2012 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls

THERE IS NO SPARE TIRE AND ONLY A INFLATION KIT. A BLOWOUT OF THE SIDEWALL CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITH THIS KIT. COULD BE STRANDED AND HARM DONE TO THE OWNER. HOW COULD IT BE LEGAL AND SAFE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO NOT INCLUDE A SPARE TIRE??? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436522 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED A ROCK STRUCK THE MIRROR WHICH CAUSED THE DETACHMENT AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBL…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,653 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439066 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DURING A TURN IN AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD POWER. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY PUSH IT TO SAFETY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND TO THE CURB ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WAS SAFE DURING THIS INCIDENT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL INTERSECTION WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. IF THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION OR ON THE FREEWAY, T…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442732 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON 1-13-12 AND IMMEDIATELY DISCOVERED IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND TODAY (2-5-2012) THE DEALER BOUGHT IT BACK. I LOST $5,000 BY SELLING IT BACK BUT I AM JUST GLAD TO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. KIA SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR BUY THE CARS BACK AT THE SELLING PRICE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OR FORCED TO DRIVE IT TO AVOID THE LOSS. THIS PULL LEFT ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE KIA FORUM SITE. I JUST WISH I HAD CHEC…

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446929 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS MOUNTED FAR TOO LOW IN ALL 2011 AND 2012 KIA OPTIMA CARS. A PASSENGER WILL EASILY SLIP UNDER THE SEAT BELT AND COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA USA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN DEFECT, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN NOTED REPEATEDLY BY OWNERS OF THESE CARS WHEN POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUMS ONLINE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447018 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS IF THE CONTACT WAS LEFT STRANDED IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT WHILE THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE TOW TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE OTHER PASSENGERS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE M…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448929 at NHTSA ↗

RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION MAKES CREAKING NOISE, PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SUSPENSION WAS GREASED UP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER ONE WEEK. CONCERNS THAT ASSEMBLE MAY COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WORSE ON UNEVEN SURFACES OR WHEN EIGHT IS REDISTRIBUTED TO RIGHT SIDE (E.G. DRIVE THROUGH WINDOWS SOMETIMES ELEVATE FROM THE LEFT CAUSING CAR TO LEAN ON RIGHT SIDE; UNEVEN PARKING LOTS WILL CAUSE CREAKING SOUND). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449771 at NHTSA ↗

STEERING PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE TO ALWAYS CORRECT. MANY TIMES I END UP OVER CORRECTING WHEN GOING THROUGH A CURVE. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS 42 PSI WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 38 PSI AND SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE. I FINALLY TOOK ALL FOUR TIRES DOWN TO 35 PSI, AND ALMOST DROVE IT OFF THE ROAD WHILE GOING THROUGH A RIGHT CURVE AT 50 MPH. BY THE WAY, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 MPH. THE FREEWAY IS ALSO AN ISSUE. ALWAYS HAVING TO CORRECT THE STEERING BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH B…

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451709 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Reported: 2022-08-01 (August 1, 2022)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.

Consequence: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.