2012 Kia Optima service brakes problems
52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes on the 2012 Kia Optima — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought this car February 2026 when I drove it on the freeway they car felt wiggly not the axle is broke and the wheel bearings stop the car from going”
filed Jun 3, 2026
“When the brake pedal is pressed on the brakes will grab. It snatches the car kinda hard. Also when you give the car gas it will hesitate and will not accelerate. Another with the gas is that you can be driving at a higher speed such as 45 to 55 or so and you press down the gas pedal like your going…”
filed Feb 28, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can…Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Service Brakes problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 7 | 5% |
| 2019 Optima | 18 | 9% |
| 2018 Optima | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 Optima | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 Optima | 21 | 3% |
| 2015 Optima | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 Optima | 25 | 4% |
| 2013 Optima | 58 | 4% |
| 2011 Optima | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 Optima | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 Optima | 17 | 15% |
| 2008 Optima | 2 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.