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2012 Kia Optima: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Optima: two for the engine (filed 2017 and 2018), one for brakes (filed 2023), one for the body structure (filed 2022) and one more for other parts. Owners have filed 919 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and the steering. For comparison, owners filed 593 for the 2011 and 1,383 for the 2013 Optima. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 9.6% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 engine · 1 brake · 1 structure Source: NHTSA Complaints 919filed Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 5★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 27mpg combined $2,419/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 3 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Optima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V652000 Filed Sep 25, 2023

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
32.4% repairedof 1,730,192 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V652000
Listed for 2012 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V560000 Filed Aug 1, 2022

Headliner Plate Detachment

Structure · body · roof and pillars
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
51% repairedof 257,998 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V560000
Listed for 2012 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V907000 Filed Dec 19, 2018

High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
65.5% repairedof 71,653 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V907000
Listed for 2012 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V363000 Filed Jun 1, 2018

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

Air bags · air bag/restraint control module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
44.5% repairedof 507,587 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V363000
Listed for 2012 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V224000 Filed Mar 31, 2017

Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
67.5% repairedof 618,160 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V224000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Optima years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Kia OptimaAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (919)

919 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

25involved a crash
77involved a fire
34injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Optima, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 919.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other Optima years

Best and worst Optima years →
144 116 75 593 919 1,383 586 1,009 756 256
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 3★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 9.6%★★★★★
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Kia Optima 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
24
city
34
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Kia Optima configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26$2,600342

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 Optima for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Optima years

Where to next

Which Optima years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2013 Kia Optima report1,383 complaints · 9 campaigns →2011 Kia Optima report593 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2012 Kia Optima FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 23V652000 (brake), 22V560000 (structure), 18V907000 (engine), 18V363000 (air bag), 17V224000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Kia Optima problems?

Owners filed 919 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (398), Steering (188), Electrical system (122) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Kia Optima get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 24 city, 34 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2012 Kia Optima get?

NHTSA rated the 2012 Kia Optima 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.6% rollover risk).

How does the 2012 Optima compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2017 Kia Optima model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (75) and the 2013 the most (1,383). The 2012 drew 919. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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