2012 Kia Optima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 3%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Kia Optima, 3% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission has a hard pull when it down shifts from third gear to second gear and a harder pull on first gear this is a automatic transmission. In regular gears going in drive would actually do fine I noticed a week later when I was out driving for about an hour that the car would not go past second gear so I pulled off the road and had my car towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386509, filed 2021-01, 168,000 miles“2012 Kia Optima ex with 48000 miles now driver-side headlight stopped working, so as of now I am driving with passenger sidelight in combination with parking lights. Buying Kia Optima is the biggest mistake I have ever done, it seems every month something goes wrong with this vehicle. Surprisingly NHTSA has not taken any action as per Kia Optima well known defects.”
NHTSA complaint #11277793, filed 2019-11, 48,000 miles“Exiting hwy 71 east bound to woodward decreasing speed the vehicle in front of me had a car cut in front of her. I had a safe distance and slammed my brakes. My brakes did not grab as usual my car did not stop and I hit the vehicle in front of me. I truly believe my brake system failed. I will take my car into Kia when I get it back.”
NHTSA complaint #10761891, filed 2015-09, 52,400 miles“About 4 years ago the headlights on my 2012 Kia Optima sx starting getting dim. I took it in to the dealer and they replaced bulbs which made no difference. I took it in again about 2 years ago because it was becoming difficult to see at night. They couldn't figure out the problem. They had my car overnight so the service tech drove it that evening to see how bad it was. He told me that he turned up a dark road, turned the car around, flipped the high beams on so he could find his way back to the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243794, filed 2019-08, 60,000 miles“My airbag light turned on and stays on while driving. My interior 3way switch light randomly turns on and stays on while driving and won't shut off until the car is off.”
NHTSA complaint #11290683, filed 2019-12, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10170778Jan 21, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on…
- 10162046Jun 14, 2019TSB: TF/TF-HEV HEADLAMP INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and/or replace the headlamp assembly on some 2011-2013 MY Optima (TF…
- 10162051Jun 11, 2019wty014_OWNR: This document is the Owner Notification Letter advising the customers of the Warranty Extension on the Headlamp Assembly on the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV…
- 10162053Jun 7, 2019WTY014_QA: This document is the Question and Answer guide for the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly for the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
- 10162052Jun 7, 2019WTY014_PSM: This document is the notification to the Parts and Service Managers advising them of the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima…
- 10162050Jun 7, 2019WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
- 10123322Oct 31, 2017TSB - OUTSIDE REAR COMBINATION LAMP WATER INTRUSION - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the outside rear combination lamp pads on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF)…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 15 | 6% |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% |
| 2015 | 23 | 2% |
| 2014 | 18 | 3% |
| 2013 | 40 | 3% |
| 2012 | 31 | 3% |
| 2011 | 88 | 15% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 27 | 16% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
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 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 29, 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