2012 Kia Optima Technical Service Bulletins

241 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2012 Kia Optima. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10109655May 19, 2014Fuel system. PIT STOP: GDI INJECTOR SPRAY TIP DEPOSITS - A design feature of vehicles equipped with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system is the placement of each fuel injector directly into the engine cylinder head assembly. Therefore, it is completely normal for the combustion process to create deposits on the injector spray tip surfaces.
• 10109648May 9, 2014Seats. TSB: DRIVER?S SIDE SEAT CUSHION COVER DETACHING - This bulletin provides information about some 2012~2013MY Optima (QF) models, produced from August 9, 2011 through April 11, 2013, which may experience a loose or disengaged driver?s side seat outer trim cover.
• 10060132May 1, 2014Seat belts, Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10109631Apr 15, 2014Latches, locks and linkages, Body and structure. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL FOR HOOD RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL - This bulletin provides information related to the introduction of a new Special Service Tool (SST) (A) developed to prevent the hood release lever pivot point (B) from being damaged when removing the hood release lever. Follow the instructions included in this bulletin to properly remove the hood release lever using the new SST.
• 10109645Apr 1, 2014Equipment. TECH TIP: HVAC Blower Stuck on High - This article give the procedure to follow when the HVAC Blower is stuck on high.
• 10109716Jan 17, 2014Engine, Electrical system. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: OPTIMA (QF) EWGA INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT (SA119A) - On some Optima (QF) vehicles with a 2.0 T-GDI engine produced from start of production to December 13, 2011, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate with DTC P2562 and/or P2565. Inspect the voltage value for boost pressure actuator position control by using GDS.
• 10055373Jan 1, 2014Engine. Kia: the voltage value boost pressure actuator position control needs inspecting by using gds due to malfunction indicator light (mil) illuminating. Model 2012 optima.
• 10060285Dec 1, 2013Equipment, Electrical system. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10060653Nov 15, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10109708Nov 8, 2013Fuel system. TSB: FUEL FILLER DOOR INSPECTION AND UPGRADE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure for inspecting and repairing a potential concern with the fuel filler door operation on some Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from September 2010 to December 2011.
• 10109706Oct 9, 2013Engine cooling, Fuel system. TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE INSPECTION - Follow the procedure in this article to properly inspect/clean the oil feed and return lines.
• 10109702Oct 2, 2013Electrical system. TSB: MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 - DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - This bulletin provides information related to some Optima (TF/QF), Sportage (SL), Sorento (XM) and Cadenza (VG) vehicles, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the ECM (Electronic Control Module) system-related DTC P0087.
• 10116825Sep 25, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. PITSTOP: TF/QF PANORAMA RESET/INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE - This article explains the instructions for resetting the "one-touch" open/close feature of the sunshade and/or panorama sunroof.
• 10116823Sep 24, 2013Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). TSB: PANORAMA SUNROOF & SUNSHADE MOTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the panorama sunroof and sunshade motors on some 2012-2013MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 9, 2011 to August 14, 2013, which may exhibit a loss of the "one-touch" open/close feature of the sunshade and/or panorama roof.
• 10116824Sep 5, 2013Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: ECM UPGRADE - MIL ON WITH DTC P0300 AND/OR P0301, P0302, P0303 AND P0304 (SA151) - This bulletin provides information related to the ECM software upgrade for some 2011-2012MY Optima (TF), produced from July 16 ,2010 to January 11, 2012, Optima (QF), produced from August 8, 2011 to January 23, 2012 and 2011-2012MY Sportage (SL), produced from September 3, 2010 to January 7, 2012 vehicles…
• 10060303Sep 1, 2013Body and structure, Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10054197Sep 1, 2013Fuel system. Kia: a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminates with electronic control module (ecm) system and to correct concern, high pressure fuel pump, fuel delivery pipe and mounting bolts would be replaced, if necessary. Model 2011-2014 optima, sportage, sorento, cadenza.
• 10053708Sep 1, 2013Electrical system, Engine cooling. Kia: due to some vehicles experiencing an illumination malfunction indicator lamp (mil), the electronic control module (ecm) system needs to be upgraded and reprogrammed with gds downloads to prevent and/or correct this situation. Models 2011-2012 optima, sportage.
• 10090623Aug 30, 2013Equipment. Tsb: seat back cover removal procedure - this bulletin outlines the procedure for the removal of the front seat back covers on optima (qf) and sorento (xma).
• 10090630Aug 23, 2013Air bags. Pitstop: acu variant coding after parts supersession - kma has received reports of some 2011~13my optima and 2010~13my forte vehicles not accepting the variant code listed on kgis, following replacement of the air bag control module. In some cases, an air bag module with a superseded part number may require a different variant code. Kgis is being updated in phases and will list both variant codes (old and new) in…
• 10090628Aug 6, 2013Suspension. Service action: rear lower control arm replacement procedure (sa150) - this bulletin provides the procedure for replacing both rear lower control arms on some optima (tf), optima (qf) and optima hybrid (tf hev) vehicles produced from february 15, 2011 through april 5, 2012, that are in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used for de-icing in the winter months.
• 10060314Aug 1, 2013Equipment, Electrical system. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10053728Aug 1, 2013Suspension. Kia: information provided regarding some vehicles, in states where heavy amounts of road salt is used for de-icing and need to have both rear lower control arms replaced, that results in corrosion that causes a knocking or clunking noise. Models 2011-2012 optima.
• 10090617Jul 16, 2013Suspension. Pitstop: alignment specifications for optima - this article provides new alignment specifications for optima (qf) vehicles due to a modification to the design of the front suspension.
• 10090444Jun 25, 2013Electrical system, Engine. Tsb: ecm upgrade - driving performance improvement (ver.2) - this bulletin provides information related to a controller software upgrade for all 2011~2012my optima hybrid vehicles.
• 10060299Jun 1, 2013Equipment, Fuel system, Other or unknown. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10090431May 29, 2013Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: 6-speed a/t transmission adaptive values reset/relearn - this bulletin provides the procedures necessary to reset and relearn the adaptive values after transmission replacement or reprogramming/replacement of the ecm/pcm.
• 10090604Jan 25, 2013Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: axle shaft serviceability by model - this bulletin has been revised. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Refer to the table below for a detailed list of vehicle models. Individual service parts such as axle boots, joints and hardware for inner joint are now available through your parts department.
• 10090610Jan 18, 2013Equipment, Electrical system. Pitstop: horn chirp and parking lamps inop when locking doors with rke fob - this gives instructions on the procedure to follow if you encounter a customer complaint relating to the vehicle not producing an audible tone or horn chirp, and the parking lamps not flashing when locking the vehicle with the rke fob.
• 10060228Jan 1, 2013Equipment, Exterior lighting. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10090588Nov 28, 2012Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Pitstop: panorama sunroof trim seal loose - optima’s produced from sop to october 24, 2012, equipped with panorama sunroof option, may exhibit a loose or sagging side trim seal (a). A portion of the side trim seal may become detached and caught under the sunroof, as it is closed, causing poor appearance and improper sealing. To correct this condition, follow the procedure outlined below.
• 10090599Nov 15, 2012Seats. Pitstop: ventilated seat operation - some vehicles are equipped with ventilated front seats to improve occupant comfort by drawing interior vehicle air temperature through the seating surfaces. The customer perception may be that the seat is air conditioned and the seat is not getting cold enough however the actual design intent is to draw ambient air through the seat with a separate blower motor attached to the…
• 10060219Nov 1, 2012Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10090007Oct 5, 2012Electrical system, Equipment. Tsb: information for dealer uvo upgrade / retail customer - this bulletin provides the retail customer’s procedure for upgrading the kia uvo (your voice) system. Kia uvo owners have the option to download available upgrades directly from the kia.com website and can perform the upgrade themselves or have the dealer perform the upgrade in which case additional labor charges may apply. For customers who perform their…
• 10047999Sep 1, 2012Body and structure, Equipment. Kia: bulletin is providing cautionary information on installation of when bolt holes of rear upper arm are not properly aligned with subframe, and bolt may become loose. Model 2011-2013 optima.
• 10044946Jun 1, 2012Engine. Kia: when engine is at 2000 rpm and operating temperature, it may experience, from the balance shaft module (bsm), a whistling noise.
• 10043657Feb 1, 2012Transmission and drivetrain. Kia: optima dashboard shifter position indicator.
• 10042894Dec 21, 2011Engine cooling, Electrical system. Kia: some vehicles warning light for the engine may illuminate. Voltage should be recorded on ro sheet. Use gds for lower mechanical stop of boost pressure.
• 10055335Dec 1, 2011Engine. Kia: the malfunction indicator light (mil) will illuminate and the voltage value, for boost pressure actuator position control, needs inspecting, by using gds, on some vehicles. Model 2012 optima.
• 10042572Oct 1, 2011Electronic stability control. Kia: some vehicles equipped with stability control, while performing a dynamic test drive during pdi inspection, the stability control warning lamp may illuminate.
• 10037528Mar 1, 2011Electrical system. Kia: on some 2011 optima models the malfunction light may be on with a stored trouble code. Problem is with the wastegate actuator. *rm updated 12/20/11.

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima