Kia Optima Hybrid engine failure problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · SC

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.

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 Jan 15, 2024 · Engine · IL

I was driving in morning traffic at 65MPH when the warning lights went flashing stating the HEV Electric engine was shutting down, I was crawling to 20 MPH. I had the car towed to a Kia dealer and was told the electric engine was fine, the gas engine oil was bone dry! NO LOW OIL light ever triggered! Not a single warning. Just out of the blue! This is wrong on so many levels! I get oil changes when they are due and use top synthetic oil. The dealer is reporting it to Kia and said at 87,500 miles I'm under the extended warranty, but Kia will tell them how to handle the issue. I cannot afford a new engine! This is the second Kia I had this problem! They said it passed the bearing test, so why is my engine bone dry? This is dangerous to be driving at high speed and have your car drop speed to 20MPH, then drop to 10MPH. I'm still waiting for Kia to get back to me, the dealer says it takes 48 business hours. I dropped it off Thursday 1/11/2024, Hopefully, tomorrow I will find out. I cannot afford a new car and I still have a balance on this car. I've read multiple complaints on this sight, all the same.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Turn Engine Off Immediately" was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Engine · 58,997 miles · OK

The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,997.

Filed Jan 6, 2023 · Engine · NC

I am a service provider. On 9/15/2022, a customer, who owns the vehicle with attached VIN, came for an oil change in his 2017 Kia Optima. On 11/11/2022, after nearly 2 months and 2,964 miles, the customer and vehicle owner called to tell us his car was broken down on the side of the road. Upon inspection, it was found that the oil drain plug had fallen out of the vehicle after nearly 3,000 miles. As a result, there is engine failure on the vehicle. Due to the mileage, we went to Kia West Broad in Richmond, VA to ask for their opinion. They were unwilling to assist the customer. I believe this falls in line with the current investigation from the federal safety agency into Kia drain pan assemblies and drain plug issues. I have repeatedly been hung up on by Kia when asking them questions surrounding their willingness to assist this customer who is without transportation. Each time that I ask about the investigation, I am put on hold and then hung up on.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer were notified but refused to help with the issue.

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 Apr 28, 2021 · Engine · 163,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia optima hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v750000 (engine). The contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to kia of mccomb (1030 longleaf rd, mccomb, ms 39648) and diagnosed that the engine had thrown a rod and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not eligible for a new engine under the recall however, after speaking with the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the vehicle was excluded from the recall repair because the mileage was over 150,000. The contact stated that the vehicle had a hybrid and gasoline engine so the odometer mileage should not be the deciding factor in determining which vehicles were included or excluded from the free recall repair and engine replacement. The failure mileage was 163,000. Vin was unavailable.

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.