Electrical complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2012 Kia Optima has 94 NHTSA electrical complaints and 0 electrical-related recalls.
94
Complaints
0
Recalls
2
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | To: Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 1200 New Jersey Avenu... |
| Oct 11, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Driving car on the highway then the car started smoking and shut down completely. IT would not turn ... |
| Sep 25, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | ABS system failing |
| Sep 19, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | While in park and driving the instrument panel will show, "Check Brake" and "Hybrid System Warning! ... |
| Sep 15, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Unknown but We were driving home from friant in motion when the car died and started smoking, no ind... |
| Aug 25, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | On August 25th around 7:00 PM, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while parked after a short test driv... |
| Jun 6, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Car thought I was breaking when I was pressing the gas and I was merging into a left lane. I was ab... |
| Jan 23, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | The car instrument panel showed two messages "check brake " and also "hybrid system warning safely s... |
| Dec 19, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I brought my Kia optima sx in at Kia Atlanta South dealership for a Hydraulic electronic control Uni... |
| Jul 5, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | Snow White Pearl Paint is peeling at numerous location Rear driver's side window button not working... |
| Jun 4, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where th... |
| Apr 12, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | I did not know about this recall and my dad was driving my car caught on fire and blew up now I do n... |
| Feb 13, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Was driving on the road on the way back to work from lunch, started hitting the brakes at an upcomin... |
| Jan 26, 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | While driving will will get “hybrid system. Warning check brakes”. Car will loose acceleration. Af... |
| Dec 21, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I received a safety call notice my car was still working fine I’m waiting for the next notice accord... |
| Dec 17, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I contacted the Kia dealership in Wexford, PA on November 18 regarding the HECU safety recall and wa... |
| Dec 5, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Vehicle is under recall 23V652 for HECU short circuit issue. Vehicle was running fine, driven to lo... |
| Nov 29, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Still no remedy for fve safety recall and my car continues to smoke leaving it unable to be driven. |
| Nov 25, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | My car started losing its lights one by one. I lost the front right light first, then yhe right back... |
| Oct 10, 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | When driving the vehicle the engine light is on & under the hood is smoking . It smells like burnt r... |