repaired · 2025 Q4
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2012 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 923 owner complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima, most often about the engine. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Michael Sheehan, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Kia Optima has problems
923 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
399Engine61 crash/fire/injury
188Steering4 crash/fire/injury
124Electrical system23 crash/fire/injury
54Power train
52Service brakes
48Air bags
42Fuel/propulsion system
40Vehicle speed control
39Structure
19419 other systems27 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 399 | 61 |
| Steering | 188 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 124 | 23 |
| Power train | 54 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 52 | 6 |
| Air bags | 48 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 42 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 3 |
| Structure | 39 | 17 |
| 19 other systems | 194 | 27 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2012 Kia Optima 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.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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…
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2018 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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?
100kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 289 engine complaints. 49% were reported before 100,000 miles.
23under 30k miles141under 100k miles148100k 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
17 owners mentioned a cost$4,000median
Middle half: $700 – $6,000
Steering
8 owners mentioned a cost$605median
Middle half: $375 – $660
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 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 median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Kia Optima safety ratings
2012 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- 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, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 18V-907
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
- Non-crash Vehicle FiresLed to recall 20V-518
- Scope and TimelinessLed to recall 19V-101
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My 2012 Kia Optima Caught on fire while parked I would like to open up a vehicle fire investigation and check recall SC284 against my vin [XXX] I remember having a abs light on months ago and Kia issue safety calls on 2010-2019 Kia vehicle INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION…
The dealer is refusing to replace the engine under the previously completed Safety Recall Campaign SC147 (NHTSA Campaign 17V224000). The engine is currently exhibiting clear signs of connecting rod bearing failure—the exact mechanical hazard SC147 was issued to address. The dealership inspected the…
Engine faílúre on June 26, 2026.Dies while moving. Engine died while turning from my side street onto busy street and traffic.I could've been struck in the rear had I not pulled out far enough in advance for the traffic to move around me. This is a second engine failure for my Kia. The engine was…
Own a 2012 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.