2012 Kia Optima: sudden loss of power

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 Dec 13, 2025 · Transmission · FL

The failure involves the component covered under the active safety recall campaign. The affected part/system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by the manufacturer, dealership, or the federal safety agency. Recall number : 23V6552 While driving in traffic, the vehicle suddenly began to slow down without warning, started jerking, and lost normal operation. I was forced to pull over to avoid a collision. This sudden loss of power and control placed me, my passengers, and surrounding drivers at risk of an accident. Yes. The issue was confirmed by an authorized dealership. The dealership acknowledged that the problem is directly related to the active safety recall but refused to perform the repair due to vehicle mileage exceeding 150,000 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership representing the manufacturer. No inspection has been performed by police or insurance representatives at this time. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the incident. I had not received the recall notification letter at the time I purchased the vehicle. The first occurrence happened suddenly on 12/10/2025, when the vehicle began slowing down and jerking in traffic. After I pulled over and parked, multiple warning lights and messages appeared, and the steering wheel stopped moving normally. This vehicle has an open the federal safety agency safety recall. Safety recalls do not expire based on mileage or ownership. The dealership acknowledged the issue is recall-related but refused to perform the repair due to mileage limits, which is inconsistent with federal safety recall requirements.

Filed May 27, 2025 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · FL · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving approximately 5 minutes, then pulling into a carwash and placing the vehicle in the park, the vehicle lost power and a thick gray smoke began coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle however, the fire had consumed the vehicle, and caused the building the vehicle was parked in front of caught fire. The fire department had put out both fires. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A police report was filed. The contact stated they were pregnant at the time of the fire and ended up having a miscarriage. Medical assistance was needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost power. A semi truck was right behind me. Luckily I was able to get over to the emergency lane safely. My car had no acceleration at all or any control of the steering. Prior to this incident there was no problem or warnings of any lights on dash or car having problems. It’s a daily driver for me to work. It’s never gave me any problems prior to this. I’ve had the routine maintenance done on along with the recommended mileage maintenance done. It’s been over a month now and my car still won’t start I haven’t had time to get it towed to a dealer ship or repair shop because I work 17 hour days. Everything I’ve researched about my make and model is starting to indicate that the engine seized up. I really hope that’s now the case because my car will be paid off in 3months. It has 165k miles on it I need help on weather the engine is part of a recall.

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 Dec 9, 2023 · Electrical · FL

The transmission automatic, shifter somehow disconnected from transmission, while driving, once it happened, stepping in gas pedal only revved engine, on highway in traffic, glided to to side of highway, and brakes did work, no transmission, dealer later stated and have dealer report, the piece that engages the trans to the shifter was defective and broke or fell off during vehicle operation, put a new 1 on, and then I could use gears again, regardless when it happened, any driver lost all power to stay, go or keep w, traffic, only attempt could be to safely get off highway.

Filed Dec 3, 2023 · Engine · OK

On September 27, 2023 I was driving home at 50 mph on 41st & Lynn Lane in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, OK. The car just shut down right before I had to stop at a stop sign. Not being mechanical minded the only thing I could think of was to call a towing company (AAA). I was informed to also call 911 to have a police officer come and block traffic to keep me from getting hit. It was towed to the only garage there is close to my house as the Ferguson Dealership couldn't take it at the time. It was at a place called The Garage. They at the time told me they thought it was the fuel pump and replaced it. The work was done on October 2, 2023. On November 26, 2023 I was driving home on the Cimarron Turnpike when the car just lost power. I pulled over as best I could and did after a bit get it to start again. I called my brother to see if he would follow me home as the car jerked and would only do 60 mph. I put on my flashers and my brother did follow me home. I have researched the trouble and saw a recall #147 (Kia's # I believe. it is a recall for the engine and something to do with the KSDS. Kia Dealership ( Ferguson Kia) again couldn't take the car so I took it to The Garage again and received a call from the tech that I need another motor. I am calling Kia Corp to see if they will replace it.

Filed Aug 30, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

While driving down the highway the cars Hybrid warning system came on causing the car to lose all breaks and lose power. The component of the vehicle that failed is the HECU. Kia already did a recall for this but did not include the hybrids for the recall. This is very unsafe losing all breaking power, driving 65 mph down the highway with my children in the car! There was absolutely no warning, no check engine lights nothing. I had it towed to the dealership and upon them driving it, it also cut completely out and did it to the person at the dealership. This is going to cause someone to lose their life and when you call Kia, it’s the same run around that your year wasn’t included in the recall yet there was a whole lawsuit about this.

Filed Jul 29, 2022 · Engine, Steering · DE

Vehicle suddenly cut off and lost power. Upon cutting back off check engine was blinking as well as oil light. Was left to sit over night as it wasn’t safe to drive home and would not restart. The following morning the car started but was hesitant driven less than 20 miles home which struggled to accelerate and check engine light was illuminated along with oil light coming on . Oil was in the car at the time. Parked in front of home additional oil added oil light then oil light cut off until ac is turned on . Car was turned on and sitting and a knocking noise began . Left to sit the next day then taken to jiffy lube where a reading came on the scanner that it was the crank shaft was then ordered to go to a repair shop where it was diagnosed the engine is blown and that oil was basically being burned even with a maintain of oil changes therefore this caused metal to metal contact . The engine is now seized up and the vehicle is sitting outside of home. Vehicle is unsafe to drive upon further research cars 2011-2019 with the same engine have caught fire or failed . Due to this there is now a class act suit theta ii with Kia .

Filed Apr 26, 2022 · Engine · CA

Kia started losing power on freeway was able to pull over then it died and wouldn’t start back up motor seized up battery is good electrical is good it’s a push start and engine won’t crank or turn over or nothing

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine · TN

My car lost power going 70mph and the engine light came on. I had it scanned and the code was P1326. Now my car will not move. This was a reported recall on Kia Optima from years 2011-2014. My car is a 2012 Kia Optima. I called dealership and they said my VIN is not under this recall but I am having the same exact problem as the recall reported in 2018.