2012 KIA Optima Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima Hybrid years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid. That is the most of any Optima Hybrid model year in the database (10 years). The most reported problem area is engine (72 complaints, 66%), typically at around 95,000 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 7 defect investigations involving it.
- 109owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 7NHTSA investigations
- 5complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 72 | 66% | 95,000 | “engine seized” (10%) | $9,900 |
| Electrical System | 20 | 18% | 101,250 | — | — |
| Power Train | 10 | 9% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 8% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 7% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 6% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 6% | 132,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 5% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 4% | 61,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 3% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 2% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 98,000 | — | — |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | 50 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 KIA Optima Hybrid recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires (PE19004) — opened Mar 29, 2019, closed Dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V088000.
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires (DP18003) — opened Aug 21, 2018, closed May 10, 2019, led to recall 18V907000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond…
Electriconic braking moduel with "Check Brake" indication light and"Hybrid System Warning! and vehicle will come to a stop and warning flights will flash until you turn off the vehicle sit for 10-20 minutes. Brakes will not work and vehicle loses power. Battery has been replaced and large 140 fuse…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill and on gravel with the Electric Drive Mode activated, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact pressed the button to deactivate the Electric Drive Mode, but the vehicle failed to respond. The…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Other KIA Optima Hybrid years
← 2011 Optima Hybrid · 2013 Optima Hybrid →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima Hybrid | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima Hybrid | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 Optima Hybrid | 3 | 2 |
| 2017 Optima Hybrid | 26 | 2 |
| 2016 Optima Hybrid | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 Optima Hybrid | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 Optima Hybrid | 31 | 0 |
| 2013 Optima Hybrid | 55 | 2 |
| 2012 | 109 | 3 |
| 2011 Optima Hybrid | 34 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima Hybrid problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 72 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 KIA Optima Hybrid a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima Hybrid model years, the 2012 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.