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 hybrid. Vehicle has 69,000 miles. Vehicle was serviced every 3,000 miles. My wife was driving to work on 04/26/18. She was driving on the 143 freeway in phoenix, Arizona. She called me at home and said the engine was making a knocking/clanging noise. I could hear the noise on the phone. I told her to pull over. I drove to meet her and investigate. I opened the hood and checked all fluids. All were full and clean. I asked her to start the engine. There was a loud clanging or scraping noise coming from the lower part of the engine on the passenger side. I had her turn the car off and we called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to camelback Kia in phoenix, AZ. As soon as the car was taken off the tow truck, a service adviser started it for a few seconds. He immediately said the engine failed and had to be completely replaced. Well over $8,000 to replace! he said the warranty would not cover the engine. He said that this happens all of the time. There is no reason an engine should fail at 69,000 miles when it was perfectly cared for. Kia has recalled the other 2012 Kia optimas. Where was our Kia produced. Most likely the same factory. Kia should recall these and replace the engines.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 65 mph, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the noise persisted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (mcguire Kia, 21280 us-27, lake wales, fl 33859) where it was diagnosed that the oil port was clogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they would contact the dealer where the vehicle was located. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Properly maintained Kia Optima hybrid ceased operating while being driven on a highway. Symptoms appeared electrical in that all of the vehicle indicators illuminated, then stopped as the vehicle also stopped. When trying to restart the vehicle, the engine ignited in "eco" mode (the hybrid engine started), but the gas engine did not and the vehicle was only marginally road-worthy. It would not get up to speed. Upon examination by a Kia dealer, they said they found "large metal pieces, " in the oil pan and recommended replacing the short block and reconditioning the cylinders. This is despite the fact that the vehicle had had an oil change the day prior, and had been fully operational, with zero maintenance failures in the 5 years I've owned it. Kia has recalled its gdi engines due to complaints that are strikingly similar to the issue here, but were patently unsympathetic regarding the gas electric hybrid.
Bought a used 2012 Kia optima from a Kia dealership on 1/12/18. I did not drive this vehicle from 1/13/2018 - 1/19/18. Started driving this vehicle and 5 (five) days later, on 1/23/18 the vehicle blew a rod in the engine. After several unsuccessful attempts at having the dealership fix the issue at their expense, I was getting nowhere. I contacted Kia headquarters and they assisted me with communication with the dealership and getting the engine rebuilt (as a goodwill by the dealership). Had the car towed to the dealership on 1/25/18; they had my vehicle for exactly 1 (one) month while the dealership rebuilt the engine. I received the car back from dealership on 2/23/18. On 3/6/18 as I was driving on freeway, the car started to lose power while driving. I was driving at approximately 70 mph on freeway, and car just started losing power. The car slowed down to approximately 40 mph and engine oil light turned on & off sporadically. No matter how much I tried to accelerate, the car would not go over 40 mph. This was very dangerous as I was scared that I would get rear-ended on the freeway. I slowly moved over the shoulder and turned off the car; I waited approximately 30 minutes before turning the car back on and proceeding to my personal mechanic (not Kia dealership). My mechanic said not to turn car off; he inspected car & scanned it. No error codes were detected. He said maybe it was a fluke and to just continue to drive it. On 3/12/18 the same thing happened again. This time I took it to my local Kia dealership and left it. After a scan & test drive, the mechanic could not find anything wrong with the car. Mechanic drove it the next day over 80 miles and this time he did experience the same reduction of power. He scanned vehicle again but no error codes show. It's still at dealership 3/19/18.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving highway speeds, the "hybrid system failure, please pull over and turn off vehicle" message illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to jt's Kia of columbia (230 killian commons pkwy, columbia, SC 29203) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling), but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not under a recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 105,000.
- Bunnlevel, NC, USA
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Upon entering the freeway, my car suddenly made a loud rattling noise. The screen on my dashboard wrote along the lines of "hybrid system warning: Safely stop and do not drive!" then my car's engine begins to rev randomly and became unresponsive to my control. I'm not even sure how I managed to pull over, but made it to the side and turned on my emergency lights on a very busy freeway at night. The emergency lane I was pulled over in was so narrow, I had to stay in my car. My car then began to turn on and off repeatedly until it became completely dead and all my lights went out, including my emergency lights. I was praying no car would hit me as I waited for a tow. Had it happened even a second later, such as when I would be traveling at highway speeds, I would more than likely have been in an accident today.
I recently started hearing a knocking noise coming form the engine when accelerating. I work at Lexus of austin and had the car diagnosed. They determined that the engine was suffering from a connection rod failure. The sound kept getting louder and louder, I finally took the car to southwest Kia in new braunfels, tx. They also diagnosed the car as having a connection rod failure. I would need a need engine. The car is a 2012 with only 71,000 miles. I am not the first owner so the warranty ended at 60,000 miles. The engine suffered the same failure as the Kia optima recall covers on the non-hybrid engines. Kia paid for a portion of the repairs. I still had to pay $2,681 out of pocket. I believe this should be covered under the recall. I have found several instances online of people with the hybrid engine and connection rod failures. I was also told by Kia that when they drained the oil, the oil had metal shavings in it. The same symptom as the recall engines. Kia must be forced to add the hybrid engines to their recall. The parts are failing from the same issues as the recalled parts. I did not have the time to argue with Kia over the cost of repairs because I needed my car back asap in order to drive to work. I should be refunded the cost of the repairs and Kia should be required to recall the hybrid engines that are the same year as the gas engine recalls.
While driving car shut off and hybrid battery went dead. Is says 'hybrid system warning shut off vehicle and do not drive'. I had the car checked and the engine seems to be locked up. I have seen several complains on this and I won't pay for a new engine when Kia needs to be responsible.
Engine lost power stated smoking all over trunk engine going 60 mph on RT15 thurmont Maryland outside of camp david, oil was everywhere loud boom, my grandson was in the back seat at this time as well, dealership telling me they are not at falt or replacing enging, as I see a federal investigation on this issue as well, I need my car repaired or replaced asap, .
At 116,000, while driving in city car would decelerate and jerked "hybrid warning system-do not drive" light came on. When backing out of parking space, car would jerk backwards. Took to dealer who diagnosed that it needed new transmission. Took car to my mechanic who provided better warranty on transmission work. Replacing transmission has not fixed car.
While driving about 40 miles from home around midnight, on a busy freeway (I-5), going about 70 mph, my car suddenly flashed a warning about the hybrid battery discharging and to pull over. Then the power steering was gone and the car shut off. Thankfully we were able to coast to the side before getting hit. After about 5 minutes on the side of the road everything died including the emergency flashers and we were left in the dark waiting 2 hours for a tow truck. This is a serious safety hazard and we could've been hit or caused another accident. The car has not started since, however if the battery is actively being charged it will light up the dash board which just flashes welcome repeatedly and won't start. Currently at a Kia dealership in Tacoma, wa and waiting to hear what they think is wrong. From reading other stories on this site, sounds like this a reoccurring issue for Kia and there was a recall for 2012 optimas, just not the hybrids.
I started my car and started driving back home and as I got onto the freeway and the engine turned, I could hear a rattling noise that would match the RPM of the engine. By the time I got home the engine was loud and squealing. I towed it to the dealership the next day, where they said that I needed a new engine due to a"bearing/ connecting rod issue". which is a reason there is a recall on select optima models. But the hybrid models are not included for some reason. I suspect the failure rate on the hybrids to be abnormally high as well.
Without warning while driving the engine started knocking when the ev wasn't working, just engine. I coasted to a safe place with the ev and had it towed to my mechanic which stated it was the rods knocking and he knew about the Kia engine recall so he asked me to find out if mine was under warranty, apparently the Kia engine recall doesn't include my car once I gave them my VIN number. Its disturbing to know that it probably should be in the same recall but they say its not...how do I go about making sure its not really covered?
Vehicle was in motion at 35 mph and suddenly lost acceleration, woul D not go faster then 15 mph for about 1/2 mile then gave message "hybrid system failure, please pull over and turn off vehicle." The dealership service department says they have replaced the engine with a used one, replaced the hyper-transmission? and the battery. Dealer has ignored requests for further information & itemization or invoice for the alleged repairs and the extended service contract originally only authorized $3851.50 for engine replacement. The other troubles were discovered later, after the engine was replaced and while vehicle was still in dealer's service dept possession. The underbody or flaps underneath, flew off car as customer drove it home upon picking it up. Dealer assumes no responsibility for that or for cracking bumper in the front center of vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. The contact heard an abnormal noise progressing from the engine. The dealer (jim bone Kia, 1255 santa rosa ave, santa rosa, ca 95404, (707) 545-7050) and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The hybrid model exhibited the same failure as the recall, but the manufacturer refused to approve the replacement of the engine assembly and the dealer diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.....updated 11/16/17
I heard a ticking noise coming from under the hood. I stop to check the oil, it was fine. It had also been change about 3500 miles before this happen. By the time I got home it was much worst! I check the oil again, there was still oil at the appropriate level. This time the dip stick had metal shavings on it. I called my local garage and had it towed to them. They said it needed a new engine! I had it brought to the dealer that I bought it from kemper Kia of bridgewater NJ. They also agreed the engine needed to be replaced. They told me a recall for this engine just came out. The recall is for premature bearing wear causing these engines to throw a rod. This is exactly what happen to my engine! they said because I am the second owner it is not covered under the 10year 1000,000 mile warranty. My car has 88,989. This car should be covered! some how my VIN number is not on the recall list! they have had the car for 3 weeks now! Kia has only put me on their escalation department.
While driving on a 4 lane highway, my car jerked and loss power, going from 60 mph to 20 mph. I had the car towed to the dealership and they said a threw an engine rod! the car had 108,189 miles on it. There is a nationwide recall on the Kia optima already, but mine is not. It should! the bearing rods go out prematurely and that is exactly what mine did.
I was driving on a two lane highway when my vehicle started to stall, as if it was going to stop, when I pressed the accelerator, the car slightly speeds up but then starts to stall again. After several repeat episodes of stalling, my engine light comes on. Since there was no stores in my immediate area and no cellular service in the area, I proceeded to drive and moved into the outer lane. The cycle of stalling and increasing continued repeatedly. Once I reached a service area, I was able to call a tow service to the nearest dealership that happened to be a Hyundai dealership. They ran a diagnostic check and found nothing but did change my oil and the filter. For the rest of the day my car drove fine, but Monday morning on my way to work back to the same stalling cycle and the engine light on. I drove to the Kia dealership and left it for another diagnostic test. After a week and a half I receive a call that the test showed the crankshaft senors needed to be replaced with a cost of $200. After three weeks, I receive a call that my car is fixed. I pay the charges and drive away; after driving 10 miles, my car begins to stall, engine light comes on, the car is making a loud knocking noise and the car has a burning smell. I drive back to the dealership, and another diagnostic test is done. Then a Kia salesmen states "your engine needs to be replaced but the car is still driveable; however, at some point, your engine will lock up and the the car will stall and stop." "we will take your car as a trade in towards a new Kia." I ask if my car will be repaired under the Kia recall for the optima. I was told no, the hybrid optima was not recalled.the salesmen looks at the interior of the car and states "it does have a burn smell." He gives me his number and I drive away. As of today Kia refuses to fix my car under the recall and I am left renting a vehicle daily.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle made a thumping noise and a loud boom sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed brown smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Eventually, the smoke turned black and appeared from the front and rear of the vehicle. The contact also noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, mark Kia, where it was diagnosed that sludge was in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided case number: 12369116. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
I took my 2012 Kia Optima hybrid in for an oil change as we were taking a road trip two days later. Service department said everything looked good. Two days later after driving approximately 2 hours my car started to have a clicking sound as I accelerated (we were going approximately 65mph). There were no check engine lights and on within a minute I heard a clunk sound and my dash read "hybrid system failure. Safety stop and do not drive." The hybrid battery quickly started to decrease so we had no choice but to immediately pull over along a narrow shoulder as we were 15 miles from the nearest town. This was a narrow two lane highway with our car up against the concrete barrier with a lake directly down the other side of the barrier. We were stranded there for approximately 2 hours trying to coordinate a tow truck and taxi (there were three of us. Myself, my husband, and our 3 month old son). The location of where we were stranded was completely unsafe with several semi trucks passing both ways and we had to transfer all our belongings and move our 3 month old son to the taxi along this narrow shoulder on the highway. Once my car was towed to the nearest dealer they said the engine blew and I would need a new short block. After getting my car towed to the nearest dealer to my hometown they said they found metal shavings and my cylinder 1 blew. I was quoted $4,500-$11,000 for the repairs. The service department can attest to my perfect maintenance. Less than three weeks later Kia recalls 1.4 million engines and they are claiming my model is not being recalled. I find it odd that the exact issue I had are the exact reasons these engines are being recalled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Maricopa, AZ, USA