Vehicle Data Hub

2012 Kia Optima engine problems

417 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2012 Kia Optima, which is 33% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
417 33% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
100,000 miles 305 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
4 and 62
Injuries and deaths
5 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2012 Kia Optima Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 100,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 23 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 6 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 25 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 41 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 53 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 51 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 60 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 22 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 12 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 5 complaints 200k+ miles: 7 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 100,000 miles
Based on 305 complaints that include mileage. 18% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles23
20k to 40k miles6
40k to 60k miles25
60k to 80k miles41
80k to 100k miles53
100k to 120k miles51
120k to 140k miles60
140k to 160k miles22
160k to 180k miles12
180k to 200k miles5
200k+ miles7

What the data shows

Of the 305 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 100,000 miles, and 18% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 4 crashes, 62 fires, 5 injuries.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 kia optima. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (superior kia, 260 w. Mitchell ave, cincinnati, oh) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty. The engine was replaced and the failure was remedied. Later, while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud booming noise was heard and smoke and flames were present coming from the engine compartment.

Reported at 118,000 miles, June 2018 CrashFireInjury

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was being serviced. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure.

Reported at 147,850 miles, May 2021

Other problems reported for the 2012 Kia Optima

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Kia models