2012 Kia Optima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 3%of 920 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Kia Optima, 3% of the 920 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the freeway at about 70mph when my panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded. It was not hit by a rock or any sort of debris, it exploded completely on its own without warning. The loud explosion caused me to swerve and panic brake as glass shards rained down on me from the broken sunroof.”
NHTSA complaint #11413135, filed 2021-04, 109,000 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“I have sent in complaints on my Kia many of times and the one just came out about the latches, mine is not on the recall list. I have had the middle part of my glass crack the windshield that was and still under warranty and more but it seems I am being over looked on my car. I guess the only action to take is a class action lawsuit against Kia america. When you have the proof they still do not believe you.”
NHTSA complaint #10873841, filed 2016-06, 3,200 miles“I was driving down the i77 north at 70mph with the sunroof and shade shut when there was a loud explosion and the shade started going through the sunroof and glass came raining down on myself (I am 7 months pregnant) and my 13 year old daughter. There were no cars around us. It was sunny around 80 degrees.”
NHTSA complaint #10650497, filed 2014-10, 98,000 miles“On 5/13/16 I walked out to my car without notice and got in. As of then I noticed a long crack starting at the bottom running upwards over half way and out to the middle cracks. I called the police to get a report but the officer said it had not been hit from the out side and take it to Kia. I took it there and I was told I was hit by something like a rock or ball. The man at Kia said take it to my insurance company. I took it there and the agent said it was hit but I had to pay $100.00 before it could be fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10864925, filed 2016-05, 18,875 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152911Jan 9, 2019TSB: PANORAMA SUNROOF CREAK OR RATTLE NOISE - This bulletin provides the procedure to apply felt tape on the panorama sunroof crossmember on some 2012-2015MY Optima (QF)…
- 10109855Mar 21, 2017TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior…
- 10089850May 22, 2015"tech tip: buzzing noise from dash symptom: buzzing noise coming from dash area. Repair: operate the air-temp controls or the vent air position control setting. If the noise…
- 10057239Dec 1, 2014Kia optima /sorento: 2012-2014 rear view camera requires replacement on specific models.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 21 | 2% |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 33 | 20% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 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 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 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