2012 KIA OPTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine internal

    34 stranded, 112 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    148
    incidents
    Typical range: 71,000–123,000 mi

    Median 98,000 mi, based on 151 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • "METAL DEBRIS IN ENGINE OIL, SCORCH ENGINE- SAME ENGINE PROBLEM AS PARENT CO. HYUNDAI MOTOR RECALL. ON SONATA. A 2.4 LITER ENGINE., MANUFACTURED BEFORE APRIL 2012. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED ON FREEWAY DURING NORMAL USE."~5,100 mi, complaint #1226816
    • "I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH WHEN I HEARD SOME KNOCKING. AS I SLOWED TO AN INTERSECTION THE NOISE STOPPED UNTIL I ACCELERATED ONCE AGAIN. GOT BACK UP TO 40-45 MPH AND ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST…"~74,668 mi, complaint #1325326
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HEARD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR AND CAR THEN DECELERATED TO A STOP ON SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM HOOD AND OIL WAS ALL OVER ENGINE AND ROAD. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC AS ROD WAS THROWN T…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1742439
    • "DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS] AND THE ENGINE SEIZED GIVING ME KNOW ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE THAT MAY HAVE GOTTEN LOOSE VERY SIMILAR TO THE KIA OPTIMAS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT THE…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1639307
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY [REDACTED ADDRESS] 102 WHEN IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY PUT IT IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO LUCK IT WOULD NOT START HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP AND TO OUR SURPRISE THEY SAID THAT IT WAS…"~235,000 mi, complaint #1638379
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    58 stranded, 86 unsafe

    144
    incidents
    Typical range: 79,000–126,000 mi

    Median 106,500 mi, based on 182 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "FIRST THING CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. SECOND OCCURRENCE PULLED OUT AND CAR LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ROAD TURN IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED CAR WAS OK. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. NEXT OCCURRENCE NOV 2012 CAR DID…"~500 mi, complaint #959427
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LAWRENCE KIA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], LAWRENCE, KS) WHERE IT WAS…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1451501
    • "I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 45 MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY, AND THE OIL LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE AND MY CAR STOPPED MOVING. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR THE STARTER AT FIRST BUT NOW I'M PRETTY SURE ITS EITHER THE ENGINE GOT LOCKED UP…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1635670
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 40MPH WHEN THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. THERE WAS NO NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY SERIOUS BODY DAMAGE. ALL THE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WOULD TURN ON BUT THE ENGINE STAYED DEAD WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. AFT…"~126,200 mi, complaint #1646273
    • "OCTOBER 2016, WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL SHOP. THEY FOUND WIRES TO THE STARTER BURNED AND ASSUMED THAT WAS THE ISSUE.…"~212,000 mi, complaint #1408661
  3. #3

    steering electric assist

    48 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    53
    incidents
    Typical range: 0–58,500 mi

    Median 40,000 mi, based on 49 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA HAS STEERING DRIFT (DIFFUCULTY DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE). DEALER INDICATED TYPICAL OF ELECTRONIC STEERING AND DID NOTHING BUT CHECK ALIGNMENT. VERY UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS. CONDITION STILL EXISTS. *TR"~2,204 mi, complaint #920652
    • "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING A SNAPPING SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND INABILITY TO HOLD A A STEADY HEADING. STEERING BECOMES STICKY REQUIRING G CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS AS THE CAR DRIFTS FROM ONE STICKY HEADING…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1145100
    • "NOISE IN THE STEEING WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN MOTION"~49,520 mi, complaint #1586311
    • "URGENT: STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY STICKS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!!!!!!!!! I SEE THERE ARE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OPTIMA OWNERS!!! DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR THIS TO BECOME A RECALL ITEM ????"~60,000 mi, complaint #1251617
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY(60MPH AND ABOVE) STEERING WHEEL APPEARS TO STICK AROUND 12 O'CLOCK POSITION. HAVE HAD THE FLEX COUPLER REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. I STARTED TO NOTICE THIS SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY."~120,000 mi, complaint #1465774
  4. #4

    steering rack mechanical

    44 unsafe, 9 annoyance

    53
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,000–98,000 mi

    Median 71,000 mi, based on 47 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • ""TAKATA RECALL"WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. I'VE HAD PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME THING SINCE 2012, FIRST THE STRING IT WOULD PULL LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVE STRAIGHT. KIA SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. THERE…"~500 mi, complaint #1524819
    • "WHEN STREERING THE VEHICLE, IN MOTION OR STILL, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND. GOING OVER ANY BUMP IT RATTLES N SHAKES."~49,000 mi, complaint #1386359
    • "I HAVE A KNOCKING SOUND IN MY STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. ALSO, I HAVE NOTICED AN ODD GRINDING/SLIPPING SENSATION IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WHEN I ACCELERATE ON A RIGHT TURN FROM DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS. PULLING OUT…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1272937
    • "THE FIRST THING WOULD HAVE TO BE THE STEERING WHEEL LIKE IT HAS BEEN NOTED BEFORE WHEN YOU SIT STILL IT HAS A CLICKING SOUND. AND ALL DRIVING THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MILES AN HOUR IT STICKS AND YOU HAVE TO JERK IT BACK WITCH IS NO SAFE I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED MANY T…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1275280
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SAFELY PULLED OVER AS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1489268
  5. #5

    airbag system

    30 unsafe

    30
    incidents
    Typical range: 73,500–129,000 mi

    Median 90,000 mi, based on 30 reports (39% had no usable mileage)

    • "2012 OPTIMA 45,000 MILES BOUGHT IN 2013. REGULAR ON TIME SERVICE AT LITHIA KIA OF ANCHORAGE WHERE PURCHASED. AIR BAG LIGHT TRIGGERED AFTER OIL CHANGE. DESPITE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED BUMPER - BUMPER COVERAGE, HAD TO PAY $150 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG CODES READ AND RE…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1735351
    • "AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER. CLOCK SPRING IS FAULTY AND NEEDS REPLACED. COST TO REPLACE IS $350 ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIP. I'VE READ THAT KIA HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ON PRIOR MODELS AND WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT. CAR ONLY HAS 74K MILES AND S…"~74,800 mi, complaint #1300875
    • "AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON WHICH MEANS IT WON'T DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL AREN'T WORKING, AND STEERING WHEEL HEATER ISN'T WORKING. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS CLOCKSPRING IS WORN OUT. PREVIOUS MODELS OF OPTIMAS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND E…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1398643
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF CHERRY HILL (1803 MARLTON PIKE W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, [REDACTED PHONE]) AND THE AIR BAG INDI…"~129,853 mi, complaint #1521778
    • "10-15 MPH T BONED A CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF"~240,000 mi, complaint #1607220
  6. #6

    other

    5 stranded, 17 unsafe, 1 broken, 7 annoyance

    30
    incidents
    Typical range: 13,000–106,500 mi

    Median 63,000 mi, based on 30 reports (59% had no usable mileage)

    • "THERE IS NO SPARE TIRE AND ONLY A INFLATION KIT. A BLOWOUT OF THE SIDEWALL CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITH THIS KIT. COULD BE STRANDED AND HARM DONE TO THE OWNER. HOW COULD IT BE LEGAL AND SAFE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO NOT INCLUDE A SPARE TIRE??? *TR"~500 mi, complaint #891438
    • "MAKING A CALL WITH MY BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED IN THE VEHICLE, LOOKED DOWN TO VERIFY CONNECTION, BY THE TIME I LOOKED UP I WAS A FOOT AWAY FROM A PARKED VEHICLE, I SWERVED AS TO THE LEFT AS MUCH AS I COULD BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, I SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMA…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1037750
    • "DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 W. CAR SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE OCTOBER 20, 2017. PASSENGER SAW SMOKE FROM FRONT SEAT. DRIVER PULLED-OVER. WE GOT OUT OF CAR. SAW FIRE UNDERNEATH. MOVED AWAY, CAR GRADUALLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FILED REPORT IN CONNECTICUT. INCIDEN…"~61,852 mi, complaint #1484238
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SMOKE WAS SUDDENLY PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE F…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1431015
    • "THERE ARE A FEW RECALLS ON MY CAR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO GO TO GREENWAY KIA IN LONGWOOD, FL. HOWEVER, UPON ARRIVAL THEY TRIED TO CHARGE US FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND STATED THAT THE RECALL IS NOT VALID WITHOUT US PAYING FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. THEN THEY…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1638867
  7. #7

    steering column

    21 unsafe, 1 broken, 4 annoyance

    26
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING OF MY 2012 OPTIMA IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES,ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS PUTTING ON THE TIRES ,I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HE S…"~26,030 mi, complaint #1199517
    • "THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE INSIDE IT. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK COMPLETELY AND I'LL LOSE ALL STEERING WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT MAKES THE NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR VEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT JERKS. I TRAVEL…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1565643
    • "GEAR OR BEARING DEFECTIVE IN STEERING COLUMN .EXCESSIVE MOTION , PLAY AND NOISE WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE . CONTACTED DEALER BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM . DEALER SERVICE DEPT. QUOTED REPAIR TO BE APPROXIMATELY 300 DOLLARS . WHEN IS KI…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1308444
    • "CONTINUOUS CLICKING NOISE WHILE STEERING AT ALL SPEEDS. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN STEERING COLUMN. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE STEERING COUPLER/"~67,000 mi, complaint #1490493
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions and making a turn, there was a loud popping sound coming from the steering column and the wheels. Additionally, while attempting to shift into reve…"~202,000 mi, complaint #2073356
  8. #8

    engine oil consumption

    4 stranded, 20 unsafe

    24
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 100,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "OIL FEED PIPE/TUBE TO TURBO LEAKS ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE TUBE REPLACED. (CAR WAS SITTING AND NOTICED OIL LEAK AND BURNING OIL SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING STILL)"~56,000 mi, complaint #1401637
    • "TURBO FEED AND RETURN LINES LEAKING CAUSING IT TO LOSE OIL WHICH COULD CAUSE TO ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE JUST HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE LINES LEAKING IN WHICH KIA WILL WARRANT THESE EVEN THOUGH THEY PLAY A VITIAL PART IN ENGINE OPERATION. CURRENTLY I HAVE SEEN MANY…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1385089
    • "I BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA USED WITH 68K MILES ON IT IN MARCH 2016. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND IT NOW HAS 80K MILES. THE CAR CONSUMES A LOT OF OIL. I HAVE GIVEN THE CAR 4 OIL CHANGES SINCE PURCGASE AND HAVE NOT SEEN WHERE IT MAY BE LEAKING OIL…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1331879
    • "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…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1694837
    • "AT FIRST IT STARTED WITH MY ENGINE OIL BURNING QUICK, AND HAVING TO DO AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 15 DAYS. NOW IT STARTED DOING THE ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I DROVE IT 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY CITY STREET. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOUSE A…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1717423
  9. #9

    brake hydraulics

    19 unsafe

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED AND NO OTHER INDICATIONS WERE NOTED. LIGHT RESET WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. NO STORED CODES FOR THE FAULT. STILL WAITING FOR KIA MOTOR COMPANY TO CORRECT…"~2,226 mi, complaint #930871
    • "EXITING HWY 71 EAST BOUND TO WOODWARD DECREASING SPEED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HAD A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF HER. I HAD A SAFE DISTANCE AND SLAMMED MY BRAKES. MY BRAKES DID NOT GRAB AS USUAL MY CAR DID NOT STOP AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TRULY BELI…"~52,400 mi, complaint #1216356
    • "I HAVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID OF WHICH I PURCHASED AT THE LOCAL KIA DEALER (ONTARIO, CA) AND EVEN PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL "PLATINUM 100K MILE PROTECTION." ON DECEMBER 31ST MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE WHILE IN PARK AND THE IGNITION ON. I HIT THE BREAKS AND THERE…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1161471
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amou…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1952328
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, his wife observed a burning odor inside the cab…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1956212
  10. #10

    alignment and pull

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 0–79,000 mi

    Median 29,500 mi, based on 48 reports (2% had no usable mileage)

    • "2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATING A VERY NERVOUS STEERING (LEFT AND RIGHT PULLING), MORE MARKEDLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN SINCE BRAND NEW, BUT INCIDENT DATE REPORTED WAS THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM WAS EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE. INCIDENT EVENT REP…"~500 mi, complaint #960934
    • "WHILE DRIVE ABOVE 45MPH THE CAR WONDERS LEFT AND RIGHT, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THERE IS A CATCH IN THE STEERING MAKING IT VERY EASY TO OVER CORRECT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT INTO KIA TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT TWICE NOW…"~10,000 mi, complaint #976414
    • "WANDERS OFF CENTER, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. WILL NOT STAY STRAIGHT. WEARS YOU OUT CONTINUALLY CORRECTING THE DRIFT OR WANDERING."~44,000 mi, complaint #1230017
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE WHEN I HIT A BUMP FEELS LIKE THE CAR JUST WANTS TO TURN. SEEMS LIKE IF THE WHEEL COULD JUST LOCK UP OR WILL JUST COMPLETELY NOT TURN AT SOME POINT"~70,000 mi, complaint #1258883
    • "THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS AS YOUR DRIVING PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. I CAN JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL TO HELP CORRECT IT BACK TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS.THE DEALERSHIP ALIGNED THE FRONT END BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD POSSI…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1637058
  11. #11

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 16 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 80,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AFTER WARMING UP ENGINE I DROVE ONTO THE ROAD AND ONTO A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAM A QUARTER MILE FROM MY HOME. WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY, THE CAR "LOST POWER", IE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 60 MPH. RPM WAS PEAKING OVER 3,000 RPM (HIGHER TH…"~12,620 mi, complaint #953022
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure ha…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1847405
    • "CAR WILL JERK HARD WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT HAPPENS WHILE GOING IN SPEEDS BELOW 45 MPH. THE CAR WILL JERK REALLY HARD WHILE DRIVING AND THE RPMS WILL JUMP FROM 2-3 STRAIGHT UP TO 6. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I AM TAKING IT TO THE KIA DEAL…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1196617
    • "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 MI…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1692410
    • "TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD PULL WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS FROM THIRD GEAR TO SECOND GEAR AND A HARDER PULL ON FIRST GEAR THIS IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN REGULAR GEARS GOING IN DRIVE WOULD ACTUALLY DO FINE I NOTICED A WEEK LATER WHEN I WAS OUT DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN…"~168,000 mi, complaint #1717554
  12. #12

    paint and clearcoat

    7 unsafe, 9 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "HELLO I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE CORRECT PLACE TO SEEK INFORMATION OR FILE AN COMPLIANT ABOUT WHAT I THINK IS A DEFECT IN KIA MOTORS PAINT ON THIS MODELS THAT WAS PAINTED WITH WHITE. WHILE DRIVING I SEEN PAINT START TO FLY OFF MY HOOD OF CAR. MY CAR IS KE…"~112,400 mi, complaint #1617310
  13. #13

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 stranded, 12 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 92,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING SAFETY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD…"~89,979 mi, complaint #1606182
    • "I HAVE A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. DROVE GREAT AT FIRST NOW THE CAR IS OFF AND ON.. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LUNGES OFTEN AND AS OTHERS HAVE SAID THERE IS A DELAY 2 SECOND FROM PRESSING THE GAS TO THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. THE CAR ALSO LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1589924
    • "THE KIA GAVE NO WARNING ABOUT THE CAR HAVING ISSUES ABOUT THE ENGINE WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IT GAVE ME THE ERROR HYBRID BATTERY NOT CHARGING TO PULL OVER AND STOP DRIVING WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE HYBRID THAT IT COULD BE SOMETH…"~95,485 mi, complaint #1720335
    • "IDK WHO IS GOING TO READ THIS BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEONE CAN TELL ME A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT MY KIA OP.HYBRID! ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, A TRUCK HIT MY CAR AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO HUBCITY HAGERSTOWN MD THEY FIXED THE BODY REPAIRS, THEN THEY TOOK I…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1603643
    • "I WAS DRIVING 75MPH, I WAS COMING UP OVER A HILL, AND THE VEHICLE CUT OUT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE, AND I WAS TOLD TO PULL OVER, THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING HYBRID BATTERY LOW, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WOU…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1697441
  14. #14

    sunroof

    12 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 61,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SHORTLY AFTER 7AM ET. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT IT AND THEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. *JS"~19,400 mi, complaint #1012364
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, she was unable to close the sunroof and heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the…"~55,500 mi, complaint #1880023
    • "ON MARCH 23, 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:50 PM I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY IN MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EX WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED, IN A TRAJECTORY RESULTING THE THE GLASS POINTING UPWARDS CONSISTENT WITH AN EXPLOSION OUTWARDS. THE SUNROO…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1270316
    • "MY FIANCE WAS DRIVINGDRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS] NORTH GETTING READY TO TURN OFF THE EXIT AND SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG. NEXT THING SHE KNEW SHE HAD GLASS ALL OVER HER.THE POWERED SUNROOF EXPLODED!!!!THE GLASS CUT HER HAND IN A FEW SPOT BUT THANKFULLY SHE IS OK AN…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1406113
    • "THE MORNING OF JULY 19TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING MY KIA OPTIMA TO WORK. I HAD JUST GOTTEN ON INTERSTATE 20 AND WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT MOST LANE DURING RUSH HOUR. MY SUNROOF SHADE WAS OPEN BUT MY ACTUAL SUNROOF WAS CLOSED. SUDDENLY I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SH…"~111,000 mi, complaint #1486094
  15. #15

    lighting exterior

    11 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 93,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2012 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 48000 MILES NOW DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING, SO AS OF NOW I AM DRIVING WITH PASSENGER SIDELIGHT IN COMBINATION WITH PARKING LIGHTS. BUYING KIA OPTIMA IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER DONE, IT SEEMS EVERY MONTH SOMETHING GOES…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1617819
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEE JOHNSON KIA ([REDACTED ADDRESS] KIRKLAND,…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1668349
    • "ORIGINAL HID HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIM TO THE POINT IT FAILED A VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS DIMINISHED."~94,000 mi, complaint #1543947
    • "FRONT LOW BEAMS VERY DIM, CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE, WHICH IS DANGEROUS TO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE DUE TO A DEFECT AND THAT THE COST IS UPWARDS OF $2K TO FIX WHEN…"~95,500 mi, complaint #1548367
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THE ILLUMINATION PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM VIEWING THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPEN…"~122,597 mi, complaint #1454730
  16. #16

    glass and windshield

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 22,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE SENT IN COMPLAINTS ON MY KIA MANY OF TIMES AND THE ONE JUST CAME OUT ABOUT THE LATCHES, MINE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE HAD THE MIDDLE PART OF MY GLASS CRACK THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND MORE BUT IT SEEMS I AM BEING OVER L…"~3,200 mi, complaint #1289152
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SOUND OF GLASS RATTLING. AT FIRST I THOUGH I HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF MY TIRES, SO I MANAGE TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I THEN DID A WALK AROUND OF MY CAR AND SAW THE BUSTED SUN…"~14,518 mi, complaint #973041
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CAR…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1072669
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, SUNNY CLEAR WEATHER, TEMP 85. NO OVERPASSES OR OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT. THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SHOWERING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GLASS ON TOP OF MY HEAD RESULTING IN A FEW MINOR CUTS. EITHER I WAS STRUCK BY A METEORITE OR KIA HA…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1081619
    • "I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON A FLAT, FRESHLY PAVED HIGHWAY WITH NO OVERPASSES OR OTHERS CARS NEARBY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD CRASH (SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT) OCCURRED RIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUNSHADE ON…"~61,900 mi, complaint #1198355
  17. #17

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND CAR SHUT DOWN. CHECKED UNDER HOOD WHICH HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT. GROUND WIRE WAS MELTED. OFFICER WAS CONTACTED AND HELPED PUSH CAR TO SAFETY. TOW COMPANY WAS CALLED AND CAR WAS LOADED WE ROAD WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. HALF WAY T…"~47,000 mi, complaint #1312179
    • "'TAKATA RECALL' I'M CURRENTLY BUYING A KIA OPTIMA 2012 AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND HAD MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AT KIA OF ORANGE. THEN I DID FULL SERVICE WHICH I PAYED 600$ OR SO AND AFTER THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS, I WENT TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE AN…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1446285
    • "IM HAVING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ALONG WITH SUDDEN INCREASES OF POWER INCREASE AND DECREASES. I WAS DRIVING TO MY LOCAL MALL BEFORE MY EVENING CLASS AND NOTICED MY CAR RADIO AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHERE NOT OPERATING NO LIGHTS BUT CAR…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1258936
    • "VEHICAL HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN COLD WEATHER FOR 3YEARS NOW. WE'VE TAKEN THE VEHICAL TO A KIA DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT OR (IT WOULD DO IT FOR US/ WELL IT STARTED FOR US). MOST RECENTLY THE VEHICAL WAS…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1538503
  18. #18

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 111,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE TRAVELING FROM KNOXVILLE TN.WE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75.AS WE CONTINUED ON THE SMELL WENT AWAY.WE REFUELED IN SWEETWATER TN. AND CONTINUED ON.AT A REDLIGHT IN MADISONVILLE WE NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN.I PULLED INTO A WENDYS PAR…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1063453
    • "THERE'S A RECALL ON LOW PRESSURE FUEL HOSE DEFECT FOR 2013 AND 2014 KIA OPTIMA (KIA RECALL #SC187) BUT MY 2012 ALSO HAS SIMILAR FUEL SMELL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO KIA OF IRVINE (CA) FOR DIAGNOSIS ON MARCH 7, 2020 AND WAS TOLD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR TO…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1653507
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAFFORD KIA OF FREDERICKSBURG ([REDACTED ADDRESS], FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, (…"~111,227 mi, complaint #1667067
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND UPON CHECK THE THE FUEL PUMP SENSOR HAS MADE 3 DIFFERENT SENSORS GO. MY FUEL JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE. FROM A FULL TANK TO EMPTY OR THE READING CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO A SMELLS OF GAS THAT CAN BE SMELLED WHILE DRIVI…"~112,450 mi, complaint #1536969
    • "FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF. ALSO NOTICED AFTER STARTING ENGINE. WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING I TOOK ENGINE COVER OFF AND FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE TOP B-NUT FITTING ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE. FUEL LINE IS ON THE U…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1676413
  19. #19

    brake booster

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 4,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON. DEALERSHIP HAD JUST REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP LESS THAN 300 MILES EARLIER BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHER…"~1,707 mi, complaint #928696
    • "WHILE ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ON. NO OTHER INDICATIONS NOTED. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT NEW BRAKE BOOST PUMP MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND WANTS TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. PART IS ON ORD…"~2,103 mi, complaint #930158
    • "BRAKE SWITCH RECALLED ON 2011 MODELS, BUT MY 2012 WILL NOT START MOSTLY WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE, BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENS AND WONT DECOMPRESS FOR ENGINE TO START, PUSH BUTTN WONT START CAR BRAKE LIGHTS DONT WORK. VEHICLE WILL LEAVE STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING. IT W…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1531640
    • "WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SO FAR THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP- 3 TIMES, THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP- 1 TIME, AND THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH- 1 TIME. NONE OF…"~4,550 mi, complaint #940138
    • "BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING. BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME RENDERING CRUISE CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INOPERABLE. LOSS OF POWER IN ENGINE AS IT THINKS BRAKES ARE APPLIED MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. ROOT CAUSE IS BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER (KIA PA…"~77,770 mi, complaint #1598388
  20. #20

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "IN 2017 WE HAD THE KIA TOWED TO SELMA KIA MOTORS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL OF THE ENGINE,BECAUSE OF SHAVING IN THE ENGINE AND OUR TURBO WENT OUT AND WAS BURNING.THE CAR STOP ON US IN TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET WE COULD OF DIED THAT DAY. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE ENGINE…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1580682
    • "THE WASTE GATE ACTUATOR ON KIA OPTIMA TURBO MODEL FAILED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE PART ONLINE AND KIA HAS NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THIS DEFECT. TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1173136
    • "MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, WHEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED AND THE GAUGES BEGAN TO ACT UP. I THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AS SMOKE WAS DETECTED MY TURBO SEEMED TO BE VERY HOT AND BRIGHT RED. THE ENGINE BECAME LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED EVER SINCE."~82,000 mi, complaint #1374431
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE TURBO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 03/29/17*L…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1327470
    • "TURBO AND TURBO OIL RETURN LINE IS DEFECTIVE. LEAKS OIL AND OVER HEATS ENGINE. DEALERSHIPS ADMIT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY'VE SEEN DAILY WITH THE SX MODELS BUT REFUSE TO ADDRESS IT UNTIL A RECALL COMES OUT. ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, IT CONSTANTLY…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1446854
  21. #21

    abs module

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "06/18/12- WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTIONS. *JS 06/27/12- WHILE ACCELERATING UP A HILL, 30MPH, T…"~518 mi, complaint #925930
    • "VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKE ACTIVATE RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING THE ABS BRAKE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD,WHILE IN MOTION AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP. EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED…"~58,388 mi, complaint #1619610
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND REMAINED LIT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THER…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1606811
    • "MY KIA OPTIMA ABS SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY MAKE A CRUNCH SOUND WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES, AND I LOSE SOME ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY AFTER TO THE POINT THAT MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON BUSY HIGHWAYS WHERE I HAVE TO FEAR C…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1395187
    • "VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKE ACTIVATE RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING THE ABS BRAKE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD,WHILE IN MOTION AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP. EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1611894
  22. #22

    fuel pump

    7 unsafe, 1 broken

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 89,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS MADE. ONCE STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINAT…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1398632
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A RATHER NEW KIA OPTIMA. AT 70,000 MILES MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP COMPLETELY WENT OUT. THIS AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE AS IT WS VERY HESITANT AND SHAKY. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I REALIZED THE PROBLEM. I WA…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1267593
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WHITE SMOKE BELLOWED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUMMIT PLAC…"~73,565 mi, complaint #1553641
    • "ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I WENT TO PUMP GAS AND IT IS SPITTING THE GAS BACK AT ME, I ONLY GOT TO PUT IN LIKE $1.80. WENT TO ANOTHER GAS STATION, SAME THING, IT WILL NOT LET ME PUMP GAS INTO IT. I TRY THE NEXT DAY AND I GET A LITTLE BIT OVER $2.00. I CALLED KIA,…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1534608
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND DEPRESSED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN ACCELERATING F…"~166,000 mi, complaint #1586312
  23. #23

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE SEEMS TO HAVE A POWER LOSS AND THEN IT CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I AM IN MOTIONG WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY/STREET."~68,200 mi, complaint #1701043
    • "VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING, HAVE TO LET GO OF GAS PEDAL AND PUSH AGAIN TO GAIN ACCELERATION AGAIN"~70,000 mi, complaint #1331942
    • "ISSUE STARTED 2 MONTHS AGO. NOTICED THAT VEHICLE ACCELERATION IS SLUGGISH. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL THEN DEPRESS IT AGAIN IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. ACCELERATION IS UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS. ELECTRONIC STABILITY SENS…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1639871
    • "WILL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPS ACCELERATING AND ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHT COME ON WITH CARS AT MY TAIL. SCARY ORDEAL BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER."~168,897 mi, complaint #1722438
  24. #24

    tire failure

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ALL 4 HANKOOK OPTIMO 225/45/18 TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX VEHICLE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL WITHIN 18 MONTHS. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS AND ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AROUND THE 2 YEAR POINT FROM PURCHASE OF THE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1062893
    • "AFTER 15,000 MILES TIRE DEVELOPED A HUGE BUBBLE ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW WITH ORIGINAL TIRES FROM DEALERSHIP(NEXEN).THESE TIRES SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. RIGHT AFTER I GOT IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP, IT EXPLODED AND WAS SITTING ON…"~35,000 mi, complaint #986868
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H431 TIRES, SIZE 225/45R 18V. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TIRE GAUGE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. T…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1104028
  25. #25

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I WAS DRIVING THE 2012 KIA OPTIMA AND TURNED A CORNER AND MY KNEE PRESSED ON DRIVERS DOOR AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVER SINCE. IT IS AN ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE TH…"~11,000 mi, complaint #978539
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the passenger’s side door opened inadvertently. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed…"~102,301 mi, complaint #1771894
    • "DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY HEAD LIGHT BULBS MELTING TO HEADLIGHT HARNESS SMOKING"~120,000 mi, complaint #1689841
  26. #26

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA EX. I STARTED MY CAR TWO WEEKS AGO FINE AND DROVE TO THE STORE 3.1 MILES AWAY. AFTER GETTING BACK TO MY CAR I CLICK PUSH BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOOR ON THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE KEY SWITCH I…"~17,987 mi, complaint #1266576
    • "KEY FOB WAS PLACED ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR TO ENABLE FEMALE ADULT TO PLACE CHILD INTO SAFETY BOOSTER SEAT. KEY FOB WAS LEFT ON ROOF BY ACCIDENT, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL ALLOWED TO START. THE CAR GAVE NO AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE KEY WAS STILL OUTSIDE THE CAR. T…"~29,680 mi, complaint #1110059
    • "LOCKED OUT OF CAR AUTOMATICALLY WHILE KEY IS IN THE CAR ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE (JULY 2018), I WAS EN ROUTE AND STOPPED BRIEFLY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING WHILE THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE CAR. AS SOON AS I CLOSED THE DOOR, TH…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1527741
    • "CAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF IMMOBILIZATION PHASE, WITH EITHER KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK TO USE PUSH TO START. ISSUE IS WASTE GATE ACTIVATOR FAILURE OR NEEDS ADJUSTMENT."~109,000 mi, complaint #1729761
    • "CAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF IMMOBILIZATION PHASE, WITH EITHER KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK TO USE PUSH TO START. ALSO COMMON ISSUE IS WASTE GATE ACTIVATOR FAILURE, CAUSED US TO ALMOST CRASH DEALER SAID IT IS A EXSTREMLY COMMON ISSUE BUT KIA WON'T ISSUE RECAL."~190,000 mi, complaint #1719517
  27. #27

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe, 3 broken, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FOR SOME TIME. WHEN PUSHING THE WINDOW UP, IT KEEPS GOING BACK DOWN. AFTER MENTIONING IT TO THE KIA DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WELL, JUST YESTERDAY THE ENTIRE WINDOW MADE A CRACKING SOUND WHILE TRYI…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1618374
    • "THIS STARTED A WEEK AGO THAT WHEN I WOULD TURN RIGHT, BY DOOR OPEN INDICATOR WOULD COME ON FOR MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. NOW IT IS CONSTANTLY COMING ON AND OFF, MORE ON THAN OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS INTERSTATE DRIVING OR IN TOWN. AND IF I AM STOPPED…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1464123
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be r…"~100,000 mi, complaint #2034833
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was performed; however, after the repair, the A/C system became inoperable, and t…"~100,000 mi, complaint #2037739
    • "KIA OPTIMA 2012 LX COMPLAINT..I LIKE TO START OFF SAYING THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE UP FRONT STOP WORKING. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WILL NOT WHINE DOWN OR UP SOMETIMES. IT IS AN ISSUE AND MORE. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE WHEN I CRANK UP, IT IS A WEIRD NOISE WHEN WARMIN…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1472263
  28. #28

    control module

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WAS SITTING AT LIGHT AND WENT TO TAKE OFF CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD A LOUD ROUGH GRINDING NOISE, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ONE. BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT, ETC AND NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE WORKING. I STOPPED A…"~13,800 mi, complaint #932889
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. A BEEPING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A SERIES OF UNKNOWN KIA DEALERS…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1399057
    • "TODAY WAS THE 2ND TIME I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND MY CAR SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. I HAD NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. HERO CAME TO ASSIST, OPENED THE HOOD SMELLED…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1377364
  29. #29

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALUE KIA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…"~55,630 mi, complaint #1493963
    • "LAST WEEK, DURING AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TWO NEW ONES. IN ADDITION TO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COOLING SERVICE WHICH WOULD BE A TOTAL OF ABOUT $200. NO TELLING HOW LONG THE CAR WAS WITHOUT COO…"~78,600 mi, complaint #1263450
    • "ON 9/3/2019 I TOOK MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA TO GOSSETT KIA SOUTH TO GET IT REPAIRED. IT DIDNT GET FIXED BEFORE I LEFT THE LOT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. I WAS STRANDED FOR 4 DAYS AFTER THAT DAY. I WENT TO THE NEAREST PART STORE AND PURCHASED A BOTTOM…"~130,389 mi, complaint #1620811
  30. #30

    mirror

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHI…"~3,653 mi, complaint #894375
    • "DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE, ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MIRROR SUDDENLY JUST FELL OFF! THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF WAS THE CABLE RUNNING INTO THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE…"~6,313 mi, complaint #927210
    • "I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT A GROCERY AND FOLDED MY SIDE VIEW MIRRORS UP AND BACK DOWN AND NOW THE MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR WILL NOT STOP RUNNING. THE MOTOR RUNS DAY AND NIGHT AND THE MIRROR NO LONGER FOLDS LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I SEE TH…"~151,300 mi, complaint #1731621
  31. #31

    seat mechanism

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE DRIVE AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE TO LOW IN THIS CAR. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY WIFE WHO IS 5' TALL CANT SIT HIGHER THAN THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS, AND THEY BLOCK HER VIEW. I TEST DROVE THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, SO DIDN'T SIT TO LOW FOR ME BEING 6' TALL. T…"~3,000 mi, complaint #956095
  32. #32

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS ACCELERATING VEHICLE AN STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELLERATE. WHEN I TRIED A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR"~35,500 mi, complaint #1100689
    • "MOST RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (A STRAIGHT ROAD) IT ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS POWER AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL UNTIL IT FINALLY DECIDES TO SPEED UP, ONCE THIS OCCU…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1635846
    • "MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND REMAINS ON. I TOOK TO MARTIN KIA IN NEWARK DELAWARE FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SAID THE CODES WERE C1259 AND C1260 AND THAT I NEED TO HAVE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND THE STEERING COLU…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1447604
  33. #33

    throttle and pedal

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. AVIS PUTS RUBBER FLOOR MATS OVER CLOTH FLOOR MATS THAT HAVE HOOKS EMBEDDED IN TIME TO HOLD THE FACTORY FLOOR MATS IN PLACE. I DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD DID THIS. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL HOURS OF DRIVING THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT SLID FORWAR…"~12,187 mi, complaint #943862
    • "FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS, NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE AT IDLE WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AND THE CAR IS STOPPED (E.G., FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL). THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE WENT FROM IDLE (ABOUT 800 RPM) TO RAPID (SURGING) ACCELERATION, OFTEN WITH SCREECHING TIRES.…"~12,738 mi, complaint #929343
    • "THE GAS PEDDLE STOPS WORKING AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATES AS YOU ARE IN MOTION. AFTER STEPPING ON THE PEDDLE A FEW TIMES IT BEGINS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN."~98,130 mi, complaint #1597271
  34. #34

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT ON A SMALL STREET WHEN A VERY LOUD HISSING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM MY AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. AS I ACCELERATED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, THE HISSING NOISE GOT QUIETER, BUT AS I STOPPED AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION, IT GOT LOUDER. BY T…"~41,400 mi, complaint #1199524
    • "AC AIR CONDITIONING UNIT: WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE DAY 1. WHEN UTILIZING AC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DURING HOT TEMPERATURES, FAN BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AND HUMID AIR EVEN AT THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE SETTING. THIS HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TIME WE HAVE OWNE…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1599104
  35. #35

    backup camera

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKUP CAMERA CAME ON. ALL THE FUNCTIONS ON THE STEREO WERE NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WHERE THE STEREO MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF I WOULD BE NOTIFIED, I WAS TOLD NO…"~4,300 mi, complaint #915453
  36. #36

    engine head gasket

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 replac…"complaint #1849062
    • "My vehicle has not repaired. I have not been in an accident. However there are two open safety recalls for my car and I am terrified that myself or someone else is going to be injured or even killed due to this problem has yet to be resolved. The first recall…"complaint #1988087
    • "A issue with the Valve cover gasket leaking into the engine causing a misfire. Making the car suddenly stop while driving which is very unsafe. I took the car to the dealership and they want to charge me for the repairs. I have 2 kia optima hybrid and both ca…"complaint #2201971
  37. #37

    starter

    3 stranded

    3
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 139,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1197429
    • "MY STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START MY CAR AFTER DRIVING IT. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I COULDN'T RESTART THE CAR AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD 2 STARTERS PUT IN THINKING THAT WAS THE ISSUE AND AFTER THE 2ND STARTER WAS INSTALLED…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1561865
    • "CAR WILL NOT START UP. WHEN TURNING KEY I HEAR CLICKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE GOD FROM FUSE BOX AND THINKING IT'S STARTER RELAY BUT I REPLACED IT AND STILL NOTHING EVENTUALLY BY KEEP TRYING TURNING KEY TO START FOR 18 MINUTES IT STARTS UP FINALLY. NO CLUE WHAT…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1724834
  38. #38

    unintended acceleration

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO 6000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT SOURCE OF THE SURGING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE V…"~4,800 mi, complaint #974469
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND R…"~23,538 mi, complaint #1398864
  39. #39

    battery and charging

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "IN NOVEMBER 2017 I CONTINUOUSLY TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT STARTED, AND/OR NEEDING A JUMP. JIM MARSH KIA HAD ME REPLACE MY BATTERY AFTER 6 WEEKS OF COMPLAINTS AND COMPLICATIONS. ONLY FOR A WEEK LATER TO HAVE ME AND M…"~10,900 mi, complaint #1531987
  40. #40

    horn

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "KIA OPTIMA 2012 WITH 43000 MILES HORN DOESN'T WORK WHILE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT. IT WORKS FINE WHILE STEERING STRAIGHT/LEFT BUT THE MOMENT TURNED RIGHT HORN WILL ONLY CLICK/ NO SOUND. I DO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DON'T KNOW IF IT IS RELATED. WORST…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1564124
  41. #41

    lighting interior

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS PERIODICALLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE OPERATING OUR 2012 OPTIMA. THIS OCCURS WITH THE SWITCH IN BOTH ON AND OFF POSITION AND THE LIGHTBULBS TEND TO BECOME OVERHEATED.THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL OPERATION, BUT GO OFF ON THEIR OWN…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1129534
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. DUE THE FAILURE, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REQUIRING A JUMP START TO BE ABLE TO START-UP AND…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1732823
  42. #42

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN OCCUPANT WAS WEARING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT HOWEVER, THE BUCKLE CEASED AND FAILED TO RETRACT OR RELEASE. THE OCCUPANT HAD TO SLIDE OUT THE SEAT BELT. THE CONT…"~230,000 mi, complaint #1728901
  43. #43

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION MAKES CREAKING NOISE, PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SUSPENSION WAS GREASED UP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER ONE WEEK. CONCERNS THAT ASSEMBLE MAY COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WORSE ON UNEVEN SURFACES OR WHEN EIGHT IS REDISTRIBUTED TO RIG…"~2,000 mi, complaint #907595
    • "THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT END. I HAVE HAD THE CARE ALIGNED AND IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PART OF THE ALIGNMENT, ALSO INDICATIONS FROM OTHERS IS THAT IT IS RELATED TO SWAY BARN ENDS. OTHERS ON THE KIA FORUM INDICATE SI…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1000944
  44. #44

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "CAR DRIVES WITH LOOSE STEERING AND CLUNKING NOISE THAT FAIRFAX KIA REFUSES TO TEST DRIVE IT LONG ENOUGH TO HEAR. JERKS LEFT SUSPENSION ON ROUGH PAVEMENT ON LEFT SIDE ONLY. THERE ARE LOTS OF BIG BOLTS ON THE LEFT STRUT AND I BELIEVE THESE BOLTS ARE EITHER DANG…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1574468
    • "I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WHEN I HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR A ROUGH ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE AND I CAN FEEL A SHAKING SORT OF. I CLICKED ON SUSPENSION BECAUSE OF HOW ROUGH IT FEELS RIDING RIGHT NOW AND I DONT KNOW IF IM JUST FEE…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1407311
  45. #45

    transmission manual clutch

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED TO PUT THE SHIFT LEVER TO PARK, THE CAR INDICATED THAT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS STUCK IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART BUT IT WOULD NOT BECAUSE THE…"~61,200 mi, complaint #1652827
  46. #46

    trunk or liftgate

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE NOTICED OVER TWENTY TIMES THAT THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF. IT WOULD BE FOUND OPEN AFTER I GET TO MY CAR OR WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD JUST OPEN UP ON ITS OWN. LAST MONTH MY TRUNK, WAS SHUT, DOORS LOCKED, WE HAD A HEAVY RAIN THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY I…"~7,589 mi, complaint #1128682
    • "THIS STARTED IN JUNE 2014 DURING THE MID SUMMER. THE TRUNK WOULD COME OPEN WHILE JUST SITTING THERE OR COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT BY IT OPENING UP WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING BUT IT COULD COME OPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING AND IF I WAS TO TRA…"~9,987 mi, complaint #1153936
  47. #47

    wheel bearing

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On or around October 17th 2025 I purchased a 2019 Kia OPT un aware that the vehicle had recall problems. Once I realized the vehicle had problems I took it to get it checked out. I only had the vehicle for 2 days before the problems occurred. The Kia service c…"complaint #2163013
    • "I bought this car February 2026 when I drove it on the freeway they car felt wiggly not the axle is broke and the wheel bearings stop the car from going "complaint #2212755
  48. #48

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE (BRAKE) ON ITS OWN. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WHILE PRESSING THE GAS…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1594715
  49. #49

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 "complaint #1865000
  50. #50

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CRUISE CONTROL "CANCEL" BUTTON NEEDS REPEATED PUSHING TO ACTIVATE. A SINGLE PUSH OF THE CANCEL BUTTON ACTUALLY SEEMS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR. *TR"~34,800 mi, complaint #1106814
  51. #51

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH I HEARD A LOUD 'BANG'. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY OPTIMA WOULD PERIODICALLY SHIFT GEARS VERY ROUGHLY ON DOWNSHIFTS. THERE WAS ALSO A 'CLANKING' NOISE PRESENT ON THE ROUGH DOWNSHIFTS OR WHEN THE OPTIMA WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE.…"~1,350 mi, complaint #945971
  52. #52

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMIN…"~19,637 mi, complaint #1393885
  53. #53

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST INSIDE PASSENGER AREA OF CAR. SMELL BY 4 OF 5 PASSENGERS. CAR WAS A RENTAL, SO I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN ORE EVEN THE MODEL YEAR. WITH < 10,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES, IT MAY HAVE BEEN A 2012. I DID FIND THIS NOTE ONLINE REGARDING A SIMIL…"~9,600 mi, complaint #953241
  54. #54

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR IS FLOODED DUE TO A CLOGGED PIPE OR DISCONNECTED PIPE. WATER IS POURING OUT INTO MY CAR AND NOT SMALL AMOUNTS BUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER ON THE BASE OF MY FLOOR."complaint #1468350
  55. #55

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car started idling and running rough out of no where. When I put the computer diagnostic on it it tells me there's problems with the fuel rail pressure sensor. Also the car won't go into drive or reverse but nothing is wrong with the transmission?"complaint #1749776
  56. #56

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY SATELLITE RADIO HAS BEEN CUTTING IN AND OUT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. DEALER SAYS ANTENNAE WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAVE BROUGHT CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR"~35,500 mi, complaint #1100691
  57. #57

    interior trim

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE SEAT HAS COMPLETELY RIPPED OPEN JUST FROM GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. NOW I HAVE DUCT TAPE THE SEAT SO IT LOOKS VERY TRASHY."~123,000 mi, complaint #1643034
  58. #58

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "CAR MAKES A HUMMING NOISE WHEN GOING 20 TO 40 MPH"complaint #1589472
  59. #59

    power steering hydraulic

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING COUPLER REPLACEMENT NEEDED"~70,000 mi, complaint #1254875
  60. #60

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS DRIVEABLE BUT IDLING ROUGH. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. ENGINE HAD FOLLOWING CODES SHOW UP ONCE DIAGNOSED. P0014 - B CAMSHAFT POSITION - TIMING OVER-ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. P001…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1628352
  61. #61

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR, ABS, AND THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING THROU…"~18,000 mi, complaint #967545

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA OPTIMA directly.