Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 stated while the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, she was unable to close the sunroof and heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealers; Kia of East Hartford (99 Ash St, East Hartford, CT 06108:[phone]) and Gary Rome Kia (809 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082:[phone]) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result, nor the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact pressed on the horn, and the horn failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, upon starting the vehicle and attempting to adjust the driver's side mirror, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the side-view mirror motor. The contact stated that several days later, the abnormal clicking sound ceased, and the driver's side mirror failed to function as intended. On a separate occasion, the passenger's side mirror motor was making an abnormal clicking sound. Several days later, the clicking sound ceased and the passenger's side mirror failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that when driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently and the engine and tire sensor lights illuminated while the failure occurred. The contact was able to move onto the road shoulder inspected under the hood and found smoke and within a moment the flames was under the hood and the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that before the engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to doug smith Kia (495 w main street American fork, ut 84003 phone [phone]) to have NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (engine) performed. The contact also stated that a recall for under frame corrosion protection was also performed. The dealer checked the engine and was unable to see any problem with the engine and provided a free oil change, and replaced dip stick to the orange color. The california fire department extinguish the fire. …
My wife was driving on the freeway at 6:20 p.m in the slow lane at 65 MPH when she heard a loud explosion and the sunroof shattered. There were no vehicles in front of her or around her that could possibly have kicked up a rock or debris from the road. She was also not passing under an overpass or bridge. Luckily, she was able to control the car and was not physically hurt in the incident. This vehicle has a panoramic sunroof and the moving part of the glass sunroof shattered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the windshield area near the vehicles antenna was fractured and deteriorating. The contact mentioned that only the first layer on the rear windshield was fractured as large the size of a baseball. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. The VIN was not available.
I have sent in complaints on my Kia many of times and the one just came out about the latches, mine is not on the recall list. I have had the middle part of my glass crack the windshield that was and still under warranty and more but it seems I am being over looked on my car. I guess the only action to take is a class action lawsuit against Kia America. When you have the proof they still do not believe you.
2012 Kia Optima ex with 48000 miles now driver-side headlight stopped working, so as of now I am driving with passenger sidelight in combination with parking lights. Buying Kia Optima is the biggest mistake I have ever done, it seems every month something goes wrong with this vehicle. Surprisingly NHTSA has not taken any action as per Kia Optima well known defects.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop and the sun roof shattered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
I was driving on the freeway at about 70mph when my panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded. It was not hit by a rock or any sort of debris, it exploded completely on its own without warning. The loud explosion caused me to swerve and panic brake as glass shards rained down on me from the broken sunroof.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Kia Optima, 3% of the model year's 920 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Kia Optima window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.