2012 Kia Optima Recalls & Safety Report
The following open safety recalls are on record with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Optima. Recalls apply to specific VINs and build ranges. Check your VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Critical safety
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA campaign # 23V652000 · Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc. · Reported: 2023-09-25 · Brakes
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS Critical safety
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
NHTSA campaign # 22V560000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2022-08-01 · Structure/Body
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Critical safety
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
NHTSA campaign # 18V907000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2018-12-19 · Engine/Fuel
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE Critical safety
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
NHTSA campaign # 18V363000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2018-06-01 · Airbag
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Critical safety
Summary: Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
NHTSA campaign # 17V224000 · Manufacturer: Kia Motors America · Reported: 2017-03-31 · Engine/Fuel
Recall summary
This 2012 Kia Optima has 5 open recalls on record with the U.S. NHTSA.
By affected component
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE — 1 recall
- STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS — 1 recall
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS — 1 recall
- AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE — 1 recall
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE — 1 recall
By severity
- Critical safety — 5
Most recent recall reported: 2023-09-25.
Recall data is sourced from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Kia Optima have open recalls?
Yes — there are 5 open NHTSA safety recalls on record for the 2012 Kia Optima. Recalls apply to specific VIN and build ranges, so check your exact VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
How do I check if a recall applies to my exact VIN?
This page lists recalls at the model level. Enter your 17-character VIN on our free VIN lookup to see which recalls apply to your specific car and to monitor it for new ones.
Who pays for a recall repair?
Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer for the affected make — the manufacturer covers the cost. Start by confirming your VIN is affected, then contact a dealer.
About this report
SaveVIN surfaces open recalls published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A model-level page lists every recall reported for the model; your specific VIN determines which apply to your car. Enter your VIN above for a VIN-precise report and to monitor it for new recalls.
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.