Representative model. Photo: Michael Sheehan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Kia Optima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 1,029
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Sep 25, 2023	23V652000
Structure	1	–	Aug 1, 2022	22V560000
Engine	1	–	Dec 2, 2020	20V750000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Dec 19, 2018	18V907000
Air bags	1	–	Jun 1, 2018	18V363000
Engine and engine cooling	1	–	Mar 31, 2017	17V224000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202323V652000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima, Optima Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Aug 1, 202222V560000	Structure: body roof and pillars A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V560000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima Campaign NHTSA 22V560000 · Aug 1, 2022
Dec 2, 202020V750000	Engine An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V750000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
Dec 19, 201818V907000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima Campaign NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Jun 1, 201818V363000	Air bags: air bag/restraint control module 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 18V363000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima, Optima Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 18V363000 · Jun 1, 2018
Mar 31, 201717V224000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V224000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under Optima Campaign NHTSA 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017

Merged from NHTSA model names: Optima, Optima Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component1,029

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,029Complaints filed

30Involving a crash

82Involving a fire

36Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	470	46	4	63	5
Steering	197	19	4	1	1
Electrical system	142	14	6	18	8
Service brakes	100	10	5	9	6
Unknown or other	95	9	2	9	3
Power train	64	6	1	1	0
Air bags	52	5	10	0	12
Vehicle speed control	45	4	2	2	3
Fuel/propulsion system	45	4	0	3	0
Structure	42	4	6	9	8
Hydraulic	41	4	0	7	1
Exterior lighting	32	3	2	0	2
Engine and engine cooling	22	2	0	4	0
Suspension	19	2	3	0	6
Visibility	16	2	0	0	1

16 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Optima, Optima Hybrid.

Latest reports

Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was a rattling and knocking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled.”
Filed 10/09/2026 · ODI 11770112
Service brakes
“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.”
Filed 08/19/2026 · ODI 11757975
Engine
“The dealer is refusing to replace the engine under the previously completed Safety Recall Campaign SC147 (NHTSA Campaign 17V224000).”
Filed 07/29/2026 · ODI 11753513

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2012 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Optima. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Optima?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 470 complaints out of 1,029 filed with NHTSA (46%). Across all complaints, owners reported 30 crashs and 82 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Kia Optima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module

Structure: body roof and pillars

Engine

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Engine and engine cooling: engine