2012 Acura TL vs 2012 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Acura TL | 2012 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 130 | 919 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 114 | 241 |
| Investigations | 1 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 25 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 77 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–23 | 26–36 |
| Median reported mileage | 60,000 mi | 82,120 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Acura TL | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 398 |
| Steering | 25 | 188 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 122 |
| Air Bags | 43 | 48 |
| Power Train | 27 | 54 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 52 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 40 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 42 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 22 |
| Vibration / shaking | 8 | 32 |
| Stalling | 7 | 110 |
| Oil consumption | 7 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 5 | 74 |
| Airbag warning light | 5 | 19 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 73 |
2012 Acura TL
2012 Kia Optima
Compare all Acura TL vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.