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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
9%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
86,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, 9% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 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.

“Over the last month, I have been experiencing many transmission issues where the my 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is hard shifting between gears 2-3 and 5-6; same when down shifting. I have had to break extra long because of the downshifting, the car 'lurches' forward, and I fail to get sufficient power in the proper gear when I accelerate.”

NHTSA complaint #10919004, filed 2016-10, 32,000 miles

“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

“The hybrid system broke down at 85k. Was replaced by Kia after threatening legal action. At 103k. We never missed maintenance or a oil change. The engine through a rod on a 5 lane interstate doing 65mph, blowing and destroying the engine. Putting my family of 5 at serious risk. Kia wants 4500k or 8000k to replace the faulty engine. Optima engines were recalled for this exact reason. The Optima Hybrid engines were not recalled despite suffering the same failures as normal optima engines. Joining the class action.”

NHTSA complaint #11197287, filed 2019-04, 103,000 miles

“I was driving to drop off a friend and jumped on the highway. Everything was fine until I stopped at a stoplight coming off the highway and heard a knocking sound. I never got a check engine light or anything still to this day. I had it taken to the nearest Kia dealership and they said 3 connecting rods are out and it has a cracked block. They quoted me $7600 to fix it. Its been 6 months and I havent been able to do anything with with. My insurance said they cant do anything and I had an extended warranty but I went over the mileage. …”

NHTSA complaint #11152905, filed 2018-11, 114,000 miles

“I literally just had my engine replaced (blew in august at 85k miles, dealership had my car for six months while I waited on an engine, cost $7k). I got my car back in mid-february. On march 25th, I was at a stop light, and when I accelerated, the car lagged and lurched forward. This continued any time I shifted into d or r, or came to a complete stop. I was out of town and the car was parked for two weeks. My partner drove it yesterday (4/11/19), checked fluids, and observed the lurch. As he was arriving home, the car lurched to a stop and gave a hybrid system warning! …”

NHTSA complaint #11195843, filed 2019-04, 88,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017312%
201518%
2014310%
2013713%
2012109%
2011412%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
72 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
3 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