NHTSA Complaint #11400004 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA
ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA
Complaint Details
| ODI Number | 11400004 |
| Vehicle | 2012 KIA OPTIMA |
| Component | ENGINE |
| Date of Incident | |
| Date Filed | |
| Mileage | 122,000 miles |
| Crash | No |
| Fire | No |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Vehicle Towed | No |
| State | CA |
Consumer Description
CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED APPROPRIATELY, CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TURNING OFF ON US WHILE IN DRIVE. WE HAD IT CHECKED ACCORDING TO THE SCANNER, IT SAYS IT IS THE SAME KNOCKING SENSOR THAT KIA HAS REPORTED. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY RUN MY VIN AND SAY I HAVE NO RECALLS SO THEY CANNOT HELP ME. MY CAR IS A 2012 WHICH FALLS WITHIN THE YEARS KIA HAS REPORTED YET THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO RUNNING VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO CHANCE DRIVING IT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE IN MOTION 4 TIMES NOW, TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY, TWICE ON A 2 LANE ONLY CANYON. (ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR)
Related Complaints for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA
Other ENGINE Complaints
#11717968
•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
The car seized operating, shut down with zero warnings. It has been a reliable car and maintained. We towed to a mech...
#11708758
On or around October 17th 2025 I purchased a 2019 Kia OPT un aware that the vehicle had recall problems. Once I reali...
#11703721
Subject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Returned Unsafe Vehicl...
#11701499
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
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the engine was knocking at startup. The contact reference...
#11717968
SERVICE BRAKES
•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
•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
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the buttons on the...
#11714024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted i...