2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  34%
• 25k–50k
  11%
• 50k–75k
  1116%
• 75k–100k
  2637%
• 100k–150k
  2333%
• 150k+
  69%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, causing the wheels to seize and the vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. The passenger's side fender was damaged from the failure. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact to tow the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with bearing damage to the bottom of the engine. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced however, the extended warranty only covered the top of the engine and not the bottom of the engine, where the failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. …

The contact's wife owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced; however, due to the mileage on the vehicle, the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated and failed to exceed 20 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had started to overheat. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the replaced engine was defective and affected the high hybrid battery. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to replace the engine and the high hybrid battery; however, the vehicle remained at the local dealer because parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* 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, [phone]) 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. …

Tl* 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.

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging noise under the hood. The vehicle momentarily lost power and the contact noticed black smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was deemed destroyed. The technician stated that the fire was due to a connecting rod malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

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.

Engine lost power stated smoking all over trunk engine going 60 MPH on rt15 thurmont maryland outside of camp david, oil was everywhere loud boom, my grandson was in the back seat at this time as well, dealership telling me they are not at falt or replacing enging,as I see a federal investigation on this issue as well, I need my car repaired or replaced asap,.

I bought a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid I also bought an extended warranty with my vehicle. November 2016 my wife and two kids were on their way to work and school when the car just shut down while traveling about 55 MPH on the highway and would not do anything steering wheel would not even turn. I called the car company I bought the car from and they told me they can't work on hybrids so I needed to find a Kia dealership I found one hundred miles away I had the car towed to Kia dealership and they said the starting battery was bad in it and would have it fixed. They called me a few days later saying it was not the battery that it needs a new engine. And it would cost around 8,000 to fix and warranty stated they would not fix it due to engine sludge found in the oil pan and motor. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Optima Hybrid years