2012 Kia Optima visibility problems

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact pressed on the horn, and the horn failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, upon starting the vehicle and attempting to adjust the driver’s side mirror, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the side-view mirror motor. The contact stated that several days later, the abnormal clicking sound ceased, and the driver’s side mirror failed to function as intended. On a separate occasion, the passenger’s side mirror motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. Several days later, the clicking sound ceased and the passenger’s side mirror failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the sunroof, the motor failed to function as intended and the sunroof was half closed. The contact had to place a tarp over the sunroof to protect inside the vehicle from the elements. No warning lights were illuminated. Recently the vehicle received maintenance and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown part had failed in the engine. The contact was unsure what part of the engine had been replaced. The failure recurred, and the contact had safety concerns about the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Visibility · 55,500 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, she was unable to close the sunroof and heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealers; Kia of East Hartford (99 Ash St, East Hartford, CT 06108:(860) 291-7000) and Gary Rome Kia (809 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082:(860) 253-4753) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.

Filed Apr 21, 2021 · Visibility · 109,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway at about 70mph when my panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded. It was not hit by a rock or any sort of debris, it exploded completely on its own without warning. The loud explosion caused me to swerve and panic brake as glass shards rained down on me from the broken sunroof.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Engine, Visibility · 130,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that when driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently and the engine and tire sensor lights illuminated while the failure occurred. The contact was able to move onto the road shoulder inspected under the hood and found smoke and within a moment the flames was under the hood and the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that before the engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to doug smith kia (495 w main street american fork, ut 84003 phone (801) 692-4390) to have the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (engine) performed. The contact also stated that a recall for under frame corrosion protection was also performed. The dealer checked the engine and was unable to see any problem with the engine and provided a free oil change, and replaced dip stick to the orange color. The california fire department extinguish the fire. The california state patrol department was also present a police report was not filed. The contact suffered smoke inhalation and scrapes from glass. The vehicle was towed to the contact home. The contact also stated that the air conditioning system did not work properly after recall was performed and caused the defrost system failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.*bf consumer stated he lost everything in the car.

Filed Nov 3, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 48,000 miles · TX

2012 kia optima ex with 48000 miles now driver-side headlight stopped working, so as of now I am driving with passenger sidelight in combination with parking lights. Buying kia optima is the biggest mistake I have ever done, it seems every month something goes wrong with this vehicle. Surprisingly the federal safety agency has not taken any action as per kia optima well known defects.

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Visibility · 101,119 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. While driving 60 MPH, the panoramic sun roof glass fractured and fell onto the rear passenger seats. There were no injuries. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 101,119.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate and there was extremely poor visibility. Also, the oil light randomly illuminated several times. The dealer (ossett kia south, 2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115, (901) 328-8173) was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The contact replaced the headlight assemblies more than five times, but the visibility was still poor. The contact also noticed an abnormal odor in the vehicle. The dealer indicated that without the check engine indicator illuminated, they would not replace the catalytic converter. The contact stated that the warranty expired without the part being replaced. The fan also failed to function, but the failure was not remedied. The dealer also performed a repair per an unknown recall regarding the steering; however, the remedy failed to provide a solution for the steering coupler and the steering wheel was no longer straight. Also, the sun roof and moon roof glass had a crack going down to the driver's side of the vehicle where it met the windshield. There was also an abnormal noise progressing due to the failures. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the steering failure, headlight failure, and moisture in the rear camera. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Feb 15, 2018 · Visibility · 64,585 miles · MI

My wife was driving on the freeway at 6:20 p.m in the slow lane at 65 MPH when she heard a loud explosion and the sunroof shattered. There were no vehicles in front of her or around her that could possibly have kicked up a rock or debris from the road. She was also not passing under an overpass or bridge. Luckily, she was able to control the car and was not physically hurt in the incident. This vehicle has a panoramic sunroof and the moving part of the glass sunroof shattered.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · NJ · fire

The engine seized while driving on the highway. This has als resulted in the climate control system including the defrosters and radio to malfunction