2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · Engine · 180,000 miles · CA

The contact's wife owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced; however, due to the mileage on the vehicle, the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing failed. The vehicle was taken to car pros kia huntington beach located at 18835 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92648 who confirmed the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

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 Oct 11, 2019 · Engine · 87,200 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. While driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and there was a knocking noise coming from the engine. In addition, the oil level warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle started to lose power. The contact was able to safely move the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to southwest kia austin (13175 us-183 n, austin, tx 78750, (512) 583-1900) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,200.

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 Nov 20, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 114,000 miles · ID

I was driving to drop off a friend and jumped on the highway. Everything was fine until I stopped at a stoplight coming off the highway and heard a knocking sound. I never got a check engine light or anything still to this day. I had it taken to the nearest kia dealership and they said 3 connecting rods are out and it has a cracked block. They quoted me $7600 to fix it. Its been 6 months and I havent been able to do anything with with. My insurance said they cant do anything and I had an extended warranty but I went over the mileage. I have gap insurance but the insurance company wont do anything about it. I know the other optimas are having the exact same issues but kia hasbt released a recall for the hybrids.

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 Aug 8, 2018 · Engine · 87,000 miles · CA

As I was driving to work yesterday 8/7/2018, my engine started making a weird sound. I just purchased the car from a private seller on 5/29/18 with 80k miles on it, as of yesterday it has 85k miles on it. I took the car for an oil change, just in case, but was told the car was only a portion of a quart low on oil, but they proceeded with the oil change, and told me the sound was a engine knock and advised that I take it to a dealership. I drove the car to the dealership and was told it was a engine rod knock and that the engine is toast. I was told the repairs (a new engine) would cost roughly $7000, as I'm not the original owner so the 100k mile warranty does not apply to me, and I'm passed 60k miles as the second owner. The turbo engines were recalled for this exact same issue. This has to be recalled. It is unsafe

Filed Jun 30, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · TX

The electric motor hydraulic pump needed to be replaced I was told it wasnt a recall however im seeing several of the same complaints. While driving about 55 MPH my check engine light came on message appeared telling me to stop do not drive cant drive safely. Now my vehicle is making a loud knocking noise I have no acceleration power and I have no oil leaks but my car is burning up oil.

Filed Jun 1, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 84,000 miles · AZ

The federal safety agency recall 17v224000 my 2012 kia was supposedly not in this recall but my car bearings according to independent mechanic are already wearing out prematurely at 84000 miles . The car will lose oil pressure and knock (bearing) blow white smoke and stop in the middle of the interstate. This happened once in stop and go traffic and once traveling at 65 MPH where car decelerated to 30 MPH. Car has always been taken to kia dealership for service but they claim they can not see the service records and will not cover under purchased warranty without them

Filed May 18, 2018 · Engine · 92,000 miles · FL

While driving, at night with my two year old son, on a two lane road my car starting making a loud knocking noise, I began to lose power quickly. Thank god I was able to get the car to the edge of the road. I called family, who said to stay put, they brought a trailer to load my car on. I wasn't sure what to do next, I was being told the motor had thrown a rod. Sadly they were all correct. I called kia headquarters, they gave me a case number and the name of a dealership near me, which is still 60 miles away, west palm beach kia. I towed the car over on april 3, 2018, after their diagnoses I was told I needed a motor. I too questioned the kia optima recall, I was told the hybrids are not included in that recall, neither was my VIN. Today is may 18, 2018, my car is still at west palm beach kia awaiting a motor. Since being at west palm beach kia, who I remind you was suggested by kia headquarters I have been through three service managers. I have been informed that I will have to pay $3500 of the $8000 bill, due to kia goodwill." tentative date of may 29, 2018", which is the third change of date also. My car is still there with a my car has 92,000 miles on it. With kia offering to pay at all, it seems they know they have a problem motor, with a safety issue so why is there not a recall?? My two year old son and I could have been hurt seriously if a semi tractor trailer or pick up truck had been behind me. Please issue a recall before people get killed!!!

Filed May 15, 2018 · Engine · 83,324 miles · AZ

The car will stall/lose power, blow white smoke out the exhaust. This happens on acceleration or driving at normal highway speeds this has occurred on the highway and on city streets. Yesterday on the interstate I was almost rear-ended because the vehicle stalled. It is believed the connecting rod bearings in certain engines fail as metal debris circulate throughout the engine via the engine oil. Over time, the contaminants in the oiling system cause the connecting rod bearings to fracture and spew large amounts of metal debris into the engine oil, which it cannot filter out to maintain necessary oil pressure. There are numerous complaints regarding the issue and this safety concern needs to be addressed.