This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 70 mph, the steering wheel shook and the check engine, low battery, oil, and electric power system warning indicators illuminated all at once. The vehicle lost all power and was coasted to the side of the road. The contact waited approximately four minutes and attempted to start the vehicle; however, it cranked, but did not start. The vehicle was left on the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
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
Vehical has had problems starting in cold weather for 3years now. We've taken the vehical to a Kia dealership numerous times only to be told they don't know what's wrong with it or (it would do it for us/ well it started for us). Most recently the vehical was at the dealer ship for 10 days while we were vacationing and they returned the vehical only for it to not start the following morning. It's a push to start and as a safety feature the brake pedal must be pressed in order to start the car. When the problem first started there would be a light on the dash that would indicate there was not key witch was not the case. You could have the key phob in the car and still wouldn't start. This was only on cold days. It would start just fine unless it was below 20 degrees. More recently the car will show no indicator on the dash and won't start if the temperature is below 30-35 degrees. Above that everything works fine. We changed keys and replaced batteries in keys and moved them all over the car but nothing would get the car to start until the temperature rose above freezing. Most recently this morning I went outside to start the car (around 30 degrees and rising) as I pressed the brake and hit the start button I heard sparks and a loud poping noise followed by hissing and sizzling the vehical then began to fill with smoke. I exited the vehical and took a few steps back. About 10 seconds after initially hitting the start button the car then started with me standing about 20ft away while still smoking. I never saw flames but could smell an electrical fire and was waiting for the car to burst into flames from the amount of smoke that was coming from it. Majority of the smoke seemed to becoming from driver seat area (underdash and along driver side quarter panel). After a few minutes the smoke died down and the event seemed to be over. I haven't touched the vehicalsincemornin
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact took the vehicle to don franklin somerset Kia (60 highway 2227, somerset, ky 42503, (606) 679-1177) to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). After the repair, the vehicle stalled multiple times while driving various speeds and all the instrument panel indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer where the alternator, battery fuse, and battery were replaced; however, the failures persisted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
In November 2017 I continuously took my vehicle back and forth to the dealership due to my vehicle not started, and/or needing a jump. Jim marsh Kia had me replace my battery after 6 weeks of complaints and complications. Only for a week later to have me and my kids life at risk, heading South bound on I-15 my car flashed a warning sign stating do not start engine hybrid battery undetected and shut off while a semi truck was behind us. By the grace of god I was going down hill so I swerved to the side of the dessert and road to spare our lives. Just to have Kia tell me 4-5 different excuses as to why my engine failed.
- Henderson, NV, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Brake switch recalled on 2011 models, but my 2012 will not start mostly when it gets cold outside, brake pedal stiffens and wont decompress for engine to start, push buttn wont start car brake lights dont work. Vehicle will leave stranded without warning. It will work and then not work, intermitten.
2012 Kia Optima sx. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the vehicle filled with smoke and the dashboard set on fire. The vehicle was a total loss.
Clockspring failure causes on-steering wheel controls to fail. Kia service did not find any service codes produced when the steering wheel volume control switches, cruise control switches and cellphone switches displayed intermittent functionality. Failure of the switches generally displayed upon initial start of the car after sitting overnight or at the end of a work day. Temperatures were consistently over 100 degrees F. during an approximate 1 hr 15 min surface street and freeway commute (each way),switches would function after a few minutes driving, but then fail again. Correct functionality was inconsistent. And did not persist. Car was taken in several times for these issues but no codes were produced. Service rep suggested that the clockspring may be involved, but recommended only the replacement of the faulty switches. Volume and cruise control switches replaced, but again showed intermittent failures that would not produce codes. Finally, the replacement volume switches and the cellphone switches completely failed; again, no codes were produced. Kia service noted that the clockspring is integral to the correct functioning of the steering wheel airbag system along with all the steering wheel switches. Kia service now confirms that a faulty clockspring shorted out the steering wheel switches; a new clockspring, volume controls and cellphone controls are being installed. Again, prior to the repair, no codes were generated for Kia service to observe. Prior to releasing the car, the switches were checked for correct function, but failed. At that point, the clockspring replacement was initiated. Note: Kia service also performed the recall work on the acu wiring harness during this service incident.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. The vehicle was taken to Kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 860-2424) where it was diagnosed that the air bag switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
My car just turned off with several flashing lights while driving. I tried to start the car and nothing but a slight tick. I returned to the car with jumper cables to see if it was the battery and before I tried the jumper cables I tried one more time to start and the engineer caught on fire. The car did not turn over or seemed to be running.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed black smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken to value Kia (6915 essington ave, philadelphia, pa 19153, 215-937-1000) where it was diagnosed that the cooling and electrical systems failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,630.
Driving on interstate 84 w. car suddenly caught on fire October 20, 2017. Passenger saw smoke from front seat. Driver pulled-over. We got out of car. Saw fire underneath. Moved away, car gradually became engulfed in flames. Filed report in Connecticut. Incident number 17-0000359 sandy hook fd fire department responded. 61,852 miles
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.
'takata recall' I'm currently buying a Kia Optima 2012 and everything was working fine and had maintenance up to date at Kia of orange. Then I did full service which I payed 600$ or so and after the car started giving me problems, I went to my friends house and my boyfriend got off to get tools from the house it took him ten minutes to come back. The car was on and I was windows up and ac on when he came out he saw fire under the front left light. It got on fire and we were scare for our life's and we manage to run around and find anything that will help we had water and it wouldn't turn off, we didn't know it was electrical so it was melting plastic until we manage to find a fire extinguisher while I was calling 911 we thought the car was going to blow up. Second of all we fix it insurance cover. We call Kia they told us our insurance had to pay it. So we did next I took it to get maintenance update and oil change, we took for a drive to chino hills California and then the car turn off by it self on the freeway I was 65 speed limit and my steering wheel got hard and all the lights were on. I could of lost my life. I manage to move it slowly to the side and it was on fire when I open the hood something was burning again. A sheriff help us turn it off with his fire extinguisher. The engine had blew up a wrot blew maybe because of no oil or idk I'm not mechanic that's why I take it to Kia. I believe they didn't do their job right and my insurance doesn't wanna cover it, now I'm careless and I have a daughter to feed and I need help to get this out there if anybody has the same issue please make this go viral. Highway 91 East
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.
Due to a recall, I had my engine replaced by Kia patterson in July of 2017. About a week or so after getting it back, the airbag light came on and the horn does not work. Naturally, I contacted Kia patterson regarding the matter and was told that it had nothing to do with the engine replacement. I'm now being told that it may be a defective airbag or clockspring, both of which are expensive repairs. I have found that several Kia vehicles have suffered the same fate with no resolution. My car does not fall into the previously recalled models yet it seems to have the same problems. My level of frustration is so high at this point and I don't feel safe driving with these problems. Unfortunately, I will have to do so until I am able to save enough money to have it fixed. Shame on you Kia!!!
Engine locked up had a warranty they fixed it and after I got my car back the the horn didn't work or any of my controls on the steering wheel worked I notified them and they did nothing to fix it. When I turn the car over to Kia dealership everything was working and after they put the new engine in everything went wrong the ABS system went out the horn stop working the turbo in the car wasn't any good my airbag and engine was on and still is and I notified them again even took it to management and they did nothing about it. I'm not a satisfied customer at all can U guys please help me. I'm a hard working man have a family and just trying to have a car that we can enjoy.
Brake pedal releasing as I am pushing down on it coming to a stop. Hard to get the car to come to a stop at times. Car is missing on acceleration. Camera does not work 80-90% of the time. A/C stops working when sitting still or parked.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA