Model year
2012 Kia Optima
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 920 complaints for the 2012 Kia Optima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 109 complaints under OPTIMA HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (398), STEERING (186), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (121). NHTSA lists 7 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–36 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,850–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 143 complaints
- 2002 107 complaints
- 2003 141 complaints
- 2004 225 complaints
- 2005 144 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 167 complaints
- 2008 144 complaints
- 2009 116 complaints
- 2010 75 complaints
- 2011 594 complaints
- 2012 920 complaints
- 2013 1,386 complaints
- 2014 590 complaints
- 2015 1,009 complaints
- 2016 759 complaints
- 2017 257 complaints
- 2018 233 complaints
- 2019 212 complaints
- 2020 151 complaints
Recalls
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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…
22V560000 · Aug 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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…
18V363000 · Jun 1, 2018
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
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…
17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Complaints
920 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 25, fire flag on 77, injury field 34, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| OPTIMA HYBRID | 3 | 109 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ17003 | Scope and Timeliness · ENGINE | May 18, 2017 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| DP18003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Aug 21, 2018 | May 10, 2019 |
| PE19004 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Mar 29, 2019 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
1 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.096 | NHTSA photo |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.096 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Optima · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Optima · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Optima Hybrid · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 34 | 38 | 36 | — | — | $1,850 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Kia Optima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.