general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima - part 2

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 proceeded to advise us that the parts that we needed under the recall were not covered by the recall and that we would need to pay thousands of dollars to then mention that it would be easier for them and cheaper for us to just buy a new car. We decided to leave and try to do more research. I did call our mechanic he confirmed there were recalls for our vehicle. I then called another kia dealer and they advised there were recalls on our car and that there would be no charge for the diagnostics and/ or repairing the car under recall.

Clicking noise in steering wheel.

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 kept inside so this should not be happening. I contacted Kia Motors and rep stated they are aware of issue but cant paint all cars with flaking or peeling paint. I asked if their is a known issue or problem with model and year why would you not offer some type of reimburse/ assistance or recall to correct. She stated to hold and came back to say her boss said the company would go broke. After the conversation phone hung up. I have called left message with live person that say they would call back and no one has. In looking for the number to contact Kia Motors. I ran across a forum that other have contacted Kia Motor about same issue. Can/will you help with this. The problem /issue is with Kia Motors white pearl paint on 2011-2016 cars and trucks. They all are peeling inf=g flaking in the saime area. Top back trunk, driver side back quarter and hood. The link if you would look into is (1) https://kia-motors. Pissedconsumer. Com/2013-kia-optima-sx-paint-chipping-and-flaking-off-201802151190418/2. Html (2)https://kia-motors. Pissedconsumer. Com/2013-kia-optima-sx-paint-chipping-and-flaking-off-201802151190418/3. . Read more...

Car being driven by my daughter suddenly stopped in the middle of traffic with a pull over and safely shut off vehicle warning. She however could not move. The vehicle also showed an error to the vehicle charging system. We towed the immobile vehicle to the local kia dealership and were told there were no codes and the battery was fine. They requested that I allow them to remove the valve cover to check on belts. I approved. I called the dealership the following day to check in because I have not heard. I was told the hybrid parts were covered under warranty but that the engine was locked up. No reason or explanation, no warning. My child could have died due to her vehicle stopping in the middle of traffic.

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 something else the car turns on put wont move even if I put it in drive or in reverse it won't move no check engine light but the hybrid batter not charging and the specialist I had come check the car told me its not the hybrid battery he changed the battery to see it would work but the car still won't move.

My 2012 kia Optima on multiple occasions has shut off while the vehicle was in motion. While driving, as I decrease my speed, suddenly the car will experience jerking and then suddenly shut off. This has occur while driving on the freeway and traffic has slowed down to 10 mph or less and while approaching a light or crossing and intersection and traffic is slowing down. While the car is at steady speed, at 20 - 40 mph the car jerks as I'm trying to maintain with the flow of traffic. My car has had routine maintenance and mechanics have been unable to identify or remedy the issue. My last two incidents were 8/21/19 freeway while in the fast lane next to the carpool lane and now 8/29 on city street. I also experienced this on March 3,2019 (had a fuel pump replacement which still did not remedy the issue).

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 case is, I have my state inspection due and with the srs light and no horn, it will definitely fail. I guess that's what I get for owning a kia .

On 4/9/19, my vehicle caught fire while I was driving it from my work on way to simi valley first kia dealership. I was on 118 freeway westbound in slow lane in chatsworth, CA. Onto freeway shoulder to call aaa when a stranger pulled up ahead of me, got out of his car, ran towards me shouting to me to get out, the car was on fire beneath level of the windows so I couldnt see the fire. . I got out, it blew up, & was totalled. No collision occurred. My witness saved my life. He took a video.

The 2012 kia Optima ex continuously shuts off at random times while driving without warning. I have done basic maintance and non have solved the issue. This is a safety issue because there is no warning and it could cause a serious accident amongs other involving me and my car.

As I was driving with absolutely no warning at the time or prior to the car stopped accelerating completely and will not start back up. When plugged up yo cables lights and all indicators come on but the car never starts and there is no noise coming from the engine . I was just leaving my driveway on a regular side street proceeding foward at maybe 15mph.

I have intermittent problems with the car starting. I have read through some of the forums and see others are having the same problem. If I have the power "on" and put it in drive them back in park it starts after several attempts. I have had the started and battery tested and they are not malfunctioning. This happens almost everyday for the last several months.

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, the car doors locked me out automatically. This was inconvenient and caused much distress because I was away from home picking up my infant child from preschool, and did not have the second key available. This was also embarrassing as my phone also was locked in the car. In the second instance (December 2018), I used the remote start to start the car in my driveway. After I put my infant child in the car seat and closed the door, the car turned itself off and all the doors locked automatically. My key was locked in the car with my child. This was a terrifying experience and it was colder than 40 degrees outside. I had to wait over 30 minutes to get my child out of the car. This is not just concerning, it is negligent for the manufacturers of this car to put unsuspecting car owners in this dangerous and unsafe position. The first occurrence I thought was a freak accident, but then it happened again. I researched the issue and found many issues and complaints from other owners similar to mine. This problem needs to be addressed immediately. There needs to be some owner awareness issued on how to rectify this and resolving this all together.

I've been maintaining the health of my 2012 kia Optima ex since I purchased in 2014 like clockwork. Last month, I experienced all the dash lights come on while in motion on city roads and I was unable to use the gas pedal. I frantically pulled over and turned the car off then tried to start it, only to be met with a weird sound and a cloud of smoke from the hood. My starter was fried, according to my mechanic. I had it towed to my mechanic and when he changed the starter, the new starter burned again as well as the engine locked up/seized. After finding out a recall (sc147) was active at the time, I called kia consumer assistance and they replaced the engine issues after confirming that was the problem. Once I picked my car up, I noticed the car was starting up in an odd manner but thought it was due to the engine replacement. About 3-4 days later, my car did the exact same thing as the first time (same smell, sound, and smoke cloud but luckily I was parked at the time). I assumed the starter would be a part of the recall since it broke down the exact same time as the recalled engine, I took the car back to kia, who told me they wouldn't pay for a new starter even though the engine recall caused it to burn up in the first place and is considered a component of the engine. I contacted kia consumer again and the case was given to an escalation manager. I had to speak to about 8 different agents and put an email in action to her supervisor to get her to even contact me on this issue. It took her almost a full month to contact and tell me kia is not responsible for the starter. I'm confused as to why it would not be covered because I've never had an issue with my starter until the engine failed. I am at a loss as to what I need to do to get kia to see who is really at fault. My mechanic also stated this is the 1st time he's ever seen those 2 parts break simultaneously.

Driving my 2012 kia Optima on the highway. Noticed the smell of smoke then visually saw smoke. Began to pull over and flames began to billow from under the hood. The brakes were not operational. Rolled to a stop and exited the vehicle. Car was fully engulfed within a minute.

I was driving my car in union NJ on September 25 2018. I was on my way to pick up my next passenger doing uber. When I get to the stop light less than a mile away from the customer I start seen smoke coming from the hood of the car. I accelerate the car so I can look for a safe spot to get out and inspect the vehicle. I took a right into the school parking lot and when I came out the vehicle the car was on fire! there was a police officer minutes within the car catching on fire and called the firefighters. Police called back up and another patrol officer came. Firefighters came in about 5 minutes and turned the fire off. The vehicle in totaled, everything in the engine bay burned. The police called a towing company and seton towing inc came and took the car.

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 shotgun going off in my car with the windows closed and somehow, I was able to drive fairly straight without jerking the steering wheel and causing a multi car pileup. Glass was flying around inside my car, all over me, the seats, floorboards, and console. I pulled the car over into the emergency lane so that I could figure out what had happened. After I exited the car and looked at the top, I noticed that the sunroof had a hole the size of a softball protruding outward. I looked around inside the car and nothing but shards of glass covered most of the interior. I then got back in the car and shut the sunroof shade so no more glass would fall inside the car and pulled off the nearest exit, which was very close to my office location. Once at work I searched online to find out if this was a common occurrence with other kia Optima owners and as it turns out it appeared to be a well-known and documented problem. I then called the nearest kia dealership and asked if there were any safety recalls associated with exploding sunroofs and was told �no�. He said that he was aware that they sometimes occur but it was not a recall. Even though I have not incurred injury's or expenses (just aggravation and inconvenience because I had a second vehicle to drive) I feel that it is necessary to report this occurring due to it being very unsafe. The average driver probably would have pulled the wheel and possibly been killed or injured themselves or and others. Apparently, kia does not appear to be very concerned about the issue and the safety of others, therefore something needs to be done to force them to address this problem.

I drove my vehicle home from work (12 miles), parked in my driveway (vehicle turned off, not running) and walked inside. I sat down and within a couple of minutes I heard a loud pop, I looked outside to see flames coming from under the hood of my car. By the time the fire department arrived and put out the fire, the car had burned to the ground and had melted all of the siding off of the front of my garage.

My steering wheel shakes when I am coming to a stop at a high speed.

Motor is locked up,shouldn't have happened.

While my family and I were driving home at a speed of 45mph we lost engine power and brakes. Upon the vehicle finally stopping, black smoke began to pour out of the engine compartment. We immediately exited the vehicle and saw flames begin to spread from the engine. We were notified by an off duty deputy that he was going the opposite direction when he saw us with a fire underneath our vehicle while still moving. The vehicle ultimately went up in flames along with everything we had inside.

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 warming up stand still. That goes for the window and car overall stand still. It has become an burden for the window can not go down.

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.

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 it will occasionally come on, then unlock my doors because of thekey being in the ignition. What is causing this?.

My snow white pearl paint is peeling on several sections of the car. I obtained quotes from 2 body shops and its recommended to repaint the entire car. Peeling started in 2018 and has continued to become worse every day.

Since about 40k miles my steering has clicked, locked, and missed and has gotten worse to the point that I have almost been in a few wrecks from inability to control steering. A mechanic friend of mine told me there was a recall for this and to call kia of chattanooga (who I purchased from) to look into it along with other recalls I may not know about before taking a trip accross country with my son. I have tried calling and the dealership hears recall and hangs up on me. I was able to leave one voicemail for the manager but was never contacted back and continue to be hung up on. My concern is mostly with the steering and possible bearings with engine. Steering will click even at a stand still, locks and misses while in motion rather badly. This has been happening since around 40k miles. Unsure of any other safety related recalls as I had moved multiple times and belive that is why I did not get letters.

When in motion there is a knocking noise in steering wheel that sounds like something broken inside. Also motor for right passenger windows on both front and back seat do not work and from driver's panel.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel seized in either direction with the electric power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. After multiple repeated failures, the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Clockspring malfunctioning in steering wheel which is impacting the air bag functionality.

I brought my car into herb chambers kia service center (burlington, MA) on 6/22 for oil change and repair of 2 recall items. On the summary they gave me afterwards it said, "part is being ordered will contact customer when part arrives" so it is now almost 7wks later and have not heard from them re my part coming in to fix the recall . . So I just called them. They said if there's a back order they sometimes "cancel" the order and will reorder the part tomorrow. Well I am moving on Aug 31 (to near nh line) and still don't know if my part is on back order or they canceled and need to order the part again. When I asked, the lady said they won't know "until tomorrow or the day after tomorrow" I asked if they would call me tomorrow for an update. I think it is a canister I need (not sure - see photo of service summary). Anyway still waiting (meanwhile getting lots of letters re important safety recall saying my car needs service to be safe!).

Leather on door handles are peeling.

I took car in for the clicking noise in steering wheel. While car was up inair on stands. The rep stated their was a small leak coming from the turbo oil feed line. However it was not cover under warranty because its not the turbo. I told the it is if its feeding the oil. I did some research on the problem and found that it is a common issue with all of their cars and they are refusing to fix the issue. I told the rep that if the oil causes a burning smell it can cause a fire. I was told the manager would call me but now they are not taking my calls about replacing the line to the turbo.

Purchased a used 2012 kia Optima on 5/18/15 with 20,000 miles on it from a kia dealership which certified that the engine was covered under warranty. Car was serviced for oil changes at the recommended intervals. The last oil change occurred on 5/24/2016 for which I provided a jiffy lube receipt. The engine failed on 7/4/2016 at which time the car had 39,520 miles. Prior to the oil change on 5/24/2016 I had the oil changed on 2/26/2016 for which I provided a hand written receipt as the garage is not a national chain and doesn't have computerized receipts. Kia motors is refusing to honor the warranty because they said I don't have sufficient proof of regular maintenance. I provided them with the proof I had regularly maintained the vehicle but they refused to accept it. This car shut off at a major intersection. A notice flashed to put the car in neutral or park and restart the engine which I did. The car restarted and I drove another 10 miles and it cut off again in the middle of a busy highway and would not restart . I went on the internet and discovered that there is a warranty bulletin 2016-09 on this engine extending the warranty to ten years 120,000 miles . They extended the warranty because there is a problem with the engine and are denying customer's warranties by rejecting proof of regular maintenance thus not fulfilling their warranty . They position is the oil was dark but I looked at the oil and engine and it looks fine to me. . . It's dark because it had been driven not because of neglect.

I own a 2012 kia Optima on April 5, 2016 I was driving home from work and my sunroof exploded. At the time I was driving on cline avenue (912). I was not doing anything out of the normal. There were no car around me to hit me there was no falling debris from anywhere. I heard a loud explosion sound and when I looked up I saw my sunroof with a huge hole and two more loud pops came after that. Since that time I have contacted kia USA the corporate headquarters and have not gotten anywhere with them. They have not owned up to the fact that this is happening in their vehicles (2011 -2015). I discovered this while researching on line. Once the explosion happened I contacted the dealership where I purchased it and where I have it serviced on a regular basis. They held my car from Monday, April 11, 2016 until Friday, April 15, 2016. Nothing was done to it. They claim that they were instructed to hold it so they could an investigation of the car. I have given 3 depositions over the phone to kia with a promise that someone would get back to me soon. That has not happened yet. In the mean time I had to give the dealer ship a deposit so they could order the glass to fix the sunroof. They are telling me that it will cost $440. 00 for the class and $80. 00 dollars labor. This may not seem like much, but to me it is and I feel like this is kia's responsibility. When I was doing my research on-line I found article of others car makers having the same problem but they paid for the repairs. I was told that my warranty does not cover glass and since the total cost is $520 and my insurance deductible is $500. So this is money I have to pay out of my pocket and presently I am driving around with a piece of plastic for a roof.

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 sunroof was not in use (as it and the accompanying sunshade were completely closed). I became aware of the issue as it occurred very suddenly, sounding almost as if a gunshot had occurred before thentering glass shards landing on the sunshade became apparent by rattling while my vehicle was driving. At the time of the incident, I was traveling at no more than 50 mph as traffic was heavy and we were traveling through a road construction zone characterized by reduced speed. The weather was sunny and approximately 75 degrees. No other windows were open at the time of the incident. Passengers in the vehicle included myself (driver) and my toddler daughter who was secured in her rear-facing carseat. There were no overpasses or large improperly secured vehicles nearby (such as a dump truck) from which a projectile could have originated to shatter the window. As stated above, the shatter pattern of the glass is consistent with a trajectory of the break from outwards from the vehicle. I have several pictures attached documenting the damage. It is my belief that this break occurred due to a manufacturing error or defect in the glass of the panoramic sunroof free from any penetrating or projectile objects or variables. I was not informed by kia nor my servicing kia dealership that this is a result of any defect or recall and that all repairs would need to be made out of pocket by myself.

Back up camera needs replaced at a cost of $350 with a $99 dealer look at fee. At less than 90,000 miles there is no reason that a camera needs replaced at this point. Recall needs thrown as its apparent many 2012 kia Optimas are dealing with this issue.