Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

2012 KIA Optima Hybrid

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

3
Open recalls
107
NHTSA complaints
7
Defect investigations
134
Service bulletins

NCAP safety

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Consumer complaints

107 filed
5
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Injuries reported
0
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • Engine
    72
  • Electrical System
    17
  • Power Train
    10
  • Steering
    9
  • Unknown OR Other
    7
  • Vehicle Speed Control
    5
  • Service BRAKES, Hydraulic
    5
  • Service Brakes
    5

Recalls

3 campaigns
23V652000·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE 2023-09-25

Park outside

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.

RiskAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

FixOwners 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.

20V750000·ENGINE2020-12-02

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

RiskAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

FixKia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

18V363000·AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE2018-06-01

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.

RiskIf 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.

FixKia 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 investigations

106 actions
AQ23002·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE 2023-11-17

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

DP22005·ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM2023-01-27 → 2023-08-07

Pedestrian alert sounds

Led to recall22V063000

DP22003·ENGINE2022-09-12 → 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

EA21003·ENGINE2021-12-22 → 2024-02-05

Engine Fires

Led to recall23V877

EA19001·AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE2019-04-19 → 2024-09-19

Electrical overstress

Led to recall20V024

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