2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Malibu | 2012 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 905 | 919 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,336 | 241 |
| Investigations | 0 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 50 | 25 |
| Fire reports | 13 | 77 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 26–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 89,000 mi | 82,120 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 99 | 398 |
| Electrical System | 290 | 122 |
| Steering | 191 | 188 |
| Exterior Lighting | 202 | 31 |
| Air Bags | 101 | 48 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 129 | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 65 | 52 |
| Power Train | 49 | 54 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 72 | 110 |
| Check engine light | 42 | 73 |
| Loss of power | 37 | 49 |
| Steering problems | 36 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 35 | 32 |
| Electrical failures | 32 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 30 | 19 |
| Won’t start | 29 | 14 |
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
2012 Kia Optima
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.