Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2012 Kia optima has 295 NHTSA engine complaints and 1 engine-related recall.
295
Complaints
1
Recalls
4
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
17V224000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine ...
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 12, 2026 | ENGINE | The car seized operating, shut down with zero warnings. It has been a reliable car and maintained. W... |
| Oct 19, 2025 | ENGINE | On or around October 17th 2025 I purchased a 2019 Kia OPT un aware that the vehicle had recall probl... |
| Sep 12, 2025 | ENGINE | Bearing wear resulted in the engine seizing. |
| Aug 11, 2025 | ENGINE | Driving home from an oil change. All of a sudden all power was lost. Luckily a wide spot in the road... |
| Aug 7, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FIRERELATED | Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Optima, which experienced an en... |
| Jul 10, 2025 | ENGINE | My 2012 Kia Optima experienced engine failure due to a dropped valve. The dealership (Kia of Des Moi... |
| Jun 26, 2025 | ENGINE | June 26th 2025 my Kia optima 2012 EX quit on interstate 65 in Alabama was towed to dealership 10 day... |
| Jun 26, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | See attached document for complaint. |
| Jun 19, 2025 | ENGINE | I took my car to the KiaOfLynchburg dealership for get the recalls done and diagnostic test on my en... |
| May 7, 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerke... |
| Apr 30, 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving on the hi... |
| Apr 27, 2025 | ENGINE | Subject: Recall Denial Due to Salvage Title – 2012 Kia Optima (VIN:[XXX]) Dear NHTSA, I am submitt... |
| Apr 16, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving downhill at approximately 40-45... |
| Mar 17, 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost ... |
| Jan 5, 2025 | ENGINE | While driving 2012 Kia Optima GDI home from work, the power suddenly stopped without warning with th... |
| Dec 5, 2024 | ENGINE | On the evening of December 5, 2024 my 2012 KIA OPTIMA's engine completely seized out of no where whi... |
| Aug 7, 2024 | ENGINE | Driving on highway at about 60mph when the engine started knocking and the power decreased significa... |
| Jul 28, 2024 | ENGINE | Car went to limp mode and has code p1326. Car was towed to kia and waiting on determination of kia i... |
| Jul 24, 2024 | ENGINE | The engine caught fire and exploded after I parked it and exited the car and the recall repair was d... |
| May 6, 2024 | ENGINE | The engine failed, and it is past the 100,000 mile warranty. Due to the fact that there were no warn... |