2012 Kia Optima: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine · 183,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was a rattling and knocking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet informed of the failure. The contacted stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption, and the spark plugs were replaced. The failure mileage was 183,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · AZ

The dealer is refusing to replace the engine under the previously completed Safety Recall Campaign SC147 (the federal safety agency Campaign 17V224000). The engine is currently exhibiting clear signs of connecting rod bearing failure—the exact mechanical hazard SC147 was issued to address. The dealership inspected the vehicle, confirmed internal engine failure, and verified that SC147 was completed on this VIN. However, they denied coverage citing an incomplete software update (Product Improvement Campaign PI1803) associated with a separate class-action lawsuit. The dealer is incorrectly conflating the requirements of the class-action warranty with the vehicle's independent eligibility under the safety recall. Independent of the class-action parameters, I am requesting a repair under the standalone 15-year/unlimited-mileage extended warranty provided specifically for vehicles that completed SC147 (detailed in the SC147 Safety Recall Campaign Q&A dated May 22, 2017, and Kia Warranty Bulletin 2017-09, both uploaded with this submission). The vehicle is well within this 15-year extended warranty period. Additionally, the PI1803 Knock Sensor Detection System update is a diagnostic detection tool, not a physical remedy for the underlying crankshaft machining defects identified in 17V224000. A manufacturer and its dealer network should not be permitted to use an unrelated class-action software prerequisite to invalidate a pre-existing, federally mandated safety recall warranty.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

Sudden engine failure while driving with no warning. Vehicle began jerking, shaking, and losing power. RPMs dropped unexpectedly and the engine stalled intermittently. Multiple misfire codes were present (cylinders 1, 3, and 4), and the engine was found to have low or no compression in cylinder 1. The condition rapidly worsened to near complete engine failure. The vehicle was operating normally prior to this incident. This failure is consistent with known Kia engine defects involving internal engine damage, including rod bearing failure. This is a safety concern due to sudden loss of power while driving.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · 189,369 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and the VIN was included in the recall; however, the manufacturer declined to honor the recall because the original owner of the vehicle had failed to respond to the recall notification. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had declined to honor the recall due to the previous owner not having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 189,369.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · VA · fire

I took my car to the KiaOfLynchburg dealership for get the recalls done and diagnostic test on my engine as it was knocking and they had it since may 06, 2025. The dealership said at first I had a code to get the engine replaced no cost. Now got a phone call on June 19, 2025 saying how my car was on fire but the fire department made it on time to put it out. So did the claim on it they denied me saying it’s due to a aftermarket but tell me it cause of oil leak. And I do not have no aftermarket hook up in the vehicle. Now they won’t take responsibility for the damage they did to my car

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Engine · IA

My 2012 Kia Optima experienced engine failure due to a dropped valve. The dealership (Kia of Des Moines) performed a borescope inspection but stopped after discovering the broken valve. This means rod bearing failure was not ruled out. Two separate service reports conflict, one citing Cylinder 2 and another citing Cylinder 3. Kia denied coverage, citing that the failure was unrelated to the settlement and outside the mileage warranty

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact pressed on the horn, and the horn failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, upon starting the vehicle and attempting to adjust the driver’s side mirror, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the side-view mirror motor. The contact stated that several days later, the abnormal clicking sound ceased, and the driver’s side mirror failed to function as intended. On a separate occasion, the passenger’s side mirror motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. Several days later, the clicking sound ceased and the passenger’s side mirror failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the sunroof, the motor failed to function as intended and the sunroof was half closed. The contact had to place a tarp over the sunroof to protect inside the vehicle from the elements. No warning lights were illuminated. Recently the vehicle received maintenance and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown part had failed in the engine. The contact was unsure what part of the engine had been replaced. The failure recurred, and the contact had safety concerns about the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Engine · CA

Driving on highway at about 60mph when the engine started knocking and the power decreased significantly. I pulled to the side of the road and called my day who came and brought his OBD 2 tester. The code was P1326 which is Knock Sensor. We had the car towed to a KIA dealer nearby and they updated the software. We picked up the car the next day. It seemed fine at first. Within two weeks the the same thing happened and we, once again had it towed to KIA. Within a few days, the service writer called and said that the engine needed to be replaced, but that KIA was denying an engine replacement. They said that they found sludge in the engine that in their opinion showed a lack of maintenance. We sent in receipts for oil changes every 5-6K miles. At this point, we do not have an answer regarding an engine replacement.

Filed Jun 8, 2024 · Engine · UT

I started the car up no lights on, started fine, no warning symptoms like loss of power, no oil consumption nothing! Started an hour and a half drive to visit family and I started hearing a weird sound almost like plastic was flapping around on the bottom. Turned down the music and it was only making this weird sound every 5-10 seconds. Pulled off of the road shut the car off and checked under the hood, the oil everything seemed fine. Started it up and heard the sound again and suddenly became worse and came to the conclusion it’s a rod knock. Had to get off the busy road so continues for maybe 1 mile and every dash light came on shut it off waited for a trailer, once we got it on the trailer the lights were gone. The dealership near me is saying they can’t do anything due to a recall update not being done but I had a newly programmed ECU that was put in in March of 2023 and I was some research and i found a few things stating the ECU would be completely up to date but kia is fighting me on it. I have also been update to date on maintenance records. Since its been at the dealership I’ve asked for the other 2 recalls that are open on it to be done while I figure out what to do with it and they bypass me asking everytime.

Filed May 29, 2024 · Engine · GA

I was driving down the highway on my way to work and all of a sudden I lost power. The car was still on but it wouldn't go very fast and started smoking. Then a knocking noise started. I had to get it towed home. Car is not running. KIA refuses to take responsibility even though there is a known issue with this vehicle.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Engine · SC

A piece of carbon build up was caught on the exhaust valve not allowing it to close and causing no compression. The carbon build up is known in every kia engine as everyone knows they came out the factory with defects. With the exhaust valve burnt it scored the cylinder and none of it is covered under the extended warranty and I have seen many people with the same problem and all the dealership does is grind off the burnt oil on the exhaust valve and return it to the costumer while it is a ticking bomb. It is known to the dealership that this is a defect in the engine and which they told me on the phone while all calls are recorded. There was no sign that this was going to happened to the car. I was driving and the next second the car is shaking violently with the engine light on.

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Engine · 104,000 miles · KS

The engine is knocking and stalling out. Lawrence Kia has had my car for three weeks, and nothing has been done. After investigating the issue, the failure is related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall is to replace engines. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 104,000.