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, Jan 10, 2016
URGENT: STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY STICKS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!!!!!!!!! I SEE THERE ARE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS!!! DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR THIS TO BECOME A RECALL ITEM ????
Steering, Jan 3, 2016
I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR SOME TIME NOW WHEN IT REACH 60,000 + MILES, I NOTICE THE CAR STEERING WOULD STICK WHEN SLIGHTLY TURN OR A FULL TURN. IT ALSO DRIFTS AND THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT . I HAD FRONT END LINE MEANT DONE. THAT DID NOT STOP THE NOISE OR STICKING STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING.
Steering, Dec 24, 2015
THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, AND IT MAKES IT HARD TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. THERE'S NO SMOOTHNESS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IT'S LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS IN INCREMENTS.
Engine, Dec 14, 2015
THE VEHICLE HIT 63,000 MILES DURING THIS INCIDENT. AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY AT 50MPH, I GOT THE VEHICLE TO 60MPH AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE FROZE AT 60MPH. THEN, THE RPM GAUGE DROPPED TO 0. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND BEFORE I GOT THE CAR OFF TO THE SHOULDER AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AT ALL AFTER IT CUT OUT. I THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DEEMED A NEW ENGINE AS THE CURRENT ENGINE BLEW.
Engine, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 02/10/16.*JB UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ UPDATED 05/03/18*JB
Steering, Dec 4, 2015
URGENT: FROM WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW, STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY STICKS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!!!!!!!!! I FILED A REPORT WITH NHTSA WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. I SEE THERE ARE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS!!! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB*JB
Steering, Nov 8, 2015
UNSAFE LOOSE STEERING. I FIRST NOTICED THIS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING ON I75 SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2012. THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT, WHEN CORRECTED, IT THEN PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR VICEVERSA. IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THIS CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES (DURING EVER SERVICE VISIT) THEIR RESPONSE IS ALWAYS THE SAME: "THE CAR IS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS, WE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT" I DISAGREE BUT COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TODAY, 3 YEARS LATER, IT'S WORSE, I HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. THIS SITUATION HAS ESCALATED TO SEVERE. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 24, 2015
WHEN CRANKING UP CAR ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE, THEN IF DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON IT OWN,ALSO THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GOES FROM BRIGHT TO DIM TO ALMOST NO DASH BOARD LIGHTS AT ALL, DRIVING
Steering, Oct 19, 2015
WANDERS OFF CENTER, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. WILL NOT STAY STRAIGHT. WEARS YOU OUT CONTINUALLY CORRECTING THE DRIFT OR WANDERING.
Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2015
JUST BOUGHT MY CAR THIS YEAR WITH 26350 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT GOT TO 30000 NEEDED NEW TIRES. THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TURN IT OFF. THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT AND IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS BROKE DOWN ON THE ROAD FOUR TIMES. TWICE I CALLED ROAD SIDE HELP THE OTHER TWO TIMES SOMEONE HAS HELPED ME. IT RUNS HOT BECAUSE IT IS BUBBLING IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN A HOUR. BOUGHT THE CAR FROM POWER OF BOWSER
Engine, Oct 8, 2015
METAL DEBRIS IN ENGINE OIL, SCORCH ENGINE- SAME ENGINE PROBLEM AS PARENT CO. HYUNDAI MOTOR RECALL. ON SONATA. A 2.4 LITER ENGINE., MANUFACTURED BEFORE APRIL 2012. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED ON FREEWAY DURING NORMAL USE.
Engine, Sep 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON I 95 ON OUR WAY HOME FROM FLORIDA. WE WERE PASSING FAYETTSVILLE ,NC WHEN MY CAR ENGINE MADE SOME KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BEFORE I CAN PULL TO THE SHOULDER, THE CAR STALLED,LOST POWER AT 70 MLS PER HR. WE WERE LUCKY NO ONE HIT US AS I WAS SLOWLY NAVIGATING TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTSVILLE,NC. THEY SAID ENGINE SEIZED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THE CAR HAS 71,000MLS BUT KIA DENIED MY WARRANTY CLAIM SO I END UP PAYING $5,700 FOR A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE.
Steering, Sep 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, AN ABNORMALLY LOUD CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Sep 12, 2015
MY ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK ,I TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALER SHIP AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS IT WAS SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER LOOSING TENION AND IDELER PULLEY BEARING .SAID THEY FIXED THESE PROBLEMS BUT I'M STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM,AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR.BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THE ONE I BOUGHT.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Sep 6, 2015, crash
EXITING HWY 71 EAST BOUND TO WOODWARD DECREASING SPEED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HAD A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF HER. I HAD A SAFE DISTANCE AND SLAMMED MY BRAKES. MY BRAKES DID NOT GRAB AS USUAL MY CAR DID NOT STOP AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TRULY BELIEVE MY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. I WILL TAKE MY CAR INTO KIA WHEN I GET IT BACK.
Steering, Aug 10, 2015
NOTICED IN OCTOBER 2014 THE CAR STARTED DRIFTING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. IT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW I'M HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD BY MY COWORKER WHO HAS A 2011 OPTIMA THAT HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A PLASTIC GEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD COST ROUGHLY $300 TO FIX. UPON RESEARCH WITH THIS ISSUE I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL OWNERS THAT SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH KIA KNOWS ABOUT. I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE BEFORE THIS ISSUE KILLS SOMEONE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2015
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT ON A SMALL STREET WHEN A VERY LOUD HISSING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM MY AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. AS I ACCELERATED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, THE HISSING NOISE GOT QUIETER, BUT AS I STOPPED AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION, IT GOT LOUDER. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND STOPPED, MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS NO LONGER BLOWING COLD. THE HEAT INDEX IS CURRENTLY WELL OVER 100 DEGREES HERE, SO DRIVING HOME WITH NO AIR COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO MANY, ESPECIALLY IF WE HAD TAKEN THE CAR OUT OF TOWN, AS WE WERE INTENDING TO DO JUST A FEW DAYS LATER. LUCKILY, I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME, SO I WAS ABLE TO ENDURE THE RIDE HOME, BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. AFTER RETURNING FROM MY OUT OF TOWN TRIP (FOR WHICH I HAD TO USE ANOTHER CAR), I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID ORIGINALLY THAT FIXING A BROKEN A/C WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEN HE RETURNED AND SAID A ROCK OR DEBRIS HAD PUT A HOLE IN MY CONDENSER, AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. INSTEAD, I WOULD NEED TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM OR PAY ALMOST $900. I EMPHASIZED THAT THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS SITTING STILL AT A SMALL INTERSECTION, NOT WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. HE CLAIMED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE IT COULD'VE HAPPENED EARLIER BUT WAS JUST THEN UNDER ENOUGH PRESSURE TO PUSH THROUGH THE HOLE. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF KIA OWNERS ONLINE WITH SUPPOSED "PUNCTURED COMPRESSORS" THAT COULDN'T SEE THE PUNCTURE OR COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHEN OR HOW IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, AND MANY IN CARS OWNED FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. KIA HAS BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SINCE AT LEAST 2011 AND REFUSED TO COVER IT IN THE WARRANTY. THIS COULD BE PREVENTED WITH A CHEAP WIRE MESH TO PROTECT THE COMPRESSOR, BUT THEY HAVE INSTEAD CHOSEN TO GET PAID $800+ EACH TIME IT HAPPENS AND LEAVE CUSTOMERS VULNERABLE TO BEING STRANDED IN 100+ DEGREE HEAT WITH NO A/C DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2015
I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING OF MY 2012 OPTIMA IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES,ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS PUTTING ON THE TIRES ,I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF A FIBER GEAR IN THE STEERING MOTOR THAT IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT IT WAS A WARRENTY PROBLEM AND WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE THERE IS A SMALL FIBER GEAR ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER THAT THE TEETH BREAK OFF OF AND WILL CAUSE A CLICKING THAT I HAD HERD AND COULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO LOCKUP. WHEN THE UNIT WAS TAKEN APART, THE GEAR HAD A LOT OF TEETH BROKEN OFF AND AFTER IT WAS REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FINE AGAIN WITH NO PLAY IN THE WHEEL I SAW NO RECALL OR WARNINGS BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 25000 MILE GIVE OR TAKE. THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THIS WITH OTHER OWNERS IT CAN BE REPAIRED AT NO COST ON A WARRENTY BASES
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE HOT SIDE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT CLAMP ON THE RADIATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY FITTED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2015
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON A FLAT, FRESHLY PAVED HIGHWAY WITH NO OVERPASSES OR OTHERS CARS NEARBY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD CRASH (SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT) OCCURRED RIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUNSHADE ON THE INTERIOR ROOF STARTED FLAPPING AROUND WILDLY IN THE WIND AND HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS STARTED RAINING ON MY WIFE AND MY HEAD AND BODY. THE SOUND AND FALLING GLASS WAS SO SUDDEN AND DISTRACTING THAT I NEARLY SWERVED OFF THE ROAD, BUT LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. AS MY HEART BEAT OUT OF MY CHEST, I QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CALM DOWN AND ASSESS WHAT HAD HAPPENED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT LOOKED LIKE THE SUNROOF HAD SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUTWARD FROM THE CABIN. WE HAVE NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT OCCURRED OTHER THAN THAT IT WAS A PRE-EXISTING MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHICH SOUNDS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER INSTANCES I HAVE READ ONLINE. DOING SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF CASES OF THIS OCCURRING IN KIA MODELS AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS BEING BUILT. DESPITE ALL OF THESE INSTANCES BEING REPORTED I WAS NEVER ALERTED BY KIA THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE OR POSSIBILITY. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND KIA IS INVESTIGATING WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIR COSTS (THEY BETTER AFTER ALL WE WENT THROUGH). MY WIFE AND I BOTH SUFFERED SEVERAL PUNCTURES/SPLINTERS ON OUR HEAD, ARMS, AND LEGS FROM THE TINY GLASS SHARDS. MY WIFE ALSO RECEIVED A GASH/CUT ON HER PALM FROM A PIECE OF GLASS. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO OTHERS WHO MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE TO WALK AWAY RELATIVELY UNINJURED.
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Power train, Jul 7, 2015
CAR WILL JERK HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT HAPPENS WHILE GOING IN SPEEDS BELOW 45 MPH. THE CAR WILL JERK REALLY HARD WHILE DRIVING AND THE RPMS WILL JUMP FROM 2-3 STRAIGHT UP TO 6. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I AM TAKING IT TO THE KIA DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN LOCATE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ HERE, THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A FIX. I AM REALLY CONCERNED IT WILL ACCELERATE AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
Power train, Jul 1, 2015
JERKING AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN SHIFTING IN PARKING/REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE IT MAKES A JERK AND MAKE A THUD. SAME THING IN DRIVE BUT A LITTLE MORE HARSH. JERKING ALSO JUST WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AFTER STARTING THE CAR. EVEN WHEN I DRIVE IT WOULD GIVE A JERK A FEW TIMES WHEN SWITCHING GEARS, AND ALSO WHEN I BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN IT DOES IT. I ALSO REMEMBER THE CAR SHAKING ONE TIME WHEN I TURNED IT ON. IT ALSO LOST ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN A 45 MPG AREA. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT/RESTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES. TAKEN IN TO KIA EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED. LAST NIGHT, JUNE 30, WAS THE FORTH TIME. KIA CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. IT IS SCARY AND UNSAFE AS I FEEL IT CAN CAUSE A REAR-END ACCIDENT.
Visibility, Jun 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Visibility, Jun 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,050.