6.9% of complaints about the 2012 KIA Optima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (398 complaints), typically at 8.2 yr or about 100,000 miles.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SHORTLY AFTER 7AM ET. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT IT AND THEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. *JS
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, SUNNY CLEAR WEATHER, TEMP 85. NO OVERPASSES OR OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT. THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SHOWERING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GLASS ON TOP OF MY HEAD RESULTING IN A FEW MINOR CUTS. EITHER I WAS STRUCK BY A METEORITE OR KIA HAS DEFECTIVE GLASS. THE DEALER REPLACED IT FOR $550.00 AND NO EXPLANATION. AS THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER POSTS WITH SIMILAR DESCRIPTIONS I FEEL KIA HAS DEFECTIVE GLASS AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.. I VERY NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE I77 NORTH AT 70MPH WITH THE SUNROOF AND SHADE SHUT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SHADE STARTED GOING THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND GLASS CAME RAINING DOWN ON MYSELF (I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT) AND MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND US. IT WAS SUNNY AROUND 80 DEGREES. *TR
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.