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, Jul 18, 2016
2012 KIA OPTIMA LX ****(ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING)****THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS KIA WAITING FOR, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE TO RECALL THESE PROBLEMS!!!! THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD POPPING/KNOCKING NOISE, STICKS, PLAY/ VERY LOOSE WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT, WHILE DRIVING OR PARKING THE VEHICLE. HAVE TAKEN IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, TIE ROD AND FLEXIBLE COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED/ REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 242,000. HOWEVER, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2014, THE APPROXIMATELY MILEAGE WAS 208,412. JUST PRIOR TO THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STRICKLEY USED FOR FUEL TESTING/STUDIES ONLY, IN A CLIMATE CONTROL BUILDING, WHERE IT WAS ON A DINO MACHINE. THESE PROBLEMS NEED TO HAVE A RESOLUTION AND BE RECALLED ASAP.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2016
PURCHASED A USED 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON 5/18/15 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH CERTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR WAS SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGES AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS. THE LAST OIL CHANGE OCCURRED ON 5/24/2016 FOR WHICH I PROVIDED A JIFFY LUBE RECEIPT. THE ENGINE FAILED ON 7/4/2016 AT WHICH TIME THE CAR HAD 39,520 MILES. PRIOR TO THE OIL CHANGE ON 5/24/2016 I HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON 2/26/2016 FOR WHICH I PROVIDED A HAND WRITTEN RECEIPT AS THE GARAGE IS NOT A NATIONAL CHAIN AND DOESN'T HAVE COMPUTERIZED RECEIPTS. KIA MOTORS IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAID I DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT PROOF OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I PROVIDED THEM WITH THE PROOF I HAD REGULARLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT. THIS CAR SHUT OFF AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION. A NOTICE FLASHED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE WHICH I DID. THE CAR RESTARTED AND I DROVE ANOTHER 10 MILES AND IT CUT OFF AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART . I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A WARRANTY BULLETIN 2016-09 ON THIS ENGINE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO TEN YEARS 120,000 MILES . THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND ARE DENYING CUSTOMER'S WARRANTIES BY REJECTING PROOF OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE THUS NOT FULFILLING THEIR WARRANTY . THEY POSITION IS THE OIL WAS DARK BUT I LOOKED AT THE OIL AND ENGINE AND IT LOOKS FINE TO ME... IT'S DARK BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN NOT BECAUSE OF NEGLECT.
Steering, Jul 10, 2016
STEERING IS KNOCKING AND MAKING LOUD NOISES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. HAVE NOT YET TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS KIA HAS NOT ACTED ON THIS PROBLEM FOR A RESOLUTION.
Steering, Jul 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2016, crash
I AM AN OFFICER (OFF. [XXX]) WITH THE MADERA (CALIFORNIA) POLICE DEPARTMENT. I INVESTIGATED A TRAFFIC COLLISION WHERE THE DRIVER OF A 2012 KIA OPTIMA COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE GOING APPROX. 35 MPH. THE IMPACT SENT THE PARKED VEHICLE FORWARD APPROX. 3-4 FEET INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ALL 3 VEHICLE. THE KIA SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER / FENDER AREA AND SHEARED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OFF. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH FOR THE KIA TO ROLL OVER AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND RIM FROM GRINDING INTO THE ROADWAY. THE PARKED VEHICLE IT COLLIDED WITH SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR AND DRIVER'S SIDE AREA. WHEN IT WAS SHOVED FORWARD IT SUSTAINED MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BACK BUMPER OF THE SECOND PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS CENTRIFUGAL RIM MARKS FROM THE KIA AFTER IMPACTING WITH THE FIRST PARKED VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BROKEN FROM THE AXLE. THE KIA WAS HEADING N/B AND CAME TO REST IN AN ALMOST TOTAL E/B POSITION FROM THE COLLISION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH SUCH AN IMPACT AND DAMAGE SUSTAINED. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT AND DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET. THE REPORT # IS MADERA PD INCIDENT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jun 26, 2016
PLAY IN STEERING COLUMN MAKING A NOISE WHEN TURN STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT DEFECTIVE FLEX COUPLER
Steering, Jun 24, 2016
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS, SUCH AS A REFLECTOR IN THE ROAD, THIS IS DURING ANY SPEEDS.
Steering, Jun 21, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WE STARTED HEARING A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THERE ALSO HAS BEE SOME SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Engine, Jun 15, 2016
DRIVING APPROX. 45MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET, VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND A RATTLING NOISE BEGAN GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FINALLY ENGINE COMPLETELY CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER TO A SAFE AREA WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE TURNING LANE, THE CAR ROLLED TO A COMPLETE STOP. WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WITH ME, I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OVER TO PREVENT FROM BEING HIT DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING AND THE BACK END OF VEHICLE WAS STILL IN WAY OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ROD BEARINGS SEIZED UP AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE SHOULD NOT NEED ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Engine, Jun 13, 2016
DRIVING THE VEHICLE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN/OFF. THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPT HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 2 DAYS AND WEREN'T ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OR PROBLEM BUT NOTIFIED ME THAT I HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE. THEY CHANGED ALL FLUIDS AND RESET THE COMPUTER, SO THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN, BUT WHEN THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE TECH SAID IT STILL WASN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY. THEY SAID WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE FOR $7000, OR ELSE WE COULD JUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT QUIT RUNNING. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES WHILE TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE, AND VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE BUT THEN SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AGAIN. WE HAD PURCHASED THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE WAS AT 110,000 MILES. WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. AFTER RESEARCHING, WE REALIZED THAT THESE ARE THE SAME ENGINES AND SAME "METAL SHAVING" PROBLEMS THAT WERE FOUND IN THE HYUNDAI SONATAS, AND HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR VEHICLES UNDER 10 YRS/120,000MILES. KIA IS HAVING SAME PROBLEMS FROM THE ONLINE COMMENTS/REVIEWS, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED ANY RECALLS.
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 13, 2016
I HAVE SENT IN COMPLAINTS ON MY KIA MANY OF TIMES AND THE ONE JUST CAME OUT ABOUT THE LATCHES, MINE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE HAD THE MIDDLE PART OF MY GLASS CRACK THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND MORE BUT IT SEEMS I AM BEING OVER LOOKED ON MY CAR. I GUESS THE ONLY ACTION TO TAKE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA AMERICA. WHEN YOU HAVE THE PROOF THEY STILL DO NOT BELIEVE YOU.
Engine, Jun 5, 2016
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FROM A NICE VISIT WITH MY FAMILY AND WHEN I WAS ALMOST HOME I COULD HEAR CLICKING/TAPPING SOUND AND THE ENGINE STALLED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY RESTART AND GET TO THE SHOULDER. STARTED UP AGAIN AND TOOK OFF BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS LOSING POWER. I WAS CLOSE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS ABLE TO MILK IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION, THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS PAIRED WITH A TON OF COPPER ON THE VALVE TIMING SOLENOID. CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS ARE SHOT, CAUSING LOW OIL PRESSURE, STALLING AND ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. ENGINE IS TOAST! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS THIS: HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAIPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/SONATA-ENGINE- FAILURE. SAME ENGINE, SAME PROBLEMS AND HYUNDAI STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN MY VEHICLE. I TAKE IT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. I AM NOT AT FAULT. I WILL BE ESCALATING THIS TO THE NATIONAL TEAM AT KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO GET A CASE NUMBER AS I FEEL THEY NEED TO BE HELD LIABLE TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE.THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT'S SAD THAT KIA IS PUTTING THE BLAME ON THE CUSTOMERS INSTEAD OF TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FACTORY DEFECT. NO CAR WITH 111K MILES ON IT WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE SHOULD HAVE THE ENGINE JUST BLOW! KIA NOT ONLY PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER BUT THEY ALSO PUT MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE IN DANGER!! I'M LUCKY I WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE ON MEMORIAL WEEKEND OR THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE!! MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE OK, BUT I FEAR THE NEXT KIA OPTIMA THIS HAPPENS TO WILL NOT BE A GOOD OUTCOME. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTATED.
Engine, Jun 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER FOR NO REASON. GOT THE CAR JUMPED AND IT STARTED BUT WAS SLUGGISH. NO INDICATING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. DROVE THE CAR TO WORK FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS (APPROX 450 MILES) WITH NO ISSUES SO I THOUGH IT WEIRD BUT A FLUKE. TWO DAYS LATER APPROXIMATELY 2 BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP FOR A SPLIT SECOND (HEARD THE TIRES CHIRP) BUT KEPT ROLLING. THE CAR HAD NO POWER, ALL LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC STAYED ON BUT THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. I LET THE CAR COAST INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK IT. THE CAR STARTS FINE BUT THE ENGINE IS DEFINITELY SHOT. SOUNDS LIKE THE CONNECTOR RODS ARE BENT. LOUD KNOCKING AND SOMETIMES A SQUEAL THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL. CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS MINIMAL OIL BUT AGAIN NO INDICATING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 127,000 MILE BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED TO KIA SPECS. UPSIDE DOWN ON THE LOAN ALREADY WHICH I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IF THE CAR RAN. NOW I OWE ON A LOAN FOR A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE.
Steering, May 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS WEAR AND TEAR IN THE STEERING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,853.
Engine, May 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Steering, May 24, 2016
CLICKING NOISE AND PULLING WHEN I TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. SOUNDS LIKE MY STEERING WOULD COME APART. LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY UNSAFE. I DRIVE THE INTERSTATE TO WORK EVERYDAY AND I AM NORMALLY TRAVELING BETWEEN 70 AND 75. I FEAR MY CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH THE DEFECTIVE STEERING.
Steering, May 18, 2016
I HAVE HAD MY (2012) KIA OPTIMA SINCE 2012. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY HORRIBLE PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL ANY BUMPS BECAUSE WHEN YOU EVEN HIT A SMALL HOLE IN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ALSO CLICK AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK OR REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR OTHER THAN THE NORMAL OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATION, NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT, BRAKE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND TO BE TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKING IS SOMETHING THAT ISN'T COVERED OR THAT NO ONE IS LOOKING INTO FOR A RECALL IS SOMETHING I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I HAVE ALWAYS BACKED KIA AND EVEN BOUGHT 2 FOR MY KIDS, BUT NOW I AM STARTING TO WONDER ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE CAR. I HAVE READ 63 OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND STILL NOTHING FROM THE COMPANY WITH A RECALL. I GUESS IT TAKES SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THE STEERING. I COULD SEE IF IT WAS A INTERIOR LIGHT BUT WAKE UP PEOPLE THERE IS A STEERING PROBLEM. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF IT WAS YOU OR SOMEONE THAT'S CLOSE TO YOU IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS FAULTY STEERING AND SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM.
Engine, May 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO CYLINDERS HAD NO COMPRESSION AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN, YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2016
ON 5/13/16 I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR WITHOUT NOTICE AND GOT IN. AS OF THEN I NOTICED A LONG CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM RUNNING UPWARDS OVER HALF WAY AND OUT TO THE MIDDLE CRACKS. I CALLED THE POLICE TO GET A REPORT BUT THE OFFICER SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT FROM THE OUT SIDE AND TAKE IT TO KIA. I TOOK IT THERE AND I WAS TOLD I WAS HIT BY SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK OR BALL. THE MAN AT KIA SAID TAKE IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I TOOK IT THERE AND THE AGENT SAID IT WAS HIT BUT I HAD TO PAY $100.00 BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. A MAN FROM THE GLASS REPAIR CAME TO LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AND HE COULD TELL BETTER WHEN THE OLD ONE HAS BEEN REMOVED. HE CAME OUT ON 5/3/16 TO REPLACE IT AND HE SAID THAT WHOEVER TOLD ME THAT WINDOW WAS BROKEN ON THE OUTSIDE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. AFTER LOOKING AT IT VERY CLOSE HE SAID THAT WHAT BROKE IT AND MADE THE CRACKS WAS THE LAMINATED PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE TWO PIECES OF GLASS TOGETHER AND IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE GLASS. KIA ALWAYS TELLS ME WHEN I HAVE A PROBLEM, THAT IN NO WAY THE PROBLEMS WAS FROM KIA'S MAKING THE CAR. THIS IS MY THIRD PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR THAT THEY TELL ME THEY EITHER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM LIKE WITH THE TRUNK OPENING UP, THE BATTERY THEY REPLACED ON ME BY TAKING OUT ALMOST A NEW ONE AND REPLACING IT WITH A OLDER ONE. NOW I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $100.00 WHEN IT WAS NO ONES FAULT ABOUT THE GLASS BUT KIA BECAUSE I STILL HAVE SEVEN MONTHS WARRANTY LEFT ON THE GLASS AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO INSTALL A NEW ONE SO THEY COULD SAVE MONEY AND TIME AND KEEP PEOPLE THINKING THAT KIA IS NUMBER 1. THIS KIA WITH UNDER 19,000 MILES IS JUNK TO ME AND WITH SOME RECALLS ON THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THIS ONE, NOT BUT ONE SINGLE RECALL WAS EVER MADE BUT YOU DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE. ON THIS AND OTHER KIA'S THEY SHOULD MAKE KIA AMERICA REBUY ALL THOSE CARS.
Steering, May 14, 2016
WHILE STEERING AT SLOW AND HIGH SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD AND FELT. THE STEERING WHEEL OFTEN GETS STUCK AND REQUIRES ADDITIONAL FORCE TO GET IT TO MOVE. THE STEERING WHEELS SOMETIMES JERKS ITSELF AND OVERSTEERS IN THE DIRECTION I'M TURNING IT IN. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND WAS HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING ALL THE TIME.
Steering, May 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COUPLING WITHIN THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Engine, May 2, 2016
TRYING TO STATE A SHORT VERSION OF THIS BRUTAL SITUATION!! PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 60,000 MILES MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY HAS NOT REACHED 100,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE IS GONE. OF COURSE KIA WILL NOT FIX MY CAR I WOE $24,000 ON.
Engine, Apr 28, 2016
AT 60,100 MILES THE ENGINE FAILED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DENIED IT ALONG WITH KIA CORPORATE. PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. MAINTAINED TO KIA STANDARDS AS WELL WITH OIL CHANGES. WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE OIL WAS FINE AND NOTHING SEEMED WRONG OR AMISS WITH THE OIL IN THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE MY ENGINE BLEW. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN IT MADE A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AS THE SECOND OWNER. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS.
Engine, Apr 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPX 60MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ON US, AND ALL OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON-FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. THERE WAS NO KNOCKING SOUND PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING (WE FOUND OUT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP) AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO OUR KIA DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED, BUT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. AFTER READING MULTIPLE STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE KIA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2016
I OWN A 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON APRIL 5, 2016 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. AT THE TIME I WAS DRIVING ON CLINE AVENUE (912). I WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL. THERE WERE NO CAR AROUND ME TO HIT ME THERE WAS NO FALLING DEBRIS FROM ANYWHERE. I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND WHEN I LOOKED UP I SAW MY SUNROOF WITH A HUGE HOLE AND TWO MORE LOUD POPS CAME AFTER THAT. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE CONTACTED KIA USA THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANYWHERE WITH THEM. THEY HAVE NOT OWNED UP TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN THEIR VEHICLES (2011 -2015). I DISCOVERED THIS WHILE RESEARCHING ON LINE. ONCE THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND WHERE I HAVE IT SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THEY HELD MY CAR FROM MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016 UNTIL FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016. NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO HOLD IT SO THEY COULD AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CAR. I HAVE GIVEN 3 DEPOSITIONS OVER THE PHONE TO KIA WITH A PROMISE THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME SOON. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAD TO GIVE THE DEALER SHIP A DEPOSIT SO THEY COULD ORDER THE GLASS TO FIX THE SUNROOF. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST $440.00 FOR THE CLASS AND $80.00 DOLLARS LABOR. THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH, BUT TO ME IT IS AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN I WAS DOING MY RESEARCH ON-LINE I FOUND ARTICLE OF OTHERS CAR MAKERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER GLASS AND SINCE THE TOTAL COST IS $520 AND MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE IS $500. SO THIS IS MONEY I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET AND PRESENTLY I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A PIECE OF PLASTIC FOR A ROOF.