2012 Kia Optima structure problems
39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the structure on the 2012 Kia Optima — 4% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“On August 25th around 7:00 PM, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while parked after a short test drive. The car had just been purchased a few days prior and was taken to a mechanic for a precautionary inspection. During the test drive, the mechanic parked the vehicle in a residential driveway. After…”
filed Aug 26, 2025
“Rapid Delamination and paint peeling in the color of snow pearl white. The entire car is affected by this defect. Somewhere on the paint assembly line a missing step in the paint procedure is causing detrimental corrosion and overall safety and protection of the elements from outside.”
filed Mar 23, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the…Campaign 22V560000 · Aug 1, 2022
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 8, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 19, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder…
TSB_CS2312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 18, 2025CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media…
CS2312_OWNR · Other · issued Dec 17, 2025
Structure problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 Optima | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 Optima | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 Optima | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 Optima | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 Optima | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 Optima | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 Optima | 127 | 9% |
| 2011 Optima | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 Optima | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 Optima | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 Optima | 5 | 3% |
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.