2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: fire, smoke or burning smell

6 of the 109 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 6%
typical mileage: 87,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 32 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2017
2
2016
1
2015
2
2014
1
2013
2
2012
6
2011
2

What owners say

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · 12,000 miles · IL

Some of this cars was on fire and we want to know if its safe

Filed Sep 22, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 100,000 miles · MD

This vehicle is dangerous and extremely faulty. I have had to replace the transmission due to the car traveling at no more than 55 MPH. In addition, there was extreme knocking within the steering wheel in which the steering wheel had to be replaced as well. Then my car started drifting again with white smoke coming from under the hood and exhaust. Now kia is saying that the engine is faulty and needs to be replaced. My car is not being serviced for a recall on the engine because it is a hybrid, yet non-hybrid kia cars have a recall for it. This is the same thing. What a disservice! Kia needs to quit making cars altogether if the internal work has no endurance. I'm still paying on this vehicle. This car is a danger, waste, and disservice. Several complaints have been noted in reference to the same thing. What if the car exploded? Then what? This car could have harmed me or others. Please recall the engine and anything else this car has that is unmanageable or unhealthy. The opportunity cost is pisspoor.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Body, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

While driving the vehicle on the highway upon acceleration the rpms spiked and there was a clicking noise. After releasing the accelerator there was a loud noise like a broken muffler then the car lost power. Pulling to the shoulder the car began to smoke and shortly after stopping the vehicle caught fire from somewhere under the hood which spread to the entire front of the vehicle which then became engulfed in flames before a fire crew could extinguish.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 178,000 miles · GA

I was driving on a two lane highway when my vehicle started to stall, as if it was going to stop, when I pressed the accelerator, the car slightly speeds up but then starts to stall again. After several repeat episodes of stalling, my engine light comes on. Since there was no stores in my immediate area and no cellular service in the area, I proceeded to drive and moved into the outer lane. The cycle of stalling and increasing continued repeatedly. Once I reached a service area, I was able to call a tow service to the nearest dealership that happened to be a hyundai dealership. They ran a diagnostic check and found nothing but did change my oil and the filter. For the rest of the day my car drove fine, but monday morning on my way to work back to the same stalling cycle and the engine light on. I drove to the kia dealership and left it for another diagnostic test. After a week and a half I receive a call that the test showed the crankshaft senors needed to be replaced with a cost of $200.00. After three weeks, I receive a call that my car is fixed. I pay the charges and drive away; after driving 10 miles, my car begins to stall, engine light comes on, the car is making a loud knocking noise and the car has a burning smell. I drive back to the dealership, and another diagnostic test is done. Then a kia salesmen states "your engine needs to be replaced but the car is still driveable; however, at some point, your engine will lock up and the the car will stall and stop." "we will take your car as a trade in towards a new kia." I ask if my car will be repaired under the kia recall for the optima. I was told no, the hybrid optima was not recalled.the salesmen looks at the interior of the car and states "it does have a burn smell." he gives me his number and I drive away. As of today kia refuses to fix my car under the recall and I am left renting a vehicle daily.

Filed Jun 7, 2017 · Engine · 76,000 miles · AZ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle made a thumping noise and a loud boom sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed brown smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Eventually, the smoke turned black and appeared from the front and rear of the vehicle. The contact also noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, mark kia, where it was diagnosed that sludge was in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided case number: 12369116. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Engine · 87,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia optima hybrid. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging noise under the hood. The vehicle momentarily lost power and the contact noticed black smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was deemed destroyed. The technician stated that the fire was due to a connecting rod malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.