2012 Chevrolet Cruze 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 Chevrolet Cruze | 2012 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 864 | 919 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,814 | 241 |
| Investigations | 3 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 62 | 25 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 77 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–30 | 26–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 56,283 mi | 82,120 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 267 | 398 |
| Electrical System | 196 | 122 |
| Steering | 103 | 188 |
| Service Brakes | 142 | 52 |
| Power Train | 137 | 54 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 108 | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 51 | 40 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 48 | 42 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 88 | 73 |
| Loss of power | 57 | 49 |
| Stalling | 56 | 110 |
| Overheating | 47 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 31 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 30 | 22 |
| Vibration / shaking | 20 | 32 |
| Steering problems | 14 | 0 |
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
2012 Kia Optima
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze 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.