2012 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 919 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 77 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsAug 1, 2022
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.
A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 22V560000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
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.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 11, 2017
ON APRIL 5TH 2017, MY KIA OPTIMA STARTED TO MAKE A HORRIBLE SOUND. I WAS ON HWY 26 HEADED INTO PORTLAND OR. GOING THROUGH THE TUNNEL, AS I WAS GOING INTO THE TUNNEL THE HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE STARTED. THERE WAS CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND CARS BEHIND ME. THIS WAS AT 4:30 AM.. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, I HAD NO BRAKES, NO STEERING AND NO WAY TO ACCELERATE. DRIFTED TO THE SIDE AND HAD IT TOWED.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 2, 2016, fire
2012 KIA OPTIMA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH & WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE/BRAKE. RECENTLY WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE WITH NO ITEMS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ISSUE...UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF *TR
Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2015
JUST BOUGHT MY CAR THIS YEAR WITH 26350 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT GOT TO 30000 NEEDED NEW TIRES. THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TURN IT OFF. THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT AND IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS BROKE DOWN ON THE ROAD FOUR TIMES. TWICE I CALLED ROAD SIDE HELP THE OTHER TWO TIMES SOMEONE HAS HELPED ME. IT RUNS HOT BECAUSE IT IS BUBBLING IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN A HOUR. BOUGHT THE CAR FROM POWER OF BOWSER
Service brakes, Mar 1, 2015
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 REGARDING THE BRAKES AND I HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE AND RETURNED THE CAR. ANOTHER MONTH LATER THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AND I VIDEO TAPED IT. THE GAUGES STARTED ILLUMINATING AND DELLUMINATING REPEATEDLY AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED TO FLASH. THE "CHECK BRAKE" CODE CAME UP AGAIN! I NOW HAVE PROOF OF THE VEHICLE DOING THIS AND BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER NOW THEY HAVE ADMITTED SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT THEY'RE STILL UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ERROR. THEY ARE KEEPING THE CAR FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS BUT HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT TELL ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT YET AND THAT MY WARRANTY "MAY NOT" COVER IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT OR DO ANYTHING FOR ME UNTIL THEY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, NOR HAVE THEY OFFERED ME A RENTAL CAR. I WANT MY CAR BACK BUT IT IS UNSAFE! WHAT IF THE BRAKES GO OUT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED?! PLEASE HELP ME NHTSA SO WE CAN SAVE LIVES OF OTHERS THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR, ABS, AND THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH AND DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Service brakes, Sep 19, 2012
WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SO FAR THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP- 3 TIMES, THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP- 1 TIME, AND THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH- 1 TIME. NONE OF THESE FIXES HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 6, 2012
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM TRAFFIC SIGNAL, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP HAD JUST REPLACED BRAKE BOOST PUMP BECAUSE OF SAME PROBLEM. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, NO OTHER INDICATIONS WERE NOTED. VEHICLE BEING REPORTED TO THE STATE UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 27, 2012
WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED AND NO OTHER INDICATIONS WERE NOTED. LIGHT RESET WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. NO STORED CODES FOR THE FAULT. STILL WAITING FOR KIA MOTOR COMPANY TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM AND KIA CONTACT ON WEBSITE IS INOPERABLE, SO UNABLE TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2012
WHILE ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ON. NO OTHER INDICATIONS NOTED. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT NEW BRAKE BOOST PUMP MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND WANTS TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. PART IS ON ORDER. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2012
WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NO OTHER INDICATORS, NO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY, BUT HAD NO SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS TRIED SEVERAL THINGS TO FIX PROBLEM WITH NO RESULTS: 1ST TIME- CHECKED FOR STORED CODE. NO CODES STORED. RESET LIGHT BY RESTARTING CAR 2ND TIME- DISCONNECTED/RECONNECTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT BRAKE BOOST PUMP. RESET LIGHT 3RD TIME- REPLACED BRAKE BOOST PUMP 4TH TIME- REPLACED PARKING BRAKE SWITCH AT THE CURRENT TIME, DEALERSHIP HAS NO SOLUTIONS, OR POSSIBLE FIXES FOR THE ILLUMINATING BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT. AWAITING CONTACT FROM DEALERSHIP WITH POSSIBLE SOLUTION. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 18, 2012
WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON. DEALERSHIP HAD JUST REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOST PUMP LESS THAN 300 MILES EARLIER BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 2, 2012
06/18/12- WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTIONS. *JS 06/27/12- WHILE ACCELERATING UP A HILL, 30MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL VEHICLE RESTARTED. TOOK TO DEALER WITH LIGHT ILLUMINATED, NO STORED CODES, AND NO SOLUTIONS. 07/02/12- WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DURING SUDDEN STOP, DUE TO TRAFFIC, ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, VEHICLE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL LEFT. CALL MADE TO DEALER. WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD RESPOND. NO RESPONSE. *JS
Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Apr 21, 2012
WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKUP CAMERA CAME ON. ALL THE FUNCTIONS ON THE STEREO WERE NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WHERE THE STEREO MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF I WOULD BE NOTIFIED, I WAS TOLD NO. TO FIND OUT ABOUT HE RECALL, I HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. I CHECK ALL THE ONLINE DATABASES, THERE WERE NO DOCUMENTATION OR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAIR. WHAT IF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSED OTHER ISSUES? ALSO, WHAT BREAKING SLIGHTLY ON A DOWNHILL, THE ABS LOCKED UP ON ME FOR A SECOND CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME. LIKE I SAID, IT WAS ONLY FOR A SEC BUT IT WAS STILL NOT NORMAL. *JS