10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,787 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Optima body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Jan 062023

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Body paint chipping. Is known issue when speaking to insurance, Kia dealer and paint body repair.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #30

Jul 052024

Optima

  • miles
Snow White Pearl Paint is peeling at numerous location Rear driver's side window button not working Siruis XM radio not working.Dealt with XM and stated it was a Kia antenna however Kia tells me its Sirius xm problem

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #29

Nov 162022

Optima

  • miles
My vehicle has not repaired. I have not been in an accident. However there are two open safety recalls for my car and I am terrified that myself or someone else is going to be injured or even killed due to this problem has yet to be resolved. The first recall for my car is the headliner plates. I took my car into my local dealership (Stokes Kia of Goose Creek) and they told me it would take 10 business days before they could inspect my car and determine what the problem is (it-??s a recall so I don-??t understand why they would have to identify a problem that was clear in recall letter). However, I asked if they would repair my car within that 10 day period if they -??identified-?? the problem. They told me it could take an additional 10 business days or longer for the repair (for them to get around to fix it because they were extremely backed up). I asked if I would be provided a loaner vehicle or rental and they told me no. They instructed to try the other Kia dealership which is much further away from me. I ended up trying the other Kia dealership. However, they told me they would not provide a loaner car but they did schedule an appointment for my repair. They told me it should not take long for the repair but they could have my car for about 3 days until they can get around to fixing it. I went along because I wanted the issue fixed so I prepared to make arrangements for the possibility that I wouldn-??t have a car for 3 days. However, like the day or so before my appointment Kia Country called me saying that the parts for the repair were on a national back order and that I would be notified when they are available. I have yet to notified. Now there is another serious recall that there is no remedy for. I am extremely uncomfortable with my car with these recalls that can-??t be fixed. This is not my fault so I shouldn-??t have to suffer or be without a car due to these problems. I want to know what other options do I have?

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #28

Apr 122024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I did not know about this recall and my dad was driving my car caught on fire and blew up now I do not have a car please help.

- Jasper, AL, USA

problem #27

Jan 012020

Optima

  • miles
Paint has began chipping and p Delamanating starting on the driver side column and hood.

- Denver, NC, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #26

Jan 012019

Optima

  • miles
My car is a 2013 Kia Optima. It has been chipping about 1 year after I purchased it. Now its just real real bad. It is the pearl white and chipped on the hood, roof, passenger side door behind the driver side, top of trunk, side of trunk, front of the hood. It looks horrible.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #25

Oct 122022

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Door latches lock you in the vehicle, currently 67k original miles, both front door latches would not allow you to exit car, at 50-51k miles, the window must be down, and to get out, crawl out, or reach out, pull outside handle and open door, then put up window, reset latch so it aligns, close door. If cars on fire and window up from inside, you can-??t get out! You will burn up w/car and passengers, because you-??re trapped by door from getting out.

- Kenneth City, FL, USA

problem #24

Jul 072023

Optima

  • miles
SUNROOF TRIM SEAL LOOSE, The rubber seal/trim catching under the sunroof glass.

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

problem #23

May 152013

Optima

  • miles
My first year of buying my KIA brand new, I started having small chips in the paint. It started near the sides of window frame and hood first. I was baffled that the paint was already chipping but related it to highway driving and assumes it was rock chips. Then about the third year of owning the car, a big chunk came off the roof. One big chuck right at the front and also near the back drivers door. Now those spots are becoming more and more visible as the paint is starting to come off in chunks. It is not completely off the car yet but you can see where it is bubbled and separating from the metal

- Crystal , MO, USA

problem #22

Sep 272022

Optima

  • miles
Vehicle was broken into and stolen-??steering wheel column damage, wheel locked, wreck-??usb cord used to crank car..police report filed #2209013764ME

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #21

Jul 052018

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Delamination of the white pearl paint.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #20

Aug 012017

Optima

  • miles
Several areas on my vehicle the paint is chipping in large chunks. The paint is not fading but coming off. I enquired to the dealership about this years ago but they said it was not in warranty for that anymore. The only reason im enquiring about it now is because I see many vehicles (kia optima in pearl white) on the road with the similar issue as me.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 022021

Optima

  • miles
A few months ago the paint on my car begin to bubble, chip, and peel away. The paint color is Snow white and I have been informed of and read a lot about de-lamination occurring in the pearl and snow white paint of some Kia models. The car has not been involved any accidents and is in great condition aside from the unknown cause of the paint chipping.

- San Jacinto, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 092021

Optima

  • miles
While driving at the speed limit on July 9th 2021 my kia optima started smoking within a minute of us pulling over the front of the car was on fire

- Hermitage, TN, USA

problem #17

Dec 272019

Optima

  • miles
I was merging back onto the freeway after I had a panic attack due to being over a bridge with all these cars and the car behind me proceeds to aggressively try to cut me off from getting over and hit the back of my car causing damage.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 292019

Optima

  • 112,400 miles
Hello I am not sure if this is the correct place to seek information or file an compliant about what I think is a defect in Kia motors paint on this models that was painted with white. While driving I seen paint start to fly off my hood of car. My car is kept inside so this should not be happening. I contacted Kia motors and rep stated they are aware of issue but cant paint all cars with flaking or peeling paint. I asked if their is a known issue or problem with model and year why would you not offer some type of reimburse/ assistance or recall to correct. She stated to hold and came back to say her boss said the company would go broke. After the conversation phone hung up. I have called left message with live person that say they would call back and no one has. In looking for the number to contact Kia motors. I ran across a forum that other have contacted Kia motor about same issue. Can/will you help with this. The problem /issue is with Kia motors white pearl paint on 2011-2016 cars and trucks. They all are peeling inf=G flaking in the saime area. Top back trunk, driver side back quarter and hood. The link if you would look into is (1) https://Kia-motors.pissedconsumer.com/2013-Kia-Optima-sx-paint-chipping-and-flaking-off-201802151190418/2.html (2)https://Kia-motors.pissedconsumer.com/2013-Kia-Optima-sx-paint-chipping-and-flaking-off-201802151190418/3.html (3)(4)https://3dbodyworks.com/Pennsylvania-can-fix-peeling-snow-white-pearl-Hyundai-Chevrolet-Toyota-Kia/ (5)https://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/Kia-motors-bad-paint-C644680.html thank you for your time

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #15

Apr 092019

Optima

  • 101,000 miles
On 4/9/19, my vehicle caught fire while I was driving it from my work on way to simi valley first Kia dealership. I was on 118 freeway westbound in slow lane in chatsworth, ca. Onto freeway shoulder to call aaa when a stranger pulled up ahead of me, got out of his car, ran towards me shouting to me to get out, the car was on fire beneath level of the windows so I couldnt see the fire.. I got out, it blew up, & was totalled. No collision occurred. My witness saved my life. He took a video.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 122019

Optima

  • miles
Side mirror stopped working driver side. The motor from power fold mirror keeps running non stop making the grinding noise and also causing the battery to drain.

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

problem #13

Sep 252018

Optima

  • 43,000 miles
I was driving my car in union NJ on September 25 2018. I was on my way to pick up my next passenger doing uber. When I get to the stop light less than a mile away from the customer I start seen smoke coming from the hood of the car. I accelerate the car so I can look for a safe spot to get out and inspect the vehicle. I took a right into the school parking lot and when I came out the vehicle the car was on fire! there was a police officer minutes within the car catching on fire and called the firefighters. Police called back up and another patrol officer came. Firefighters came in about 5 minutes and turned the fire off. The vehicle in totaled, everything in the engine bay burned. The police called a towing company and seton towing Inc came and took the car.

- Glenwood, NJ, USA

problem #12

Oct 032018

Optima

  • 98,000 miles
Driving my 2012 Kia Optima on the highway. Noticed the smell of smoke then visually saw smoke. Began to pull over and flames began to billow from under the hood. The brakes were not operational. Rolled to a stop and exited the vehicle. Car was fully engulfed within a minute.

- Miami, FL, USA

Read the next 11 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?