PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Kia Optima brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Kia Optima have filed 61 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 110,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Optima | 5 |
| 2009 Optima | 10 |
| 2011 Optima | 30 |
| 2012 Optima (this page) | 61 |
| 2013 Optima | 84 |
| 2014 Optima | 22 |
| 2015 Optima | 58 |
| 2016 Optima | 12 |
2crashes
8fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 61 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 61 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 13 model years of Kia Optima in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the brake pedal stopper pad on some 2012-2013MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 through September 27, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad may deteriorate over time, allowing the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. A deteriorated pad can result in the continuous illumination of the stop lamps. If the continuous illumination of the stop lamps is duplicated, follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the brake pedal stopper pad.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (WTY011) - OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. takes pride in providing you with high quality and dependable vehicles. In order to maintain these standards, Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the brake stopper pad on certain 2012-2013 MY Kia Optima vehicles from 5-years/60,000-miles to 15-years/unlimited-miles, starting from the date of first service. The material of the brake pedal stopper pad, which is located between the stop lamp switch and the brake pedal arm, may deteriorate over time allowing the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. A deteriorated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (WTY011) - REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM - 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA BRAKE STOPPER PAD Kia New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (WTY011) - DEALER PRINCIPAL LETTER - Kia Motors America, Inc. is extending the warranty coverage, to all owners, for the brake pedal stopper pad on all 2012-2013 MY Optima (QF) vehicles, manufactured at KMMG, from 5-years/60,000-miles to 15-years/unlimited-miles, starting from the date of first service. The material of the brake pedal stopper pad, which is located between the stop lamp switch and the brake pedal arm, may deteriorate over time allowing the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. A deteriorated pad can result in the continuous illumination of the stop lamps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report brake system fires as the dominant failure mode—multiple incidents where vehicles catch fire under the hood or near the front wheels while driving or parked, with and without prior warning. Several fires consumed vehicles entirely or damaged adjacent property. Brake pedal loss of pressure and unresponsive brakes appear in reports at speeds as low as 40 mph and as high as 65 mph, forcing owners to use parking brakes or emergency measures to stop. ABS activates unexpectedly during normal driving, causing sudden deceleration or near-complete stops without brake pedal input, especially during turns; the ABS warning light typically illuminates when this happens. Brake lights remain illuminated even when the vehicle is turned off, and in some cases, illuminating brake lights cause loss of acceleration response—the gas pedal won't work. Brake master cylinders fail, with pedal sinking to the floorboard after independent repairs. Electrical warning codes and dashboard light malfunctions (check engine, ABS, traction control, tire pressure sensor) flash or illuminate repeatedly, sometimes in clusters. Smoke or burning odors enter the cabin from engine bays and headlight areas. Many owners report recall campaign 23V652000 notification but state repair parts remain unavailable months after notification, leaving dangerous vehicles unrepaired. Dealers frequently cannot diagnose intermittent issues or lack solutions.
Same Kia Optima brakes reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Brake system fire
Vehicle catches fire in engine compartment or under hood, some spreading to adjacent property. Multiple incidents total vehicle loss.
When: 100,000–222,100 miles; some vehicles parked, some in motion at 35–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from under hood or front wheels; Flames visible under hood; Burning smell in cabin; No warning lights prior to fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled by fire; one independent mechanic inspection found serpentine belt not damaged despite manufacturer claim; dealer cleaning of spilled oil noted in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); field inspectors unable or unwilling to perform complete inspections; repairs denied due to parts unavailability or field report findings; no assistance provided in multiple cases
Brake pedal loss of pressure / unresponsive brakes
Brake pedal depressed with no stopping power; vehicle fails to respond to braking input during operation.
When: At 65 mph, 40 mph, 35 mph; at 215,500 miles (one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed with no hydraulic response; Vehicle fails to decelerate despite brake application; No warning light in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Owner used reverse and parking brake to stop vehicle; one case involved independent mechanic replacing brake master cylinder, but failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000; manufacturer field inspection in one case blamed serpentine belt, but independent mechanic contradicted this
ABS activation without brake pedal input
ABS engages unexpectedly during normal driving, causing sudden deceleration or near-complete stops. Vehicle decelerates even when accelerator is pressed.
When: At 127,000 miles (one vehicle for 4 months); 100,000 miles; multiple occurrences per drive (up to 12 times in 30 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; Sudden deceleration without brake pedal touch; Vehicle loses acceleration response when ABS activates; Happens frequently during turns (8/10 times) and straight highway (5/10); Deceleration from 65 mph to 40 mph in seconds
Codes mentioned: ABS code reset by dealers but recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate issue; dealers state they cannot fix without diagnosis; brake booster/ABS making noise in one case; one case required emergency brake engagement during stops
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners cite recall 23V652000; dealer diagnosis states brake booster/ABS malfunction but cannot duplicate; no solutions offered
Brake lights remain illuminated when vehicle off
Brake light stays on continuously after vehicle is turned off. Bulbs blown out on multiple occasions.
When: 24,000–158,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights stay illuminated with ignition off; Taillight bulbs blow out repeatedly; Lights will not extinguish until ignition restarted
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illuminated in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced parking brake switch (one case) and brake boost pump (one case) with no permanent fix; bulbs replaced multiple times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V652000 mentioned by owners; no manufacturer solutions documented
Brake lights illuminated causing loss of acceleration
When brake lights illuminate unexpectedly, vehicle loses acceleration; gas pedal becomes unresponsive until brake pedal is released and vehicle restarted.
When: At freeway speeds; repeated occurrences during single commutes
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal input; Gas pedal unresponsive when brake lights on; Traction control warning illuminates; Issue occurs repeatedly during same drive (45-minute commute)
Codes mentioned: Traction control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report stepping on brakes and releasing to reset lights temporarily; no permanent repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners note recall 17V773000 issued for 2012–2014 Kia Forte for same issue but not extended to Optima
Brake master cylinder failure
Brake pedal goes soft or sinks to floorboard with little resistance.
When: 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks to floorboard; Pedal only requires half-inch to one-inch depression; Soft brake pedal feel
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced brake master cylinder; failure recurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not reported to manufacturer
Vehicle stalls and loses power during operation
Engine loses motive power and stalls without warning; vehicle does not restart.
When: 40–65 mph; 100,000–222,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power while driving; Vehicle stalls; Smoke from engine compartment; Check engine light illuminated; No restart possible
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed engine failure requiring replacement; Kia field inspector suspected spilled oil under hood; one vehicle required engine replacement at owner cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V652000 mentioned; field inspector blamed serpentine belt; manufacturer sent inspector but did not authorize repairs; parts unavailable for recall completion
Electrical warning light malfunctions and dashboard flickering
Multiple warning lights flash, illuminate, or flicker on and off repeatedly. Gauges and indicators malfunction.
When: 18,000–145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; ABS light flashing; Traction control warning light; Tire pressure sensor warning; All dashboard lights flashing simultaneously; Gauges illuminating and de-illuminating repeatedly
Codes mentioned: Check engine, ABS, Traction control, Tire pressure sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate in wet or car wash conditions; no repairs made
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; recalls 23V652000 and 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) mentioned by owners; field inspector conducted limited inspection without lifting vehicle
Smoke or burning smell from engine bay
Gray or white smoke emits from under hood, near headlights, or through air conditioning vents. Burning odor inside cabin.
When: 100,000–222,100 miles; at startup and during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Thick gray smoke from under hood; White smoke from rear of vehicle; Smoke through A/C vents into cabin; Burning smell inside vehicle; Smoke from headlight area or wheel well
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaned spilled oil in one case; no diagnosis of cause in most cases; smoke from headlight area could not be determined by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V652000 and 17V224000 cited; field inspection noted in one case; repairs not covered due to parts unavailability or inconclusive inspection
Recall parts unavailable (Campaign 23V652000)
Owners receive recall notification but repair parts remain unavailable for extended periods. Manufacturers exceed reasonable timeframe for repair completion.
When: Upon recall notification; parts remain unavailable at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Dealer confirms parts not available; Manufacturer confirms parts not yet available; Vehicles remain unrepaired for months
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report extended waiting periods with no repair date or parts availability update; one owner pregnant at time of fire, suffered miscarriage; building caught fire alongside vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); parts distribution disconnect confirmed by VIN tool across multiple complaints; recall repair deferred indefinitely
Synthesized from 61 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-60 MPH with someone in the front passenger seat, she noticed smoke, and then fire coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. Both the contact and her passenger exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire extended…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated after pulling up to her residence and…
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…
Break lights stay on at all times when parked and even when in montion every time.
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2012 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 61 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 24,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.