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2012 Kia Optima HybridProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 109 owner complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid
26
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.8× the Optima Hybrid median · #1 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 28%Owner complaints10912 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 19, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Michael Sheehan, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid has problems

109 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine725
Electrical system202
Power train100
Steering91
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Service brakes61
Vehicle speed control51
Air bags42
Fuel/propulsion system30
7 other systems116

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

28%repaired · 2025 Q4

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Park outside

Recall 23V-652 · Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles · 478,615 repaired

Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

40%repaired · 2020 Q1

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Recall 18V-363 · Jun 1, 2018 · 507,587 vehicles · 201,060 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Mileage at failure

When do engine problems start?

95kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 70 engine complaints. 59% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles41under 100k miles29100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine

11 owners mentioned a cost

$7,000median

Middle half: $1,741 – $8,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other Optima Hybrid year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima Hybrid median. How we score

'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid safety ratings

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.6% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · still open
    Open
  2. Non-crash Vehicle FiresDP18003 · closed May 10, 2019
    Led to recall 19V-204
  3. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  4. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
  5. Electrical overstressEA19001 · closed Sep 19, 2024
    Led to recall 20V-024
  6. Engine FiresEA21003 · closed Feb 5, 2024
    Led to recall 23V-877
  7. Non-crash Vehicle FiresPE19004 · closed Dec 22, 2021
    Led to recall 20V-519
In owners' words

What Optima Hybrid owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was…
Complaint 11591281 · May 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated and failed to exceed 20 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had started to overheat. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000…
Complaint 11563805 · Jan 5, 2024 · 160,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the…
Complaint 11544157 · Sep 12, 2023 · 180,000 miles

Own a 2012 Optima Hybrid?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.