2012 Kia Optima problems
The 2012 Kia Optima was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.7 CRDi. The 1.7 CRDi has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, one documented fault affects 2012 cars, such as aBS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire risk.
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2012 Kia Optima score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 6 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine6.25 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes7.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering6.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Kia Optima
- Score: 6.3 → 6.7
- No longer affected by: intermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switch (rest of the car)
1.7 CRDi engine in the 2012 Kia Optima
Names: 1.7 CRDi
- With caution
1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)
115–141 hp · D4FD
An engine with no documented catastrophic failure, but with a specific and persistent cold-weather problem (turbo, diesel filter, glow plugs) and the emissions-system (EGR, DPF) and injection (injectors, high-pressure pump) wear usual in a common rail diesel of its generation; it is worth checking the maintenance history for these items, especially if the car is used in winter or on short urban journeys.[3][4]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjectors that lose calibration with mileageThe 1.7 CRDi's common rail injectors can lose their factory calibration with mileage or because of poor-quality diesel, causing vibration at idle and black smoke from the exhaust; the unburned fuel that ends up diluting the oil also means oil change intervals need to be shortened.Repair (garage): €80–€350
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelHigh-pressure fuel pump failureThe common rail system's high-pressure pump can fail at around 80,000-100,000 km, with hard cold starts, an uneven idle and power loss; if ignored, there is a risk of metal debris contaminating the rest of the injection system.Repair (garage): €650–€2,000Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTurboSeized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when coldIn cold weather (below 10-15 °C), the 1.7 CRDi can suddenly lose power and even stall; the engine restarts after a few seconds. A documented fault that combines the turbo's variable-geometry actuator with the diesel filter and the glow plugs.Repair (garage): €150–€1,200
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsAs in most diesels of its generation, the 1.7 CRDi's EGR valve builds up carbon deposits with urban use and short cold journeys, which causes power loss and an uneven idle and can switch on the engine or emissions warning light.Repair (garage): €60–€350
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlParticulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban useIn cars used mainly on short urban journeys (under 15-20 km), the 1.7 CRDi's particulate filter never completes its regeneration cycle and becomes saturated with soot; according to the source consulted, it is the most common problem of this engine in the Hyundai ix35.Repair (garage): €250–€1,200
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Kia Optima
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Kia Optima reliable?
The 2012 Kia Optima was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.7 CRDi. The 1.7 CRDi has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, one documented fault affects 2012 cars, such as aBS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire risk.
Is the 2012 Kia Optima better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 6.3 in 2011 to 6.7 in 2012. No longer affected by: intermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switch (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Kia Optima?
According to our score, the best are 2015, 2014, 2013 and 1 other years with the same score (6.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2011 (6.3/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Kia Optima have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: aBS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire risk (brakes, critical severity), injectors that lose calibration with mileage (1.7 CRDi, high severity), high-pressure fuel pump failure (1.7 CRDi, high severity), seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold (1.7 CRDi, medium severity) and eGR valve clogged with carbon deposits (1.7 CRDi, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Kia Optima? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Kia OptimaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi Emotion Eco-Dynamics a prueba (II). Dinámica y motorDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 28 June 2012 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Kia Sportage 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Hyundai iX35 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish