Kia replaced a blown engine in 2017 on recall. From the beginning I noticed it felt different. It goes through oil, but doesn't leak anywhere. When I take off after its sat for a while a big cloud of white smoke comes out the back of the car. I have taken it back to the dealer and they tested it and said it was ("burning oil in the combustion chamber"). the engine has less than 40000 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it because the first time the engine blew up, I almost caused a giant accident! now the car is not only dangerous but worthless as well. I have kept all documents on the car, oil changes, parts & repairs, recalls, etc.

- Victor, ID, USA

Recently when driving I've heard a pronounced "knocking" noise coming from my 2012 Kia Optima engine. This happens especially at highway speeds but can also be heard at lower speeds as well. I was aware of a safety recall for this exact problem and an extended warranty that had been placed on my engine because of it. I brought the car to a Kia service center for them to run the audio test required by the recall. Although they admitted that the knocking was coming from the issue stated in the recall, they said it was still "in spec" and it was not loud enough yet to warrant replacing the engine free of charge. They also mentioned to bring in the car again if it got worse. Just a few days later driving on the highway, the knocking was so loud I could not hear my radio. My wife and I do not feel safe driving the car and I also don't believe I will be able to sell it in this condition. If Kia is admitting fault with the engine issue, what are they waiting for" is this safe" if they are waiting for it to fail before replacing it, I could have my engine seize on the highway or catch fire based on what the class action lawsuit was targeted at.

- Reading, MA, USA

The engine is burning oil extremely I can get a oil chance and before you know it I'm so few miles my oil stick is on low and the car is making a ticking noise like it's trying to cool off everytime the car is turned off after driving.

- Slaughter, LA, USA

Engine stopped while in motion on the interstate with children. All of the lights on the dash came on but it wouldn't accelerate. Would not re start after powering off.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

While accelerating to highway speed the engine stalled and would not restart. Moved the vehicle to the side of the road. The engine would not rotate. Could not jump start. The vehicle had to be towed. There were no pre-existing audible or visual warnings prior to this event. Initial inspection has determined the engine seized. Vehicle's current mileage is 132,720. Last oil & filter change performed at 130,330. Next scheduled maintenance is not due until 134,330. I have spoken to my local Kia dealer and also to Kia motors customer service. Both have informed me that yes, there is a recall already on this vehicle's engine for this particular type of failure, SC147. However, since the recall test procedure was performed and passed over 12 months prior to this event, they will not reopen the recall inspection for this vehicle and engine replacement is my responsibility. Recall SC147 is an engine noise inspection for restricted oil flow to the bearings by metal debris in the crankshaft's oil passages. Is it not possible that this condition can occur at any time even after a noise check is conducted" the engine may not have made noise at the previous test but it is now seized without any other indications of failure. I see on Kia forums that having the engine fail is not uncommon even after the recall inspection has been completed. Why is this a one time inspection and not recurring at calendar and mileage intervals? since Kia is unwilling to investigate this issue, I am having the engine replaced by my local maintenance provider. Is there any course of action for reimbursement against Kia on this unfortunate event"

- Minooka, IL, USA

Code P1326 came up indicating vibration in the engine or a knock sensor or and engine bearing is about to need replacing

- Savannah, GA, USA

As I was driving on the highway approximately 65 mph the engine began to stall not allowing any power while pushing on the gas pedal. The service manager at Kia explained to me that they found a pin in the engine that was supposed to be R removed but never was causing this to cause major damage to my engine and head gasket.

- Valley Center, CA, USA

I was driving on the interstate and my engine shut down without warning. I've never missed an oil change and all work preformed has always been done at dealership. I had it towed to the dealership. The dealership contacted Kia and they told them the engine was locked up. Kia told them to not investigate in the engine, just replace the engine. Dealership told me they will let me know how much new engine will cost. My engine(2.4L) falls under the class action law suit going on, but my car is not being recalled because it is a hybrid. I drive a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid.

- Merrill, MI, USA

I was driving and heard some knocking and smelled an exhaust like smell, after getting off the highway and stopping at a stop light, the car would not accelerate pass 25 mph when pressing on the gas pedal and would stutter & hesitate. I stopped for a diagnosis at the closest car shop. After their evaluation they thought it could be the transmission but since they were a oil change & tire shop they could not help. Since the car was drivable, I thought I could make it back home very slowly, I drove no more than an 1/2 mile and could not accelerate pass 10 mph. I parked the car and had it towed to another auto repair shop 3 miles away. Outcome, they resealed timing cover which included replacement of front crank seal, valve cover gasket and cleaned residual engine oil from engine. Also, resealed lower oil pan and replaced oil and air filter and cleaned residual engine oil. Even after this repair, they test drove the car and verified the car would not accelerate pass 30 mph and would stutter and hesitate. They informed me that it maybe the hybrid system. I went online regarding the hybrid system(still under the factory warranty of 100,000)and noticed a recall on the non-hybrid Kia Optima with my same experience. I had it towed to the dealership close to my house. The dealership performed a diagnosis and their findings were 'could not duplicate customer's concern at this time, there was no oil leak found on the engine and vehicle drive properly during road test.' My car has been sitting for over 11 months. I did take it to the dealership recently for inspection & emission, passed as car had less than 5,000 miles from last service. However, on the way home, 1.2 miles away, the hybrid system warning light came on 'safely stop and do not drive'. I put on the hazard lights and made my way home as I was half-way, the car has been sitting since. Please recall'make this right

- Langhorne, PA, USA

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The contact was informed while in her residence that the vehicle was on fire, by another driver. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the fire marshall informed her that the fire started in the engine. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Columbus, GA, USA

Since about 40K miles my steering has clicked, locked, and missed and has gotten worse to the point that I have almost been in a few wrecks from inability to control steering. A mechanic friend of mine told me there was a recall for this and to call Kia of chattanooga (who I purchased from) to look into it along with other recalls I may not know about before taking a trip accross country with my son. I have tried calling and the dealership hears recall and hangs up on me. I was able to leave one voicemail for the manager but was never contacted back and continue to be hung up on. My concern is mostly with the steering and possible bearings with engine. Steering will click even at a stand still, locks and misses while in motion rather badly. This has been happening since around 40K miles. Unsure of any other safety related recalls as I had moved multiple times and belive that is why I did not get letters.

- South Pittsburg, TN, USA

Hi im from Canada but here except take our money governement do nothing, can you tell me why Kia Optima hybrid gas engine is not recall but non hybrid it is "?" make a quik research in goggle for engine seizure of Optima and sonata hybrid and in percentage of sale there is more engine broke in the hybrid. Is the same block engine and the issue is the same, conecting rod and cranckshaft seizure its the same parte number for all engine escept for the head. How much dead Kia Hyundai is waiting before to do something there is the same problem whit the theta engine but in recall nobody specified (hybrid so the stealer always defend herself by saying hybrid is non include in recall. How much accident do we need to do someting for this crappy engine. Mine do the same thing than the other at 60 mph I lost suddenly power and car stop in the middle of hiway its should not happen no mather the millage I dont understand why Kia Hyundai repair the non hybrid theta engine but not hybrid and ite the same engine block ecept for the fuel delevry system but the part who will broke is the conecting rod and its the same issue hybrid or not thank

- Saint Zenon, FL, USA

2012 Kia Optima hybrid stopped running. Mechanic informed me rod bearings had went bad causing metal shavings to get into engine oil damaging the engine beyond repair. New engine is needed with only 60,000 miles on car. 2012 Kia Optimas have been recalled for this specific reason but was told hybrid is not in recall. This is obviously the same issue and defect does not matter if it is a hybrid or not

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

Steering sticks and you have to forcefully pull the steering wheel in the other direction to unstick it. Oil is burning with no oil leaks, no leaks in other fluids, no explanation as to where it is going but it is burning through a quart of oil every 7 days.

- Dayton, NV, USA

On Feb.14,2020 I was driving on the freeway going 65mph when my car stalled luckily I was able to get to the right shoulder of the freeway I try to restart the car nothing happen didnt click over every light was on the dashboard I had it towed to my house and try to start it twice nothing clicked over I thought it was the battery bought a brand new battery $153 and still nothing it no clicking over no nothing I believe my engine failed

- Fresno, CA, USA

I was driving on the road at 40mph when the engine just stopped. There was no noise and the vehicle lost control. I was able to avoid any serious body damage. All the electrical accessories would turn on but the engine stayed dead when I turned the car on. After leaving it over night parked on a residential street the next day same situation all electrical devices turned on but the engine wouldnt turn on. I had to get it towed to the dealer I bought it from in order for them to take a look at what could of gone wrong.

- Tujunga, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, approaching a stop light, the contact made a left turn and the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely guide the vehicle off of the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle with no success. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that failure was similar to the failure stated in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

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 NHTSA 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. Consumer stated he lost everything in the car.

- Sun City, CA, USA

Driving approximately 60 mph on the highway and the engine seized giving me know acceleration. Vehicle was brought to the dealership and they found metal shavings in the engine that may have gotten loose very similar to the Kia Optimas that were recalled but the hybrid model was not recalled.

- Valley Center, CA, USA

There are a few recalls on my car. An appointment was scheduled to go to greenway Kia in longwood, fl. However, upon arrival they tried to charge us for the diagnostics and stated that the recall is not valid without us paying for the diagnostics. Then they proceeded to advise us that the parts that we needed under the recall were not covered by the recall and that we would need to pay thousands of dollars to then mention that it would be easier for them and cheaper for us to just buy a new car. We decided to leave and try to do more research. I did call our mechanic he confirmed there were recalls for our vehicle. I then called another Kia dealer and they advised there were recalls on our car and that there would be no charge for the diagnostics and/ or repairing the car under recall.

- Apopka, FL, USA