2012 Kia Optima fuel/propulsion system problems
42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2012 Kia Optima — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Car simply started for me after work this past Thursday @4 pm I dove down the street and for about 5 mins and had to turn around due to me leaving something at work. When I arrived back at work I parked and cut my car off as I normally do and when I returned to start it back up it never did. I have…”
filed Jun 21, 2025
“I was driving home at night around 8pm. I was merging into the slow lane and my car completely lost power. A semi truck was right behind me. Luckily I was able to get over to the emergency lane safely. My car had no acceleration at all or any control of the steering. Prior to this incident there…”
filed Apr 21, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 9 | 7% |
| 2019 Optima | 15 | 7% |
| 2018 Optima | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 Optima | 20 | 8% |
| 2016 Optima | 53 | 7% |
| 2015 Optima | 44 | 4% |
| 2014 Optima | 41 | 7% |
| 2013 Optima | 91 | 7% |
| 2011 Optima | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 Optima | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 Optima | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 Optima | 3 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.