Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Kia Optima problems

Owners filed 920 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (398).

Complaints
920
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
77
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine398
  2. Steering188
  3. Electrical system122
  4. Power train54
  5. Service brakes52
  6. Air bags48
  7. Fuel/propulsion system42
  8. Vehicle speed control40
  9. Structure39
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic35
  11. Exterior lighting31
  12. Engine and engine cooling20
  13. Suspension18
  14. Visibility16

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 Oct 28, 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
20112
201245
201324
201434
201537
201690
201772
201879
2019134
2020103
202181
202245
202357
202459
202538
202620

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

398 reports4 crashes58 fires
“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 exact mechanical hazard SC147 was issued to address. The dealership inspected the vehicle, confirmed internal engine failure, and verified that SC147 was completed on this VIN. However, they denied coverage citing an incomplete software update (Product Improvement Campaign PI1803) associated with a separate class-action lawsuit. The dealer is incorrectly conflating the requirements of the class-action warranty with the vehicle's independent eligibility under the safety recall. Independent of the class-action parameters, I am requesting a repair under the standalone 15-year/unlimited-mileage extended warranty provided specifically for vehicles that completed SC147 (detailed in the SC147 Safety Recall Campaign Q&A dated May 22, 2017, and Kia Warranty Bulletin 2017-09, both uploaded with this submission). The vehicle is well within this 15-year extended warranty period. Additionally, the PI1803 Knock Sensor Detection System update is a diagnostic…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026EngineODI 11753513

Steering

188 reports3 crashes1 fire
“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 dangerous if it sticks at the wrong time!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026SteeringODI 11753553

Electrical system

122 reports4 crashes18 fires
“The horn stops working, steering heat stop working, control functions and air bag warning. I changed the clock spring and it fixed all those issues the first time but within 6 months all those issues happened again. Is there something more wrong?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11736227

Power train

54 reports1 crash1 fire
“Sudden engine failure while driving with no warning. Vehicle began jerking, shaking, and losing power. RPMs dropped unexpectedly and the engine stalled intermittently. Multiple misfire codes were present (cylinders 1, 3, and 4), and the engine was found to have low or no compression in cylinder 1. The condition rapidly worsened to near complete engine failure. The vehicle was operating normally prior to this incident. This failure is consistent with known Kia engine defects involving internal engine damage, including rod bearing failure. This is a safety concern due to sudden loss of power while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11734770

Service brakes

52 reports4 crashes2 fires
“When the brake pedal is pressed on the brakes will grab. It snatches the car kinda hard. Also when you give the car gas it will hesitate and will not accelerate. Another with the gas is that you can be driving at a higher speed such as 45 to 55 or so and you press down the gas pedal like your going into passing gear and it will not accelerate it’s like it’s trying to stop. Feels like the car is gonna fall on down onto itself and it loses power.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11721209

Air bags

48 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11743061
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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