The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving approximately 45 mph, the "battery low, hybrid system failed, please pull over and turn engine off" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact waited approximately five minutes, but the engine never restarted. The vehicle was towed to cavenaugh Kia (3315 stadium blvd, jonesboro, ar 72404) where it was diagnosed that the battery was fine, but the engine seized due to sludge. A new engine was needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

- Harrisburg, AR, USA

I was driving to drop off a friend and jumped on the highway. Everything was fine until I stopped at a stoplight coming off the highway and heard a knocking sound. I never got a check engine light or anything still to this day. I had it taken to the nearest Kia dealership and they said 3 connecting rods are out and it has a cracked block. They quoted me $7600 to fix it. Its been 6 months and I havent been able to do anything with with. My insurance said they cant do anything and I had an extended warranty but I went over the mileage. I have gap insurance but the insurance company wont do anything about it. I know the other optimas are having the exact same issues but Kia hasbt released a recall for the hybrids.

- Nampa, ID, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and smoke quickly entered the vehicle. Also, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. The contact exited the vehicle and called roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to premier Kia of branford (205 North main street, branford, Connecticut 06405, (203) 315-2050) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized. The dealer replaced the engine under warranty, but the failure recurred. Four months later, while driving various high speeds, the contact heard a clicking noise and smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again where it was diagnosed that the internal engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired due to the lack of warranty coverage. A police report was not filed for either failure. During both occurrences, the smoke went away once the engine was turned off. There were no injuries. In addition, the contact stated that there was no indication of a fire, but a loud popping noise was heard from the engine compartment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available. Consumer attached diagnostic and invoice repair to the car showing the problems with the engine. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- New Haven, CT, USA

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.

- Columbia, SC, USA

I was on the Florida turnpike at about 11pm with my girlfriend 6mo old son my 6year old daughter and niece I was driving at about 70mph when the whole car shook and we heard a loud noise my girlfriend said what did you hit I was not sure then within about a mile the car started to lose power and was smoking really bad I pulled the car off to the side of the road I have geico insurance so I called them for a tow truck after being on the phone with them for about 45 min I was them connected to the police who said they were not open at this timei after hanging up the phone I called geico back who told me they were having trouble finding a tow truck that would come get us from where we were after about 2 hrs they told us that a truck was coming but the baby can't ride in the truck so I had to call a friend to come from port saint lucie Florida pick up my girlfriend and the kids we finally made it home at around 4:30 am thank god everybody is okay but this situation could've been a lot worse I was sure that I hit something and I have full coverage so nothing to worry about after sending my car to bev smith Kia in ft pierce Florida they told the insurance company that it was nothing that I may have hit but a bearing had prematurely failed and threw a rod through the bottom of the motor there is about a 3 in hole in the bottom of the engine so my insurance company will not cover the car they had not even looked at the car and knew what was going on Kia has a recall on a number of vehicles with the same problem but my car is a hybrid and it has not been recalled at this time I have been on the phone with Kia for over a month they are not wanting to help me a I have found a lot of complaints on the web with the same issues. Kia needs to recall before someone is hurt or even killed! this is unsafe for people to be driving note my car only has 80,000 thousand miles

- Ft Pierce, FL, USA

This vehicle is dangerous and extremely faulty. I have had to replace the transmission due to the car traveling at no more than 55 mph. In addition, there was extreme knocking within the steering wheel in which the steering wheel had to be replaced as well. Then my car started drifting again with white smoke coming from under the hood and exhaust. Now Kia is saying that the engine is faulty and needs to be replaced. My car is not being serviced for a recall on the engine because it is a hybrid, yet non-hybrid Kia cars have a recall for it. This is the same thing. What a disservice! Kia needs to quit making cars altogether if the internal work has no endurance. I'm still paying on this vehicle. This car is a danger, waste, and disservice. Several complaints have been noted in reference to the same thing. What if the car exploded" then what" this car could have harmed me or others. Please recall the engine and anything else this car has that is unmanageable or unhealthy. The opportunity cost is pisspoor.

- Laurel, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. The contact stated that the engine seized while pulling into her driveway and made an abnormal clunking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dch Kia of temecula (located at 26799 ynez rd, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 268-9198) where it was diagnosed that the engine contained oil sludge and needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. In addition, a "do not drive "warning message illuminated. The vehicle was towed to kirby Kia of ventura (6424 auto center dr, ventura, ca 93003, (805) 644-2241) where it was diagnosed that the bearing inside the engine started to wear and shred, which caused the engine to seize. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Fillmore, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 60 mph, the "do not drive, place vehicle in park" warning message illuminated. The contact placed the vehicle in park and was unable to shift out of park. The vehicle was towed to jim ellis Kia of kennesaw (1221 auto park dr nw, kennesaw, ga 30144, (404) 531-1868) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

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.

- Luverne, MN, USA

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

- Ventura, CA, USA

While driving the vehicle on the highway upon acceleration the rpms spiked and there was a clicking noise. After releasing the accelerator there was a loud noise like a broken muffler then the car lost power. Pulling to the shoulder the car began to smoke and shortly after stopping the vehicle caught fire from somewhere under the hood which spread to the entire front of the vehicle which then became engulfed in flames before a fire crew could extinguish.

- Escondido, CA, USA

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.

- Sanantonio, TX, USA

NHTSA recall 17V224000 my 2012 Kia was supposedly not in this recall but my car bearings according to independent mechanic are already wearing out prematurely at 84000 miles. The car will lose oil pressure and knock (bearing) blow white smoke and stop in the middle of the interstate. This happened once in stop and go traffic and once traveling at 65 mph where car decelerated to 30 mph. Car has always been taken to Kia dealership for service but they claim they can not see the service records and will not cover under purchased warranty without them

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

While driving, at night with my two year old son, on a two lane road my car starting making a loud knocking noise, I began to lose power quickly. Thank god I was able to get the car to the edge of the road. I called family, who said to stay put, they brought a trailer to load my car on. I wasn't sure what to do next, I was being told the motor had thrown a rod. Sadly they were all correct. I called Kia headquarters, they gave me a case number and the name of a dealership near me, which is still 60 miles away, West palm beach Kia. I towed the car over on April 3, 2018, after their diagnoses I was told I needed a motor. I too questioned the Kia optima recall, I was told the hybrids are not included in that recall, neither was my VIN. Today is May 18, 2018, my car is still at West palm beach Kia awaiting a motor. Since being at West palm beach Kia, who I remind you was suggested by Kia headquarters I have been through three service managers. I have been informed that I will have to pay $3500 of the $8000 bill, due to Kia goodwill." Tentative date of May 29, 2018", which is the third change of date also. My car is still there with a my car has 92,000 miles on it. With Kia offering to pay at all, it seems they know they have a problem motor, with a safety issue so why is there not a recall?? my two year old son and I could have been hurt seriously if a semi tractor trailer or pick up truck had been behind me. Please issue a recall before people get killed!!!

- Clewiston, FL, USA

The car will stall/lose power, blow white smoke out the exhaust. This happens on acceleration or driving at normal highway speeds this has occurred on the highway and on city streets. Yesterday on the interstate I was almost rear-ended because the vehicle stalled. It is believed the connecting rod bearings in certain engines fail as metal debris circulate throughout the engine via the engine oil. Over time, the contaminants in the oiling system cause the connecting rod bearings to fracture and spew large amounts of metal debris into the engine oil, which it cannot filter out to maintain necessary oil pressure. There are numerous complaints regarding the issue and this safety concern needs to be addressed.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

My vehicle is a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. I have basically had engine problems since driving off the lot. Started small and ended up like many others here where after experiencing very loud revving in the engine as I was bringing my car to a stop there was a loud boom from the rear of the vehicle and a thud. I felt like I had been rear ended. After trying to drive it back to a safe space the loud revving stopped as an engine rod was thrown and my hybrid warning sign appeared and the engine then died. The tow truck driver told me I was leaking oil. He towed it back tot he Kia dealership where I got the same news as most complaining here...oil sludge and an $11,000 fix. There is a definite engine defect in these vehicles and Kia needs to do the right thing and recall the engine and make their customers whole. The consumer stated the dealership was knowingly selling vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls. The consumer stated the engine had catastrophic engine failure.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

2012 Kia Optima hybrid. Vehicle has 69,000 miles. Vehicle was serviced every 3,000 miles. My wife was driving to work on 04/26/18. She was driving on the 143 freeway in phoenix, Arizona. She called me at home and said the engine was making a knocking/clanging noise. I could hear the noise on the phone. I told her to pull over. I drove to meet her and investigate. I opened the hood and checked all fluids. All were full and clean. I asked her to start the engine. There was a loud clanging or scraping noise coming from the lower part of the engine on the passenger side. I had her turn the car off and we called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to camelback Kia in phoenix, AZ. As soon as the car was taken off the tow truck, a service adviser started it for a few seconds. He immediately said the engine failed and had to be completely replaced. Well over $8,000 to replace! he said the warranty would not cover the engine. He said that this happens all of the time. There is no reason an engine should fail at 69,000 miles when it was perfectly cared for. Kia has recalled the other 2012 Kia optimas. Where was our Kia produced. Most likely the same factory. Kia should recall these and replace the engines.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. While driving 65 mph, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the noise persisted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (mcguire Kia, 21280 us-27, lake wales, fl 33859) where it was diagnosed that the oil port was clogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they would contact the dealer where the vehicle was located. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

Properly maintained Kia Optima hybrid ceased operating while being driven on a highway. Symptoms appeared electrical in that all of the vehicle indicators illuminated, then stopped as the vehicle also stopped. When trying to restart the vehicle, the engine ignited in "eco" mode (the hybrid engine started), but the gas engine did not and the vehicle was only marginally road-worthy. It would not get up to speed. Upon examination by a Kia dealer, they said they found "large metal pieces, " in the oil pan and recommended replacing the short block and reconditioning the cylinders. This is despite the fact that the vehicle had had an oil change the day prior, and had been fully operational, with zero maintenance failures in the 5 years I've owned it. Kia has recalled its gdi engines due to complaints that are strikingly similar to the issue here, but were patently unsympathetic regarding the gas electric hybrid.

- Mechanicsville, MD, USA