Home · 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid · Complaints

What 107 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (107)Crash / fire / injury (10)Engine (72)Electrical system (19)Brakes (10)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Steering (9)Speed control (5)Airbags (4)Body & structure (3)Fuel system (3)Engine & cooling (2)

Newest first · 107 complaints · page 2 of 5

Apr 19, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

THE HYBRID SYSTEM BROKE DOWN AT 85K. WAS REPLACED BY KIA AFTER THREATENING LEGAL ACTION. AT 103K. WE NEVER MISSED MAINTENANCE OR A OIL CHANGE. THE ENGINE THROUGH A ROD ON A 5 LANE INTERSTATE DOING 65MPH, BLOWING AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. PUTTING MY FAMILY OF 5 AT SERIOUS RISK. KIA WANTS 4500K OR 8000K TO REPLACE THE FAULTY ENGINE. OPTIMA ENGINES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT REASON. THE OPTIMA HYBRID ENGINES WERE NOT RECALLED DESPITE SUFFERING THE SAME FAILURES AS NORMAL OPTIMA ENGINES. JOINING THE CLASS ACTION.

NHTSA ODI 11197287

Apr 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

I LITERALLY JUST HAD MY ENGINE REPLACED (BLEW IN AUGUST AT 85K MILES, DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR SIX MONTHS WHILE I WAITED ON AN ENGINE, COST $7K). I GOT MY CAR BACK IN MID-FEBRUARY. ON MARCH 25TH, I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, AND WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR LAGGED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THIS CONTINUED ANY TIME I SHIFTED INTO D OR R, OR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR TWO WEEKS. MY PARTNER DROVE IT YESTERDAY (4/11/19), CHECKED FLUIDS, AND OBSERVED THE LURCH. AS HE WAS ARRIVING HOME, THE CAR LURCHED TO A STOP AND GAVE A "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE! WE DROPPED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR $9K, SUNK ANOTHER $7K INTO THE CAR, AND AM NOW EXPECTED TO PAY $5K MORE ON A TRANSMISSION THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES BEFORE. KIA HAS ALREADY STATED THAT REPAIRS AT THEIR DEALERSHIPS AREN'T BEING PERFORMED CORRECTLY. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. I HAD TO VDEAL WITH MASSIVE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP OVER THE SIX MONTHS I DIDN'T HAVE A CAR, AND NOW ITS GOING TO START ALL OVER AGAIN AND I WILL BE $20K IN THE HOLE ON THIS CAR. THIS IS NOT HOW GOOD, SAFE VEHICLES ARE BUILT.

NHTSA ODI 11195843

Mar 26, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH,THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF ORANGE (714-602-1301, LOCATED AT 210 W KATELLA AVE, ORANGE, CA 92867) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THE CONTACT TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT PROVIDED THE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,287. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11191555

Mar 15, 2019Engine

HELLO MY KIA ENGINE SEIZED ON THE HIGHWAY I GET ROUTINE OIL CHANGED AND MAINTENANCE DONE THAT I COULD PROVE ON MY CAR THE 2012 KIA OPTIMA NON HYBRID HAS THIS RECALL ON THE ENGINE . KIA DID NOT INCLUDE THE HYBRID ENGINES BUT MY HYBRID ENGINE IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE RECALL AS THE NON HYBRIDS

NHTSA ODI 11187007

Mar 8, 2019Electrical systemLightsAirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED, REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH WHEN ANOTHER LARGE VEHICLE CHANGED LANES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THEM. THE RESULT WAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND SIGNIFICANT BODILY INJURY TO MYSELF BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF MY BRAKES TO ADEQUATELY STOP MY CAR AND THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN MY BODY AND HEAD RAPIDLY FLYING FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11185463

Mar 7, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE "PULL CAR TO THE SIDE AND TURN OFF" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO KIA OF WALDORF (3188 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20603, (301) 645-1711); HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11184843

Feb 22, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE "BATTERY LOW, HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED, PLEASE PULL OVER AND TURN ENGINE OFF" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, BUT THE ENGINE NEVER RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAVENAUGH KIA (3315 STADIUM BLVD, JONESBORO, AR 72404) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE, BUT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11181799

Nov 20, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I WAS DRIVING TO DROP OFF A FRIEND AND JUMPED ON THE HIGHWAY. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. I NEVER GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING STILL TO THIS DAY. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID 3 CONNECTING RODS ARE OUT AND IT HAS A CRACKED BLOCK. THEY QUOTED ME $7600 TO FIX IT. ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS AND I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH WITH. MY INSURANCE SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING AND I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I WENT OVER THE MILEAGE. I HAVE GAP INSURANCE BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I KNOW THE OTHER OPTIMAS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES BUT KIA HASBT RELEASED A RECALL FOR THE HYBRIDS.

NHTSA ODI 11152905

Oct 16, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SMOKE QUICKLY ENTERED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PREMIER KIA OF BRANFORD (205 NORTH MAIN STREET, BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT 06405, (203) 315-2050) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGH SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE LACK OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR EITHER FAILURE. DURING BOTH OCCURRENCES, THE SMOKE WENT AWAY ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FIRE, BUT A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB CONSUMER ATTACHED DIAGNOSTIC AND INVOICE REPAIR TO THE CAR SHOWING THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

NHTSA ODI 11140650

Oct 15, 2018Electrical systemEngine

I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 WHEN MY CAR DIED AND I COULD NOT EVEN PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME AND MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH THE KIA DEALER HERE IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA. AFTER WAITING FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE ENGINE FAILED AND THEY WOULD SEND PAPER WORK TO SEE IF THE WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEKS NOW WITH NO FORM OF TRANSPORTATION NOR ASSISTANCE. I HAVE BEEN GETTING SEVERAL DIFFERENT EXPLANATIONS ABOUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I CANNOT GET A LONER CAR UNTIL THE COMPANY APPROVES THE ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS CAUSED MAJOR STRESS AND PROBLEMS WITH MY JOB. MY CAR ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION UNTIL THIS PROBLEM . I HAD NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE NOTICE THAT CAME ON THE DASH AND STATED PULL OVER DO NOT DRIVE AND HYBRID BATTERY NOT CHARGING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME UNDUE STRESS AND HARDSHIP AND MUCH DIFFICULTY GETTING TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11140297

Oct 15, 2018

SOME OF THIS CARS WAS ON FIRE AND WE WANT TO KNOW IF ITS SAFE

NHTSA ODI 11140388

Oct 8, 2018Steering

WHEN I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE I CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE WHEN I AM DRIVING AS WELL AS WHEN I AM AT A STOP. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND RADDLING WHEN I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 ON THE HIGHWAY, IT DECREASES AT 80 MPH. I HAVE GOTTEN MY TIRES CHECKED AS WELL AS AN ALIGNMENT SO IT IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11138961

Sep 24, 2018Engine

I WAS ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 11PM WITH MY GIRLFRIEND 6MO OLD SON MY 6YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND NIECE I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN THE WHOLE CAR SHOOK AND WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE MY GIRLFRIEND SAID WHAT DID YOU HIT I WAS NOT SURE THEN WITHIN ABOUT A MILE THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD I PULLED THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAVE GEICO INSURANCE SO I CALLED THEM FOR A TOW TRUCK AFTER BEING ON THE PHONE WITH THEM FOR ABOUT 45 MIN I WAS THEM CONNECTED TO THE POLICE WHO SAID THEY WERE NOT OPEN AT THIS TIMEI AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE I CALLED GEICO BACK WHO TOLD ME THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A TOW TRUCK THAT WOULD COME GET US FROM WHERE WE WERE AFTER ABOUT 2 HRS THEY TOLD US THAT A TRUCK WAS COMING BUT THE BABY CAN'T RIDE IN THE TRUCK SO I HAD TO CALL A FRIEND TO COME FROM PORT SAINT LUCIE FLORIDA PICK UP MY GIRLFRIEND AND THE KIDS WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AT AROUND 4:30 AM THANK GOD EVERYBODY IS OKAY BUT THIS SITUATION COULD'VE BEEN A LOT WORSE I WAS SURE THAT I HIT SOMETHING AND I HAVE FULL COVERAGE SO NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AFTER SENDING MY CAR TO BEV SMITH KIA IN FT PIERCE FLORIDA THEY TOLD THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I MAY HAVE HIT BUT A BEARING HAD PREMATURELY FAILED AND THREW A ROD THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR THERE IS ABOUT A 3 IN HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE SO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT COVER THE CAR THEY HAD NOT EVEN LOOKED AT THE CAR AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON KIA HAS A RECALL ON A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY CAR IS A HYBRID AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AT THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH KIA FOR OVER A MONTH THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO HELP ME A I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB WITH THE SAME ISSUES. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR EVEN KILLED! THIS IS UNSAFE FOR PEOPLE TO BE DRIVING NOTE MY CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 THOUSAND MILES

NHTSA ODI 11131111

Sep 22, 2018SteeringEngine

THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND EXTREMELY FAULTY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE CAR TRAVELING AT NO MORE THAN 55 MPH. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS EXTREME KNOCKING WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THEN MY CAR STARTED DRIFTING AGAIN WITH WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST. NOW KIA IS SAYING THAT THE ENGINE IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS NOT BEING SERVICED FOR A RECALL ON THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS A HYBRID, YET NON-HYBRID KIA CARS HAVE A RECALL FOR IT. THIS IS THE SAME THING. WHAT A DISSERVICE! KIA NEEDS TO QUIT MAKING CARS ALTOGETHER IF THE INTERNAL WORK HAS NO ENDURANCE. I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS A DANGER, WASTE, AND DISSERVICE. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN NOTED IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME THING. WHAT IF THE CAR EXPLODED? THEN WHAT? THIS CAR COULD HAVE HARMED ME OR OTHERS. PLEASE RECALL THE ENGINE AND ANYTHING ELSE THIS CAR HAS THAT IS UNMANAGEABLE OR UNHEALTHY. THE OPPORTUNITY COST IS PISSPOOR.

NHTSA ODI 11130766

Sep 7, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE PULLING INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND MADE AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DCH KIA OF TEMECULA (LOCATED AT 26799 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 268-9198) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTAINED OIL SLUDGE AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11128118

Aug 30, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11123523

Aug 24, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, A "DO NOT DRIVE "WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA (6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003, (805) 644-2241) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARING INSIDE THE ENGINE STARTED TO WEAR AND SHRED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11122199

Aug 23, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE "DO NOT DRIVE, PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK" WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIM ELLIS KIA OF KENNESAW (1221 AUTO PARK DR NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, (404) 531-1868) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11121805

Aug 21, 2018Electrical systemEngineFuel system

VEHICLE HAS 130,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER WHEN IN CRUISE AND MOTION IS LOST. STEPPING ON THE GAS DOES NOT GET ANY ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON A HIGHWAY AND DISPLAY GIVES ME THE HYBRID ERROR DO NOT DRIVE WARNING. THIS OCCURS WHEN CRUISE IS SET AND ALSO NOT IN CRUISE. I STEP ON THE GAS AND THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE CAR FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. I AM ALSO HAVING BACK UP CAMERA ISSUES WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. MY DISPLAY GIVES ME THE WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT OBJECTS BEHIND ME BUT THE IMAGE SOMETIMES DOES NOT SHOW. THE IMAGE SOMETIMES IS THERE WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND SOMETIMES NOT. THESE PROBLEMS ALL STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. KIA WAS CONTACTED AS WE THOUGHT IT MAY JUST BE A COMPUTER UPGRADE. THEY TOLD THE DEALER THERE ARE NO UPGRADES. WE ALSO HAD A NON DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE FOR ERROR CODES BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY. THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE.

NHTSA ODI 11121530

Aug 8, 2018Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK YESTERDAY 8/7/2018, MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A WEIRD SOUND. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER ON 5/29/18 WITH 80K MILES ON IT, AS OF YESTERDAY IT HAS 85K MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE, JUST IN CASE, BUT WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS ONLY A PORTION OF A QUART LOW ON OIL, BUT THEY PROCEEDED WITH THE OIL CHANGE, AND TOLD ME THE SOUND WAS A ENGINE KNOCK AND ADVISED THAT I TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A ENGINE ROD KNOCK AND THAT THE ENGINE IS TOAST. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS (A NEW ENGINE) WOULD COST ROUGHLY $7000, AS I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER SO THE 100K MILE WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO ME, AND I'M PASSED 60K MILES AS THE SECOND OWNER. THE TURBO ENGINES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS HAS TO BE RECALLED. IT IS UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI 11118555

Aug 7, 2018Airbags

TAKARA RECALL, I HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY CLOCK AFTER AIR BAG SIGN WOULD NOT TURN OFF, CERTAIN CARS WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM , I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO ADDITIONAL YEARS AS WELL SINCE THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING

NHTSA ODI 11118431

Jul 31, 2018Body & structureWheelsEngineFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY UPON ACCELERATION THE RPMS SPIKED AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE A BROKEN MUFFLER THEN THE CAR LOST POWER. PULLING TO THE SHOULDER THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD WHICH SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH THEN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES BEFORE A FIRE CREW COULD EXTINGUISH.

NHTSA ODI 11115017

Jun 30, 2018Electrical systemEngine

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I WAS TOLD IT WASNT A RECALL HOWEVER IM SEEING SEVERAL OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MESSAGE APPEARED TELLING ME TO STOP DO NOT DRIVE CANT DRIVE SAFELY. NOW MY VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE I HAVE NO ACCELERATION POWER AND I HAVE NO OIL LEAKS BUT MY CAR IS BURNING UP OIL.

NHTSA ODI 11104828

Jun 14, 2018Electrical systemBrakesCrash

TODAY I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY FOR THE BRAKES FAILING IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT THE MECHANIC SAID TO ME THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CAR SO THEY LET ME LEAVE WITH IT I WAS IN LAKE WORTH TODAY DOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND IT DID IT AGAIN AND SAID CHECK BRAKE CAR SHUT OFF MY BRAKES FAILED AND I RAN INTO A MEDIAN TO STOP MY CAR. KIA CORPORATION IS NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS THE DEALERSHIP DOES HE EVEN HAVE AN ANSWER FOR ME AND THAT IS GUNTHER KIA. I BELIEVE THAT I AM GOING TO DIE IF I DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE AND I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE KIA CORPORATION 5 TIMES ALREADY

NHTSA ODI 11101949

Jun 8, 2018Electrical system

I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN ALL SUDDEN MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND SAYS HYBRID SAFETY ISSUE CHECK BREAK. THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME AND MY BRAKE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. SO I RAN INTO A FIELD THANK GOD THAT WAS RIGHT THERE AND I HAD MY FOUR YEAR OLD KIDS IN THE CAR. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL STARTED DRIVING IT DID IT AGAIN AND MY BRAKE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND SAID THE SAME THING. I HAVE SAW FOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. IT IS IN THE DEALERSHIP I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS YET BUT THIS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY FOUR YEAR OLD. I WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THIS HAPPEN. IT SAID HYBRID CYST SAFETY ISSUE CHECK BRAKE IN THE BRAKE ONE TREE TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. PRICES ON THE MAIN ROAD NOT A HIGHWAY. I WAS IN FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA ON 19TH STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN LAUDERHILL FLORIDA

NHTSA ODI 11100567

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Working with the data? Download all 107 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid verdict →