10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 53
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,649 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #348

Oct 252023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I always smell like something burning and melting at the engine And the engine light sign appears and the maintenance light also

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #347

Jun 202023

Optima

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder however, the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 143,000.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #346

May 192023

Optima

  • 104,000 miles
The engine is knocking and stalling out. Lawrence Kia has had my car for three weeks, and nothing has been done. After investigating the issue, the failure is related to NHTSA Campaign Number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall is to replace engines. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #345

Oct 292021

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have tried numerous times to get Vanguard Kia in Arlington, TX to address the recall on the engine. They have only updated a short term fix which is a software update. It will be 2 years in October that we have been trying to get the recalled engine replaced. They updated in their system that they replaced the engine but the same old engine still remains in the vehicle. They have charged us for many other repair issues and now tell us they don-??t know what is wrong with the vehicle and can offer no solutions. We have repeatedly asked for them to correct their error and they refuse. I believe individuals working for the dealership may have fraudulently reported addressing the recall engine and may have kept it. We have reached out to Kia and have not heard a response. Is this legal?

- Arlington , TX, USA

problem #344

Jan 152023

Optima

  • miles
I tried to speak with Kia about a recall the engine on my making model I remember seeing it on your guises website this issue was never fixed and I-??m currently having issues with my engine and they-??re refusing to replace it. I-??m trying to avoid a lawsuit and a serious accident because of the way my car is acting up. It is accumulating me a check engine, light, as well as a oil light I-??ve brought the car in many times to vanguard kia and they could not figure out what was wrong with the car, and holding it for week the two times i brought it in and it seems as if you-??re continuing to drive it is creating more issues because I had to pay $1300 out of my own pocket because my engine started overheating because it has a problem that kia could not find but is showing signs of the recall that was on this year make and model, VIN and everything the car currently will jerk whenever I-??m going let-??s say this speed limit 60 it will downshift all the way to 30 now this can cause a horrible, horrible accident

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #343

Dec 062022

Optima

  • miles
My engine went out on my 2012 Kia optima hybrid in 2022. I was not aware of a recall on the engines. We paid for repair. Can we get reimbursed" Also we are now having issues with the braking system and the abs light is coming on. I see that there is a recall on this. Can this get repaired" I uploaded receipt well bank statement showing purchase from Martin imports in the amount of $1391. And we were charged $700 to put motor in.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #342

May 172021

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

the engine failed at 152000. it had a recall.so i took it in at 91000 and complained of the rod nock.and was told they checked the rod bearing clearance.and found nothing.i again took the car in again at around 111000 miles and complained of the rod nock again.and again was told they see no problem now im with out a car

- Auburn, IN, USA

problem #341

May 022023

Optima

  • miles
Unknown

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #340

Apr 112023

Optima

  • miles
.I recently have actually found out about the recall concerning my engine. Manufacture SC148. NHTSA recall 17V224m I called a dealership. When I asked them about the recalls this one was not mentioned. I wanted to ensure I was reading that properly. Can you explain what that means as far as the engine

- Vanzant, MO, USA

problem #339

May 252022

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
I was driving down the highway going 75 mph and all of a sudden my car tells me pull over safely do not drive and it shut down while I'm driving. It never turned back on. It started smoking and you could see orange light coming through the vents. I was stuck on a [XXX] bridge for 4 hours and I missed court that day. I called Kia and they came to pick up my car. They said it was free because my car has been recalled but ever since they've had it, they stop answering my phone calls and emails and now they are trying to charge me 5000 to get my car back and fixed. Before any of this happened, I noticed an oil leak at the gas station but was unsure whether it came from my car or not. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #338

Jan 102023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Fpo, NY, USA

problem #337

Jan 122023

Optima

  • miles
My car keeps slowing down while driving. The breaks are squeaking and rubbing and making a loud sound. The lights keeping coming up on the dash board

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #336

Dec 262022

Optima

  • miles
My engine has blown. No check engine light warning was given. Now the dealer says they will not replace the engine and it will cost me 10,000 for the repair.

- Hazelwood, MO, USA

problem #335

Oct 312022

Optima

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact became aware of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the knock sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Gilbert, PA, USA

problem #334

Nov 112022

Optima

  • miles
Oil leaking out top of engine causing it to smoke could cause a fire

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #333

Oct 272022

Optima

  • miles
New engine installed in 2018. New turbo installed in 2020. Started to loose oil daily. Checked it daily to add oil. The week before engine failure it had no power. Took to a mechanic who replaced the air filter and the sparkplugs. The next day, 10 miles form my house the oil light came on and then the engine light came on and died. I pulled over to the side of the highway. Diagnosis: Needs new engine and Turbo.

- Corsicana, TX, USA

problem #332

Jun 032022

Optima

  • miles
Blown engine

- Fitzgerald, GA, USA

problem #331

Jul 192022

Optima

  • miles
I had a recall on my engine back into 2018. They replaced my engine due the engine block being defective. Check engine light came before it stalled out. Now currently the vehicle is undrivable due to the head gasket blowing out on same engine that was replaced. They're telling me there's warranty on the engine they can't fix it.

- Dorchester , MA, USA

problem #330

Sep 292022

Optima

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and power brake assist also failed. The contact stated that the check engine, check oil, and battery warnings were illuminated. The contact pulled over, stopped, and had the vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #329

Aug 012022

Optima

  • miles
I am original owner of car. I recently noticed the car start to burn oil at a dangerous rate. The car ultimately at one point stalled in an intersection with my daughter driving. The mechanic stated the solenoids were clogged. There are no oil leaks. There was a recall for certain types of engine issues for this car but I never received a recall. The dealer states there is nothing they can do.

- Franklin, MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?