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Fuel systemPart report

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Fuel system Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
3%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
72,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, 3% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While trying to accelerate, the car randomly has a 2-3 second delay before action. When the problem occurs, the car will coast out into traffic, which may be moving at high speeds. This leaves me exposed to getting hit on a frequent, but irregular basis, and I am afraid to drive the vehicle. The car can also have jerky motions and lunges when accelerating from a stop on an incline, posing a danger to pedestrians and cars nearby.”

NHTSA complaint #10683616, filed 2015-02, 18,000 miles

“Bought a used 2012 Kia optima from a Kia dealership on 1/12/18. I did not drive this vehicle from 1/13/2018 - 1/19/18. Started driving this vehicle and 5 (five) days later, on 1/23/18 the vehicle blew a rod in the engine. After several unsuccessful attempts at having the dealership fix the issue at their expense, I was getting nowhere. I contacted Kia headquarters and they assisted me with communication with the dealership and getting the engine rebuilt (as a goodwill by the dealership). …”

NHTSA complaint #11080235, filed 2018-03, 72,000 miles

“Vehicle has 130,000 miles. While driving on a highway vehicle started to lose power when in cruise and motion is lost. Stepping on the gas does not get any acceleration. This occurred again on a highway and display gives me the hybrid error do not drive warning. This occurs when cruise is set and also not in cruise. I step on the gas and there is no acceleration. After shutting the vehicle off for a few seconds the car functions normally. I am also having back up camera issues which leads me to believe this may be an electrical issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11121530, filed 2018-08, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2014310%
201233%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
72 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology