KIA / Optima Hybrid / 2012
2012 KIA Optima Hybrid problems
Owners have filed 153 complaints about the 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 47.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 13.1%.
Complaints153
Crashes12
Fires7
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 47.1% · 72
Electrical system 13.1% · 20
Power train 6.5% · 10
Steering 5.9% · 9
Unknown or other 5.2% · 8
Service brakes 3.9% · 6
Vehicle speed control 3.3% · 5
Service brakes, hydraulic 3.3% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Filing volume has held steady, 12 in the last three years against 11 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 87,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Need to replace complete belt tensioner & bracket assembly & serpentine belts. My concern is the plastic cracking in this assembly, the evaporative canister, also plastic is cracked and will be replaced also. Was there a bad batch of plastic used on these cars? Cost to replace belt tensioner, bracket assembly & belts is approx. $800.00. The canister is covered by KIA - cost 164.00. Engine · reported at 88,000 miles
Engine lost power stated smoking all over trunk engine going 60 mph on rt15 thurmont maryland outside of camp david, oil was everywhere loud boom, my grandson was in the back seat at this time as well, dealership telling me they are not at falt or replacing enging,as I see a federal investigation on this issue as well, I need my car repaired or replaced asap,. Engine · reported at 55,550 miles
At 116,000, while driving in city car would decelerate and jerked "hybrid warning system-do not drive" light came on. When backing out of parking space, car would jerk backwards. Took to dealer who diagnosed that it needed new transmission. Took car to my mechanic who provided better warranty on transmission work. Replacing transmission has not fixed car. Engine · reported at 116,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…