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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Kia
  3. >Optima
  4. >2012
  5. >Powertrain

2012 Kia Optima Powertrain Problems

Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2012 Kia Optima has 47 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 0 powertrain-related recalls.

Problem Areas for the 2012 Kia Optima

Engine
295
Steering
184
Electrical
94
Other
77
Brakes
61
Powertrain
47
Airbags
30
Structure
25
Speed Control
20
Visibility
20
Lights
17
Fuel System
12
Suspension
8
Tires
7
Seats
6

47

Complaints

0

Recalls

0

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

All Powertrain Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Dec 10, 2025POWER TRAINThe failure involves the component covered under the active safety recall campaign. The affected par...
Dec 1, 2025POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINESubject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Retur...
Apr 30, 2024POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,ENGINEPower train and engine failure and causing my Kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from wo...
Jul 12, 2023POWER TRAINThe contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the veh...
Jul 19, 2022POWER TRAINThe contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shif...
Jul 13, 2022POWER TRAINThe contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal...
Apr 26, 2022POWER TRAINThe shifter cable came off during the car was on motion in my driveway..and unable to put it in PARK...
Mar 31, 2022POWER TRAIN,ENGINE2012 Kia Optima Engine oil lights flickers on slowing .. I have checked the oil and the Filter they...
Oct 13, 2021POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMEvery time i stop at a light my car starts to shake and vibrate. Now the check engine is on and my c...
Oct 11, 2021POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINEMy engine failed. Dick Withams here in Waterloo, IA was paid by Kia to replace engine for free due t...
Aug 2, 2021POWER TRAINMy wife had been complaining that while driving 2011 optima hybrid at highway speeds the car would s...
May 7, 2021POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINETHA CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WOULD NOT START ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND COULD NOT STEER G...
Mar 27, 2021POWER TRAINKIA OPTIMA EX 2012 WITH 57000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS STUCK ON R (REVERSE) AND IT DOESN'T RELEASE EVE...
Mar 5, 2021POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEWHILE DRIVING MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID ON THE FARTHEST LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY, A WARNING MESSAGE ...
Mar 1, 2021POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHI...
Jan 3, 2021POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGTRANSMISSION HAS A HARD PULL WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS FROM THIRD GEAR TO SECOND GEAR AND A HARDER PULL ON...
Oct 14, 2020POWER TRAIN,ENGINEVEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITH LOW POWER AT 50 MPH WITH ALL LIGHTS WORKING. COMPUTER HAS CAR SHUT DOWN AND ...
Oct 13, 2020POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINECAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF IMMOBILIZATION PHASE, WITH EITHER KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK TO USE PUSH TO STA...
Oct 2, 2020POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGSMY GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK IN DRIVE I CAN NOT PUT IT IN PARK IF I TURN MY CAR OFF IT WON'T CRANK BACK UP...
Jul 27, 2020POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINETRANSMISSION ISSUES: BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. WOULD LAG THEN JERK THE CAR WITH SOME TORQUE ONCE IT ...

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