2012 Dodge Challenger vs 2012 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Dodge Challenger | 2012 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 253 | 919 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 166 | 241 |
| Investigations | 1 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 11 | 25 |
| Fire reports | 8 | 77 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–21 | 26–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 54,490 mi | 82,120 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Challenger | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 25 | 398 |
| Electrical System | 138 | 122 |
| Steering | 19 | 188 |
| Air Bags | 47 | 48 |
| Power Train | 17 | 54 |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 52 |
| Structure | 7 | 39 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 40 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 30 | 110 |
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 19 |
| Electrical failures | 9 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 8 | 73 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 49 |
| Battery drain | 7 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 5 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 74 |
2012 Dodge Challenger
2012 Kia Optima
Compare all Dodge Challenger 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.