KnownCarProblems2012 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 920 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima, most often about the engine (45% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Optima model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2012 Kia Optima problems
Engine
416 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The first thing would have to be the steering wheel like it has been noted before when you sit still it has a clicking sound. And all driving the highway at 75 miles an hour it sticks and you have to jerk it back witch is no safe I have had it aligned many times but does not fix the problem. My car has 112,113 miles…
While driving approximately 65 MPH on a highway, the engine shut down without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road but would not restart. It was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed a catastrophic engine failure. The shop maintained that the engine seized due to apparent improper oil change. The…
Steering
188 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, linkages.
When driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel feels like it sticks and it takes a bit of force to break it free. It is also nearly impossible to keep it going straight down the road. You must continuously keep adjusting the steering wheel to stay in your lane. I did some searching and there are a lot of…
Vehicle has trouble maintaining proper steering at highway speeds. The steering needs to almost constantly be turned right to left to try to maintain straight driving. The steering will also occasional lock when turning and you have to manually turn the wheel back straight. The constant need to over correct the…
Electrical
122 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, starter assembly.
Im having intermittent electrical and suspension problems along with sudden increases of power increase and decreases. I was driving to my local mall before my evening class and noticed my car radio and instrument cluster where not operating no lights but car was running fine. I hit the brakes while coming to a stop…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the buttons on the steering wheel failed to function. The vehicle was taken to Kia of cerritos (located at 18201 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, ([phone]) where it was…
Brakes
88 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, fluid.
I have a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid of which I purchased at the local Kia dealer (ontario, ca) and even purchased an additional "platinum 100k mile protection." on december 31st my car started to move while in park and the ignition on. I hit the breaks and there was no break pressure at all. The car started to flash codes…
My Kia Optima ABS system will randomly make a crunch sound when I step on the brakes, and I lose some engine power immediately after to the point that my car will not accelerate past 40 MPH. It has happened several times on busy highways where I have to fear causing a major accident. Kia dealer cannot figure out the…
Other or unspecified
87 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
As I was driving with absolutely no warning at the time or prior to the car stopped accelerating completely and will not start back up. When plugged up yo cables lights and all indicators come on but the car never starts and there is no noise coming from the engine . I was just leaving my driveway on a regular side…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel seized in either direction with the electric power steering warning light illuminated. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to…
Fuel system
54 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18v363000 (air bags) and 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago.…
Im having intermittent electrical and suspension problems along with sudden increases of power increase and decreases. I was driving to my local mall before my evening class and noticed my car radio and instrument cluster where not operating no lights but car was running fine. I hit the brakes while coming to a stop…
Transmission
54 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park; however, the message to shift to park was displayed. In addition, the contact stated that there was a delay while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was…
I have a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid at 80,, and have always kept up with the scheduled services/maintenance. I barely drive my car nowadays, and just ride my bicycle to take public transportation that is 1-mile away. My wife and I were driving on the freeway, going 65mph, 47-miles into our drive, our car started jerking.…
Air bags
48 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that, while stopped and attempting to complete a left turn an SUV failed to yield and collided with the front driver side of her vehicle. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, spun across the intersection, and careened off the roadway only coming…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18v363000 (air bags) and 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Kia Optima recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the hecu fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed november 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed march 29, 2024 through june 18, 2024. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc284.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 26, 2022. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc245.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: 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.
Fix: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 sedona vehicles, kia will instruct dealers to verify the acu part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the acu connector and the vehicle harness connector. For all other affected vehicles, kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began september 28, 2018. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc165.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began june 20, 2017. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc147.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima, my 2011-2014 kia sorento and my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field and other data on other kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines used in the above-mentioned vehicles.as a result of this pe, kia has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-750 and 2
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Scope and timeliness
Summary
Nhtsa opened recall query (rq) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of kia?s theta II gdi engine recall (recall no. 17v-224), and kia?s compliance with reporting requirements. On november 23, 2020, the agency entered into a consent order with kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with rq17-003. Nhtsa?s assertions included that kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that recall no. 17v-224 was untimely and kia?s recall report contained certain inaccuracies.under the consent order, kia agreed to a total civil penalty of $70,000,000. The total civil penalty included a payment of $27,000,000 as a non-deferred
Questions about the 2012 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (416 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); steering (188 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); electrical (122 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Optima have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Optima model year since 2000, with 920 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.