• September 25, 2023BrakesPark outside

  HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

  NHTSA campaign 23V-652 · 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected · Service brakes, hydraulic

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  The 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.

• August 1, 2022Body and structure

  Headliner Plate Detachment

  NHTSA campaign 22V-560 · 257,998 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

  The 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.

• December 19, 2018Engine and cooling

  High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

  NHTSA campaign 18V-907 · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected · Engine

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  The 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.

• June 1, 2018Air bags

  Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

  NHTSA campaign 18V-363 · 507,587 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

  The defect: 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.

  The 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.

  The 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.

• March 31, 2017Engine and cooling

  Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure

  NHTSA campaign 17V-224 · 618,160 vehicles potentially affected · Engine and engine cooling

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The 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.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Optima built in 2012. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Kia Optima model years

• 2019 1
• 2018 2
• 2017 3
• 2016 5
• 2015 4
• 2014 7
• 2013 9
• 2011 5

Common questions

Does the 2012 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 campaigns for the 2012 Kia Optima: 23V-652 (HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire); 22V-560 (Headliner Plate Detachment); 18V-907 (High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak); 18V-363 (Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled); and 1 more.

How do I know if my 2012 Kia Optima has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Is it safe to drive the 2012 Kia Optima?

Campaign 23V-652 carries a “park outside” advisory. If your VIN is included in that campaign, follow the advisory until the repair is done.