2012 Kia Optima: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 157,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 61 MPH. The RPM failed to exceed 2,000 RPM. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH while driving uphill, and the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH while driving downhill. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved codes indicating an oil control valve failure. The contact replaced the oil control valve; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the fuel rail system, the fuel tube clamps, and the bolts were replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the battery, the engine oil, and other unknown parts; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive fuel consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Engine · NV

Car went to limp mode and has code p1326. Car was towed to kia and waiting on determination of kia in korea to cover engine. Car has 63,000 miles

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Engine · NY

After careful inspection by certified auto mechanics at the service shop, "American Muscle" it has been determined that my Kia Optima 2012 2.0L Turbo has metal shavings in it from prematurely-worn bearings. While driving, my car suddenly went into limp mode from a knock sensor alarm while on the freeway. I took it to a professional repair shop, and they looked in the oil pan and found metal shavings from the bearings, both gold in color and silver in color. There was no engine light on prior to this event. It happened suddenly under normal, safe operation. It seems very similar to engine recalls of the same year and model due to metal shavings that resulted from engine manufacturing process causing premature wear of bearings. I have photos and video of the vehicle, the engine and oil pan with metal shavings present. The vehicle shows 100,667 miles at the time of the vehicle inspection.

Filed Jun 17, 2022 · Electrical · IN

The speedometer quits working, the car will not shift into gear after parked and turned off, all the dash lights come on. You have to hit the reset button on the gear shift to get the car to do anything.

Filed May 27, 2022 · Engine · 150,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The vehicle was previously serviced at the dealer under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would not accelerate above 35 MPH. Additionally, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into limp mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

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 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 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 Jan 4, 2021 · Lights, Transmission · 168,000 miles · TX

Transmission has a hard pull when it down shifts from third gear to second gear and a harder pull on first gear this is a automatic transmission. In regular gears going in drive would actually do fine I noticed a week later when I was out driving for about an hour that the car would not go past second gear so I pulled off the road and had my car towed. The vehicle has never had any dashboard lights come on currently my car is in limp mode and will only go in reverse takes a few seconds to initiate an engage to go into first gear.dealership does not really want to look at the vehicle if it does not have a check engine light code I have no idea what is wrong with this transmission I have 168,000 miles. It should give you some type of warning that something is going on with your transmission but it does not even light up on your dashboard if you go to press the pedal to accelerate it does not want to accelerate I just recently had my catalytic converter changed out so I know it is not that the gears on the transmission will not go past second gear now it is in what they consider limp mode or default mode someone really needs to look at the transmission on all the 2012 kia optimas I have been seeing a lot of issues with these cars the lights that are considered as the low beams are not very bright either I just recently had those changed and new ones put in they do not give you enough light if you're driving at night this is a safety hazard

Filed Feb 3, 2020 · Seats, Transmission · 125,000 miles · KS

The car will not accelerate at a safe time frame. For example if I need to cross a busy street. I have to wait until there are absolutely no cars coming because when I accelerate my engine revs but doesn't move. I've been almost rear ended several times because the transmission will not go into gear. The engine will hit 8 or 9 thousand RPM then the transmission decides to catch and throw my head into the seat. Which if there is a car in front of me I have to be careful not to rear end them because of the sudden acceleration.

Filed Feb 13, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 123,198 miles · NC

On january 24, 2019, my car had to be towed to shakers kia in watertown ct again. I had been in ct visiting family when I got stuck there due to car issues. I dropped my car off december 7, 2018 for an engine replacement due to a recall and I got it back december 31, 2018. I drove my car home to nc on january 4, 2019 and came back 2 weeks later for my son's surgery scheduled for january 23. On january 22, three weeks after I got my car back, my check engine light came on and my car went into limp mode while driving and had to be towed to shakers kia. They texted me at 9:08am january 23 with a link to a video saying my car was ready. I picked it up around 5pm after my son's surgery. I didn't have the car 4 hours when it did the same thing again and had to be towed. Shakers told me that I was gonna be responsible for replacing my throttle body because I still have old components from my old engine and my throttle body was part of that. I didn't understand how I have old components if my engine was replaced, so I called kia headquarters. Shakers replaced my throttle body, no cost to me. Well, when I picked my car up on january 30, I asked about the fuel leak recall and if my car was inspected as kia told shakers to check mines even though my VIN number wasn't included because my car needed to be checked because my engine was replaced due to the recall. I was told by the technician hector that my car was fine and it didn't need to be inspected because he was very confident in his work. He stated that people were having engine fires because mechanics don't know what they're doing and are installing the engines wrong. My car doesn't run the same after having my engine replaced. It runs and idles rough. I put in numerous calls to kia about issues with my car and I'm told over and over again that my case manager will call me but it's been weeks and she hasn't called yet.

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Engine · 121,427 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. Contact noticed car was making a weird sound, consumer's check engine light came on, and the oil light flashed every time contact pressed the gas. The contact stated that there had not been any failures with the vehicle until it was serviced for per the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). Within weeks of the vehicle being serviced, the check engine indicator illuminated, the vehicle was in a limp mode and it failed to operate over 10 MPH. The vehicle was towed to shaker's kia (1230 main st, watertown, ct 06795, (860) 417-0900) where it remained for over a month. The dealer provided a loaner vehicle. The contact informed the dealer and manufacturer numerous times that the remedy failed to provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was retrieved by the contact and the check engine indicator illuminated again and vehicle would not move at all when the gas pedal was pressed. Engine was replaced with old engine components like the sensor, throttle body, etc. The dealer advised disconnecting the battery as a temporary remedy and stated that the throttle body may need to be replaced because the wiring pens were wet. The failure mileage was not available. *tt 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'