2012 Kia Optima problems and recalls

Owners have filed 919 complaints on the 2012 Kia Optima, and NHTSA has issued 5 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (398 complaints).

919
Complaints
5
Recalls
25
Crash reports
77
Fire reports
34
Injuries
87.8
Severity index

Severity index 87.8 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 87.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 28 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 78% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 398 complaints (43.3%)398 43%SteeringSteering: 188 complaints (20.5%)188 20%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 122 complaints (13.3%)122 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 88 complaints (9.6%)88 10%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 87 complaints (9.5%)87 9%Power TrainPower Train: 54 complaints (5.9%)54 6%Air BagsAir Bags: 48 complaints (5.2%)48 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 42 complaints (4.6%)42 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE39843.3%
STEERING18820.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12213.3%
SERVICE BRAKES889.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER879.5%
POWER TRAIN545.9%
AIR BAGS485.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM424.6%

Complaints filed per year

0701402011: 22012: 452013: 242014: 342015: 372016: 902017: 722018: 792019: 1342020: 1032021: 812022: 452023: 572024: 592025: 382026: 19 (partial year)11121314151617181913420212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20112
201245
201324
201434
201537
201690
201772
201879
2019134
2020103
202181
202245
202357
202459
202538
2026 (year to date)19
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (154 against 229).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
18V36300001/06/2018AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEKia 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 prete
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia 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.
22V56000001/08/2022STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSKia 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.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Optima model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-11. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.