2012 Kia Optima Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 183,000 miles

The dealer is refusing to replace the engine under the previously completed Safety Recall Campaign SC147 (NHTSA Campaign 17V224000). The engine is currently exhibiting clear signs of connecting rod bearing failure, the exact mechanical hazard SC147 was issued to address. The dealership inspected the vehicle, confirmed internal engine…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 dangerous if it sticks at the wrong time!Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound while the steering wheel was vibrating. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal clicking sound was heard while making right turns. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 72,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Car thought I was breaking when I was pressing the gas and I was merging into a left lane. I was able to turn on the car without pressing the brakes due to the latter. The car doors are unlocking while im driving without warning. Also traction light on car cameo onOwner complaint, filed 2025

I brought my Kia optima sx in at Kia Atlanta South dealership for a Hydraulic electronic control Unit recall to be service since the problem can result in a engine fire while driving or parked but the dealership did not do the recalled service and told me that it was done. I checked my engine fuse to see if the new fuse were installed…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after starting the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 -60 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact became aware of smoke emitting from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 150,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (13).

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2012 Kia optima headlamps are extremely dim, even though I’ve replaced the lightbulbs with the highest possible lumens, multiple times, the headlamp assembly continues to dim. This requires that I ride with my high-beams on to drive at night. The lights have been dimming for more than 20,000 miles, but they are almost useless at this…Owner complaint, filed 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 100,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 162,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle and proceeded to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 74,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park; however, the message to shift to park was displayed. In addition, the contact stated that there was a delay while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,000 miles

The failure involves the component covered under the active safety recall campaign. The affected part/system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by the manufacturer, dealership, or NHTSA. Recall number : 23V6552 While driving in traffic, the vehicle suddenly began to slow down without warning…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 84,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the buttons on the steering wheel became inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that, while stopped and attempting to complete a left turn an SUV failed to yield and collided with the front driver side of her vehicle. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, spun across the intersection, and careened off the roadway only coming to a complete stop…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 84,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Brake pedal stopper breaking apart causing the ESC indicator to come on and loosing acceleration while driving. I contacted dealer and no recall on th.is issue.Owner complaint, filed 2021

The gas peddle stops working and the vehicle [VIN] as you are in motion. After stepping on the peddle a few times it begins to accelerate again.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 98,130 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (34).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

My car is a 2013 kia optima. It has been chipping about 1 year after I purchased it. Now its just real real bad. It is the pearl white and chipped on the hood, roof, passenger side door behind the driver side, top of trunk, side of trunk, front of the hood. It looks horrible.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Door latches lock you in the vehicle, currently 67k original miles, both front door latches would not allow you to exit car, at 50-51k miles, the window must be down, and to get out, crawl out, or reach out, pull outside handle and open door, then put up window, reset latch so it aligns , close door. If cars on fire and window up from…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Car drives with loose steering and clunking noise that fairfax kia refuses to test drive it long enough to hear. Jerks left suspension on rough pavement on left side only. There are lots of big bolts on the left strut and I believe these bolts are either dangerously loose or the strut itself is broken. Noise is suttle. Have complained 3…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 63,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that when making a turn the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The [VIN] was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 34,000.the VIN was not…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 20,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 kia optima equipped with hankook optimo h431 tires, size 225/45r 18v. While driving 20 MPH, the tire gauge indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic found an air bubble in the rear driver side tire. The tire was not replaced. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The VIN and dot number were unavailable.…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 36,000 miles

All 4 hankook optimo 225/45/18 tires that came with my 2012 kia optima sx vehicle developed a bubble in the sidewall within 18 months. Due to safety concerns and advice from the dealership all 4 tires were replaced around the 2 year point from purchase of the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 30,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The front driver's seat bolts loosened and came completely off the track. This could have caused me to crash as the seat was no longer stable and shifted about the car until I could get to a safe location. If I had gotten into a crash I would most likely not survived as there was nothing that held me in the car despite having my seat…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, an occupant was wearing the driver's side rear seat belt however, the buckle ceased and failed to retract or release. The occupant had to slide out the seat belt. The contact called grand kia (1950 w 104th ave, denver, co 80234, (720) 943-1144) to notify…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 230,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Here I explain the problem better, when the car is at a low speed, such as when parking, the gasoline engine starts and it starts to rev up to 6k RPM and after that it brakes and hits hard, this would be dangerous on the highway and another problem is that when accelerating it has a delay of 1-3 seconds, and I want to report this problem…Owner complaint, filed 2023