Worst 2012 Kia Optima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
ENGINE
STEERING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Kia Optima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 394 | 4 | 58 | 97,951 mi | |
| STEERING | 182 | 3 | 1 | 59,091 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 119 | 4 | 18 | 75,378 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 83 | 1 | 8 | 76,085 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 52 | — | 1 | 74,574 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 51 | 4 | 2 | 51,412 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 44 | 8 | — | 92,007 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 42 | — | 3 | 85,269 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 40 | 1 | 2 | 70,575 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 34 | — | 7 | 101,397 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 34 | 4 | 7 | 52,672 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 26 | 1 | — | 88,492 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 18 | 3 | — | 46,776 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 17 | — | 4 | 104,888 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 13 | — | 2 | 53,179 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 13 | — | — | 51,661 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 11 | — | 1 | 78,436 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 10 | — | 2 | 111,350 mi | |
| SEATS | 7 | — | — | 50,224 mi | |
| WHEELS | 7 | — | — | 27,850 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 5 | 1 | 1 | 95,633 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 5 | — | 1 | 72,525 mi | |
| TIRES | 5 | 1 | — | 33,667 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 3 | — | — | 91,500 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 2 | — | — | 9,888 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 2 | — | — | 83,000 mi | |
| TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 2 | — | — | 3,850 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 2 | — | — | 51,826 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE | 1 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 1 | — | — | 32 mi |
Recalls for 2012 Kia Optima
10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,761,429 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Kia Optima Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Kia Optima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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