2012 Kia Optima: fuel pump failure

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Fuel system · 162,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 88,800 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle lost motive power and was slow to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The approximate failure mileage was 88,800.

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 Apr 21, 2023 · Fuel system · GA

Car was involved in the class action suite for the motor replacement and had the motor replaced at 156,763 miles on the car. Since the replacement the high pressure fuel pump has had to be replaced twice and is not needing replacement again with only 218,000 miles (62000 miles since replacement). There where no previous issues with the HPFP before motor replacement and KIA will not do anything about the HPFP continuous failure. This appears to be a very common issue with the KIA products and yet no recall has been issued. This is ultimately a safety issue as the vehicle can cut off while in motion causing a risk for collision but has not been addressed by anyone other than a Repair bulleting put out by KIA in 2013 to all their dealerships for this issue so KIA is aware of the issues with the failures. This needs to be addressed before someone is injured or killed due to this re-occurring malfunction part.

Filed Jun 16, 2022 · Engine · WV

I was driving my 2012 dia optima approximately 55 mph and without warning the engine died killing power to steering and brakes.....tried starting it back up heard the fuel pump kick on good ground all the basics then I began to google possible issues and saw there were serious engine issues where the car either spews high pressure gas and potentially catches fire or bearing wear where the engine will shut off without warning.....I typed vin in said my vehicle was part of the theta II GDI engine recall so I called the 800 number where they told me that there were 2 recalls that needed to be done "before" the engine fails and that my vehicle had only had one of the two so I would have to pay to have it towed (315$) to local dealership to have diagnosed and tech line opened. I dropped it off on Saturday the 28th of may and was told due to holiday weekend it would be Tuesday the 2nd they would call well finally yesterday june 15th they finally called and the fella told us it wasn't covered and it would cost 8000$ for them to put an engine in or I could sell it to them for 300 or 400$. I called corporate immediately after speaking with ole dude the lady asked what the diagnostic came up with because my car is covered under lifetime warranty for the bearing issue in fact and doesn't matter about the fuel issue. She seems to think that he never even put on diagnostic machine she tried calling him 4 times from headquarters and was ignored each time. They never tried contacting me which was a registered owner or my wife who is now and even as far back as my little brother who I bought the car off of it was still registered in original owners and according to what I read they were supposed to actively seek out vehicle owners through registration etc because of danger and then in my opinion dude tried to hustle me knowing the car was actually covered telling me no and giving 400 then turn it in get new motor and make 10k....I did not smell fuel when I popped hood so I know

Filed Apr 18, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

Engine replaced under the recall campaign after failure and have had issues since with the car wanting to start. Turns over several times before finally getting it to start. Fuel pump and fuel line replaced out of pocket as well as a sensor out of pocket and still having the same issues intermittently then today while driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH the car just shuts off in the middle of the highway in morning traffic and almost caused an accident, without warning. Still took several times to crank before car finally restarted and made it maybe 4 miles before shutting off again while driving without warning and then smelled as if something was burning. Car has had scheduled maintenance as advised by KIA for warranty on motor but if something is not done about all of these same complaints then someone is going to get killed. Very unsafe!

Filed Jul 29, 2020 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

My 2012 optima was taken to imperio kia in dana point for a mandated engine inspection. After the inspection, I noticed the adviser acting strangely. My car engine started to hesitate, and began to smell rubber burning. The dealership did not ever answer the phone, and with 4 weeks they closed down. My car was inspected at kia of irvine, who determined the engine was damaged beyond repair, it had metal pieces and rubber pieces in it, the hoses were disconnected and there was rubber melted onto the exhaust manifold. There were missing clamps and numerous other probems. Kia replaced my engine and turbo with rebuilt parts, after a wait that lasted 4 more weeks. Kia provided me a 5 year extended warranty on all the components that were replaced and damaged in this case #12538291. In 2019, another mandated inspection occurred for the fuel pump system and fuel pipe in the vehicles that previously required a replacement engine, because there was a danger of fire. On july 28, 2020, the optima started to lose its power, and choked and hesitated upon startup while I was in traffic. It was very dangerous. I reopened the engine claim and took the optima into the irvine dealership. They clain there is no extended warranty, that it does not exist! They accept no responsibility for the inspection or lack there-of for the fuel pipe, and claim that the warranty and recall do not cover the fuel pump. Agents are working from home due to covid-19, and there is no customer service to speak of. The quote from the dealership is extremely high and they want to charge me a high diagnostic fee as well. I have been through enough trauma because of kia, and I want them to be held accountable. Their warranty records are a disgrace.

Filed Mar 10, 2020 · Fuel system · 76,000 miles · CA

There's a recall on low pressure fuel hose defect for 2013 and 2014 kia optima (kia recall #sc187) but my 2012 also has similar fuel smell. I took my car in to kia of irvine (ca) for diagnosis on march 7, 2020 and was told high pressure fuel line connector to fuel pump is missing a small tab and may need replacement. I was also told that since I recently replaced the valve cover gasket myself which would involve disconnecting and reconnecting the fuel line to the fuel pump, they're not responsible for the line missing tab. But the issue is there was no fuel smell after I replaced the gasket. The smell was right after they replaced the turbo which also involved disconnecting and reconnecting the fuel line to fuel pump. Interestingly, there's another similar recall (kia recall #sc172) where it invlove kia's service technician damaging the same fuel line after engine replacement work on numerous vehicles. The fact that kia has had recalls due to fuel odor on same make/ model, and the fuel smell was after they serviced my vehicle, they should be responsible for vehicles fuel line issue. Furthermore kia should take this issue seriously as the car could potentially spark fire. Please help!

Filed Sep 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

My 2012 kia optima on multiple occasions has shut off while the vehicle was in motion. While driving, as I decrease my speed, suddenly the car will experience jerking and then suddenly shut off. This has occur while driving on the freeway and traffic has slowed down to 10 MPH or less and while approaching a light or crossing and intersection and traffic is slowing down. While the car is at steady speed, at 20 - 40 MPH the car jerks as I'm trying to maintain with the flow of traffic. My car has had routine maintenance and mechanics have been unable to identify or remedy the issue. My last two incidents were 8/21/19 freeway while in the fast lane next to the carpool lane and now 8/29 on city street. I also experienced this on march 3,2019 (had a fuel pump replacement which still did not remedy the issue)

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 166,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle decelerated on its own. When the accelerator pedal was released and depressed again, the vehicle would accelerate normally. In addition, when accelerating from a stop, the vehicle started to rattle, the oil warning indicator flickered, and the rear brake lights would remain illuminated when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to atlanta west kia (located at 1301 thornton rd, lithia spring, ga 30122, (678) 715-5399) where it was diagnosed that the high pressure fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notifed. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Fuel system · 73,565 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated and white smoke bellowed from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken to summit place kia (located at 4200 interpark dr, auburn hills, mi 48326, (248) 682-6002) where it was diagnosed that the high pressure fuel line and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 73,565.

Filed Feb 5, 2019 · Fuel system · 112,450 miles · VA

Check engine light comes on and upon check the the fuel pump sensor has made 3 different sensors go. My fuel jumps all over the place. From a full tank to empty or the reading changes while driving. There is also a smells of gas that can be smelled while driving as well coming from the vents.