NHTSA Complaint #11202922 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	11202922
Vehicle	2012 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	February 11, 2019
Date Filed	April 22, 2019
Mileage	75,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	NM

Consumer Description

THETA II ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS (50-65MPH) THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. SOON AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE OIL LIGHT. I DID PULL OVER AND CONTACT MY LOCAL KIA DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION I WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. IT HAD BEARING DAMAGE DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS... SURPRISINGLY 3 MONTHS AGO THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED FOR METAL DEBRIS / ENGINE BEARING FAILURE AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND BY THE SAME LOCAL KIA DEALER.

Related Complaints for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA

Other ENGINE Complaints

#11717968 — 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 — 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...

#11708758 — January 5, 2026 — On or around October 17th 2025 I purchased a 2019 Kia OPT un aware that the vehicle had recall problems. Once I reali...

#11703721 — December 8, 2025 — Subject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Returned Unsafe Vehicl...

#11701499 — November 25, 2025 — To: Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington...

Recent Complaints for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA

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

#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...

#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...

#11714024 — POWER TRAIN — January 28, 2026 — The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted i...