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2012 Kia Optima engine complaints

Page 5 of 15: complaints 101 to 130 of 418, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Kia Optima engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 20, 2021 · Engine · NC

Driving to work on I40 West during traffic hour which was about 7:50am my car just started loosing speed and I had to pull off on the left side of the road. Car did not turn back on. Had my car towed to the mechanic and he states it was the engine. Kia replaced my engine not even 3yrs ago because of a recall.

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Engine · OH

I was driving on the highway and suddenly lost acceleration, the check engine light began flashing. The car went into limp mode. I got it to an auto parts store and had them put it on the scanner. It is showing code P1326. I have it scheduled to be assessed at Kia. Research on this code with the Kia says, it could need a system update, knock sensor replaced, or the engine replaced. Kia does have a recall out for this issue but my car doesn’t currently fall under the recall. My car has always been mechanically maintained at appropriate intervals by Kia. This is a problem.

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.

Filed Sep 26, 2021 · Engine · CA

My car keeps overheating when left in park and at an idle state. This problem occurs everytime I am in park at idle for more than 4 min. This has occured since the time I have purchased the vehicle.

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Engine · CA

I was driving down the street and smelt somethinf burning and the car lost power and was driving slow I pulled over and it smelled like burent. Now the car has no power, wont charge the hybrid battery and has a load knockinf noise

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Engine · 13,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 mph when a noise coming from the engine compartment was heard and saw smoke emitting from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over and upon investigation, a fire was underneath the engine compartment. The contact waited until the fire was extinguished naturally and the fire department was not called. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine caught fire and was repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000

Filed Aug 31, 2021 · Engine · 203,000 miles · GA · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at 30 - 35 mph, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The oil warning light was first illuminated then all of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact tried to restart the vehicle when she detected a smoke odor and saw there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle with her daughter. The contact then opened the hood and saw that the engine had caught fire. The contact had a friend from nearby come help to put out the fire with water. No medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained on the side of the road. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Engine · GA

Car stalls when it’s hot outside and while using the A/C

Filed Jul 11, 2021 · Body, Engine · TN · fire

While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire

Filed Jul 5, 2021 · Engine · KY

Driving at 60 mph on the highway engine seized up with no warning what so ever no engine light or oil light. Once vehicle stopped checked oil and it was almost empty. No warning of oil pressure or oil low. Vehicle always inspected an oil change done on time. Can't find recall on my vin but other 2012 models had a recall for this exact reason. I was almost hit by a semi when the vehicle just died with no warning at all and everything locked up. Never had 1 issue with this vehicle until now. And I am worried kia will not fix it when clearly other optimas of the same year had the same issue. I can't understand why when vin search it doesn't show this recall. It's all over the internet.

Filed Jul 3, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

My VIN is [xxx] its a 2012 kia opitma hybrid 2.4l and I see it has these recalls on it neeed to know what I can do about it my number is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 26, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I driving to park,I heard a loud popping noise and i them preceeded to pull out the driveway and al’s 5 minutes in the drive the KIA hybrid warning system came on and then told me to park the ending at the nearest location to park. the car started smoking real lot bad and me and my kid exited the vehicle because of all the smoke. the oil was everywhere on the car, on the motor, leaking out of the car.i then got car towed back home

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Engine · 147,850 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was being serviced. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,850.

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Engine · KY

Oil changed every 3000 miles. Driving to work the other day check engine light came on. Car went into limp mode. Pulled code and it was for rod bearings. Supposedly rod bearings had been repaired by recall before. Car only has 91,000 miles on it. So shouldn't need another set of rod bearings if previously replaced.

Filed Jun 14, 2021 · Engine · IN

When getting on oil change at myCarDoc they wrote the wrong mileage on my car so the CARFAX is off. My engine broke down randomly the other day on the highway and now I need a whole new engine..and to find out the mileage was off when getting maintenance done.

Filed Jun 10, 2021 · Engine · LA · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 8, 2021 · Engine · 107,000 miles · VT

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 66 mph, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Filed May 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · MO

Car started idling and running rough out of no where. When I put the computer diagnostic on it it tells me there's problems with the fuel rail pressure sensor. Also the car won't go into drive or reverse but nothing is wrong with the transmission?

Filed May 17, 2021 · Engine · 65,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle loss engine functionality. The contact pulled over however, the vehicle was not able to be restarted. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed May 8, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 99,075 miles · TX

Tha car shut down in the middle of the road would not start all lights came on and could not steer gave the car gas on gas pedal nor could I brake to get out of the road. Has been towed to demontrond kia to see if under warranty for repairs almost lost my life on highway

Filed May 4, 2021 · Engine · 120,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled with the battery and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated she shifted to neutral and pushed the vehicle into her driveway. The vehicle was towed to quality kia of greenwood (1706 montague ave ext, greenwood, sc 29649, (864) 223-2542) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Engine · 97,300 miles · AZ

My engine won't turn over

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 109,000 miles · AZ

The engine won't turn over I just bought this car too

Filed Apr 26, 2021 · Engine · 80,000 miles · IL

Car broke down. Tried to restart the car. Engine is shaking. Smoke noted to be comming from the engine.

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Engine · 97,000 miles · PA

I was driving on the interstate and heard noise from under the hood of car and car then decelerated to a stop on side of the highway. Smoke was coming out from hood and oil was all over engine and road. The problem was diagnosed by mechanic as rod was thrown through the engine block puncturing it due to a worn bearing. I did research and my model and engine has a recall on this exact matter. Recall # sc147. I had bought the car in january 2019 and the manufacturer is denying any repair because of a 'product improving campaign' that was released for it in october 2018 and never addressed. That was three months before I bought the car. I was unaware of this because I bought the car after. My car is currently sitting at a dealership because when I called that dealership they said my car does qualify for the recall repair and replacement and to bring it in, but I was notified today from that dealership that kia will not repair my vehicle because of an e.c.u. Software update that was never performed on the car in 2011! Pi1803-b is the code for that recall that was also never addressed and was eight years before I purchased the car. I'm really confused and upset as to how a company can deny fixing recalls on a vehicle that are clearly safety hazards!!!

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Engine · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia optima. The contact's grand daughter stated while driving an unknown speed, the vehicle began to slow down and was able to pull over to a stop safely. The contact stated fire began to come out of the engine compartment. A fire and police report were filed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local tow yard where it was diagnosed with being destroyed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Engine · 290,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a loud noise came from the engine compartment as the vehicle started to smoke. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to garden grove kia (13731 harbor blvd, garden grove, ca 92843) where it was diagnosed with the engine failing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was relating the issue to the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v750000 (engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but informed the contact that vehicle had to many miles. The failure mileage was approximately 290,00.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · CA

While driving my 2012 kia optima hybrid on the farthest left lane of the freeway, a warning message popped up on my dash board that was something similar to "saftley pull over and do not drive vehicle." I began to change lanes to be able to exit the freeway and as I was approaching the edits stop light the moving hehicle seemed to lack much power. I was lucky enough to have the car roll far enough on momentum to get me out of the way of a very busy road. It was a miracle that the car rolled to the spot it did because that happened to be the only place the shoulder could fit my car. I had it sent to kia dealership and it took them almost an entire week to finally have an idea of what the problem could be. Engine seized as the major problem and offered to replace it for above $8000! The car isn't even worth that much! Come to realize there was a recall on my engine so I am now waiting until kia tech support reaches out to my mechanic for the approval or denial. I bought this used car about 30 days from today's date with 80k miles

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Engine · 122,000 miles · CA

Car has been maintained appropriately, car suddenly started turning off on us while in drive. We had it checked according to the scanner, it says it is the same knocking sensor that kia has reported. When I called customer service, they run my VIN and say I have no recalls so they cannot help me. My car is a 2012 which falls within the years kia has reported yet they will not help me. As of now I have no running vehicle because it is too unsafe to chance driving it with my children in the car. The car has turned off on me while in motion 4 times now, twice on the highway, twice on a 2 lane only canyon. (on my way home from work with my children in the car)

Filed Mar 7, 2021 · Engine · 153,000 miles · FL

I have a 3 months old and I'm very concerned about our safety because the vehicle suddenly runs out of oil and it start smelling like burned and it starts to smoke a lot of white smoke. When I check the oil compartment it seems like the oil evaporates or get consumed but it doesn't leak. This has happened few times while driving the car on a city street.

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