Two problems related to engine funny noise 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.
As I was driving to work yesterday 8/7/2018, my engine started making a weird sound. I just purchased the car from a private seller on 5/29/18 with 80k miles on it, as of yesterday it has 85k miles on it. I took the car for an oil change, just in case, but was told the car was only a portion of a quart low on oil, but they proceeded with the oil change, and told me the sound was a engine knock and advised that I take it to a dealership. I drove the car to the dealership and was told it was a engine rod knock and that the engine is toast. I was told the repairs (a new engine) would cost roughly $7000, as I'm not the original owner so the 100k mile warranty does not apply to me, and I'm passed 60k miles as the second owner. The turbo engines were recalled for this exact same issue. This has to be recalled. It is unsafe.
The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima Hybrid. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle made a thumping noise and a loud boom sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed brown smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Eventually, the smoke turned black and appeared from the front and rear of the vehicle. The contact also noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, mark kia, where it was diagnosed that sludge was in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided case number: 12369116. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.