Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 passenger's side headlight. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the dealer could not determine the cause of the smoke. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
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 presented a severe fire risk and safety hazard. 2. Dealer Misconduct & Illegal Charges: I towed the vehicle to Kia on the Boulevard (11295 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia) for the active engine recall remedy. The dealership: * Refused to perform the recall repair free of charge. * Forced me to pay a $199 "diagnostic fee" just to look at the recall-related defect, which should be covered by the manufacturer. …
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 car is off causing the tail lights to stay on so the lights is what is draining the battery the lights stay on all night in a car the battery dies but the battery nor the lights is the issue it's the brakes
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 came on and still is on.
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.
Exiting hwy 71 east bound to woodward decreasing speed the vehicle in front of me had a car cut in front of her. I had a safe distance and slammed my brakes. My brakes did not grab as usual my car did not stop and I hit the vehicle in front of me. I truly believe my brake system failed. I will take my car into Kia when I get it back.
About 4 years ago the headlights on my 2012 Kia Optima sx starting getting dim. I took it in to the dealer and they replaced bulbs which made no difference. I took it in again about 2 years ago because it was becoming difficult to see at night. They couldn't figure out the problem. They had my car overnight so the service tech drove it that evening to see how bad it was. He told me that he turned up a dark road, turned the car around, flipped the high beams on so he could find his way back to the dealership. He told me that it scared the you-know-what out of him and he was sorry but all he could do is replace the entire headlight assemblies and it would cost me $2500.00! I went online to see if others were having this problem and I see hundreds of complaints about this problem. I no longer drive the car at night and have to rely on my husband for transportation after dark. …
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 few seconds to initiate an engage to go into first gear.dealership does not really want to look at the vehicle if it does not have a check engine light code I have no idea what is wrong with this transmission I have 168,000 miles. …
Issue started 2 months ago. Noticed that vehicle acceleration is sluggish. Sometimes I have to take foot off the acceleration pedal then depress it again in order for vehicle to accelerate. Acceleration is unreliable and dangerous. Electronic stability sensor also started lighting up and cruise control became inoperable. Also noticed that my tail lights lit up on its own (and did not turn off) while vehicle is parked and fob not near vehicle, draining the battery. Police came by in the middle of the night to report that my tail lights were on. Tail light did not turn off when pressing the fob unlock/lock button. Had to restart the engine, drive around the block then turn off engine before the tail lights came off... But it turned back on again on its own that same night (in the middle of the night) and had to repeat the process. My battery was drained and had to replace it 3 days ago. …
Headlight complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2012 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the lights of the 2012 Kia Optima, 3% of the model year's 920 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Kia Optima headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2012 Kia Optima, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Optima headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.