Major Problems with 2012 Kia Optima Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Custom-fit Add-ons

Torque wrench
Mechanic tool set
Tool box

Worst 3 complaints of 2012 Kia Optima

2012 Kia Optima AIR BAGS Victims: 5 Mileage: 240000 miles

2012 Kia Optima VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Victims: 3 Mileage: 11000 miles

2012 Kia Optima BODY Victims: 2 Mileage: 61900 miles

Browse 2012 Kia Optima complaints by category

Problems with ENGINE, STEERING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Kia Optima owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima hybrid. while driving approximately 10 mph the contact crashed into a curb...	195 ~ 85065 miles
STEERING i purchased a 2012 kia optima on 1-13-12 and immediately discovered it pulled to the left. the dealer has admitted...	144 ~ 43556 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM upon the purchase of my 2012 kia optima sx i noticed a pull to the left in the steering wheel....	63 ~ 54667 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER the vehicle steering seems tight which is fine but when accelerating between 30-45 mph the vehicle veers off to the...	41 ~ 66571 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL for 3 to 5 seconds no response from engine at idle when accelerator depressed and the car is stopped (e.g....	30 ~ 60916 miles
SERVICE BRAKES 06/18/12- while accelerating from a stop light the vehicle brake light illuminated. light would not go out until ignition was...	29 ~ 42941 miles
AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that while at a traffic stop the vehicle was...	28 ~ 57835 miles
POWER TRAIN was sitting at light and went to take off car felt like it didn't want to shift into gear and...	27 ~ 57938 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM for 3 to 5 seconds no response from engine at idle when accelerator depressed and the car is stopped (e.g....	24 ~ 69108 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE i was driving on highway during rush hour when i heard a loud explosion and sound of glass rattling. at...	17 ~ 46088 miles
SUSPENSION right rear suspension makes creaking noise progressively worse over time. suspension was greased up but problem recurred after one week....	16 ~ 36352 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING the interior overhead lights periodically come on and go off while operating our 2012 optima. this occurs with the switch...	11 ~ 81579 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY i was driving on highway during rush hour when i heard a loud explosion and sound of glass rattling. at...	11 ~ 51462 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER i purchased this new car in january and have had a difficult time adapting to the blind spots out of...	11 ~ 31452 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the vehicle steering seems tight which is fine but when accelerating between 30-45 mph the vehicle veers off to the...	11 ~ 71305 miles
WHEELS tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that the vehicle did not come equipped with a...	7 ~ 23871 miles
SEATS front passenger seat is mounted far too low in all 2011 and 2012 kia optima cars. a passenger will easily...	5 ~ 50224 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the front driver side...	5 ~ 18571 miles
TIRES this complaint is about the one of my tires. during an oil change at the dealership where i purchased the...	5 ~ 20200 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while traveling from knoxville tn.we noticed the smell of gasoline while traveling on i-75.as we continued on the smell went...	4 ~ 44750 miles
SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that while at a traffic stop the vehicle was...	3 ~ 28450 miles
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY gas pedal would not work. avis puts rubber floor mats over cloth floor mats that have hooks embedded in time...	2 ~ 9888 miles
TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE > TIRES there is no spare tire and only a inflation kit. a blowout of the sidewall cannot be repaired with this...	2 ~ 3850 miles
RACK AND PINION > STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving 35 mph the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. the...	1 ~ 155000 miles
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE 2012 kia optima. consumer writes in regards to engine connecting rod safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the turbocharger had	1
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate and there was...	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact stated that the windshield area near the vehicles antenna was...	1 ~ 47000 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contacts owns a 2012 kia optima. while driving at 30 mph the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed...	1 ~ 57000 miles
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES this started in june 2014 during the mid summer. the trunk would come open while just sitting there or come...	1 ~ 9987 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES all 4 hankook optimo 225/45/18 tires that came with my 2012 kia optima sx vehicle developed a bubble in the...	1 ~ 30000 miles
EQUIPMENT making a call with my bluetooth equipped in the vehicle looked down to verify connection by the time i looked...	1 ~ 13000 miles
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS i purchased this new car in january and have had a difficult time adapting to the blind spots out of...	1
ANTILOCK > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR while driving the backup camera came on. all the functions on the stereo were not working. this is the second...	1 ~ 4300 miles
STRUCTURE kia optima has too much chrome on the dash board and on the doors handles. when driving you get blinded...	1 ~ 50 miles
VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. the contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the front driver side...	1 ~ 3653 miles
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the horn is under powered. it one of those "road runner" "meep-meep" sounding horns and cannot alert other drivers effectively....	1 ~ 32 miles

Torque wrench

EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrenc...
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISE - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat-treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONGEVITY -...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inc...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque ...
- Includes 1-pc. 3/8 in. drive torque wrench; Storage case; Product manual with torque conversion chart
- Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- Permanently marked, high-contrast dual-range...

Mechanic tool set

Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set i...
- The Crescent Professional Tool Set has a newly designed 72T quick release ratchet
- Carefully selected assortment of hand tools for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
- Get incredible access from combination wrenches with narrow heads,...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, ...
- MINIMAL ARCH SWING: 72-tooth 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive Ratchets produce a 5-degree arc swing. Ideal balance between access and durability.
- VERSATILE: Comprehensive set of 1/4 in., 3/8 in. Drive Sockets and Drive Tool...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece w...
- TACKLE A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: Complete automotive jobs and general mechanic fixes with this heavy-duty, 230-piece all-in-one mechanic tool set
- OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRAWERS WITH ONE HAND as you work with a spring-loaded locking...
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4" & 3/8" &...
- 72 tooth count ratchet providing a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Anti-slip driver handle provides maximum comfort
- Housed in a durable carrying case with metal latches
- Full-polish chrome for corrosion resistance
DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Se...
- Socket sets include 72 tooth count ratchets which allow for a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Ratchets include a low profile directional lever to help reduce catch points and for easy...
Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with C...
- Mechanic tool kit and socket set for tackling multiple sizes and types of fasteners, especially nuts and bolts
- Includes a 201-piece set that combines most popular sockets, wrenches, hex keys, and screwdriver bits
- Both metric...

Tool box

TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lo...
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: The rolling tool chest is designed with 8 drawers and 1 bottom cabinet for storing tools, small equipment or other objects. And the bottom cabinet features side hooks for hanging tools like...
beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST...
- Sturdy + Stackable: Durable Auto-Lock Latches Make Connecting These Stackable Units Quick And Easy
- Quick Access: The Quick-Release On The Locking Latch Allows You To Easily Separate Each Module When Stacked For Quick Access To...
BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20" Portable 3...
- Heavy duty tool box is made of thick steel, with powder coat red paint finish, beautiful and easy to clean
- Measures 20.5" L x 8.5" W x 12" H, and is equipped with 3 drawers...
DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Rep...
- HIGH QUALITY&STANDARDS:Forged from high-quality steel and finished in high-polish chrome,strength, durability, anti-corrosion protection.All the tools meet or exceed ANSI critical standards
- COMPLETE VARIETIES:Contains tools needed for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the...
Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers M...
- Tough metal latches are solid and easy to open and close, with long use life
- Foldable three-tier tray provides you with more storage space and you can separate metric and imperial tools to take them...
CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Househo...
- Comprehensive Tool Set: The Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit includes all the crucial tools needed for everyday home repairs and maintenance, from cutting to tightening, measuring to hammering.
- Durable and Corrosion-Resistant: All tools in the kit...