Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid problems

Owners filed 109 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (72).

Complaints
109
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine72
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Power train10
  4. Steering9
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Air bags4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3
  10. Structure3
  11. Wheels2
  12. Engine and engine cooling2
  13. Hybrid propulsion system1
  14. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20134
20143
20157
20168
201721
201832
201916
20206
20212
20221
20232
20245
20250
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

72 reports5 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the replaced engine was defective and affected the high hybrid battery. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to replace the engine and the high hybrid battery; however, the vehicle remained at the local dealer because parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11591281

Electrical system

20 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while idling or while driving, the message "Hybrid Warning System - Check Brake - Stop Driving Immediately" was intermittently displayed. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, causing the braking distance to become extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 11757975

Power train

10 reports
“WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN SMOKING ... THE VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILIZED I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD. THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE. THE CAR TURNED ON AFTERWARDS BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. WITHIN SECONDS THE BATTERY SHUTDOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2019Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11210179

Steering

9 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A DISK INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR FLAP SYSTEM SENSOR AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CASEY KIA (LOCATED AT 11999 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23606, (757) 347-8247) AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11202947

Service brakes, hydraulic

6 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill and on gravel with the Electric Drive Mode activated, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact pressed the button to deactivate the Electric Drive Mode, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact released the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the contact was informed that no cause for the failure was found. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and a recall repair appointment was scheduled with the dealer. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway at 5 MPH, the message "Emergency - Pull Over - System Failure Warning" was displayed. The contact pulled back into the driveway and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and could not be driven to the dealer for the recall repair because the dealer was 2 hours away. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied towing assistance.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 11629816

Service brakes

6 reports1 crash
“Electriconic braking moduel with "Check Brake" indication light and"Hybrid System Warning! and vehicle will come to a stop and warning flights will flash until you turn off the vehicle sit for 10-20 minutes. Brakes will not work and vehicle loses power. Battery has been replaced and large 140 fuse in trunk of vehicle and no improvement. KIA states no recall on my vehicle, but my vehicle has had to have recall repairs done on it regardless of not being listed on this site. I need to know what to do. Vehicle is reliable otherwise. Right now, its risky to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11751228
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.