2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 7, 2018 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated that the engine seized while pulling into her driveway and made an abnormal clunking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dch kia of temecula (located at 26799 ynez rd, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 268-9198) where it was diagnosed that the engine contained oil sludge and needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Engine · 100,116 miles · OR

I took my 2012 kia optima hybrid in for an oil change as we were taking a road trip two days later. Service department said everything looked good. Two days later after driving approximately 2 hours my car started to have a clicking sound as I accelerated (we were going approximately 65mph). There were no check engine lights and on within a minute I heard a clunk sound and my dash read "hybrid system failure. Safety stop and do not drive." the hybrid battery quickly started to decrease so we had no choice but to immediately pull over along a narrow shoulder as we were 15 miles from the nearest town. This was a narrow two lane highway with our car up against the concrete barrier with a lake directly down the other side of the barrier. We were stranded there for approximately 2 hours trying to coordinate a tow truck and taxi (there were three of us. Myself, my husband, and our 3 month old son). The location of where we were stranded was completely unsafe with several semi trucks passing both ways and we had to transfer all our belongings and move our 3 month old son to the taxi along this narrow shoulder on the highway. Once my car was towed to the nearest dealer they said the engine blew and I would need a new short block. After getting my car towed to the nearest dealer to my hometown they said they found metal shavings and my cylinder 1 blew. I was quoted $4,500-$11,000 for the repairs. The service department can attest to my perfect maintenance. Less than three weeks later kia recalls 1.4 million engines and they are claiming my model is not being recalled. I find it odd that the exact issue I had are the exact reasons these engines are being recalled.

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · NE

Over the last month, I have been experiencing many transmission issues where the my 2012 kia optima hybrid is hard shifting between gears 2-3 and 5-6; same when down shifting. I have had to break extra long because of the downshifting, the car 'lurches' forward, and I fail to get sufficient power in the proper gear when I accelerate.

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Steering · 60,000 miles · GA

Inherently bad electronic power steering coupler. Broken wile still relatively low milage. Makes a very bad clunking noise when steering and going over bumps and causes steering wheel to wobble.

Filed Mar 9, 2016 · Steering · 50,000 miles · FL

Bought the car new in 2012 from fuccillo kia in cape coral, florida for my wife. She noticed the very slight "clunking" noise in 2014 with about 50k miles on it and didn't think it was much of a problem. It gradually became very, very loud and she could now feel the constant "clunking" when turning the steering wheel or hitting small imperfections in the road. She brought it to my attention at about 65k miles and after researching the noise on the internet I found this problem has been occurring in thousands of kia and hyundai vehicles from 2010 to 2014 model years. It is a quarter sized rubber star shaped bushing between two metal couplers that disintegrates over time and very quickly in warm climates like south florida. This repair is not a recall and is not covered after 60k warranty. I purchased the "new & upgraded" part from a local kia dealer for less than $2 but, the labor to install is close to $350!!! This should be a recall for the vehicles involved due to the unsafe steering characteristics and the volume of vehicles affected as it does not involve an owner serviceable routine maintenance component!!!