2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: engine failure

Filed May 29, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · CO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated the federal safety agency recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the replaced engine was defective and affected the high hybrid battery. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to replace the engine and the high hybrid battery; however, the vehicle remained at the local dealer because parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 2, 2021 · 126,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. A warning light illuminated indicating that the hybrid battery power was low. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to jts kia of columbia (230 killian commons parkway, columbia, sc 29203) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2020 · Engine · 70,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the connecting rod bearings in the engine were worn causing metal shavings to enter the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to sons kia (100 sons dr, mcdonough, ga 30253, (678)619-1393) to be diagnosed. The cause of the failure was confirmed and the contact was provided a quote for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the failure was similar. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Engine · 75,045 miles · AL

Thankfully I was driving down a back road and without any warning my 2012 kia optima hybrid made a loud knocking noise then slowed down and when I pulled over I had a "hybrid battery low" light come on so I have the car towed and replace the battery, still not working. Now the battery light is off but now there's 2 other lights that come on. 1 said "hybrid system warning do not drive" and the other says "check charging system" so I have it towed again but this time to a kia dealership. They called me back the next day and told me that it appeared that my motor seized. They couldn't tell me how or why.. My car only had 75,045 miles on it. So I contact consumer affairs because I heard about the recalls. They even told me that my car was mimicking exactly what the optima recalls were doing. However, because mine was a hybrid it didn't fall under the recall. Which I thought was very unfair. Still nothing they can do, they want $6,200 for a used motor. Mind you I've had the car for 3 1/2 years and have kept up with oils changes etc. Next I found out that I had an extended warranty... But of course it expired 45 miles ago. Again, not fair. Nobody seems to care or want to help me. This is very inconvenient. Now I'm without a car that I'm still making payments on. I'm very disappointed in kia and their customer service. I feel as though if my car was doing exactly what the recalls were doing with the same size motor then how come they won't cover mine to be replaced? I almost want to hire an attorney and have this investigated. I still want to know exactly what is wrong with my car! Nobody has answers....

Filed May 13, 2019 · Engine · 77,000 miles · TX

Hello. I have already posted a complaint to this website and I am simply trying to find out why a very noticeable pattern of defects is going unnoticed on these optima hybrid engines. 3/4 of all the posted complaints for the 2012 optima hybrid are due to engine failure from connection issues caused by worn bearings. These are the exact same part failures that lead to the engine recall for standard optima gas engines. Why is the federal safety agency not contacting kia and forcing their hand on recalling the hybrid engines? There are obvisouly less hybrid optimas than non-hybrid, but the failure rate is just as high or worse than the non-hybrid model. I do not believe hybrid owners should be subjected the risk of an engine failure just because there are less of us. The second issue is that many of us have already replaced our engine because they failed. Either paying in full or with some help from kia, what happens when the new engine fails for the same reason because they were not recalled an forced to recognize the failure and design a fix that will keep it from happening to the replaced engines? I am such a huge fan of kia I own 2 optima's. The other is a gas model that has a replaced recalled engine. I had to pay out of pocket to replace the engine on my hybrid. We are begging for someone to look into the extremely high number of engine failures on these optima hybrid with virtually the same engine as the gas models. Kia claims the engines are different, and they are to some extent, but they share a lot of parts, most of which are the parts that are failing and design flaws. Thank you for your time, I hope someone is actually looking out for the public and reading these post.

Filed May 13, 2019 · Engine · 100,104 miles · SC

Engine locked up @ 100,104 miles. Car was maintained meticulously. Never missed a oil change. Kia replaced the hybrid engine @ 80k. A year later. My family is driving down I-85 @ 65mph when the engine starts smoking and making some loud sound. The engine dies. We by the grace of god, get to the side of the highway and coolant is pouring out while the engine is just pouring smoke. The hybrid warning system is flashing. Have it towed to kia. Kia stated internal engine failure. Refuses any goodwill or assistance. Wants $4500 to $8000 for a new engine. These are the same engines that got recalled but built at a different plant. The hybrids were not included in the recall. Just a matter of time before someone gets killed by kia's corporate greed. I'll never buy another kia product. Ever.

Filed May 12, 2019 · Engine · 145,000 miles · VA

While driving on a highway around 45mph, the engine suddenly made a rattling noise, then shortly after, made a loud squealing noise and then a sudden jolt. The car shut down and showed an error about the hybrid system malfunction and I experienced a quick drop in speed and was unable to accelerate. After pulling over, the car would not start. Car was towed to dealer and they were able to start vehicle, but it makes a loud 'clanking' noise and car vibrates. Dealer informed that appears a part inside engine had failed and will need complete engine replacement.

Filed Mar 15, 2019 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NY

Hello my kia engine seized on the highway I get routine oil changed and maintenance done that I could prove on my car the 2012 kia optima non hybrid has this recall on the engine . Kia did not include the hybrid engines but my hybrid engine is the same engine in the recall as the non hybrids

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Engine · 111,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the "battery low, hybrid system failed, please pull over and turn engine off" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact waited approximately five minutes, but the engine never restarted. The vehicle was towed to cavenaugh kia (3315 stadium blvd, jonesboro, ar 72404) where it was diagnosed that the battery was fine, but the engine seized due to sludge. A new engine was needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and smoke quickly entered the vehicle. Also, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. The contact exited the vehicle and called roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to premier kia of branford (205 north main street, branford, connecticut 06405, (203) 315-2050) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized. The dealer replaced the engine under warranty, but the failure recurred. Four months later, while driving various high speeds, the contact heard a clicking noise and smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again where it was diagnosed that the internal engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired due to the lack of warranty coverage. A police report was not filed for either failure. During both occurrences, the smoke went away once the engine was turned off. There were no injuries. In addition, the contact stated that there was no indication of a fire, but a loud popping noise was heard from the engine compartment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available. *jb consumer attached diagnostic and invoice repair to the car showing the problems with the engine. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 68,000 miles · SC

I was getting off the interstate on september 27, 2018 when my car died and I could not even put on my emergency lights cars behind me almost hit me. I had my car towed home and made a appointment with the kia dealer here in columbia, south carolina. After waiting for them to run a diagnostic test I was told by the service manager the engine failed and they would send paper work to see if the warranty would cover it. I have been without a car for a weeks now with no form of transportation nor assistance. I have been getting several different explanations about what was wrong with my vehicle. I cannot get a loner car until the company approves the engine under warranty. This has caused major stress and problems with my job. My car only has 68,000 miles and was in good condition until this problem . I had no warning other than the hybrid system failure notice that came on the dash and stated pull over do not drive and hybrid battery not charging. This has caused me undue stress and hardship and much difficulty getting to work.