2012 Kia Optima Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 1%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Kia Optima, 1% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,000 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.
“The drive and passenger seats are to low in this car. Almost had an accident because my wife who is 5' tall cant sit higher than the sideview mirrors, and they block her view. I test drove the car when we bought it, so didn't sit to low for me being 6' tall. This is a serious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10490840, filed 2013-01, 3,000 miles“The car will not accelerate at a safe time frame. For example if I need to cross a busy street. I have to wait until there are absolutely no cars coming because when I accelerate my engine revs but doesn't move. I've been almost rear ended several times because the transmission will not go into gear. The engine will hit 8 or 9 thousand RPM then the transmission decides to catch and throw my head into the seat. Which if there is a car in front of me I have to be careful not to rear end them because of the sudden acceleration.”
NHTSA complaint #11306628, filed 2020-02, 125,000 miles“Front passenger seat is mounted far too low in all 2011 and 2012 Kia Optima cars. A passenger will easily slip under the seat belt and could be seriously injured. Kia USA has been contacted and refuses to acknowledge this design defect, although it has been noted repeatedly by owners of these cars when posting on Kia Optima forums online.”
NHTSA complaint #10447018, filed 2012-02, 120 miles“The front passenger seat is as low as it can go and there is no adjustment to heighten the seat. The vehicle is not cheap and you would think that the passenger would be able to adjust the height of the seat. Passengers can slide down easily with this feature/option gone. Not all passengers are under 5'10 and this is not good.”
NHTSA complaint #10460080, filed 2012-05, 1 miles“The front driver's seat bolts loosened and came completely off the track. This could have caused me to crash as the seat was no longer stable and shifted about the car until I could get to a safe location. If I had gotten into a crash I would most likely not survived as there was nothing that held me in the car despite having my seat belt on. The vehicle is at the dealership now. There were no warnings that this seat was malfunctioning and the bolts were loosening.”
NHTSA complaint #11495136, filed 2022-11Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 0% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 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