2012 Kia Optima lighting problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 8, 2025PAEngineLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   Subject: RECALL VIOLATION: Kia on the Boulevard (Philadelphia) - Refused Remedy, Charged $199, Returned Unsafe Vehicle Vehicle Information: [Year] Kia Optima Hybrid Dealership Name: Kia on the Boulevard Dealership Address: 11295 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19154 Complaint Description: 1. The Safety Incident: While operating the vehicle, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Thick smoke poured from the engine compartment, followed by immediate stalling. This…

   NHTSA complaint #11703721 · source
2. Filed Dec 19, 2024NCLighting

   My 2012 Kia optima headlamps are extremely dim, even though I’ve replaced the lightbulbs with the highest possible lumens, multiple times, the headlamp assembly continues to dim. This requires that I ride with my high-beams on to drive at night. The lights have been dimming for more than 20,000 miles, but they are almost useless at this point.

   NHTSA complaint #11631665 · source
3. Filed Mar 19, 202424,000 miWIBrakesEngineLighting

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the brake lights continuously remained illuminated. The taillight bulbs blew out on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights flashing. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign…

   NHTSA complaint #11578197 · source
4. Filed Dec 22, 2023113,000 miCABrakesLighting

   The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated after pulling up to her residence and exiting the vehicle, the contact observed that there was smoke coming from the…

   NHTSA complaint #11561543 · source
5. Filed Dec 3, 2023NJElectrical SystemLighting

   My car started losing its lights one by one. I lost the front right light first, then yhe right back side light, and now the brakes lights. I replaced all the bulbs and still does not work. Then my car just cut off while driving with no notification. I towed it in to Mavis. They checked and said the battery was not keeping charge. I paid to replace the battery ,belt and alternator. Four days later my check engine light, battery indicator, airbag indicator, door indicator…

   NHTSA complaint #11558164 · source
6. Filed Jul 16, 2023DEBrakesLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Because the brake stopper or brake switch are messed up and my brake tail light stays on all night causing it to drain the battery If the car is braking while I’m driving it and the traction control light comes on and the speed is decreasing as I’m driving because the car is braking on it’s own it has nothing to do with the lights Nor the battery the root of the issue is the brake line because the tail light will not cut off because the brakes are still engaged even when the…

   NHTSA complaint #11532560 · source
7. Filed May 18, 2023NCBrakesLighting

   I was driving on the highway and all of sudden my car started decelerating. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed the brake lights were illuminated although I was NOT pressing the brake pedal.

   NHTSA complaint #11522764 · source
8. Filed Mar 11, 2021105,000 miNYElectrical SystemLighting

   Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact stated that after turning off and exiting the vehicle, the interior lights remained illuminated. Due the failure, the battery was drained on several occasions requiring a jump start to be able to start-up and drive the vehicle. Additionally, the battery had been replaced twice within two months. The contact had taken the vehicle to vision kia of east rochester (201 e linden ave, east rochester, ny 14445) where they informed…

   NHTSA complaint #11400300 · source
9. Filed Jan 4, 2021168,000 miTXLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission has a hard pull when it down shifts from third gear to second gear and a harder pull on first gear this is a automatic transmission. In regular gears going in drive would actually do fine i noticed a week later when i was out driving for about an hour that the car would not go past second gear so i pulled off the road and had my car towed. The vehicle has never had any dashboard lights come on currently my car is in limp mode and will only go in reverse takes a…

   NHTSA complaint #11386509 · source
10. Filed Dec 8, 2020FLLighting

    Lowbeams seem weak/dim. Research showed via kia"2011-2013 my optima/optima hybrid headlamp assembly new vehicle limited warranty extension" that the reflector in the low beam headlamp housing may deteriorate over time, resulting in a gradual dimming of the low beam headlamp. Unfortunately, it only pertains to vehicles manufactured in korea. My vehicle was assembled in georgia, but i believe the headlight housing is the same for both locations. Bottom line, my low beams have…

    NHTSA complaint #11378544 · source
11. Filed Oct 2, 2020GAAirbagsLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

    My gear shift is stuck in drive i can not put it in park if i turn my car off it won't crank back up please help i don't know what to do an this is my everyday car

    NHTSA complaint #11362352 · source
12. Filed Aug 17, 2020100,000 miCALightingOther / Unknown

    I have reason to believe that my car has been hacked due to an incident that occurred approximately one week after being aggressively followed by a mysterious black nissan suv with pitch-black tinted windows at my work location. During the incident in question, i was on the phone with 911, with the bluetooth of my car and phone on and connected, calling about a red car that appeared to be following me. I drove around my block and lost the red car but when i returned back to…

    NHTSA complaint #11349780 · 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