ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / POWER TRAIN. The vehicle experiences sudden engine performance loss, causing it to drop speed abruptly and enter a restricted "limp mode" while traveling at highway speeds (e.g., 60–70 mph). [Chronological Events & Symptoms]: The check engine light begins flashing rapidly on the dashboard. Immediately following the flashing light, the vehicle drops to a maximum speed of roughly 30–40 mph regardless of accelerator input, forcing me to navigate across active lanes of fast-moving highway traffic without full vehicle control. This occurs repeatedly/weekly, presenting an immediate collision hazard from rear-end traffic. [Dealership Response & Diagnostic Proof]: A diagnostic scan confirms a permanent P1326 knock sensor code, which points directly to the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) monitoring engine bearing failure. Despite presenting diagnostic logs to the local dealership, they have refused to execute the necessary powertrain warranty or engine failure repairs mandated under safety settlement terms, leaving a defective, stalling vehicle on public roads.
Kia Optima Hybrid check engine light comes on
35 of the 277 owner complaints about the Kia Optima Hybrid describe check engine light, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 35
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 100,116
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 8Stalling 7Loss of power 5Knocking 5Won't start 3Fire or smoke 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P2600 1P1326 1P0301 1
What owners say
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid, which caught fire and was completely destroyed on October 5, 2025. Incident Summary: While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, I noticed that the vehicle was not entering Hybrid Mode, which is abnormal for its typical operation. I reduced my speed to 45 mph, then down to 35 mph as I began to observe smoke coming from the vehicle. At no point did the vehicle show signs of overheating, and there was no Check Engine Light until shortly before I was able to safely pull over. Within moments of stopping the vehicle and exiting with my passenger, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and ultimately burned to the ground. Fortunately, both occupants escaped unharmed. The vehicle has been inspected by my insurance provider; however, I have been waiting over two weeks for Kia to inspect the vehicle or provide any official response regarding a possible cause. This delay is concerning, especially given the severity of the incident and the potential safety risk to other drivers. Vehicle Details: Make/Model: 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 54,300 Date of Fire: October 5, 2025 Location: US-60 NONCARD & MP-118 Morristown, AZ I am reporting this incident in hopes that the federal safety agency will investigate whether this is an isolated case or potentially part of a larger safety defect within this vehicle model or hybrid system. The lack of adequate warning and the total loss due to fire raises serious safety concerns. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required to support an investigation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership ([Dealership Name]) for inspection. However, despite the vehicle being under the Kia hybrid system and/or powertrain warranty (10 years/100,000 miles), I was recently informed that the necessary repairs would not be covered under warranty.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and engine warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure was not related to the repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 43,494.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was cleaned and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer and failed to restart. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and to Kia Campaign Number: SC200. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated with the “Hybrid - No Driving Mode” message displayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the message "Stop Vehicle" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle had stalled and shut off on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. 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 contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that a message indicating that the Hybrid System failure was displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle later, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while sitting on the rear seats, the rear seats were significantly hot because the hybrid battery was underneath the rear seats. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
While driving my car started to decelerate in the middle of the freeway and I was in no position to pull over. The hybrid battery nearly completely drained before I was able to limp off the freeway. My car threw an error message to “Check Hybrid system” and told me to pull over immediately and turn the car off. After pulling over, turning the car off, then turning it back on, the message went away but the check engine light remained. After 24 hours the check engine light disappeared until it would randomly do the same thing all over again. I ran an OBD code reader on it and it gave me P2600. After extensive research, I’ve noticed a lot of Hyundais and Kia’s around the same year as mine having the same issue with some peoples vehicle completely dying. Many threads take their vehicle into the dealership and they can’t replicate the problem so they’re just sent on their way for the dangerous problem to happen again at any given time. This is a dangerous situation because you don’t get any warning or strange engine noise to warn you. The car just pops up this message and the engine immediately starts to malfunction.
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
- Risk
- A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.
Recall number 21V844000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Recall number 20V750000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Optima Hybrid check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Kia Optima Hybrid?
Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, engine stalls while driving and sudden loss of power, and the codes they mention most are P2600, P1326 and P0301.
Which Kia Optima Hybrid years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (14 complaints), 2013 (5 complaints) and 2011 (4 complaints).
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