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, Oct 6, 2016
BACK IN DECEMBER, WHILE DRIVING A 2012 KIA OPTIMA LX, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ALL OF THE CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE WAS NO TAPPING COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNTIL THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE, LOW OIL, FUEL ETC ALL CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF A BUSY ROAD. I COULD NOT START THE CAR BACK UP. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY STATED THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS SLUDGE. I KNEW THAT I HAD MAINTAINED UPKEEP ON THE CAR. THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WARRANTY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL GARAGE. THERE I HAD A USED ENGINE INSTALLED IN MY CAR FOR A TOTAL COST OF $4,300. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. IN APRIL I RECEIVED A NOTICE/RECALL IN THE MAIL FROM KIA STATING THAT THERE WAS A ROD IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP AND SHUT DOWN TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE MY CAR TO GET THAT REPLACED. I HAD ALREADY PUT A USED ENGINE IN. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO SEND ALL DOCUMENTATION TO KIA FOR PROOF OF AN ENGINE INSTALLED AND ALL LABOR AND COSTS DONE TO MY CAR OUT OF MY WALLET AND I WOULD GET REIMBURSED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT EXCUSES AND REASONS WHY I SHOULDN'T BE RECEIVING A REIMBURSEMENT. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON I NEED TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION BUT I PROVIDED A HIGHLIGHTED CHECKING ACCOUNT STATEMENT FOR PROOF OF PURCHASE OF THE ENGINE, INSTALL OF THE ENGINE, INSPECTION AND EMISSIONS, PROOF OF PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AND TOWING RECORDS. THE LETTER FROM KIA CLEARLY STATES THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT REPAIRED BY THEM AND NOT ON MY OWN DIME. UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO TAKE OUT A LOAN FOR THE ENGINE AND INSTALL AND HAD NO VEHICLE UNTIL MID FEBRUARY WHEN THE USED ENGINE I ORDERED WAS INSTALLED. I STILL TO THIS DAY AM TOLD I WILL NOT RECEIVE MY REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUOUSLY CALL KIA, ONLY TO BE HUNG UP ON EACH TIME.
Structure, Oct 5, 2016
WE WERE ON THE WANTAGH PKWY AS USUAL THEN WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE TIRED HAD BLOWN. WHEN ARRIVING HOME WE NOTICE THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED AND ALL THE GLASS WAS INSIDE OF THE ROOF. THANK GOD THROUGH OUR INSURANCE IT WAS FIXED AND REPLACED.....WE HATE TO THINK THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. IF IT DOES KIA NEED TO FIX AND REPLACE IT.
Steering, Oct 1, 2016
THERE AN AWFUL CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TURN OR HIT A BUMP/CROSS TRACKS..BEEN TOLD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FLEXIBLE COUPLING INSIDE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS CAR ONLY HAS 100600. MILES IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IN CITY OR OTHER HIGHWAYS
Steering, Sep 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND MAKING A TURNS STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD THUNK. WHEN PARKING WHETHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT CAR MAKES LOUD THUNK. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FLEX COUPLING.
Power train, Engine, Sep 23, 2016
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE SHOP MAINTAINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO APPARENT IMPROPER OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY, TOO, WERE UNABLE TO MANUALLY TURN THE ENGINE OVER. KIA SERVICE CENTER REMOVED THE VALVE COVER AND FOUND HEAVY SLUDGE BUILT UP IN ENGINE CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND LOCK UP. KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA DENIED CLAIM DUE TO LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, HYUNDAI SONATA ENGINES WERE RECALLED DUE TO METALLIC DEBRIS IN ENGINE WHICH RESTRICTED OIL FLOW AND PRESENTED THE SAME MANIFESTATIONS OF ENGINE SLUDGE. KIA OPTIMA SEDANS WERE BUILT USING ENGINES MANUFACTURED AT THE PLANT CITED IN THE HYUNDAI RECALL.
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.
Engine, Sep 19, 2016
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD AN ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE AND WITH NO WARNING, MY 2012 OPTIMA STALLED WHILE BEING OPERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE ENTIRE INDICATOR PANEL LIT UP. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN LESS THAN ONE MINUTE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER, BUT I COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT. MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER IN WENATCHEE, WA. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF FRACTURED ROD BEARINGS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN 2014 AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WAS UNEXPECTED. RECORDS SHOW ROUTINE MAINTENANCE EVERY 3,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF AN ENGINE OIL DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN CONCEALED BY KIA.
Engine, Sep 7, 2016
CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 3 TO 5000 MILES. CAR WAS NOT GIVING ANY ISSUES UNTIL TWO DAYS AGO WHEN THE ENGIN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS KNOCKING LOUDLY, SPUTTERING AND SQUEALING. WE TOWED IT TO A KIA DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AND FULL OF SLUDGE. THEY WON'T HONOR THE WARRANTY SINCE WE CAN'T PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE OIL CHANGE RECEIPT SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE DID PROVIDE WHAT WE COULD AS WE LIVED IN A FEW STATES WITH THE CAR AND DIDN'T ALWAYS USE THE SAME SHOP. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT AND WARNING LIGHTS.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2016, fire
THE CARE STALED AT LOW SPEED PULLED OVER SIDE OF ROAD AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE, OPENED THE HOOD AND FIRE HAD STARTED AT FRONT TOP OF ENGINE UNDER THE AIR CLEANER, SOME WARE, HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED IT.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2016, fire
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND CAR SHUT DOWN. CHECKED UNDER HOOD WHICH HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT. GROUND WIRE WAS MELTED. OFFICER WAS CONTACTED AND HELPED PUSH CAR TO SAFETY. TOW COMPANY WAS CALLED AND CAR WAS LOADED WE ROAD WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. HALF WAY TO DESTINATION, THE CAR WAS SMOKING HEAVILY. WE PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES. WE USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND THE FLAMES GOT WORSE. CAR BURNED WITH TOTAL LOSS. TOW TRUCK PARTIALLY BURNED. ..UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF *TR
Engine, Aug 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Steering, Aug 15, 2016
GEAR OR BEARING DEFECTIVE IN STEERING COLUMN .EXCESSIVE MOTION , PLAY AND NOISE WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE . CONTACTED DEALER BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM . DEALER SERVICE DEPT. QUOTED REPAIR TO BE APPROXIMATELY 300 DOLLARS . WHEN IS KIA GOING TO RECALL VEHICLES WITH THIS MALFUNCTION ?
Steering, Aug 12, 2016
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET A OIL CHANGE AND THE GUY THAT WAS MOVING THE CAR WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT THE STEERING. HE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO GET IT SERVICED AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP ASAP. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE CLICKING AND WHEN I HIT A SMALL DIP OR POTHOLE IN THE ROAD IT CLICKS AND SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS COMING OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE WHICH I THINK IS CRAZY. I COULD SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I DID I WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT REPAIR. HOWEVER THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'M REALLY THINKING ABOUT TRADING IN THIS VEHICLE AND MOVING ON TO SOMEONE WHO DOES TAKE CARE OF THEIR CARS AND CUSTOMERS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS.
Steering, Aug 12, 2016
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, RATTLES, AND CLICKS WHEN TURNING. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. GOING OVER ANY THING THAT IS NOT LEVEL (EX. RAILROAD TRACKS, SPEED BUMPS ETC) CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO RATTLE AND SHAKE ALSO EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT SPEEDING. IT WILL OCCUR IN MOTION AND EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, AND OFF. I AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THIS ISSUE IS OR WHAT REALLY CAUSED IT.
Steering, Engine, Aug 10, 2016, fire
WHEN U DRIVING IT . U CAN HERE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAD THE OIL LIGHT TO POP ON WHILE DRIVING ON THR FREEWAY PUT OVER. PUT SOME OIL IN IT. THEN THAT NIGHT TRYING TO CRANK IT & IT STARTED TO SMOKE & CAUGHT A FIRE.
Steering, Aug 7, 2016
LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING WHILE DRIVING, HARD TO TURN AT TIMES AND VERY LOUD RATTLING WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS. MY DAUGHTER USES THIS CAR DUE TO BETTER GAS MILAGE THAN HERS TO GO TO COLLEGE SOMETIMES AND I ALSO CARRY MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE NOW AND THOUGHT I PURCHASED A SAFE CAR ALL AROUND BUT BEING THAT NOTHING IS GETTING DONE ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE I AM CONCERNED. I WOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED A KIA TO ANYONE TILL NOW AND NOW JUST NOT SURE.
Engine, Aug 3, 2016
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AND IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED A FEW TIMES AND THAT WAS IT. THE CAR HAD 75,000 MILES WITH 30,000 PUT ON WITHIN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED IT.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 2, 2016, fire
2012 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH & WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE/BRAKE. RECENTLY WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE WITH NO ITEMS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ISSUE...UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF *TR
Steering, Aug 2, 2016
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING/POPPING SOUND EVERY TIME ITS MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, WHEN GOING OVER ANY SPEED BUMPS OR HOLES, VERY LOUD CLICKING AND TENSION FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS LIKE KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY FOR ABOUT 65 MILES BOTH WAYS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND PASSENGERS.
Engine, Aug 1, 2016
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN ENGINE AND WOULD NOT REPLACE, CALLED KIA WHO STATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GET ALL SERVICE RECORDS FROM DAY 1 OR THEY WOULD NOT COVER. I BROUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WHILE I HAVE MOST SERVICE RECORDS FROM 2013 ON, I DO NOT HAVE ANY FROM BEFORE THAT BECAUSE OUR HOUSE BURNT DOWN IN APRIL 2014, NOW ITS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND MY 2 CHOICES ARE, SAVE UP 5K WHILE STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR OR PAY FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE PAPER WEIGHT THAT DOESN'T EVEN FIT IN MY HOUSE. KIA IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF THEY DON'T TAKE ACTION!
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ROUGHLY 75 MPH, CAR STALLED. WOULD START UP BUT HEARD LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, WAS TOLD ENGINE ROD BLEW AT 71,560 MILES. CALLED KIA CORP OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE RECALL, KIA PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOWED IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY, WE CALLED TO GET A STATUS AND THE KIA IS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORD OF THE PHONE CALL AND NOW SAYING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME. CAR WAS PURCHASE LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO. NEW ENGINE IS ESTIMATED AT $6,000.
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
ENGINE CUT OFF PASSING SOMEONE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. ENGINE SEIZED WITH 110,000 MILES ON IT. TOWED IT TO DEALER. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED TIMELY. BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD PERFORMED ALL MAINTENANCE KIA IS REPLACING ENGINE. KIA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE THAT IS WHY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. HYUNDAI RECALLED THEIR CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY RENTAL CAR THERE WERE THREE RENTALS OUT FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS OR MY WIFE. I AM GLAD I WASN'T PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,935. UPDATED 09/30/16*LJ *CN
Steering, Suspension, Jul 23, 2016
AT 60K MILES, STEERING HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN, STEERING COLUMN IS LOUD AND MAKES A POPPING NOISE, AND NOW THERE IS SOME TYPE OF CLUNK IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT CAN BE HEARD WHEN STEERING ANGLE IS BEING ALTERED WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BRIDGING A BUMP. STEERING WHEEL STICKS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55MPH, AND THUS OVER-STEERING IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN TRACKING. DEALER INFORMS ME THAT SOME $4 PLASTIC GEAR NEEDS REPLACING SOMEWHERE, BUT THAT IT WILL BE $400 IN LABOR TO REPLACE, BUT THEY CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE REPLACING THIS PART WILL FIX THE ISSUE. WHAT A JOKE- THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST KIA/HYUNDAI PRODUCT.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER. CLOCK SPRING IS FAULTY AND NEEDS REPLACED. COST TO REPLACE IS $350 ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIP. I'VE READ THAT KIA HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ON PRIOR MODELS AND WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT. CAR ONLY HAS 74K MILES AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS CAR