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Service bulletins for the 2012 Kia Optima

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

294 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Electrical system are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
WTY014_PSM2019-07-04. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WTY014_PSM: This document is the notification to the Parts and Service Managers advising them of the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid vehicles.
WTY014_OWNR2019-07-04. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. wty014_OWNR: This document is the Owner Notification Letter advising the customers of the Warranty Extension on the Headlamp Assembly on the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
WTY014_DP2019-07-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.
TSBELE1812019-07-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. TSB: TF/TF-HEV HEADLAMP INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and/or replace the headlamp assembly on some 2011-2013 MY Optima (TF, TF-HEV) vehicles produced from August 12, 2010 to December 12, 2013. The internal reflective chrome film in the low beam headlamp housing may deteriorate over time, resulting in gradual dimming of the low beam headlamp(s). Follow the headlamp assembly inspection and/or replacement outlined in this bulletin.
TSB_PI1803_R22019-06-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1803) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
TSBENG205_R12019-04-30. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK & ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION (SA379) - This bulletin provides information related to an expanded diagnostic test that is now required on a number of vehicles previously diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") P1326. Using the procedures published in TSB PI1802W/X and PI1803W/X, the subject vehicles were diagnosed and determined to require an engine replacement and are currently being held at dealers pending repair. As a result of additional field data collection and analysis, the initial diagnosis method has been updated to improve test result accuracy. Prior to performing an engine replacement on any of the VINs affected by this Service Action, the engine condition needs to be re-assessed utilizing an updated/expanded diagnostic process.
TSBENG2052019-04-30. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK & ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION (SA379) - This bulletin provides information related to an expanded diagnostic test that is now required on a number of vehicles previously diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") P1326. Using the procedures published in TSB PI1802W/X and PI1803W/X, the subject vehicles were diagnosed and determined to require an engine replacement and are currently being held at dealers pending repair. As a result of additional field data collection and analysis, the initial diagnosis method has been updated to improve test result accuracy. Prior to performing an engine replacement on any of the VINs affected by this Service Action, the engine condition needs to be re-assessed utilizing an updated/expanded diagnostic process.
PI1803_OWN#2_OPT2019-04-30. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. OWNER LETTER: Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on all 2011-2013 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ("GDI") and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI ("T-GDI") engines, and some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L T-GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit ("ECU").
PS515_R22019-03-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: DTC P1B25/P1B77 ? 125 AMP HV FUSE INSPECTION - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. When addressing a concern related to the 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) High Voltage (HV) warning light ON and KDS detects a primary DTC P1B25 (HV Path Fault) and secondary DTC P1B77 (HV Pre-Charge Fault), then the 125 Amp High Voltage Battery Fuse (red label), if not yet replaced with the newer 150 Amp, should be inspected for an intermittent and/or an open condition. The high voltage fuse is part of the safety plug located in the trunk.
PS5872019-02-19. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: P/HEV NO START ? SHIFT BEFORE READY - This Pitstop provides information regarding possible customer complaint of intermittent ?No-Start?.
TSBCHA0912018-12-17. Service bulletin. STEERING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly on some models listed below, which may exhibit a ticking noise while turning the steering wheel with the vehicle stopped. This condition is caused by a worn lining on the steering gear box yoke assembly. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly with updated parts.
TSBCHA0842018-12-17. Service bulletin. STEERING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: REPLACEMENT OF C-MDPS MOTOR AND/OR ECU - This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor and/or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on the listed Kia models with a column mounted C-MDPS unit. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin.
PS5812018-12-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: HYBRID HV BATTERY SOC GAUGE (PS581) - This Pitstop provides information regarding the State of Charge (SOC) gauge on all Kia Hybrid P/HEV) vehicles. Normal operation of the HEV SOC gauge is between 40-60%. This is to allow for regeneration and degeneration of the HEV battery.
VPI1803_TSB2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - TSB - ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE UPDATE - This document is the Technical Service Bulletin for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
VPI1803_QA2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE UPDATE - This document is the Q & A for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
VPI1803_OWNER_OP2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on all 2011-2013 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (?GDI?) and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (?T-GDI?) engines, and some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L T-GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (?ECU?).
VPI1803_DSM2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - DEALER SERVICE MANAGER LETTER - Attention: All Kia Dealer Service Managers, Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
VPI1803_DP2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1803) - DEALER PRINCIPAL LETTER - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals, Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
WTY011_OWNER2018-10-09. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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 pad can result in the continuous illumination of the stop lamps.
WTY011_DPSM2018-10-09. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (WTY011) - DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER 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.
DC_201808282018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. DEALER COMMUNICATION - RECENT KIA MEDIA REPORTS - Dear Kia Retailer, You and your customers may have seen recent media reports regarding thermal incidents in Kia vehicles or NHTSA?s announcement of the opening of a Defect Petition for fire cases involving the 2011-14 Sorentos and Optimas, and I want to update you on KMA?s response to this issue. All automobiles contain combustible materials and a vehicle fire may be a result of any number of complex factors which must be carefully evaluated by trained technicians to, if possible, determine its cause and, ultimately, determine if a defect trend exists. At Kia, customer safety is paramount and although both KMA and NHTSA have independently concluded that no defect trends exist, KMA has significantly increased its committed resources to ensure that all thermal incidents are fully evaluated.
TSBTRA068_CLOSED2018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. TSB: HCU/TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1744 (400 MESH EQUIPPED TRANSMISSIONS ONLY) - TSB TRA068 CLOSED. REFER TO TSB TRA079/SA351
TSBELE1512018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: BMS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AFTER HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Battery Management System (BMS) on some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from February 15, 2011 through July 22, 2015, to match the new generation high voltage (HV) battery assemblies.
TSBELE1472018-06-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB - BMS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1B70 - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Battery Management System (BMS) on some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from February 15, 2011 through July 22, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination with DTC P1B70 even though there is no actual malfunction.
TSBELE091R32017-12-22. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.