESS AND WAS TOLD A "TECH" WOULD NEED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I ASKED FOR SERVICE MANAGER WHO WAS UNAVAILABLE. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE MODULE WASN'T UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY.AND I NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT IS: PRIOR TO THE RECALL MY AIRBAGS LIGHT WAS NOT ON. WE RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ANOTHER RECALL AND WAS NOT TOLD THE MODULE WAS BAD. BUT NOW, AFTER THE WIRE HARNESS RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS SUDDENLY BAD. FEELING THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, DUE TO THE AIRBAGS POSSIBLY NOT DEPLOYING, I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM A SERVICE MANAGER OR SERVICE TECH. TODAY MARKS DAY 4 THEY'VE HAD MY VEHICLE AND I'VE RECEIVED NO CALL.
Steering, Dec 5, 2018
STEERING IS LOOSE, CLICKS, WHEEL SHAKES WHILE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION
Engine, Nov 28, 2018
WASTE GATE ROD GOES OUT OF CORRECT SPECS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER ON VEHICLE. NOT ABLE TO ACCERLERATE FROM TAKE OFF WHILE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED
Engine, Nov 28, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Nov 26, 2018
MY 2012 OPTIMA POPS AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND IS HARDER TO TURN THEM NORMAL AND RATTLES OVER BUMPS. BASED OFF MY RESEARCH ONLINE IT'S A BAD CHEAP PLASTIC STEERING COUPLER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE AS WELL AS YOUTUBE VIDEOS ADDRESSING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE SOUL GOT RECALLED FOR. HERE IS JUST ONE LINK OF MANY VIDEOS I FOUND ON GOOGLE. HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/BMMVJLF2ZRO PLEASE GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED FOR THE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE $600 THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES TO REPLACE IT WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WEAR AND TEAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. I HOPE KIA CAN FIX THIS IN THE FUTURE AND FIX THE CARS OUT THERE THAT HAVE FAULTY STEERING WITH A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC, IT'S TO DANGEROUS TO CUT CORNERS WHEN IT COMES TO THE STEERING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IT'S A BIG PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THERE PRODUCTS. PLEASE RECALL SO THEY CAN CORRECT THIS TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND MAYBE SO THEY CHANGE THIS FOR THERE FUTURE VEHICLES. IT CLICKS WHILE MOVING AND STATIONARY AND SOMETIMES IS HARDER TO TURN THEN OTHERS WHICH IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW HARD YOU HAVE TO JERK THE WHEEL OR NOT.