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
919 reports, newest first.
Steering, May 30, 2012
BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA HAS STEERING DRIFT (DIFFUCULTY DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE). DEALER INDICATED TYPICAL OF ELECTRONIC STEERING AND DID NOTHING BUT CHECK ALIGNMENT. VERY UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS. CONDITION STILL EXISTS. *TR
Steering, May 27, 2012
CONSTANT CORRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WILL BE GOING BACK TO DEALER BUT BASED ON EVERYTHING I HAVE READ I DON'T EXPECT THIS TO BE RESOLVED. I AM SURE THIS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING ISSUE AND I BELIEVE A RECALL IS WARRANTED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 17, 2012
I BOUGHT KIA OPTIMA 2012 IN MONTH OF JANUARY 2012. SINCE I OWN VEHICLE I NOTICE THAT CAR IS STEERING TO IT'S LEFT SIDE. I CALLED DEALER AND REPORTED THIS ISSUE. DEALER SUGGESTS ISSUE IS BECAUSE OF ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SINCE I OWN AND DEALER ADVISE THAT IT SHOULD GO AWAY AFTER FEW THOUSAND MILES. IN MY OPINION THIS IS DANGEROUS AND MUST BE ADVERSELY EFFECTING TO TIRES AND OTHER STEERING MECHANISM COMPONENTS. *TR
Wheels, May 14, 2012
MY WIFE HAD A FLAT TIRE WHEN SHE HAD HELP TO GET IT CHANGED THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE SO THE PERSON LEFT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT DO ANY THING. THAT LEFT MY WIFE AND MY LITTLE GIRL ALONE ON A ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE FOR 4 HOURS UNTIL I COULD GET THERE AND PICK THEM UP . I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY DONT PUT SPARE TIRES IN THERE CARS ANY MORE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE THEM PUT THEM IN BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF NO WHERE . WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NO BODY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO SPARE IN THE 2012 KIA OPTIMA. IF I KNEW I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. *JS
Steering, May 10, 2012
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE WE NOTICED AN OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH STEERING - NOT ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR, VEERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, TAXING AND EXHAUSTING EFFORT TO JUST DRIVE THE CAR. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING WE'D HAVE TO GET USED TO DUE TO THE NEW ELECTRONIC STEERING. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, WE WERE TEMPTED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK DUE TO BEING "TIRED" FROM DRIVING HOME EACH DAY! AFTER TALKING WITH A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME CAR, HE SAID HE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. HE SAID THEY DID SOME TYPE OF SPECIAL WHEEL BALANCING AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR A CHECK. ASKED ABOUT TIRE ROTATION OR ALIGNMENT CHECK. SERVICE CROSS-ROTATED THE TIRES AND IT DRIVES BETTER, BUT IS STILL A VERY DIFFERENT DRIVE. *TR
Steering, Apr 28, 2012
I JUST PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 OPTIMA FROM A DEALER IN CORAL SPRINGS, FLA. OTHER THAN ONE IMPORTANT PROBLEM, I LOVE THIS CAR. HERE IS THE IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE: WHEN YOU GET OVER 40MPH, THE CAR WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT- IT CONTINUES TO MOVE OUT OF THE LANE YOU ARE DRIVING IN. NO MATTER HOW SMALL OF A STEERING CORRECTION YOU MAKE- WHEN YOU HOLD THE STEERING "COMPLETELY STILL"- THE CAR STILL MOVES TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT WHEN YOU INCH IT BACK- THE CAR STEERING MECHANISM SEEMS TO NOT LET THE CAR TRAVEL STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE STEERING WILL NOT KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT, SO THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR KEEPS AUTOMATICALLY TAKING YOU OUT OF YOUR LANE!!! WHEN I WAS ON THE FLA TURNPIKE HEADING HOME FROM THE DEALER TODAY, THIS SITUATION MUST HAVE OCCURRED A HUNDRED TIMES. I HAVE OWNED MORE THAN 50 CARS OVER THE YEARS, OF ALL MAKES AND SIZES- AND THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP GET THIS "SAFETY ISSUE" RESOLVED ASAP. I WILL GO BACK TO THE DEALER TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Apr 26, 2012
THE ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH REDUCED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTREME EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. INDICATOR LIGHTS INCLUDE TRACTION CONTROL, EPS AND TCO. POWER STEERING CAN BE RESTORED BY SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTING. DEALER'S FIRST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT AFTER THREE INSTANCES OF FAILURE AND RESET INVOLVED CALIBRATION OF THE STEERING INDICATOR. THIS LASTED APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE REPORTED TO DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY THERE BEING DIAGNOSED FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR
Steering, Apr 23, 2012
CAR IS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL ON THE ROAD. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS THE WAY THE NEW ELECTRONIC CONTROL WORKS. ON ACCELERATION , CAR STEERS TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND IT TAKES MUCH EFFORT TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT ON ROAD. *TR ON THE HIGHWAY IT FEELS AS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING IT AROUND ON THE ROAD. IT ALSO MAKES A PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT ON ITS OWN.
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
Wheels, Apr 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR PUMP AND A CAN OF FIX A FLAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT A SPARE TIRE DID NOT COME WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2012
UPON THE PURCHASE OF MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA SX I NOTICED A PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IS APPROX. 80 MILES FROM MY HOME, DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE TUG AND THE CAR'S INCLINATION TO VEER LEFT. I FELT A CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO VEER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO AND HAD THE SERVICE DEPT. CHECK THE VEER. OF COURSE, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO VEER. THE CAR CONTINUES TO STRAY, NOW AT 3500 MILES. THE CAR WILL BE GOING IN FOR SERVICE NEXT WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOR MAINTENANCE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP'S SALESMAN WHO HAS CONFIRMED FOR ME THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH THE OPTIMA'S STEERING AND TO DATE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I LOVE THIS CAR, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, BUT THE PULL IS A PROBLEM. BY THE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR AT CRUISE SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND GET BACK WITH IT, I LITERALLY FEEL TIRED IN THE ARM AND SHOULDER FROM THE PRESSURE TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT IN THE LANES. ALSO, LATELY AT APPROX. 3000 MILES, I'VE NOTICED THAT IN REVERSE, THE BACKUP CAMERA DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ON WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAS A HESITATION THAT HAS LASTED AS LONG AS 30 - 40 SECONDS BEFORE I CAN SEE BEHIND THE CAR. ANYONE WHO HAS DRIVEN THE OPTIMA KNOWS, YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING BEHIND YOU IN THAT CAR DUE TO THE LOW SITTING SEATS AND HIGHER TRUNK - IT HAS TO BE TALL TO SEE IT BEHIND YOU. I'M TAKING THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE NEXT TIME, FROM THERE, I'LL DECIDE AS TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT AS FAR AS KEEPING THIS CAR. *JS
Steering, Mar 14, 2012
STEERING PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE TO ALWAYS CORRECT. MANY TIMES I END UP OVER CORRECTING WHEN GOING THROUGH A CURVE. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS 42 PSI WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 38 PSI AND SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE. I FINALLY TOOK ALL FOUR TIRES DOWN TO 35 PSI, AND ALMOST DROVE IT OFF THE ROAD WHILE GOING THROUGH A RIGHT CURVE AT 50 MPH. BY THE WAY, THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 MPH. THE FREEWAY IS ALSO AN ISSUE. ALWAYS HAVING TO CORRECT THE STEERING BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LANE LINES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE NHTSA. HAVING TO OVER CORRECT IS NOT FUN SITUATION TO BE IN. I DROVE MANY HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, AND THIS IS THE MOST CONCERNING. BEAUTIFUL CAR WITH TONS OF POTENTIAL. STEERING NEEDS FIXED!!!!!!!! *TR
Suspension, Feb 29, 2012
RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION MAKES CREAKING NOISE, PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SUSPENSION WAS GREASED UP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER ONE WEEK. CONCERNS THAT ASSEMBLE MAY COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WORSE ON UNEVEN SURFACES OR WHEN EIGHT IS REDISTRIBUTED TO RIGHT SIDE (E.G. DRIVE THROUGH WINDOWS SOMETIMES ELEVATE FROM THE LEFT CAUSING CAR TO LEAN ON RIGHT SIDE; UNEVEN PARKING LOTS WILL CAUSE CREAKING SOUND). *TR
Tires, Feb 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS IF THE CONTACT WAS LEFT STRANDED IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THERE WAS A BLOW OUT WHILE THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE TOW TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE OTHER PASSENGERS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,200.
Seats, Feb 7, 2012
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS MOUNTED FAR TOO LOW IN ALL 2011 AND 2012 KIA OPTIMA CARS. A PASSENGER WILL EASILY SLIP UNDER THE SEAT BELT AND COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA USA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN DEFECT, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN NOTED REPEATEDLY BY OWNERS OF THESE CARS WHEN POSTING ON KIA OPTIMA FORUMS ONLINE. *TR
Steering, Feb 6, 2012
I PURCHASED A 2012 KIA OPTIMA ON 1-13-12 AND IMMEDIATELY DISCOVERED IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND TODAY (2-5-2012) THE DEALER BOUGHT IT BACK. I LOST $5,000 BY SELLING IT BACK BUT I AM JUST GLAD TO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE. KIA SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR BUY THE CARS BACK AT THE SELLING PRICE. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OR FORCED TO DRIVE IT TO AVOID THE LOSS. THIS PULL LEFT ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE KIA FORUM SITE. I JUST WISH I HAD CHECKED THAT SITE BEFORE BUYING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2012
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DURING A TURN IN AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD POWER. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY PUSH IT TO SAFETY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND TO THE CURB ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WAS SAFE DURING THIS INCIDENT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL INTERSECTION WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. IF THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION OR ON THE FREEWAY, THEN MY SAFETY COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED A BAD COIL AND SOME BAD WIRE IN THE SPARK PLUG, BUT THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT ON WHAT THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN AFTER SPEAKING WITH KIA TECHNICIANS. YET THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THIS PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE MAJOR INJURY OR BODILY HARM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT EXTENSIVE TESTING SO I HAVE ASKED KIA FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (CAR ONLY HAD 200 MILES ON IT WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED) BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Dec 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED A ROCK STRUCK THE MIRROR WHICH CAUSED THE DETACHMENT AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE FOR THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,653. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Tires, Nov 20, 2011
THERE IS NO SPARE TIRE AND ONLY A INFLATION KIT. A BLOWOUT OF THE SIDEWALL CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITH THIS KIT. COULD BE STRANDED AND HARM DONE TO THE OWNER. HOW COULD IT BE LEGAL AND SAFE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO NOT INCLUDE A SPARE TIRE??? *TR