2012 Kia Optima: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Engine · CA · fire · 1 injury

After the rod bearing engine replacement was preformed. My engine light came on a few days after picking it up from dealer. I immediately reported it to the dealer that I need to bring it in mainly for smog check, and no response. 2 weeks later I told them about it again. No response. 3 weeks later began a fuel smell and I immediately reported that as the smell got stronger. No response. 3 days later the fuel smell was really bad and I was really worried about a fire. This time I called general manager and he never provided any advice or return call. 3 hours later the engine caught on fire. Car is totaled and I could of been seriously injured. I sent pictures and thanked them for their negligence. He finally gave me a phone number for consumer affairs. showed no remorse and claimed that the new engine they just put in has no warranty and they are not responsible. If they would of directed me to bring back in. Or bring it somewhere. Or tell me not to drive it. But completely ignored me. And had the nerve to let me know that was their 4th fire this week. Kia management needs to step it up. I was denied a loaner or rental. And they will try to get back to me by Friday. You must put a stop to this behavior asap!

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Fuel system · MO

There is a leak around the fuel tank with a significant fuel smell coming inside the cabin. amount

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Fuel system · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle soon after refueling. The contact took the vehicle to orr kia of shreveport (1111 e. Bert kouns industrial loop, shreveport, la 71115) where she was provided a diagnostic fee which she declined. The contact then called orr kia of bossier city (3601 benton rd, bossier city, la 71111) where she was also given another diagnostic fee which she also declined. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving t 65 MPH, without warning, the vehicle started to shudder. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road and inspected the fuel in the vehicle. The fuel level was low. The contact drove approximately 20 miles before the vehicle stalled with an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was inspected. The vehicle was then towed to paramount kia of asheville (1000 ridgefield blvd, asheville, nc 28806) where a diagnostic test was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Fuel system · 158,000 miles · WA

For several days noticed a faint fuel smell after shutting engine off. Also noticed after starting engine. While engine was running I took engine cover off and fuel was spraying out of the top b-nut fitting on the high pressure fuel line. Fuel line is on the upper part of engine. This is the same fuel line in recall sc172. Engine was replaced in 11/2019 under recall.

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 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.

Filed May 9, 2014 · Fuel system · 38,000 miles · NC · fire

While traveling from knoxville tn.we noticed the smell of gasoline while traveling on I-75.as we continued on the smell went away.we refueled in sweetwater tn. And continued on.at a redlight in madisonville we noticed the smell again.I pulled into a wendys parking lot and checked beneath the hood.there was no gas smell or leaks.we continued on to hwy 68.near farner tn. The car had a hot smell and within a few seconds went up in flames.we pulled onto a side road and exited the vehicle.there was no warning lights, and the car did not miss or shut off.no warning whatsoever.we were able to get out only.flames consumed the car immediately after we exited 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!!!

Filed Dec 11, 2012 · Engine · 9,600 miles · CA

Strong smell of exhaust inside passenger area of car. Smell by 4 of 5 passengers. Car was a rental, so I do not know the VIN ore even the model year. With < 10,000 total vehicle miles, it may have been a 2012. I did find this note online regarding a similar problem wtih hyundai sonata, that may or not be related. ( fyi-my 2011 sonata smells like exhaust inside the cab of the car unless I keep the button pushed for "inside air circulation". I called the dealer and as it turns out, this is a common problem with this model. A hose has to be replaced on the exhaust system.hyundai is aware of the problem because many people have complained about the same issue.