2012 Kia Optima: misfire or rough idle

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both cars have the same issue around the same mileage. There were no warning lights during the time it was at the shop. However one day the check engine light did come on and the OBD code P1326 came up. When I took it to the shop the check engine light disappeared and the dealership said they will not check my engine unless they see the code on their end. I believe later down the line the engine will stall out and it should be fixed now while under warranty. However I received no help from the dealership unless I am willing to pay upfront. In addition to this there are electrical issues the front seats aren't moving immediately when the button is pressed. The steering wheel buttons barely work along with the radio. This is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.

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 22, 2022 · Engine · 132,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the engine was running however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled off the highway into a rest area. The contact stated that the engine and the vehicle were shaking abnormally. The contact turned the vehicle off and noticed gray smoke coming from underneath the hood on the driver's side near the windshield. The contact stated that he opened the hood and checked the fluid levels, and the oil and coolant were at normal levels. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake. The contact shifted into drive(D) and depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault codes P0303 and P0404, related to engine misfire in all cylinders. The mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, who declined to replace the engine. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact was advised by the manufacturer that he had five recalls associated with the VIN. The contact researched online and found that he had three recalls associated with the VIN and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2021 · WV

I was coming home from work doing around 75 mph on cruise control when all of the sudden the car jerked violently and lost all power, the car behind me would’ve rear ended me if they weren’t paying attention. I just hold the throttle down to get home, misfiring terribly, and the best way I can describe, it smelled hot if that makes sense. I had it looked at and was told it doesn’t have compression in one of the cylinders and that it wasn’t covered under warranty or recall. So now I’m paying for a car that I can’t drive.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Engine · 100 miles · KS

'tamara recall' I owed the vehicle for not even 1 year after financing it from a used car lot. I drove the vehicle from my home town colorado springs to fort riley ks after purchasing vehicle. This is where I was stationed. I drove from fort riley ks to albuquerque nm for easter in april 2017 to visit family. When I returned home it started shaking and making noises and check engine light came on. The error codes were read and indicated it was a cylinder misfire. The same time this issue happened I got a recall for metal shavings in engine crankshaft. I took vehicle to kia and they said they will not fix the recall until the cylinder misfire is fixed. They recommended a completely new engine. If I buy a whole new engine then they get out of doing the recall. I was then deployed to poland for 1 year and recently returned and there is still nothing done about it. Sounds kinda fishy to me. Kia is heating around the bush. I can not even drive the vehicle.

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 150 miles · LA

Steering is very unstable. Extremely afraid of this car - I feel like I am not in control when driving, I constantly have to fight to stay straight. Veers/pulls left and right as if im bouncing in between the lines on the interstate. My stomach stays in knots in fear I will hit another vehicle, or worse a concrete barrier in the construction on the interstate. It feels as if 3-5 seconds I am not in control, my arms are exhausted by the time I arrive to my work, home, or elsewhere. Have complained several times to kia dealer when having oil changed & I am always told nothing is wrong or cannot duplicate problem. Four mechanics have driven my car elsewhere and agree there is a safety issue and kia should recall and fix before it cost someone/a family their lives. My dash lights also surge to maximum brightness at any random moment while driving - all on their own. I recently started having issues with starting my car, I bought my car in march 2012 and currently have 14k miles (highway for work). Recently, twice my car felt as if it was not going to start, sputtering, smell of exhaust inside car. I also have issues if I am at a red light/stopped and when I accelerate sometimes the car feels as if it dies out for a second - misfiring. I can not pass in traffic out of fear my car will not respond when I try to accelerate. My car constantly will not connect to my phone, or keeps a call display on the radio after the call has ended (freezes) until I restart my car. I feel there is something terribly wrong with the wiring/electrical/steering with my car and several others according to other complaints on here! Toyota recalled only after a death, hyundai/nissan/dodge all just recalled immediately - what about us kia? I have a family in this sedan that is going to end up costing my life or worse, my entire family's lives! Please address this problem!!!!! Steering is not normal or safe!!!