KiaOptima2012Overview/kia/optima/2012/base/

2012 Kia Optima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Optima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Kia Optima is a midsize passenger car powered by a four-cylinder engine requiring 4.8 quarts of oil with a recommended viscosity of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API grade. This model year arrived during a period of notably increasing consumer complaints for the Optima lineup, as the 2012 recorded 916 total owner complaints with engine issues representing the primary concern, accompanied by five manufacturer recalls. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 2001 to 2020, the 2012 falls between the 2010 model's low point of just 75 complaints and the 2013 peak of 1,371 complaints, suggesting this generation was entering a phase of declining reliability performance. The complaint trajectory indicates that prospective owners or researchers should consider the 2012 Optima as a vehicle that marks a transition point in the model's overall dependability record.

Model year2020201920182017201620152012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3490 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Optima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2012 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012EX 2.4L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec200 hpFWD
2011SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.50 sec274 hpFWD
2011SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.00 sec274 hpFWD
2011SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-46.50 sec274 hpFWD
2011SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.60 sec274 hpFWD
2011SX Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec274 hpFWD
2011EX 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.20 sec200 hpFWD
2011EX 2.4L I-47.90 sec16.10 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.7
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-..68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing6, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Capacity3.70-4.40 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.18 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72.0-73.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance1.25 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance1.18-1.31 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression135-156 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.393 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.393 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.33 in / 1.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs, Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
At 30,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Kia Optima sits in the middle of a sharp escalation in federal complaints and activity. After a relatively quiet 2010 with only 75 complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations, volumes jumped dramatically in 2011 to 590 complaints, 5 recalls, and 7 investigations, then continued climbing in 2012 to 916 complaints while recalls and investigations held flat at 5 and 7 respectively. The 2012 model year is part of a three-year peak arc—2011 to 2013—before 2013 hit the generation's highest complaint count at 1,371 and 2014 began a downward trend. Top owner-reported concerns for 2012 center on engine (270 complaints) and steering (146 complaints), with notable fire (76) and crash (25) reports, though the data does not specify root causes. Given that 2012 is on the rising side of this activity curve and precedes the even more troubled 2013 model, it is not the strongest choice within this generation; a buyer should weigh the lower prices against the elevated complaint, recall, and fire-reporting profile and verify any open recalls and service history before purchasing.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
241
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
916
Owner complaints
25 involved a crash · 76 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 916 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine270
Steering146
Unknown Or Other45
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Power Train22
Electrical System22
Service Brakes22
Electrical System,Engine21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

18V363000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 01/06/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short… Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS23122025-12-17StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR2025-12-17StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Optima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Optima take?

4.8 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Optima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.