| 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%)
Chart based on 129 repairs.
2012 Kia Optima engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (5%)
$1000 - $2499 (5%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (5%)
< $100 (86%)
Chart based on 22 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2012 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 35000 mi | Engine replaced |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 50000 mi | Common wastegate issue on the forums. Adjusted wastegate actuator rod to match spec. No problems since. |
| 81800 mi US $1081 |
Missing under acceleration. Bad high pressure fuel pump. |
| 91000 mi US $150 |
Going into limp mode under hard acceleration. Bad EWGA( Electronic Waste Gate Actuator). Replaced. |
| 67400 mi | Waste gate readjusted again. Has been done every oil change and other services. Never stays adjusted. |
| 14880 mi | Engine started missing at low RPM & low speed, & at highway speed. Took to dealer, determined two spark plugs had "melted themselves" - all 4 replaced. Read forums - a manufacturing fault from spark plug maker. Covered under warranty. Engine started missing at low RPM & low speed, & at highway speed. Took to dealer, determined two spark plugs had "melted themselves". Read forums - a manufacturing fault from spark plug maker. Covered under warranty. |
| 60000 mi | Recall on the engine. Small part replaced. |
| 18000 mi | Turbo would not engage when temp was below 50F. Had to turn car off and on again to engage. |
| 37200 mi | Independent mechanic noted oil dripping around oil pan and undercarriage during oil change. Dealer said they did not notice oil leaking, but replaced oil pan gasket under warranty. |
| 15000 mi | Car was driving sluggishly. |
| 15300 mi | Car was sluggish. There was some kind of adjustment needed to the waste gate for the turbo. Apparently it is a known issue as it is all over the forums and the service guy knew what the fix was before they got into the car. |
| 3000 mi | Turbocharger waste gate actuator adjustment. No parts were replaced, only adjusted back to proper specs. The car was about a month old or so when the TSB was caught by the service tech. |
| 22000 mi | oil pan leak |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 136000 mi US $3000 |
Engine timing gasket had a leak, timing belt was also replaced, |
| 98000 mi US $25 |
Car is using oil about 2qts between 5kmi oil changes. Dealer is performing oil consumption test. |
| 45000 mi | Coolant leaking. Dealer could not replicate. |
| 36700 mi | Radiator developed hairline crack and was replaced. |
| 49200 mi US $19 |
Gas filler cap stopped making clicking sound. Dealer would not cover under warranty claiming wear and tear caused the issue. I purchased and installed a new gas filler gap. |
| 87500 mi | I noticed the coolant level in the overflow reservoir was low but I was unable to determine the source. I took car to a mechanic who determined that the water pump is leaking through the weeping hole, provided a quote to replace water pump Took vehicle to dealer to look into leaking water pump, since water pump is under warranty until 100k. Dealer could not duplicate the issue. |
| 47120 mi | High pressure fuel pump controller failed. Car went into limp mode when automatic transmission was in drive. Manual transmission mode worked. Part was back-ordered, but dealer provided a loaner SUV for the week. |
| 24180 mi | Check engine on; error code read: P0087- fuel rail pressure too low; high pressure fuel pump was defective and was replaced.The car now runs alright again. The repair was effective and efficient. |
| 24000 mi | There was a small leak around the oil pan. Fixed under warranty |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
166-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Engine check light was on because a contact was loose for the hybrid system. It worked ok, but needed to be found and corrected. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.
