Kia Optima Complaints (2012)

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11435585October 5, 2021
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the passenger’s side door opened inadvertently. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the latches needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,301.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435075September 30, 2021
STEERING
sterring has become loose and makes noise when sterring wheel is moved back and forth
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434412September 26, 2021
ENGINE
My car keeps overheating when left in park and at an idle state. This problem occurs everytime I am in park at idle for more than 4 min. This has occured since the time I have purchased the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433935September 22, 2021
POWER TRAIN
My wife had been complaining that while driving 2011 optima hybrid at highway speeds the car would suddenly lose power and slow to 30 or 40 mph while the pedal is floored. Took it to the dealer who said we needed a new battery which did not solve the problem. 2nd time came with a warning on the dash to check hybrid system, back at the dealer they said it appears to be some special fuse in the trunk ($300)…problem sill persist however this time the car completely shut down on the road, dash was lit up like a Christmas tree. Had to get it towed. Now dealer says its the HPCU and that’s going to run almost $6000. Dealer was willing to install a used one i got on EBay, they charged $1300 for the install they tell me the problem still exists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433345September 17, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The brake light stays on.. causing the battery to drain. Even the vehicle is completely stopped / ignition off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432659September 12, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was coming home from work doing around 75 mph on cruise control when all of the sudden the car jerked violently and lost all power, the car behind me would’ve rear ended me if they weren’t paying attention. I just hold the throttle down to get home, misfiring terribly, and the best way I can describe, it smelled hot if that makes sense. I had it looked at and was told it doesn’t have compression in one of the cylinders and that it wasn’t covered under warranty or recall. So now I’m paying for a car that I can’t drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432111September 8, 2021
STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and making clicking sounds. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was waiting to speak to a representative. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to contact the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432209September 8, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 mph when a noise coming from the engine compartment was heard and saw smoke emitting from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over and upon investigation, a fire was underneath the engine compartment. The contact waited until the fire was extinguished naturally and the fire department was not called. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine caught fire and was repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432221September 8, 2021
ENGINE
I was driving down the street and smelt somethinf burning and the car lost power and was driving slow I pulled over and it smelled like burent. Now the car has no power, wont charge the hybrid battery and has a load knockinf noise
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431252August 31, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at 30 - 35 mph, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The oil warning light was first illuminated then all of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact tried to restart the vehicle when she detected a smoke odor and saw there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle with her daughter. The contact then opened the hood and saw that the engine had caught fire. The contact had a friend from nearby come help to put out the fire with water. No medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained on the side of the road. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431045August 30, 2021
ENGINE
Car stalls when it’s hot outside and while using the A/C
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427972August 6, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My pulley and belt went bad but still my engine making noises and my mechanic said it sounds like bearings are loose in my engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427270July 31, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was at a stop sign when my car shut off. Now it won't start. Took it in to check it out and found out that the motor seized up. I know that there is a recall on the engine for the same problem on other models. Not safe to be driving the cars. Could cause a major accident resulting in possible loss of lives. This model needs to be recalled before this happens to anyone else.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426637July 27, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Brake pedal stopper breaking apart causing the ESC indicator to come on and loosing acceleration while driving. I contacted dealer and no recall on th.is issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424258July 11, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423656July 6, 2021
STEERING
I purchased 2012 kia optima hybrid june 14, 2021. 1 week after I purchased vehicle i started to hear "clicking noise" & felt a "bump" each time I moved steering wheel slightly left or right. example moving steering wheel to change lanes, turning vehicle left or right, and moving steering wheel when straightening out car when parking. As of 7/6/2021 "clicking noise" in steering wheel/steering column is louder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423425July 5, 2021
ENGINE
Driving at 60 mph on the highway engine seized up with no warning what so ever no engine light or oil light. Once vehicle stopped checked oil and it was almost empty. No warning of oil pressure or oil low. Vehicle always inspected an oil change done on time. Can't find recall on my vin but other 2012 models had a recall for this exact reason. I was almost hit by a semi when the vehicle just died with no warning at all and everything locked up. Never had 1 issue with this vehicle until now. And I am worried kia will not fix it when clearly other optimas of the same year had the same issue. I can't understand why when vin search it doesn't show this recall. It's all over the internet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423326July 3, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
MY VIN IS [XXX] ITS A 2012 KIA OPITMA HYBRID 2.4L AND I SEE IT HAS THESE RECALLS ON IT NEEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT MY NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11422871June 29, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
While in cruise control hitting the breaks resulted in the car not wanting to slow down or stop. Had to go off road inorder to not hit vehicles in front of me. I turned off ABS and this issue isn't there. I have no warnings for my ABS system and this doesn't happen often. However it's getting worse now this is the worse it has ever been.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11422402June 26, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I driving to park,I heard a loud popping noise and i them preceeded to pull out the driveway and al’s 5 minutes in the drive the KIA hybrid warning system came on and then told me to park the ending at the nearest location to park. the car started smoking real lot bad and me and my kid exited the vehicle because of all the smoke. the oil was everywhere on the car, on the motor, leaking out of the car.i then got car towed back home
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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