NHTSA has 1,029 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Kia Optima[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 489 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints about several parts of this car, and here are the groups, biggest first.
- Engine. 489 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car losing power while driving, sometimes shutting off in traffic. Some say it came back after a restart, and others had to push the car out of the way.
- Steering. 197 complaints[6]. Owners describe a car that drifts to the left and needs constant correction on the road. Others describe the electric power steering dropping out and making the wheel hard to turn.
- Electrical System. 142 complaints[7]. Owners describe stereo and backup camera glitches, and dashboard lights coming on together. Some of these stories overlap with the steering reports.
- Brakes. 100 complaints[8]. Owners describe a brake warning light that comes on while pulling away, even with the parking brake off. It often clears after the car is restarted, and owners say the dealer struggled to find a fix.
- Unknown Or Other. 95 complaints[9]. These reports do not fit a single part.
- Power Train. 64 complaints[10].
- Air Bags. 52 complaints[11].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 45 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Optima is necessarily included.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (23V652), September 2023. About 1,730,192 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars (22V560), August 2022. About 257,998 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Engine (20V750), December 2020. About 294,756 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Engine (18V907), December 2018. About 71,653 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (18V363), June 2018. About 507,587 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.[17]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (17V224), March 2017. About 618,160 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[19] | 22 / 33 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[20] | 24 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[21] | 24 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 34 / 38 / 36 | $1,850 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 143 | 3 |
| 2002 | 107 | 3 |
| 2003 | 141 | 2 |
| 2004 | 225 | 1 |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 |
| 2007 | 167 | 2 |
| 2008 | 144 | 3 |
| 2009 | 116 | 1 |
| 2010 | 75 | 1 |
| 2011 | 628 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1,029 | 6 |
| 2013 | 1,441 | 10 |
| 2014 | 621 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1,021 | 4 |
| 2016 | 763 | 5 |
| 2017 | 306 | 4 |
| 2018 | 243 | 3 |
| 2019 | 213 | 1 |
| 2020 | 153 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Optima show 1,029 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2010 (75) and the most are for 2013 (1,441)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Optima?
Out of 1,029 complaints[1], the engine group stands out at 489[2]. Steering follows with 197[6]. Owners describe losing power while driving and a car that pulls to one side, so these are worth a close look on a test drive. The smaller groups, such as brakes at 100 complaints[8], are still worth checking, and complaints are unverified owner reports. The year also has 6 recalls[3], so confirm that the work was done before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia Optima?
- Engine complaints lead with 489[2], followed by steering with 197[6] and the electrical system with 142[7].
- Does the 2012 Kia Optima have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 6 recalls[3], and they are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints are there for the 2012 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA has 1,029 owner complaints on file[1].
- What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Optima get?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Optima
Compare all model years of the Kia Optima
Other Kia models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,029 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Kia Optima (30 mention a crash, 82 a fire, 36 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 489 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 67 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 38 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 197 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 142 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 18 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 100 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 9 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 95 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 9 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,985). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V560, filed August 1, 2022: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V750, filed December 2, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V363, filed June 1, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V224, filed March 31, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 166 to 200 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov