When driving the vehicle the engine light is on & under the hood is smoking . It smells like burnt rubber or just burning something. This started happening right after the engine light came on. It’s not safe to drive my vehicle at this point
2012 Kia Optima electrical problems
severe 95 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
95
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
17fires
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 95 electrical 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 16 model years of Kia Optima in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I received a safety call notice my car was still working fine I’m waiting for the next notice according to this notice and my car breaks down still no notice said to call the number on it I did nothing, THE CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF THE FREAKIN TRAFFIC ON A GREEN LIGHT ALL CARS GOING FAST BEEPING AT ME AND MY CAR WONT TURN ON ITS RAINING AND MY HUSBAND IS PASSENGER THANK GOD MY BABY WASNT W ME BUT…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 95 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 51 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 48,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.