Does the 2012 Kia Optima have any recalls?

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, structure, engine, fuel system, gasoline, air bags, engine and engine cooling. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2012 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Optima?

919 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2012 Kia Optima recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2012 Kia Optima. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

One of these recalls carries a manufacturer safety advisory to stop driving or to park outside until repaired. See below.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2012 Kia Optima recalls, newest first

September 25, 2023NHTSA 23V6520001,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

Park outside until repaired

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 1, 2022NHTSA 22V560000257,998 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 19, 2018NHTSA 18V90700071,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine

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.
Components: Engine; Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 1, 2018NHTSA 18V363000507,587 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 31, 2017NHTSA 17V224000618,160 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 919 complaints about the 2012 Kia Optima with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 25
Fires reported: 77
Injuries reported: 34
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Engine398
Steering186
Electrical system121
Service brakes88
Unknown or other87

Other Kia Optima years

Other 2012 Kia models

Most recalled 2012 vehicles

2012 Blue Bird All American (30 recalls)
2012 Spartan Gladiator (24 recalls)
2012 IC Bus CE (22 recalls)
2012 Freightliner Cascadia (19 recalls)
2012 Blue Bird Vision (19 recalls)

All of 2012’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2012 Kia Optima have any recalls?: 5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, structure, engine, fuel system, gasoline, air bags, engine and engine cooling. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2012 Kia Optima recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Kia Optima?: 919 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.