2012 Kia Optima safety record
Crash-test ratings, severity signals from owner complaints, fatal-crash involvement and safety recalls — all from official federal sources.
★★★★★
NHTSA overall rating (5/5)
25
complaints reporting a crash
77
complaints reporting fire
5
safety recall campaigns
NHTSA 5-star crash test ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Tested: 2012 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
Among NHTSA complaints for this model year, 22 report injuries (34 people injured). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Fatal crash records (FARS 2020–2023). 2012 Kia Optima vehicles were involved in 72 fatal crashes with 41 occupant deaths in federal crash records. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Crash- and fire-risk recalls
- Fire riskHydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short… · Sep 25, 2023
- Crash riskRight and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result… · Aug 1, 2022
- Fire riskHigh pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been… · Dec 19, 2018
- Crash riskIn the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit… · Jun 1, 2018
- Crash riskMachining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature… · Mar 31, 2017