NHTSA Complaint #10733951 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10733951
Vehicle	2012 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Date of Incident	July 8, 2015
Date Filed	July 14, 2015
Mileage	38,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	NC

Consumer Description

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE HOT SIDE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT CLAMP ON THE RADIATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY FITTED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

Related Complaints for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA

Other ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Complaints

#11718777 — February 18, 2026 — The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact reference...

#11692397 — October 9, 2025 — Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Optima, which experienced an engine fire directl...

#11685084 — September 4, 2025 — See attached document for complaint.

#11655507 — April 18, 2025 — The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving downhill at approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle...

#11625883 — November 18, 2024 — The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while at a stop light, smoke and flames were suddenly pr...

Recent Complaints for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA

#11717968 — ENGINE — February 14, 2026 — •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car com...

#11717968 — SERVICE BRAKES — February 14, 2026 — •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car com...

#11717968 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — February 14, 2026 — •I’m not sure what failed, the car was parked. And yes it’s available for inspection. •I had just parked the car com...

#11717790 — ENGINE — February 13, 2026 — The car seized operating, shut down with zero warnings. It has been a reliable car and maintained. We towed to a mech...

#11716303 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE — February 6, 2026 — The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the buttons on the...