general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima Hybrid

12 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor Optima Hybrid. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima Hybrid based on all problems reported for the 2012 Optima Hybrid.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/10/2022

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill and on gravel with the electric drive mode activated, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact pressed the button to deactivate the electric drive mode, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact released the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the contact was informed that no cause for the failure was found. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and a recall repair appointment was scheduled with the dealer. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway at 5 mph, the message "emergency - pull over - system failure warning" was displayed. The contact pulled back into the driveway and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and could not be driven to the dealer for the recall repair because the dealer was 2 hours away. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied towing assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/16/2019

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.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/27/2018

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.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2018

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.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2018

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.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2018

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.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2018

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.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/08/2018

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.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/15/2017

The orange square wrench light on the dashboard came on but as soon as the car was turned off would go away. No trouble codes showed up. It happened 3 times in a week so once it popped on, went to the dealership to diagnose while it was still running. While driving there, the car had very little power-making the left turn into the dealership (crossing heavy oncoming traffic) was scary since the gas pedal was to the floor and the vehicle was barely moving. The dealership said the drive motor temp sensor in the hybrid system was going out and the car was in safe mode and had code p0a2b in the history. Because I am the 2nd owner of the car, kia will not cover the repair under warranty even though the car is under 100,000 miles. They designed this part so the sensor cannot be replaced-the entire drive motor must be replaced at a cost of $6251. This is absolutely ridiculous that a customer can be left footing the bill for a faulty and unsafe design. This is not something that a owner has any control over.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2016

Tamara recall. While driving down freeway the car turned completely off. Also the back windows don't roll up or down all the time with the switch. Defective switches.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/14/2015

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated while in park and crashed into a garage door, without any warning. The contact pulled the vehicle out from the garage door and parked it again, but as she attempted to get out of the vehicle, it began to shake, jerked and was about to accelerate. At that point, the contact turned the vehicle off. The failure recurred a third time, but the contact was able to drive home and immediately notified the manufacturer of the failure. The contact was told to expect a call back within twenty-four hours. The failure mileage was 42,000. Fe.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/06/2015

Our car is currently at the dealer for the 4th time for the same problem. Last spring the engine warning light came on with the message "hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive". The dealer said it was the battery (regular, not hybrid) so we had that replaced (out of warranty - we paid for that). This past August, the warning message appeared again - the dealer said there had been a technical bulletin, and they performed an update (covered by warranty). We had the car back for a few days and the message appeared again, as well as the following message "check charging system". The dealer replaced a wire (under warranty). A couple of weeks ago, the check engine light came on and the hybrid system warning appeared again. This time (4th time) the dealer said that the traction motor needed replacing and that we needed a new transmission (also under warranty). We believe that there is an inherent problem with this car.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima Hybrid


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Optima Hybrid Defect Investigations