2012 Kia Optima Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the tires of the 2012 Kia Optima, 1% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“After 15,000 miles tire developed a huge bubble on the side wall of the front left tire. Bought the car brand new with original tires from dealership(nexen).these tires should be outlawed. Right after I got it to a mechanic shop, it exploded and was sitting on the rim. I was very fortune to not be driving on the highway when this occured. I can send picture also. I have had two flat tires within the first year of purchase. Not including the 2nd pair that the bubble developed at the front. The nexen tires tread life is very short too.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520179, filed 2013-06, 35,000 miles“All 4 hankook optimo 225/45/18 tires that came with my 2012 Kia Optima sx vehicle developed a bubble in the sidewall within 18 months. Due to safety concerns and advice from the dealership all 4 tires were replaced around the 2 year point from purchase of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10587008, filed 2014-05, 30,000 miles“There is no spare tire and only a inflation kit. A blowout of the sidewall cannot be repaired with this kit. Could be stranded and harm done to the owner. How could it be legal and safe to allow manufacturers to not include a spare tire???”
NHTSA complaint #10436522, filed 2011-11, 500 miles“This complaint is about the one of my tires. During an oil change at the dealership where I purchased the car, the dealership representative notified me of a bubble in one of the tires. I purchased the car oct (28), 2011. I don't know the exact date of the tire bubble notification by the dealer rep, but it was during the 2011 calendar year. The rep stated that unfortunately the dealership does not warranty the tires! Is there any recourse to have that or all the tires replaced? The tire (all four) is a hankook optimo h431 225/45 r18 . 95v, radial tubeless, made in korea.”
NHTSA complaint #10487571, filed 2012-12“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima equipped with hankook optimo h431 tires, size 225/45r 18v. While driving 20 MPH, the tire gauge indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic found an air bubble in the rear driver side tire. The tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and DOT number were unavailable. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 36,000 and the tire failure mileage was 7,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10629466, filed 2014-08, 36,000 milesTires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 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 28, 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