2012 Kia optima ex needs a new engine $3500 to fix is it worth it?

curious as to what you wound up doing. Same thing happened to me. Contacted Kia, they want a dealer to diagnose and see if it is a manufacturer defect if so, they will replace engine and the $600 fee for having it diagnosed. my car has just 81,000

Kia has a recall on engines for 2011-2014 optimas. Neither of the cars above should have had engine failure at such low mileage. Please report it for the recall BEFORE you purchase an engine. Dont let them jerk you around on it either. They tried that with me at the first Kia dealership we spoke with after my engine seized while traveling at 70mph in traffic on the interstate. We spoke to another Kia dealership that took care of everything. We were reimbursed for towing and I was given a rental car while my engine was being replaced. Also...I had my car checked for the recall a year or so before (for metal in the oil) and at that time they said my engine was fine. But when my engine seized they checked and it was caused by the recall issue. So definitely make sure it does not fall under the recall first.

My Kia Optima 2012 EX has 138,000 miles. Last year the engine failed and I got it rebuilt outside by my mechanic. The rebuilt engine failed in 9 months. It costs $3000 to replace engine. In order to Kia to run diagnostics I need to pay $250 cause battery is down. So far I did not get diagnosed by Kia dealer whether my car for eligible for settlement / recalls. I am wandering whether I should spend $250 for diagnostics in my situation OR just donate the car?