Kia Optima Complaints (2012)

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11462344April 26, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
The shifter cable came off during the car was on motion in my driveway..and unable to put it in PARK. My driveway has quite inclining uphill.. imagine if the car would roll back .. or simply the fact it worries me if that could happen somewhere away i would totally get stranded.. upon google i was able to confirm that KIA using the cheap parts and this happened to others also.. My boyfriend was able open gear console cover and snapped the cable ring back ...KIA should replace this part ASAP. BTW .. this was the second time it happened within a year
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461161April 18, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Engine replaced under the recall campaign after failure and have had issues since with the car wanting to start. Turns over several times before finally getting it to start. Fuel pump and fuel line replaced out of pocket as well as a sensor out of pocket and still having the same issues intermittently then today while driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH the car just shuts off in the middle of the highway in morning traffic and almost caused an accident, without warning. Still took several times to crank before car finally restarted and made it maybe 4 miles before shutting off again while driving without warning and then smelled as if something was burning. Car has had scheduled maintenance as advised by KIA for warranty on motor but if something is not done about all of these same complaints then someone is going to get killed. Very unsafe!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459814April 6, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2012 Kia Optima Engine oil lights flickers on slowing .. I have checked the oil and the Filter they look excellent and to the correct level.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459641April 5, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint keeps chipping and the car bounces I have got it fixed twice and it’s still doing the same thing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458824March 29, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently in the middle of the highway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of the Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457129March 17, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, causing the wheels to seize and the vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. The passenger's side fender was damaged from the failure. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact to tow the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with bearing damage to the bottom of the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced however, the extended warranty only covered the top of the engine and not the bottom of the engine, where the failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451922February 14, 2022
ENGINE
My car was put down for a recall awhile back i took it to kia because i was recently have a problem with it so i thought it could be the recall, but it wasn’t i told them since my car has already been there 2 weeks can they just replace the recalled engine they said no they wouldn’t do it unless my car actually malfunctions so they put a knock sensor and updated my vehicle ever since then i’ve been having problems and my car sometimes on the high way will not accelerate and will stall and jerk badly which is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS also recently my car is malfunctioning error “ old codes “ which didn’t make sense to me or the repair service people at KIA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451400February 10, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
The anti lick brake symbol is showing on my dash board this has happened for about 4 weeks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446876January 10, 2022
STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel made clicking sounds whenever turned. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444776December 22, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
A few months ago the paint on my car begin to bubble, chip, and peel away. The paint color is Snow white and I have been informed of and read a lot about de-lamination occurring in the pearl and snow white paint of some Kia models. The car has not been involved any accidents and is in great condition aside from the unknown cause of the paint chipping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442247December 1, 2021
ENGINE
Was driving on freeway, at 75 mph when the engine seized with no warning
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441654November 25, 2021
ENGINE
Knocking on the engine began and car stopped suddenly. Smoke started coming out of the engine bay and also from the vents inside. Severe engine knocking when accelerating. Smoke all over inside detected and very scary situation arose.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439103November 2, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving the RPM decreased to 1,000 RPM. The check engine and brake warning lights were flashing. The contact was able to pull over to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P26. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438200October 26, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel seized in either direction with the electric power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. After multiple repeated failures, the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437932October 24, 2021
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
My engine failed. Dick Withams here in Waterloo, IA was paid by Kia to replace engine for free due to my warranty. Dick Withams rushed the process and allowed me back on the road with no coolant plug( which was detected immediately) I returned the car and Dick Withams attached a plug so my coolant wouldn't spill over on the ground. Every time I pressed my brakes THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SOUND LIKE MY DRIVE AXIAL WAS NOT PUT TOGETHER WHEN Putting the engine back. Kia is allowing Mechanics to fix these recalls of MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES FOR myself and my family. I then returned vehicle to Cedar Falls, IA Dick Withams to fix issue Friday morning. They have yet to communicate anything with me. Now I'm just without a vehicle even though it's covered under warranty. It should be against the law for the car dealership to return a recalled engine without driving the car to see if they rushed the service and failed to put vehicle back together CORRECTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437471October 20, 2021
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Every time i stop at a light my car starts to shake and vibrate. Now the check engine is on and my car is making weird noises, going at higher speeds
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437562October 20, 2021
ENGINE
Driving to work on I40 West during traffic hour which was about 7:50am my car just started loosing speed and I had to pull off on the left side of the road. Car did not turn back on. Had my car towed to the mechanic and he states it was the engine. Kia replaced my engine not even 3yrs ago because of a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436870October 15, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle produced a grinding noise then lurched a few times every couple of minutes and then the engine shut down. Luckily I was able to safely coast to a stop while going downhill and stop the vehicle at the side of the road. Turned the engine off, waited one minute, then pushed ignition button. Hybrid system started but engine did not. Shifted to Drive, pressed accelerator, but vehicle would not proceed. Turned everything off and waited five minutes. Pushed ignition button and hybrid system and engine started and shifted to drive. Vehicle would drive at underpowered speed and was able to drive 2 miles home at 35 mph. As I drove into driveway, the engine shutdown again. This occurred just a few hours ago, so it has not been serviced by anyone.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435864October 7, 2021
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway and suddenly lost acceleration, the check engine light began flashing. The car went into limp mode. I got it to an auto parts store and had them put it on the scanner. It is showing code P1326. I have it scheduled to be assessed at Kia. Research on this code with the Kia says, it could need a system update, knock sensor replaced, or the engine replaced. Kia does have a recall out for this issue but my car doesn’t currently fall under the recall. My car has always been mechanically maintained at appropriate intervals by Kia. This is a problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435720October 6, 2021
ENGINE
My car lost power going 70mph and the engine light came on. I had it scanned and the code was P1326. Now my car will not move. This was a reported recall on Kia Optima from years 2011-2014. My car is a 2012 Kia Optima. I called dealership and they said my VIN is not under this recall but I am having the same exact problem as the recall reported in 2018.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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