Every 2012 Kia Optima recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Structure · NHTSA 22V560000
Jan 8, 2022Structure:Body:Roof and Pillars
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V560000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V750000
Feb 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Full recall details for 20V750000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V363000
Jan 6, 2018Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V363000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V224000
Mar 31, 2017Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V224000 →
2012 Kia Optima complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 1,028 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima, reporting 30 crashes, 82 fires, 36 injuries. Kia has issued at least 241 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine470
- Steering197
- Electrical System144
- Unknown Or Other95
- Power Train64
- Service Brakes58
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (117)
- Equipment (88)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (73)
- Steering (52)
- Engine (47)
- Power Train (29)
Read Kia Optima owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Kia Optima
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 9 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Throttle control system vulnerabilities
DP21003Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023
- Electrical overstress
EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
PE19004Opened Mar 29, 2019Closed Dec 22, 2021
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
DP18003Opened Aug 21, 2018Closed May 10, 2019
- Scope and Timeliness
RQ17003Opened May 18, 2017Closed Dec 22, 2021
What people reported
Owners have filed 1,028 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Optima. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“Entire vehicle got burned while driving on the highway, the car is available at the impound shop for inspection. I was driving the car on the highway during the hours of rush hour when the car started burning, there were many drivers around on the other lanes.”
2012 KIA OPTIMAJul 22, 2026 · NY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11752134
Injury reportedCrash
“I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED, REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH WHEN ANOTHER LARGE VEHICLE CHANGED LANES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THEM.”
2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRIDMar 8, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11185463
Injury reportedFire
“Unknown but We were driving home from friant in motion when the car died and started smoking, no indication light were on before until after the incident all warning lights were on dash. Our lives were put at risk due to this.”
2012 KIA OPTIMAFeb 27, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11720852
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SMOKE QUICKLY ENTERED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.”
2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRIDOct 16, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11140650
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that, while stopped and attempting to complete a left turn an SUV failed to yield and collided with the front driver side of her vehicle.”
2012 KIA OPTIMAOct 17, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11694067
Check your Optima by VIN
Not every 2012 Kia Optima is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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