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EnginePart report

2012 Kia Optima Engine Problems

Complaints
398about this part
Share
43%of 920 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 398 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Kia Optima, 43% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 58 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“I have a 3 months old and I'm very concerned about our safety because the vehicle suddenly runs out of oil and it start smelling like burned and it starts to smoke a lot of white smoke. When I check the oil compartment it seems like the oil evaporates or get consumed but it doesn't leak. This has happened few times while driving the car on a city street.”

NHTSA complaint #11399657, filed 2021-03, 153,000 miles

“As I was driving on the highway approximately 65 MPH the engine began to stall not allowing any power while pushing on the gas pedal. The service manager at Kia explained to me that they found a pin in the engine that was supposed to be r removed but never was causing this to cause major damage to my engine and head gasket.”

NHTSA complaint #11317732, filed 2020-03, 122,000 miles

“I was driving home from work on the highway, when I noticed my 2012 Kia Optima ex making a loud clicking/tapping noise coming from the engine suddenly the car turned off and I was able to pull over to the right lane. When I pulled over the car was off so I turned it on and continued to hear the loud clicking/tapping noise.”

NHTSA complaint #11375774, filed 2020-11, 84,949 miles

“I was driving 75mph, I was coming up over a hill, and the vehicle cut out, there was a loud noise that came from the engine, and I was told to pull over, the light was flashing hybrid battery low, please check and advise. I tried to start the car but it wouldn't come on. Warning light on dash stated to not start the vehicle. The mileage on the vehicle is only around 110,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11362719, filed 2020-10, 110,000 miles

“My starter would not turn over to start my car after driving it. When I got to my destination I couldn't restart the car and there was smoke coming from under the hood. I had 2 starters put in thinking that was the issue and after the 2nd starter was installed the car still had smoke. The electrical wires were burnt and burning and the car still will not start.”

NHTSA complaint #11204285, filed 2019-04, 162,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202010268%
20199243%
201813257%
201716564%
201642656%
201562362%
201428448%
201361444%
201239843%
201125643%
2010912%
20091412%
20081913%
20071610%
200675%
200431%
200321%
200244%
200121%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Optima

Steering
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 complaintsEngine cooling
20 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