This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving the vehicle began to decelerate (brake) on its own. When I pressed on the gas pedal the car would not accelerate. I was almost rear ended when I attempted to merge into traffic because my car immediately began to decelerate while pressing the gas pedal. It happened once again while driving on the interstate at about 65 mph and within seconds decelerated to about 40 mph without ever pressing the brake pedal. The brake lights are on even when the car is turned off. Due to this it appears my "traction control" warning indicator becomes illuminated. I am aware that a recall was issued for this exact same thing but only for the 2012-2014 Kia forte (recall number 17V773000). This is a major safety issue/hazard for which the recall needs to be extended to the 2012 Kia Optima as well.
I brought my car to the dealer on 10/05/2018 for change oil, front brakes and recall campaign. But it looks it wasn't done because the airbags panel light is on and the brakes never feel thighs like when you have a job done. I let the dealer know about it but they want to charge me just to check and fix. When before it wasn't like that
Brakelights come on, even when car is turned off. When brakelights came on during driving, the gas pedal would not work to accelerate the car. Brake lights came on without ever touching the brake. Apparently the Kia forte 2012-2014 has a recall for this exact issue but none has been issued on the Optima. This is a safety issue because the car unexpectedly loses acceleration power. Very dangerous, specially when merging or passing on an expressway.
Brake switch recalled on 2011 models, but my 2012 will not start mostly when it gets cold outside, brake pedal stiffens and wont decompress for engine to start, push buttn wont start car brake lights dont work. Vehicle will leave stranded without warning. It will work and then not work, intermitten.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Traveling on a divided highway, approached slowing/stopped traffic. Attempted to stop, but roadway was slippery, ABS did not activate had to resort to pumping brakes and steering to avoid accident. Was rear ended and pushed into another car. Non of the air bags deployed. There was no compartment intrusion into the passenger compartment, but the rear of the car was completely collapsed.
2 day ago I was driving to work on the freeway and my car start acting weird like it wanted to stop, I paid no mind. So then that night coming home from work it start acting up again, this time I saw my brake lights turn on and my car started slowing fiwn. I had lost acceleration I had no response to the gas pedal. I would step on my brakes then release and the lights would go back to normal. This happened the whole 45 mins back home. So the next morning I was doing some research on what could cause this found out that the brake sensor stopper would not work properly on the Kia forte. But it seems that this happen to the Kia as well. It is very dengerous trying to drive like this especially on the freeway.
Brake lights stayed on when car was off cruise control light stayed on problems with acceleration took to dealer they said it needed new brake pedal sensor $160 to replace
I first noticed a problem with my vehicle when the cruise control would randomly disengage while going down the interstate. Then a couple of weeks later I was making a left turn across a two lanes of traffic on a city street. When I first pushed the accelerator the car started to go and then suddenly I lost all acceleration. I let my foot off the accelerator and then pushed back down and was able to go. This was a very dangerous situation as I was stuck in the middle of two lanes of traffic for several extra seconds longer than necessary. A similar situation happened a couple of more time and when I parked the vehicle at home I noticed that brake light was staying on after I got out of the car. I took the car to the local Kia dealership and they replaced the brake sensor which fixed all of the above problems. I would like to not that Hyundai issued a recall on the nearly identical sonata for this same issue and did so years ago and yet nothing for the Optima.
Brake pedal releasing as I am pushing down on it coming to a stop. Hard to get the car to come to a stop at times. Car is missing on acceleration. Camera does not work 80-90% of the time. A/C stops working when sitting still or parked.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving downhill with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle abruptly accelerated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to engage the emergency brake, but the vehicle decelerated and returned to normal after the accelerator pedal was applied with caution. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 23,538. Updated 10/25/17 consumer stated: While driving down hill, with brake pedal depressed, getting ready to stop at stop sign, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly to a speed of 30 to 35 mph. I did not engage the emergency brake. I did shift the vehicle from drive to neutral. Engine continued to race uncontrollably. I tapped the accelerator pedal with my foot at which time the engine returned to normal. This was the third time this type of incident had occured. I did take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic test on Aug.11,2017. No problems were found. Updated 10/3/18
My Kia Optima ABS system will randomly make a crunch sound when I step on the brakes, and I lose some engine power immediately after to the point that my car will not accelerate past 40 mph. It has happened several times on busy highways where I have to fear causing a major accident. Kia dealer cannot figure out the issue, they had my car for a day and repaired the steering column and sent me home, only for the problem to occur again the following week.
On April 5th 2017, my Kia Optima started to make a horrible sound. I was on hwy 26 headed into portland or. Going through the tunnel, as I was going into the tunnel the horrible knocking noise started. There was cars in front of me and cars behind me. This was at 4:30 am.. all the lights on the dash came on, I had no brakes, no steering and no way to accelerate. Drifted to the side and had it towed.
2012 Kia Optima caught fire while driving 45 mph & was unable to accelerate/brake. Recently was taken for service with no items that would cause the issue...updated 10/04/16
Just bought my car this year with 26350 miles on it. When it got to 30000 needed new tires. The car check engine light keeps coming on. I have took it to the shop and they turn it off. Then when I drive it and it comes back on again. It has broke down on the road four times. Twice I called road side help the other two times someone has helped me. It runs hot because it is bubbling if I drive for more then a hour. Bought the car from power of bowser
I have a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid of which I purchased at the local Kia dealer (Ontario, ca) and even purchased an additional "platinum 100K mile protection." On December 31st my car started to move while in park and the ignition on. I hit the breaks and there was no break pressure at all. The car started to flash codes regarding the brakes and I had to engage the emergency break to stop the vehicle. The dealer could not find the issue and returned the car. Another month later the car did the same thing and I video taped it. The gauges started illuminating and delluminating repeatedly and all the lights on the dash started to flash. The "check brake" code came up again! I now have proof of the vehicle doing this and brought my car back to the dealer now they have admitted something is wrong but they're still unable to duplicate the error. They are keeping the car for further diagnosis but have not done anything but tell me they do not know what is wrong with it yet and that my warranty "may not" cover it. They have told me repeatedly that they will not be able to fix it or do anything for me until they know what is wrong, nor have they offered me a rental car. I want my car back but it is unsafe! what if the brakes go out at a high rate of speed?! please help me NHTSA so we can save lives of others that may experience this problem as well.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the tire pressure sensor, ABS, and the stability control warning indicators illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure occurred when driving through a car wash and during rainy weather conditions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
While moving forward at approximately 5mph, brakes were applied to stop vehicle and brake warning light illuminated. So far the dealership has replaced the brake boost pump- 3 times, the brake vacuum pump- 1 time, and the parking brake switch- 1 time. None of these fixes has fixed the problem.
While making a left turn from traffic signal, brake warning light illuminated. Dealership had just replaced brake boost pump because of same problem. Parking brake was not engaged, no other indications were noted. Vehicle being reported to the state under the lemon law.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Norcross, GA, USA