Reliable Auto DB

2012 Kia Optima reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Kia Optima has 919 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 35 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Optima years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Roof and pillars, and Hoses and fittings.

2012 Kia Optima
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

919

Per year

35

Recalls

5

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (398 of 919), then Steering (188) and Electrical system (122). Those filings include 25 that report a crash, 77 that report a fire, and 22 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Optima has 1,383 complaints, 46 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Kia Optima. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall structure, body, roof and pillars 2022-08-01 · NHTSA campaign 22V560000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2018-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 18V907000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall air bags, air bag control module 2018-06-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V363000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Engine 2017-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V224000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (919 total)

Engine
398
Steering
188
Electrical system
122
Powertrain
54
Service brakes
52
Air bags
48
Fuel and propulsion system
42
Speed control
40
Structure
39
Hydraulic brakes
35
Exterior lighting
31
Engine and engine cooling
19
Suspension
18
Visibility
16
Visibility and wipers
13
Fuel system, gasoline
12
Electronic stability control (ESC)
11
Seats
8
Wheels
8
Tires
7
Seat belts
5
Adaptive and mobility equipment
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Air brakes
1
Equipment
1
Fire-related
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Interior lighting
1
Show 20 more Show less
Crash-flagged

25

Fire-flagged

77

Injury reports

22

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201145201224201334201437201590201672201779201813420191032020812021452022572023592024382025192026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Steering · filed 2026-07-29
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-29
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-22
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-30
  • "I had a engine replacement under Pi1803 they gave me the vechile back w active abs light exuast leak and damaged click spring refused ti look at till I paid dx fee this all appeared the day I went to pick uo vechicle"
    Air bags, Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Optima 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 34 27 MPG $2400
Optima 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 22 33 26 MPG $2500
Optima 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 34 27 MPG $2400
Optima hybrid 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 34 38 36 MPG $1800

Specs and fitment

4th generation (JF), 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V161000. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently. If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.

Compare

Next year 2013 Kia Optima See every Kia Optima model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Kia Optima reliable?

The 2012 Kia Optima has 919 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 35 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Optima years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Roof and pillars, and Hoses and fittings.

What are common problems with a 2012 Kia Optima?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (398 of 919), then Steering (188) and Electrical system (122). Those filings include 25 that report a crash, 77 that report a fire, and 22 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Kia Optima more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Optima has 1,383 complaints, 46 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Kia Optima been recalled?

The 2012 Kia Optima has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 919 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Kia Optima get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Kia Optima is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Optima take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-161 cover on the Kia Optima?

NHTSA campaign 18V161000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Optima?

4th generation (JF) (2012-2020).