2012 Kia Optima fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V907000Dec 19, 201871,653 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 21, 2025NCBrakesEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Car simply started for me after work this past Thursday @4 pm I dove down the street and for about 5 mins and had to turn around due to me leaving something at work. When I arrived back at work I parked and cut my car off as I normally do and when I returned to start it back up it never did. I have previously been having to add 5 quarts of oil frequently at least once or twice a month for the past 7 months since last year. Was told my car had an oil consumption problem by a…

   NHTSA complaint #11668342 · source
2. Filed Apr 21, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost power. A semi truck was right behind me. Luckily I was able to get over to the emergency lane safely. My car had no acceleration at all or any control of the steering. Prior to this incident there was no problem or warnings of any lights on dash or car having problems. It’s a daily driver for me to work. It’s never gave me any problems prior to this. I’ve had the routine…

   NHTSA complaint #11655964 · source
3. Filed Mar 13, 2025162,000 miFLTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11648154 · source
4. Filed Sep 23, 2024157,000 miILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 61 MPH. The RPM failed to exceed 2,000 RPM. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH while driving uphill, and the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH while driving downhill. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved codes indicating an oil control valve failure. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11615918 · source
5. Filed Jan 23, 202488,800 miDEEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle lost motive power and was slow to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to…

   NHTSA complaint #11567320 · source
6. Filed Sep 19, 202374,000 miALFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle and proceeded to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was contamination in the fuel system. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…

   NHTSA complaint #11545378 · source
7. Filed Apr 21, 2023GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Car was involved in the class action suite for the motor replacement and had the motor replaced at 156,763 miles on the car. Since the replacement the high pressure fuel pump has had to be replaced twice and is not needing replacement again with only 218,000 miles (62000 miles since replacement). There where no previous issues with the HPFP before motor replacement and KIA will not do anything about the HPFP continuous failure. This appears to be a very common issue with the…

   NHTSA complaint #11518269 · source
8. Filed Apr 11, 2023MOEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   .I recently have actually found out about the recall concerning my engine. Manufacture SC148. NHTSA recall 17V224m I called a dealership. When I asked them about the recalls this one was not mentioned. I wanted to ensure I was reading that properly. Can you explain what that means as far as the engine

   NHTSA complaint #11516568 · source
9. Filed Aug 3, 2022GAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Engine light keeps flashing and car stalls and will not go over 45 mph. One incident happened on a busy highway as merged on and was almost hit by a tractor trailer from behind.

   NHTSA complaint #11477311 · source
10. Filed Jul 20, 2022TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    My vehicle has been smelling like fuel inside of the vehicle and cannot take it to a kia dealership due to them being backed up. There are no visible leaks inside or outside of the vehicle but it is unsafe to inhale fuel and every time i fill it up, the smell gets stronger.

    NHTSA complaint #11474958 · source
11. Filed Apr 18, 2022GAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Engine replaced under the recall campaign after failure and have had issues since with the car wanting to start. Turns over several times before finally getting it to start. Fuel pump and fuel line replaced out of pocket as well as a sensor out of pocket and still having the same issues intermittently then today while driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH the car just shuts off in the middle of the highway in morning traffic and almost caused an accident, without warning. Still…

    NHTSA complaint #11461161 · source
12. Filed Jul 11, 2021TNFireBody & StructureEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire

    NHTSA complaint #11424258 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology