2012 KIA OPTIMA Visibilitywiper Problems

13 NHTSA complaints on file

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Visibilitywiper Issues in the 2012 KIA OPTIMA

13 visibilitywiper complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 KIA OPTIMA. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.

13
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Visibilitywiper Complaints

#11413135 |
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANY SORT OF DEBRIS, IT EXPLODED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOUD EXPLOSION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND PANIC BRAKE AS GLASS SHARDS RAINED DOWN ON ME FROM THE BROKEN SUNROOF.
#11303066 | Fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ENGINE AND TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND SMOKE AND WITHIN A MOMENT THE FLAMES WAS UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DOUG SMITH KIA (495 W MAIN STREET AMERICAN FORK, UT 84003 PHONE (801) 692-4390) TO HAVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (ENGINE) PERFORMED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A RECALL FOR UNDER FRAME CORROSION PROTECTION WAS ALSO PERFORMED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND PROVIDED A FREE OIL CHANGE, AND REPLACED DIP STICK TO THE ORANGE COLOR. THE CALIFORNIA...
#11277793 |
2012 KIA OPTIMA EX WITH 48000 MILES NOW DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING, SO AS OF NOW I AM DRIVING WITH PASSENGER SIDELIGHT IN COMBINATION WITH PARKING LIGHTS. BUYING KIA OPTIMA IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER DONE, IT SEEMS EVERY MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. SURPRISINGLY NHTSA HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION AS PER KIA OPTIMA WELL KNOWN DEFECTS.
#11189905 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THERE WAS EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. ALSO, THE OIL LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER (OSSETT KIA SOUTH, 2680 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38115, (901) 328-8173) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, BUT THE VISIBILITY WAS STILL POOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED WITHOUT THE PART BEING REPLACED. THE FAN ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A REPAIR PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION FOR THE STEERING COUPLER AND THE STEERING WHEEL...
#11073025 |
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 6:20 P.M IN THE SLOW LANE AT 65 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HER OR AROUND HER THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE KICKED UP A ROCK OR DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD. SHE WAS ALSO NOT PASSING UNDER AN OVERPASS OR BRIDGE. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HURT IN THE INCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS A PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND THE MOVING PART OF THE GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERED.
#11040562 | Fire
THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS ALS RESULTED IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE DEFROSTERS AND RADIO TO MALFUNCTION
#10873841 |
I HAVE SENT IN COMPLAINTS ON MY KIA MANY OF TIMES AND THE ONE JUST CAME OUT ABOUT THE LATCHES, MINE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE HAD THE MIDDLE PART OF MY GLASS CRACK THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND MORE BUT IT SEEMS I AM BEING OVER LOOKED ON MY CAR. I GUESS THE ONLY ACTION TO TAKE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA AMERICA. WHEN YOU HAVE THE PROOF THEY STILL DO NOT BELIEVE YOU.
#10864925 |
ON 5/13/16 I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR WITHOUT NOTICE AND GOT IN. AS OF THEN I NOTICED A LONG CRACK STARTING AT THE BOTTOM RUNNING UPWARDS OVER HALF WAY AND OUT TO THE MIDDLE CRACKS. I CALLED THE POLICE TO GET A REPORT BUT THE OFFICER SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT FROM THE OUT SIDE AND TAKE IT TO KIA. I TOOK IT THERE AND I WAS TOLD I WAS HIT BY SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK OR BALL. THE MAN AT KIA SAID TAKE IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I TOOK IT THERE AND THE AGENT SAID IT WAS HIT BUT I HAD TO PAY $100.00 BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED. A MAN FROM THE GLASS REPAIR CAME TO LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AND HE COULD TELL BETTER WHEN THE OLD ONE HAS BEEN REMOVED. HE CAME OUT ON...
#10608187 |
I WAS ON I-40 GOING ABOUT 75 MPG. TEMP WAS ABOUT 75 AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CRACKED A LITTLE. THE SHADE WAS NOT DOWN ON THE SUNROOF, BUT THE SUNROOF WAS NOT LIFTED.I WAS ABOUT TO PASS A VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD. I WAS SO THROWN OFF, I ALMOST LET GO OF THE WHEEL. IT ECHOED IN MY HEAD. I PANICKED AND PULLED OVER ON THE INTERSTATE AND FLAGGED DOWN A STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER CHECKED... MY CAR WAS NOT HOT. NOTHING FLEW IN MY CAR. NOTHING FLEW OUT OF MY CAR. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE BESIDES THE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF. BUT YOU COULD TELL THAT THE EXPLOSION CAME FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE TROOPER WAS SPEECHLESS. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT....
#10596546 |
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, AS IF SOMEONE POPPED A BALLOON RIGHT NEXT TO MY EAR, AND I WAS SHOWERED WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. *TR I WASN'T AROUND A BRIDGE OR OVERPASS, AND THERE WEREN'T CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OR ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY TRIP. IT WAS ABOUT 80-82 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITH CLEAR SKIES. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH KIA OPTIMAS, HYUNDAI VELOSTERS, AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IS INVESTIGATING. LUCKILY I REMAINED CALM AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR OFF THE GLASS AND GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SOUND AND SHOWER OF GLASS COULD HAVE EASILY...
#10573182 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
#10465126 |
DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE, ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MIRROR SUDDENLY JUST FELL OFF! THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF WAS THE CABLE RUNNING INTO THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE!" IT WILL BE 4 DAYS BEFORE MY MIRROR GETS REPLACED! THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION. *TR
#10463033 |
I PURCHASED THIS NEW CAR IN JANUARY AND HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME ADAPTING TO THE BLIND SPOTS OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THIS CAR ARE AMAZING EVEN WITH WHAT I BELIEVE IS 1 EXCEPTION. THE REAR HEADRESTS OF THIS CAR WERE DESIGNED TOO LARGE. EVEN IN THE DOWN POSITION THESE HEADRESTS BLOCK NEARLY 2 THIRDS OF THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY. SELECTING SAFETY OVER LOOKS I'VE COMPLETELY REMOVED BOTH REAR HEADRESTS (THEY SLIDE RIGHT OUT) AND CARRY THEM IN THE TRUNK IF PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR REQUEST THEM. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT KIA PRODUCE AND RETROFIT LOWER SLEEKER HEADRESTS FOR THE REAR THAT ARE 1/2 AS HIGH AS THE CURRENT. DEALERS COULD PROBABLY SWAP THEM OUT AND KIA COULD REUSE OVERSEAS IF THEY CHOOSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL IF PHOTOS ARE NEEDED BUT FOR THE MOST PART YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD LOOK AT ANY 2012...

Other 2012 KIA OPTIMA Problem Areas

Engine 393 complaints Steering 182 complaints Electrical System 118 complaints Unknown Or Other 83 complaints Power Train 52 complaints Service Brakes 50 complaints Air Bags 44 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 42 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 39 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulic 34 complaints Structurebody 34 complaints Exterior Lighting 26 complaints Suspension 18 complaints Engine And Engine Cooling 17 complaints Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly 13 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 11 complaints Fuel System Gasoline 10 complaints Seats 7 complaints Wheels 7 complaints Seat Belts 5 complaints Structure 5 complaints Tires 5 complaints Exterior Lightingheadlights 3 complaints Equipment Adaptivemobility 2 complaints Exterior Lightingbrake Lights 2 complaints Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire 2 complaints Visibility 2 complaints Air Bagsfrontaldriver Clockspringspiral Cassette 1 complaint Electrical Systemhorn 1 complaint Electrical Systemstarter Assembly 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger 1 complaint Equipment 1 complaint Firerelated 1 complaint Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control 1 complaint Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump 1 complaint Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings 1 complaint Interior Lighting 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkages 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift 1 complaint Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint 1 complaint Service Brakes Airantilock 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid 1 complaint Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly 1 complaint Steeringrack And Pinion 1 complaint Visibilitywindshield 1 complaint
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