| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2012 Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (19%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)
Brakes and Traction Control (7%)
Suspension and Steering (11%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (22%)
Other (3%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 129 repairs.
2012 Kia Optima electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (21%)
< $100 (76%)
Chart based on 33 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 42700 mi | Parking brake light stays on after being disengaged. |
| 56300 mi | The lighted Kia door sill burnt out. Assembly replaced. |
| 52000 mi | Back-up camera failed. |
| 40000 mi US $5 |
Backup camera wouldn't come on. Took apart camera and blasted with WD40, and greased the o-rings to keep water out. No issues since. |
| 91000 mi US $150 |
Would not cool. Made "breathing" noise. Manifold gauges showed small pressure differential. Replaced A/C expansion valve, vacuumed system, and recharged. |
| 4000 mi | UVO system not working with iPod |
| 9300 mi | Heated seats didn't seem to be working. Dealer determined the switch was faulty and caused all four seats to not heat. Ordered part, will repair under warranty later in the month. iPhone will connect to Bluetooth but contact list won't sync. Was told it's a firmware issue with the navigation system, and cannot be fixed until the new firmware is released. |
| 9500 mi | Heated seat switch was replaced. Heated seats still not working, booked to find out actual cause. |
| 10540 mi | Finally solved heated seat - problem stemmed from the factory - wiring harness prong bent - caused a short circuit and the fault in the heated seats. Took 6 months to solve! |
| 14000 mi | battery died with less than 15k miles and 23 months old... |
| 44000 mi US $88 |
Driver bottom seat heater not functioning. Elements replaced |
| 14000 mi | Backup camera |
| 10800 mi | The driver-side seat heater is not working. |
| 12200 mi | Back up camera needed to be replaced because of condensation build up inside the camera |
| 155000 mi US $450 |
Left headlight stoped working |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 32240 mi | Trip odometers 1&2 resetting intermittently; digital gas gauge erratic readings occasionally; may be due to cold weather. Booked a service call; no problems determined; will probably book another service call if problems re-occur. |
| 26000 mi US $106 |
Replaced battery |
| 136000 mi | Air conditioning van selector motor has failed. The entire air conditioning system replacement was recommended for $3,600. No repair was done due to high cost |
| 11000 mi US $180 |
Rodent damage to fog light wiring and windshield washer tubing. |
| 35700 mi | A/C would make a moaning noise when under 30mph and coasting. A/C would periodically go "humid", then return to cold. The valve on the inside the compressor was replaced on the first visit, didn't fix it. |
| 37000 mi | A/C fixed on second attempt after waiting for a new compressor. They ordered a 2014 compressor since they've been having lock-up problems with the 11+12's. Once it was totally replaced, everything's ok. |
| 26000 mi | XM receiver stopped getting a signal. It was continuously hunting for a signal – everywhere. Dealer replaced the radio unit but this did not resolve issue. Dealer ordered new antenna and installed it. Issue seems to have been resolved. |
| 45000 mi | TPMS light on. Tire pressure set correctly. |
| 70795 mi | Condensation under backup camera lenses. Blurred video. Backup camera replaced under Goodwill warranty |
| 46400 mi | Factory backup camera failed. Camera was replaced under warranty |
| 52000 mi US $129 |
Vinegar smell in cabin attributed to bacterial growth in AC vent system. Service of AC vent cleared the issue. |
| 61000 mi | Steering wheel station/preset control would change to FM2, AM etc and mute randomly while changing stations. The switch module was replaced twice. The 1st replacement failed 2 days later. |
| 104000 mi US $45 |
AC would not turn on, just blowing air. Refrigerant was a little low. The system was evacuated dye addes and refilled, but while refilling the high side psi went high and would not take more refrigerant. There was a blockage. The compressor, evaporator, expansion valve were all replaced. Bad electrical socket for rear brake light. Replaced the right tailight harness |
| 4700 mi | Radio died |
| 7000 mi | Rear view camera stayed on while in drive, would not switch off unless car was restarted. |
| 18000 mi | Speaker in passenger door was distorted. Dealer replaced speaker |
| 33000 mi | Bluetooth software update...replaced backup camera |
| 64000 mi US $233 |
Replaced windshield washer pump |
| 18600 mi | Navigation system produced Windows Error message is driven over about 1.5 hours and required reboot to fix. Problem unknown, pulled computer and diagnosed, no resolution, will probably replace system. Was proved with a loaner for the day. |
| 19100 mi | System replaced this week with a totally new model (warrenty covered). Upgraded graphics, faster performance, better interface, knows speed limits, not the same model that's for sure. Perhaps the nav system from the 2014 model. |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
166-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 44700 mi | dealer says camera part of radio and radio out of warranty. Raised to Kia mid July, 2016. Radio and camera parts replaced. No charge. |
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