10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 51
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 79,925 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima LX. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 mph. When the contact turned on the defrost there was a burning odor. The vehicle was then parked when the engine caught on fire. The contact called the fire department to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The dealer was not contacted. However the contact notified the manufacturer which they did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was at 117,000.
- Bennington, VT, USA
I was driving the car at about 45 mph, and suddenly the check engine light, battery, and the oil light all came on at once and my car stopped moving. Thought it was the battery or the starter at first but now I'm pretty sure its either the engine got locked up or the wires in the car just burnt up.
- Coats, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle sezed without warning. When the contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, it failed to return to normal. The vehicle was towed to a family member's house. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Bolivar, TN, USA
I was on the interstate traveling at approx 70 mph changed lanes and when I went to accelerate the vehicle stalled lost power I coasted to the breakdown lane and attempted to start the vehicle. It would not start. I had aaa tow it to a hardings garage in fairfield. The technician said this morning the vehicle started but stalled as soon as he tried to move it. He told me that there was a Kia recall 17V224000 that applied to the engine so I got aaa to tow the vehicle to charlies Kia in augusta, me. They tell me that there is no recall on my VIN. Why would I have the same stalling as indicated in the recall if my VIN does not apply"?"
- Fairfield, ME, USA
Vehicle was in motion when check engine light came on, car was driveable but idling rough. Brought vehicle to shop for diagnosis. Engine had following codes show up once diagnosed. P0014 - B camshaft position - timing over-advanced or system performance. P0017 - crankshaft position - camshaft position correlation bank 1 sensor B. after diagnosis mechanic found faulty oil control valve, part actually had a piece of the screen had been dislodged leaving a circular hole. Other piece of screen was never found. Once replaced engine still had a code, stated cam shaft position sensor was faulty. Mechanic replaced that part and finally code cleared for engine.
- Rockledge, FL, USA
The car engine made a noise and the engine and starting smoke with fire and it completely stopped in rush hour traffic. The car shutdown in traffic and had to pushed out of the street to avoid me being hit.
- Riviera Beach, FL, USA
Engine locked up and shut down with no warnings
- Sanger, TX, USA
Driving down the highway and the vehicle stalled motor seized up but unstuck after cooling has bad knock now. Stuck on highway waiting to be towed.
- Sanger, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to demontrond Kia (14101 North freeway, houston, tx) where it was diagnosed that the engine bearings failed and damaged the engine. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided case number: 13418572, but did not assist. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine), although the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was invalid.
- Houston, TX, USA
While waiting at a stop light my car completely shut off and wouldn't start again. Now the engine is seized up and won't turn on or anything. No lights or warning signs of anything happening. I was at a stop light waiting to turn left on a city street.
- Vandalia, OH, USA
On 9/3/2019 I took my 2012 Kia Optima to gossett Kia South to get it repaired. It didnt get fixed before I left the lot my car was smoking and leaking antifreeze. I was stranded for 4 days after that day. I went to the nearest part store and purchased a bottom radiator hose and antifreeze. I had a mobile mechanic to put the hose on. There after I was stranded again the car wouldn't start. I had it towed to Firestone 10/4/2019. My car stayed the lot for a month and it was then towed to gossett Kia North from there it has been repossessed. I made payment arrangements to get the car back I am determined to get my car repaired. I use the car to make it to appointments. I am disabled and this doesnt seem fair at all im paying notes on a nonworking car. I hope to hear from you soon with further advice
- Memphis, TN, USA
As my son was driving our Kia down a highway in rockwell nc it just shut off, loss power would not start back up, so had it towed to repair shop and mechanic said the motor is seized up, so I searched online for recalls and the exact thing has happen to a tee to people who was driving down the road or highway and the car just shuts off thankfully my son or anyone else didn't get hurt...
- China Grove, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road, but it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a defective bearing in the engine. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- North Chelmsford, MA, USA
I was traveling down E 470 in Colorado with my grandchildren when my car suddenly ceased up and blew a rod going 70 mph. A car almost hit me from behind and luckily I was able to get over so I didn't cause any more damage to me my family or anyone else. My car had oil and had been change just recently. I am seeing that this is a problem with these cars. Just wanted to report that this has happened to me also.
- Denver, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). Bev smith Kia (5655 us-1, fort pierce, fl 34982, (772) 465-8589) was contacted and stated that the failure may be due to a main fuse under the vehicle that blew out. South dade Kia of miami (17120 S dixie hwy, miami, fl 33157, (786) 673-8136) and Kia atlanta South (7310 jonesboro rd, morrow, ga 30260, (770) 968-3400) were contacted and stated that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
- Fort Drum, NY, USA
May-2018 my car was making a knocking sound, & I called the valley Kia dealer. The service department said (the car has no recall, & no warenty) 10-2019... I called the salesman where I bought the Kia. Frank wong said yes I had warranty, but expired 11-2018... I could of got my car fixed...
- Hesperia, CA, USA
Kia has now settled their class action suit for all the other vehicles, yet the hybrids are still being left out of any recalls. There is plenty of evidence in the complaints here that something is wrong. I sunk $7000 that I didn't have to spare into getting a new engine put in this car. Only to have the transmission blow right after I got the car back from Kia after waiting 6 months for an engine. The transmission cost another $5000, and it took them three transmissions to install a non-faulty transmission. I almost lost my job because I couldn't reliably get to work on time, if at all. Kia themselves have said that the engines weren't manufactured correctly and that labor being done in Kia dealerships wasn't being done correctly. Hybrid engines should absolutely not be blowing rods at 60000 miles, or 80000 miles, and not even 100000 miles. Kia is knowingly delaying any sort of recall and forcing people to go into further debt or lose jobs.
- Ventura, CA, USA
Failure date: 06/25/2019 my 2012 Kia Optima engine shut off while I was driving and luckily I didnt get into accident and was able pull off the road to wait for a tow truck. This is very scary and dangerous. I had it towed to an auto repair garage they changed out the started and changed out the battery it just made a clicking sound but wouldn't start. I started reading on line that this exact situation has happened to other Kia Optima vehicles. My vehicle has 99189 miles so it falls within the power train warranty of 100,000 miles
- Charleston, WV, USA
During my last visit to the Kia dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, they informed my that I had no oil indicating on the dip stick. No leaks detected so must be burning oil. Every time I drive, I can smell burning oil and tail pipe are completely black.
- Wilmington, DE, USA
- Wellston, OK, USA