NHTSA Complaint #11610060 — 2012 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number 11610060
Vehicle 2012 KIA OPTIMA
Component ENGINE
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State CA

Consumer Description

Driving on highway at about 60mph when the engine started knocking and the power decreased significantly. I pulled to the side of the road and called my day who came and brought his OBD 2 tester. The code was P1326 which is Knock Sensor. We had the car towed to a KIA dealer nearby and they updated the software. We picked up the car the next day. It seemed fine at first. Within two weeks the the same thing happened and we, once again had it towed to KIA. Within a few days, the service writer called and said that the engine needed to be replaced, but that KIA was denying an engine replacement. They said that they found sludge in the engine that in their opinion showed a lack of maintenance. We sent in receipts for oil changes every 5-6K miles. At this point, we do not have an answer regarding an engine replacement.

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...
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report