2012 Kia Optima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 488 of 1,028 complaints (47%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (12) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 627 in 2011 to 1,028 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,700 | 1,750–2,400 | 1,750–2,400 | 1,700–2,400 | 1,700–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–25 | 26–36 | 26–36 | 26–37 | 24–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–22 / 28–32 | 22–34 / 33–38 | 22–34 / 33–38 | 22–35 / 33–38 | 20–35 / 30–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 355–386 | 247–342 | 247–342 | 242–340 | 242–372 | |
| Complaints filed | 75 | 627 | 1,028 | 1,435 | 614 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 25 | 30 | 49 | 25 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 35 | 82 | 116 | 43 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 20 | 36 | 37 | 24 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Optima have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Optima?
Engine: 488 of 1,028 NHTSA complaints (47%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates it 26–36 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Kia Optima?
EPA estimates $1,750–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 34 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 34 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 34 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $1,750 (low) | 247 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 488 | 4 | 67 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 64 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 58 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 142 | 6 | 18 | 8 | 0 |
| Brakes | 109 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 197 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 34 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 56 | 10 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 45 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 51 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 58 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Other | 99 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 26, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 22V560000 · Aug 2, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
ENGINE · Campaign 20V750000 · Dec 3, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE · Campaign 18V907000 · Jan 30, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 18V363000 · Jun 5, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 17V224000 · Apr 5, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.