2012 Kia Optima Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seat belts of the 2012 Kia Optima, 1% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.
“In 2017 we had the Kia towed to selma Kia motors because of the recall of the engine,because of shaving in the engine and our turbo went out and was burning.the car stop on us in traffic on a city street we could of died that day. They had to order the engine which took two months. They finely put the new engine in. April 2019 the same thing happen again, they told us there was shavings in the engine once again and the turbo was out also, that was another defected engine. They also told us we had another 10 year warranty on this engine because it was new. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229290, filed 2019-07, 50,000 miles“I brought my car to the dealer on 10/05/2018 for change oil, front brakes and recall campaign. But it looks it wasn't done because the airbags panel light is on and the brakes never feel thighs like when you have a job done. I let the dealer know about it but they want to charge me just to check and fix. When before it wasn't like that”
NHTSA complaint #11234032, filed 2019-07“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while at a traffic stop, the vehicle was rear ended and none of the air bags deployed. The seat belt did not retract to lock her in, which caused her to strike her head on the pillar next to the windshield. A police report was filed and the contact sustained bruises and contusions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 6,900.”
NHTSA complaint #10461910, filed 2012-06, 6,900 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
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 30, 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