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.
My car slowed down in wouldn't reach over 2000 RPM and the engine light kept blinking and when I put it on a computer engine code P1326 popped on. It's called the ignition control module combustion quality input signal after Kia dealership of skibo road supposedly already fixed the problem back in June 2019 now it's September 30, 2020 N it came on again N yes last year had to replace my engine. I was driving on a street in the morning on September 30, 2020 when it happened and it was raining.
Kia Optima 2012 abruptly powered down in middle of the busy highway with no check engine light warning. The abrupt loss of power nearly caused a vehicle to hit me from behind. After engine shut down check engine light came on and read code P1326. Car will no longer start.
Engine seized in the middle of the highway. Absolutely not safe at all. My 2012 Optima hybrid is roughly at 115K miles. After seeing all the complaints how's Kia not issuing a recall on this safety issue! very disappointed and hoping to see a resolution from Kia.
But my mom was driving her car one day and all of a sudden the bearing or something came loose and oil squirted all over the ground and the car died and and we had the motor replaced at a cost of about 4500 bucks and now the hybrid light system keeps coming on the dealership they don't know what they're doing they had to take it to another Kia place and I didn't know what the heck was going onand now with the motor replace the hybrid light system keeps coming on they don't know why
Car engine began making increasingly loud noises. Pulled on the side of the road to check it out. Turned off the car then turned it back on and car engine made even louder knocking sounds. Mechanic took a look and said it was a internal engine problem/failure
- Orlando, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
We were driving on a city street slowing down for a signal. The car stalled and a message came up saying to tow the vehicle to the dealer. We had the car towed 4 miles to the dealer. No other lights came on indicating any problems.the dealer told us while they were checking for the problem the engine ceased up. Then they said the belt had come off. I think the engine ceased causing the belt to come off.trying to figure out if this has anything to do with the engine problems Kia has been having.
Transmission issues: Between 2nd and 3rd gear. Would lag then jerk the car with some torque once it caught 3rd gear. Had to get 2 replacement transmissions because of this issue. Also engine seizer issue, my engine started to seize when I was going 45 miles an hour with alot of traffic behind me. Then all of a sudden it started making loud thunking noices then a very loud grinding noise and then I was stuck on a road not being able to get above 22 miles and hour, there was no shoulder to pull over. And I was stuck trying to go uphill and all these cars behind me. I ended up having to stop the car and leave it in the middle of a 2 lane road on a hill with the emergancy break on. Kia knew it was another seized engine which I thought it was my transmission again which I had brought in because this 3rd transmission was having the skilling issues around 20-25miles and hour, but after they knew I wasnt going to buy another Kia again they wouldnt fix my trans that should probably be recalled anyways. But they thought it was another Optima seized engine, and even though all Optimas are recalled for this exact same issue, they say that mine isnt covered becasue its a hybrid and has a motor in the car also so its different set up. But theres are others online with this Kia Optima 2011-2013 hybrid engine seizer just like all the other Optimas. And I think the hybrids should be included in the recall. As we are having the same issues. This was a very dangerous issue
I bought a 2012 Kia Optima from autonation in amarillo, tx and I have multiple safety recalls on my vehicle which autonation didn't tell me about at the time of purchase. The recalls can cause a fire and a fatal accident. I've taken it to two Kia dealerships and nothing has been done to the recalls. Kia hasn't fixed or replace the safety recalls. I will not have me or a family member die cause the neglect that Kia has been doing on my 2012 Kia Optima" VIN# [xxx]". I have filed a settlement claim with Kia settlement claim's department "claim #[xxx]". I have taken it to 2 Kia dealership's. I've done all of the steps Kia dealership has asked me to do and nothing has been done to fix or replace the recalls. I use my 2012 Kia for my doctors appointments cause I'm disabled. I lost faith and can't trust this 2012 Kia Optima that im still making car payments. I need this car fixed before me or one of my family members dies in a car accident from the neglected recalls from Kia. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, he heard an abnormal noise and parked on the side of the road. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed his residence. The contact called local dealer southwest Kia of rockwall located at 1790 I-30 frontage rd, rockwall, tx 75087, (469) 402-2900 and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle started to make an unknown noise coming from the engine. The engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and later towed to jim ellis Kia of kennesaw, 1221 auto park dr nw, kennesaw, ga 30144, and was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle jerked and felt as though something had blown out and was making a rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact became aware of an oil leak. The vehicle was towed to Kia of cerritos (18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703), and was diagnosed that the engine belt was melted and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she would receive a callback. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and making a left turn the vehicle seized. The contact stated multiple warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to cruise the vehicle on the side of the road. The driver was able to exit the vehicle and when lifting the hood saw fire. The contact stated the driver ran to his employer and was able to extinguish the fire with 5 fire extinguishers. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated no fire or police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to her residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact stated that she found several unknown recalls on line that was related to the vehicle failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Driving down interstate at about 60mph. Suddenly engine light flashes. Car immediately makes awful sound and looses power as I'm pulling over to get off road. Had towed in to home. Our neighbor mechanic thinks threw a rod. No warning lights before this happened! loud knocking spud under hood.
Engine knocking while driving or stationary, when pressing gas petal or cranking up ! car won't accelerate while driving, oil light & check engine light blinks on & off while driving or stationary ! cut off on the highway !
I was going down highway 80 and Lincoln Nebraska when my engine just died on me in middle of traffic almost caused no pile up mel my engine burly starts up making knock noise I had the talk back home to wichita Kansas
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving T 65 mph, without warning, the vehicle started to shudder. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road and inspected the fuel in the vehicle. The fuel level was low. The contact drove approximately 20 miles before the vehicle stalled with an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was inspected. The vehicle was then towed to paramount Kia of asheville (1000 ridgefield blvd, asheville, nc 28806) where a diagnostic test was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The VIN was not available.
While passing another car on a highway my car stopped accelerating. I pulled over and it won't start cuz it is seized up. Lucky for me I could make it to a off ramp. Towed it and the repair shop said it was the bearings that are bad and I need a whole new engine and I have less than 50000 miles on the car😤
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Raeford, NC, USA