10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 55
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,855 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

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2012 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #334

Nov 112022

Optima

  • miles

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

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

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

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

problem #328

May 012022

Optima

  • miles

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

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that her daughter inserted the key in the ignition and attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #327

Aug 062022

Optima

  • miles
After the rod bearing engine replacement was preformed. My engine light came on a few days after picking it up from dealer. I immediately reported it to the dealer that I need to bring it in mainly for smog check, and no response. 2 weeks later I told them about it again. No response. 3 weeks later began a fuel smell and I immediately reported that as the smell got stronger. No response. 3 days later the fuel smell was really bad and I was really worried about a fire. This time I called general manager and he never provided any advice or return call. 3 hours later the engine caught on fire. Car is totaled and I could of been seriously injured. I sent pictures and thanked them for their negligence. He finally gave me a phone number for consumer affairs. showed no remorse and claimed that the new engine they just put in has no warranty and they are not responsible. If they would of directed me to bring back in. Or bring it somewhere. Or tell me not to drive it. But completely ignored me. And had the nerve to let me know that was their 4th fire this week. Kia management needs to step it up. I was denied a loaner or rental. And they will try to get back to me by Friday. You must put a stop to this behavior asap!

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #326

Jul 192022

Optima

  • miles
Engine light keeps flashing and car stalls and will not go over 45 mph. One incident happened on a busy highway as merged on and was almost hit by a tractor trailer from behind.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #325

Jul 242022

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly cut off and lost power. Upon cutting back off check engine was blinking as well as oil light. Was left to sit over night as it wasn-??t safe to drive home and would not restart. The following morning the car started but was hesitant driven less than 20 miles home which struggled to accelerate and check engine light was illuminated along with oil light coming on. Oil was in the car at the time. Parked in front of home additional oil added oil light then oil light cut off until ac is turned on. Car was turned on and sitting and a knocking noise began. Left to sit the next day then taken to jiffy lube where a reading came on the scanner that it was the crank shaft was then ordered to go to a repair shop where it was diagnosed the engine is blown and that oil was basically being burned even with a maintain of oil changes therefore this caused metal to metal contact. The engine is now seized up and the vehicle is sitting outside of home. Vehicle is unsafe to drive upon further research cars 2011-2019 with the same engine have caught fire or failed. Due to this there is now a class act suit theta ii with Kia.

- Bear , DE, USA

problem #324

Jun 052022

Optima

  • miles

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

My car caught on fire while driving from somewhere near the engine. The fire was so severe that fire department nor my insurance company were able to determine cause of fire and I-??d only had vehicle for 45 days, it was a single owner with no accidents and maintained its entire life up to that point. I am requesting someone to examine vehicle and tell me how this possibly happened.

- Lowell , MA, USA

problem #323

May 282022

Optima

  • miles
I was driving my 2012 dia optima approximately 55 mph and without warning the engine died killing power to steering and brakes.....tried starting it back up heard the fuel pump kick on good ground all the basics then I began to google possible issues and saw there were serious engine issues where the car either spews high pressure gas and potentially catches fire or bearing wear where the engine will shut off without warning.....I typed vin in said my vehicle was part of the theta II GDI engine recall so I called the 800 number where they told me that there were 2 recalls that needed to be done "before" the engine fails and that my vehicle had only had one of the two so I would have to pay to have it towed (315$) to local dealership to have diagnosed and tech line opened. I dropped it off on Saturday the 28th of may and was told due to holiday weekend it would be Tuesday the 2nd they would call well finally yesterday june 15th they finally called and the fella told us it wasn't covered and it would cost 8000$ for them to put an engine in or I could sell it to them for 300 or 400$. I called corporate immediately after speaking with ole dude the lady asked what the diagnostic came up with because my car is covered under lifetime warranty for the bearing issue in fact and doesn't matter about the fuel issue. She seems to think that he never even put on diagnostic machine she tried calling him 4 times from headquarters and was ignored each time. They never tried contacting me which was a registered owner or my wife who is now and even as far back as my little brother who I bought the car off of it was still registered in original owners and according to what I read they were supposed to actively seek out vehicle owners through registration etc because of danger and then in my opinion dude tried to hustle me knowing the car was actually covered telling me no and giving 400 then turn it in get new motor and make 10k....I did not smell fuel when I popped hood so I know

- Leon, WV, USA

problem #322

Dec 132019

Optima

  • miles
My engine seized up while driving with no warning or prior issues. My safety was put at risk because this happen while I was driving down a public road and could have gotten into an accident due to the cars malfunction. Kia has inspected the car but has refused to reimburse me for their engine failure although they had recall campaign for my model vehicle and other models of Kia vehicles. The only warning I was given was right before the engine failed the car said "hybrid system failure, do not drive"

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #321

Jun 032022

Optima

  • miles
I had went out of town and when driving back home the car start stalling and I pulled over to the side of the road. I tried to start it again but it wouldn-??t start. After waiting on the side of the road for two hours I got the car pulled to a car shop. After they checked it the man told me that my motor was gone and I would have to get another one. I had called the Kia place about the recalls 3 weeks earlier and I haven-??t heard back from them.

- Jena, LA, USA

problem #320

Apr 252022

Optima

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine, oil, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. While attempting to restart, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to her residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #319

Apr 232022

Optima

  • miles
Kia started losing power on freeway was able to pull over then it died and wouldn-??t start back up motor seized up battery is good electrical is good it-??s a push start and engine won-??t crank or turn over or nothing

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #318

Apr 182022

Optima

  • miles
Engine replaced under the recall campaign after failure and have had issues since with the car wanting to start. Turns over several times before finally getting it to start. Fuel pump and fuel line replaced out of pocket as well as a sensor out of pocket and still having the same issues intermittently then today while driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH the car just shuts off in the middle of the highway in morning traffic and almost caused an accident, without warning. Still took several times to crank before car finally restarted and made it maybe 4 miles before shutting off again while driving without warning and then smelled as if something was burning. Car has had scheduled maintenance as advised by KIA for warranty on motor but if something is not done about all of these same complaints then someone is going to get killed. Very unsafe!

- Preston, GA, USA

problem #317

Mar 312022

Optima

  • miles
2012 Kia Optima Engine oil lights flickers on slowing.. I have checked the oil and the Filter they look excellent and to the correct level.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #316

Mar 222022

Optima

  • 248,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently in the middle of the highway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of the Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to the contact-??s residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #315

Nov 032021

Optima

  • miles
My car was put down for a recall awhile back i took it to kia because i was recently have a problem with it so i thought it could be the recall, but it wasn-??t i told them since my car has already been there 2 weeks can they just replace the recalled engine they said no they wouldn-??t do it unless my car actually malfunctions so they put a knock sensor and updated my vehicle ever since then i-??ve been having problems and my car sometimes on the high way will not accelerate and will stall and jerk badly which is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS also recently my car is malfunctioning error -?? old codes -?? which didn-??t make sense to me or the repair service people at KIA

- Arlington, TX, USA

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