NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Kia Optima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Kia Optima has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 921 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA also files the 2012 Kia Optima separately as Optima Hybrid — 3 recall campaigns.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Kia Optima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Kia Optima owner complaints
Owners have filed 921 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima, describing incidents dated June 30, 2011 to October 31, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 417 complaints
- Steering 188 complaints
- Electrical System 123 complaints
- Service Brakes 88 complaints
- Unknown or Other 87 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 54 complaints
Of the 921 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 78 a fire; across all 921 complaints, owners report 34 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11774934 · Filed
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 5XXGM4A70CG019608 I remember having a abs light on months ago and Kia issue safety calls on 2010-2019 Kia vehicle
ODI #11770112 · Filed
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was a rattling and knocking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer…
ODI #11753553 · Filed
Steering flexible coupling was a recall over 10 years ago, it was replaced. The steering wheel “sticks” and it’s catching again and they will not do anything. I’m not happy that this is an ongoing problem and can be dangerous if it sticks at the wrong time!
Owner-reported
2012 Kia Optima mileage at failure
627 of the 921 complaints on file for the 2012 Kia Optima give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 110,000 miles | Middle half 75,000–135,000 miles | Based on 295 complaints |
| Steering | Median 60,000 miles | Middle half 30,000–95,000 miles | Based on 130 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Kia Optima in 7 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Audit Query AQ23-002: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Open since November 17, 2023
- Engineering Analysis EA21-003: Engine Fires
Closed February 5, 2024
- Defect Petition DP22-003: Loss of Motive Power
Closed December 12, 2023
- Defect Petition DP21-003: Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Closed June 20, 2023
- Preliminary Evaluation PE19-004: Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Closed December 22, 2021
- Recall 20V-088
- Recall 20V-100
- Recall 20V-101
- Recall 20V-518
- Recall 20V-519
- Recall 20V-750
- and 2 more on the investigation page
2 more NHTSA investigations
HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA #23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported September 25, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 1,730,192 vehicles
Repair completion: 32.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC284 · Owners notified March 29, 2024
Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Headliner Plate Detachment
NHTSA #22V560000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice
Reported August 1, 2022 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 257,998 vehicles
Repair completion: 50.99% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC245 · Owners notified September 26, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak
NHTSA #18V907000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 71,653 vehicles
Repair completion: 65.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC172 · Owners notified January 17, 2019 · Vehicles built August 12, 2010 – May 15, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled
NHTSA #18V363000 · Air Bags — Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · NHTSA notice
Reported June 1, 2018 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 507,587 vehicles
Repair completion: 44.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC165 · Owners notified September 28, 2018 · Vehicles built June 5, 2009 – August 31, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure
NHTSA #17V224000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported March 31, 2017 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 618,160 vehicles
Repair completion: 67.5% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC147 · Owners notified June 20, 2017 · Vehicles built August 12, 2010 – May 15, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Kia Optima model years
Check your 2012 Kia Optima VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Optima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Kia VIN