On August 25th around 7:00 PM, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while parked after a short test drive. The car had just been purchased a few days prior and was taken to a mechanic for a precautionary inspection. During the test drive, the mechanic parked the vehicle in a residential driveway. After backing in, smoke was observed coming from the engine bay. When the hood was lifted, the engine area was already on fire. The fire department was called immediately and was able to extinguish the flames before the fire spread to surrounding property. The fire completely destroyed the vehicle. The vehicle had no warning lights, unusual performance issues, or prior signs of trouble, and it appeared to be in good condition prior to the incident. This fire posed a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in injury or property damage. Component or system that failed: The engine area, likely associated with the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) fuse/fire risk. The vehicle may or may not be available for inspection, as it is severely burned. Safety risk: The fire posed a serious hazard to the mechanic, surrounding property, and anyone nearby. Rapid ignition could have caused injury or significant property damage. Problem confirmation: The fire was observed firsthand by the mechanic. The open recall related to the HECU fuse/fire risk indicates a known defect consistent with the incident. Inspections: The fire department responded and documented the incident. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance representatives, but the recall status is verifiable through official records. Warning signs: There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. This incident appears consistent with the conditions described in the open recall for the HECU fuse/fire risk, suggesting a possible link between the recall defect and the fire.
2012 Kia Optima body problems
39 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 52,400. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 39
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 52,400
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Body34
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Optima body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Kia Optima body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
- Risk
- A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
Recall number 22V560000 · Recall details
What 2012 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Rapid Delamination and paint peeling in the color of snow pearl white. The entire car is affected by this defect. Somewhere on the paint assembly line a missing step in the paint procedure is causing detrimental corrosion and overall safety and protection of the elements from outside.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (STRUCTURE) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at the residential driveway and starting the vehicle, smoke started emitting from under the hood. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke primarily emitting from the front passenger side of the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed and a police report was not filed. The fire was extinguished by the contact with three fire extinguishers however, the fire department used water to be certain the fire was extinguished. The vehicle had damages due to the fire, however, it was not destroyed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were needed however due to costs was taken back to the residence and remained in the contact's possession. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was created. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Power train and engine failure and causing my Kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from work. I was Driving home and smell smoke and car was shaking and when I stopped at the highway to open and look fire was on while driving and I had to call 911 and stop the fire. I had some fire extinguisher in the car I stopped the fire and towed the car and I replaced engine and powered train For over $9000 between repairs and labor and transmission and engine
Body paint chipping. Is known issue when speaking to insurance, Kia dealer and paint body repair.
Snow White Pearl Paint is peeling at numerous location Rear driver's side window button not working Siruis XM radio not working .Dealt with XM and stated it was a Kia antenna however Kia tells me its Sirius xm problem
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was a Canadian-manufactured vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
My vehicle has not repaired. I have not been in an accident. However there are two open safety recalls for my car and I am terrified that myself or someone else is going to be injured or even killed due to this problem has yet to be resolved. The first recall for my car is the headliner plates. I took my car into my local dealership (Stokes Kia of Goose Creek) and they told me it would take 10 business days before they could inspect my car and determine what the problem is (it’s a recall so I don’t understand why they would have to identify a problem that was clear in recall letter). However, I asked if they would repair my car within that 10 day period if they “identified” the problem. They told me it could take an additional 10 business days or longer for the repair (for them to get around to fix it because they were extremely backed up). I asked if I would be provided a loaner vehicle or rental and they told me no. They instructed to try the other Kia dealership which is much further away from me. I ended up trying the other Kia dealership. However, they told me they would not provide a loaner car but they did schedule an appointment for my repair. They told me it should not take long for the repair but they could have my car for about 3 days until they can get around to fixing it. I went along because I wanted the issue fixed so I prepared to make arrangements for the possibility that I wouldn’t have a car for 3 days. However, like the day or so before my appointment Kia Country called me saying that the parts for the repair were on a national back order and that I would be notified when they are available. I have yet to notified. Now there is another serious recall that there is no remedy for. I am extremely uncomfortable with my car with these recalls that can’t be fixed. This is not my fault so I shouldn’t have to suffer or be without a car due to these problems. I want to know what other options do I have?
I did not know about this recall and my dad was driving my car caught on fire and blew up now I do not have a car please help.
Paint has began chipping and p Delamanating starting on the driver side column and hood.
Questions about the 2012 Kia Optima body
Does the 2012 Kia Optima have body problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the body of the 2012 Kia Optima, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Optima body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 52,400 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Kia Optima body?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V560000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Optima have the most body problems?
The Kia Optima model years with the most body complaints are 2013 (127 complaints), 2015 (76 complaints) and 2014 (48 complaints).
Other 2012 Kia Optima problems
Engine 418Steering 188Electrical 123Brakes 88Fuel system 54Transmission 54Airbags 48Acceleration 40Lights 32Visibility 28Suspension 18Driver assistance 12Seats 8Wheels 8Tires 7Seat belts 5Locks 2
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