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EnginePart report

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Engine Problems

Complaints
72about this part
Share
66%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
95,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, 66% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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,.”

NHTSA complaint #11062889, filed 2018-01, 55,550 miles

“While driving on a 4 lane highway, my car jerked and loss power, going from 60 MPH to 20 MPH. I had the car towed to the dealership and they said a threw an engine rod! The car had 108,189 miles on it. There is a nationwide recall on the Kia optima already, but mine is not. It should! The bearing rods go out prematurely and that is exactly what mine did.”

NHTSA complaint #10995050, filed 2017-06, 108,189 miles

“While driving my vehicle car suddenly shuts off in the highway. Big tryck was behind me. Gladly the truck wasnt going fast. Tried to push the button car turned over but didnt crank just made a sound and tge lights in dash board jumped. What is going on with my car. Driving on highway”

NHTSA complaint #11375832, filed 2020-11, 117 miles

“The electric motor hydraulic pump needed to be replaced I was told it wasnt a recall however im seeing several of the same complaints. While driving about 55 MPH my check engine light came on message appeared telling me to stop do not drive cant drive safely. Now my vehicle is making a loud knocking noise I have no acceleration power and I have no oil leaks but my car is burning up oil.”

NHTSA complaint #11104828, filed 2018-06, 110,000 miles

“Hello my Kia engine seized on the highway I get routine oil changed and maintenance done that I could prove on my car the 2012 Kia optima non hybrid has this recall on the engine . Kia did not include the hybrid engines but my hybrid engine is the same engine in the recall as the non hybrids”

NHTSA complaint #11187007, filed 2019-03, 120,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20171662%
2015542%
20141652%
20131425%
20127266%
20111956%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

Electrical system
20 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology