2012 Kia Optima body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V560000Aug 1, 2022257,998 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  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.

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

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 26, 2025GAFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine

   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 backing in, smoke was observed coming from the engine bay. When the hood was lifted, the engine area was already on fire. The fire department was called immediately and was able…

   NHTSA complaint #11683294 · source
2. Filed Mar 23, 2025FLBody & StructureOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11650012 · source
3. Filed Mar 10, 2025145,000 miTXFireBody & StructureBrakes

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (STRUCTURE) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at the residential driveway and starting the vehicle, smoke started emitting from under the hood. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke primarily emitting from the front passenger side of the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries…

   NHTSA complaint #11647487 · source
4. Filed Oct 27, 2024MOFireBody & StructureEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Power train and engine failure and causing my Kia to catch on fire at 11:30 coming back home from work. I was Driving home and smell smoke and car was shaking and when I stopped at the highway to open and look fire was on while driving and I had to call 911 and stop the fire. I had some fire extinguisher in the car I stopped the fire and towed the car and I replaced engine and powered train For over $9000 between repairs and labor and transmission and engine

   NHTSA complaint #11622174 · source
5. Filed Jul 5, 2024NYBody & StructureElectrical System

   Snow White Pearl Paint is peeling at numerous location Rear driver's side window button not working Siruis XM radio not working .Dealt with XM and stated it was a Kia antenna however Kia tells me its Sirius xm problem

   NHTSA complaint #11599208 · source
6. Filed May 2, 2024WIBody & StructureBrakes

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V560000 (Structure) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was a Canadian-manufactured vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint #11586604 · source
7. Filed May 1, 2024SCBody & StructureEngine

   My vehicle has not repaired. I have not been in an accident. However there are two open safety recalls for my car and I am terrified that myself or someone else is going to be injured or even killed due to this problem has yet to be resolved. The first recall for my car is the headliner plates. I took my car into my local dealership (Stokes Kia of Goose Creek) and they told me it would take 10 business days before they could inspect my car and determine what the problem is…

   NHTSA complaint #11586278 · source
8. Filed Apr 12, 2024ALFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine

   I did not know about this recall and my dad was driving my car caught on fire and blew up now I do not have a car please help.

   NHTSA complaint #11582735 · source
9. Filed Feb 12, 2024CABody & Structure

   My car is a 2013 kia optima. It has been chipping about 1 year after i purchased it. Now its just real real bad. It is the pearl white and chipped on the hood, roof, passenger side door behind the driver side, top of trunk, side of trunk, front of the hood. It looks horrible.

   NHTSA complaint #11571538 · source
10. Filed Dec 9, 2023FLBody & Structure

    Door latches lock you in the vehicle, currently 67k original miles, both front door latches would not allow you to exit car, at 50-51k miles, the window must be down, and to get out, crawl out, or reach out, pull outside handle and open door, then put up window, reset latch so it aligns , close door. If cars on fire and window up from inside, you can’t get out! You will burn up w/car and passengers, because you’re trapped by door from getting out.

    NHTSA complaint #11559247 · source
11. Filed Oct 16, 2023OKBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V560000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a secondary dealer, Boomer Kia (339 W I-240 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73139), and third dealer, Kalidy Kia (14205 Broadway Extension Hwy, Edmond, OK 73013) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

    NHTSA complaint #11550144 · source
12. Filed Jul 18, 2023MDBody & Structure

    The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V560000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

    NHTSA complaint #11533018 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology