2012 Kia Optima Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 1%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,385miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2012 Kia Optima, 1% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,385 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Today was the 2nd time I was driving my vehicle and the electrical system failed and my car system shut down. I had no ability to steer, brake, smoke started coming out of the vents all the lights started flashing. Hero came to assist, opened the hood smelled melting plastic/rubber. Started sparking, car turned back on its own. Car is not at ed voyles Kia in marietta georgia. Kia has replaced my engine twice. Unfortunately I am at 120k miles out of warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10984970, filed 2017-05, 120,000 miles“I was driving on the road at 40mph when the engine just stopped. There was no noise and the vehicle lost control. I was able to avoid any serious body damage. All the electrical accessories would turn on but the engine stayed dead when I turned the car on. After leaving it over night parked on a residential street the next day same situation all electrical devices turned on but the engine wouldnt turn on. I had to get it towed to the dealer I bought it from in order for them to take a look at what could of gone wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #11309029, filed 2020-02, 126,200 miles“Issue started 2 months ago. Noticed that vehicle acceleration is sluggish. Sometimes I have to take foot off the acceleration pedal then depress it again in order for vehicle to accelerate. Acceleration is unreliable and dangerous. Electronic stability sensor also started lighting up and cruise control became inoperable. Also noticed that my tail lights lit up on its own (and did not turn off) while vehicle is parked and fob not near vehicle, draining the battery. Police came by in the middle of the night to report that my tail lights were on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11301278, filed 2020-01, 71,000 miles“My electronic stability control light on dash came on and remains on. I took to martin Kia in newark delaware for diagnostic and they said the codes were c1259 and c1260 and that I need to have clock spring assembly, steering angle sensor and the steering column assembly replaced because it looked like my car had been in an accident. (I did strike a small deer, but damage was cosmetic to left front fender and did not affect steering or drivability, and was repaired in a professional body shop). The ESC did not come on until months after my accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11072760, filed 2018-02, 107,000 miles“The vehicle steering seems tight which is fine, but when accelerating between 30-45 MPH the vehicle veers off to the left. I am reading that this is not normal for this vehicle. This is an issue and I believe needs to be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10460082, filed 2012-05, 1 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058510Jul 1, 2015Kia: some vehicles would hesitate on hard acceleration and electronic stability control (esc) light illuminates; would need to replace hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu)…
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 19 | 1% |
| 2012 | 11 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima
398 complaintsSteering
188 complaintsElectrical system
122 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsOther or unknown
88 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsAir bags
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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