Vehicle recalls by model year

2012 Kia Optima recalls

Every NHTSA recall campaign that covers the 2012 Kia Optima, newest first.

5 recalls on record for the 2012 Kia Optima. The most recent was on Sept. 25, 2023. Owners also sent NHTSA 919 complaints (since 1995).

Most often about: air bags (1), engine (1), engine and engine cooling (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), service brakes, hydraulic (1), structure (1). 1 of them came with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. A recall applies only to the vehicles in it: check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA to see whether yours is included and still needs the repair.

Owner complaints to NHTSA

919 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima were sent to NHTSA since 1995; 25 mention a crash, 77 a fire, 34 injuries.

Engine398recall on record
Steering188
Electrical System122
Unknown Or Other87
Power Train54
Service Brakes52recall on record

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…
July 29, 2026 · Steering

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…
July 22, 2026 · Unknown Or Other

Complaints are owners' own reports to NHTSA; NHTSA has not confirmed them. Many complaints about one part can lead to an investigation or a recall. Read them on NHTSA.

NHTSA investigations

7 on record

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires AQ23002 · opened Nov. 17, 2023 · open
Loss of Motive Power DP22003 · opened Sept. 12, 2022 · closed Dec. 12, 2023
Engine Fires EA21003 · opened Dec. 22, 2021 · closed Feb. 5, 2024
Throttle control system vulnerabilities DP21003 · opened Nov. 12, 2021 · closed June 20, 2023
Non-crash Vehicle Fires PE19004 · opened March 29, 2019 · closed Dec. 22, 2021
Non-crash Vehicle Fires DP18003 · opened Aug. 21, 2018 · closed May 10, 2019
Scope and Timeliness RQ17003 · opened May 18, 2017 · closed Dec. 22, 2021

An NHTSA investigation is a review of a possible safety defect. Opening one is not a finding that a defect exists; it can close with a recall or without one.

All 2012 Kia Optima recalls

Sept. 25, 2023Kia Borrego, Cadenza, Forte and others: Control unit/module Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015…
Aug. 1, 2022Kia Optima: Roof and pillars Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can…
Dec. 19, 2018Kia Optima, Sorento, Sportage: Engine Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine…
June 1, 2018Kia Forte, Forte Koup, Optima and others: Air bag/restraint control module 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…
March 31, 2017Kia Optima, Sorento, Sportage: Engine Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine…