Four problems related to starter have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2012 Optima.
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 the car still had smoke. The electrical wires were burnt and burning and the car still will not start.
I was notified by kia earlier this year that my vehicle was involved in a recall because the engine could seize causing a safety issue. On 6/12/17 I took my Optima to camelback kia for recall work and inspection. On 8/1/2017 as I was driving northbound on az sr51, my engine stalled while moving about 40 mph in rush hour traffic. I then pulled over to restart my vehicle, a short time later I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I was told by kia upon their inspection that the starter is where the fire originated due to the seized engine. The vehicle burned and is now a total loss. This caused a 3 lane closure on the freeway at 5pm as well as a crash due to spectators.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of engine power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle. During each attempt, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to car lock kia (located at 4301 greensboro Ave, tuscaloosa, al) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly, battery, and starter were defective and needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Upon doing research, the contact found that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
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 failure mileage was 57,000.