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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: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
PS3222017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. PIT STOP: DTC P0456 AND CHARCOAL CANISTER LEAKS - When addressing a concern related to a DTC P0456 (Evaporative Emissions System ? Small Leak Detected), and an inspection of the vapor lines, connections and fuel cap reveal no abnormalities, closely inspect the mounting holes of the charcoal canister for visible cracks.
WTY004OWNER2017-03-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. OWNER LETTER: WTY004 - DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING YOU WITH HIGH QUALITY AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLES. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THESE STANDARDS, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE, TO ALL OWNERS, FOR THE ENGINE’S “SHORT BLOCK” ASSEMBLY ON 2011-2014 MODEL YEAR OPTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L GDI OR 2.0L TURBO GDI TO 10 YEARS STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THE SHORT BLOCK CONSISTS OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS AND BEARINGS AND PISTONS. THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION ADDRESSES ISSUES WITH CONNECTING ROD WEAR WHICH RESULTS IN KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE KNOCKING NOISE INCREASES IN FREQUENCY AS THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN WITH A WORN CONNECTING ROD BEARING, THE BEARING CAN FAIL AND MAY RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE.
WTY004FORM2017-03-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY004 - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE YOUR ENGINE REPAIRED/REPLACED DUE TO CONNECTING ROD FAILURE, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC., P.O. BOX 52410, IRVINE, CA 92619-2410, 1-800-333-4542
WTY004DEALERPSM2017-03-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: WTY004 - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY (ENGINE BLOCK, CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS AND BEARINGS AND PISTONS) ON ALL 2011-2014 MODEL YEAR OPTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L GDI OR 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINE TO 10 YEARS STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE OWNER IS AN ORIGINAL OR SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE OWNER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION IS TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH CONNECTING ROD AND BEARING WEAR THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. OPTIMA HYBRID VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM.
WTY004BULLETINR12017-03-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. WARRANTY BULLETIN: WTY004 - 2011-2014 MY OPTIMA (TF/QF) ENGINE SHORT BLOCK WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY004) - THIS WARRANTY BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE EXTENSION OF THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY (ENGINE BLOCK, CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS AND BEARINGS AND PISTONS) ON ALL 2011-2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.4L GDI OR 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINE TO 10 YEARS STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE OWNER IS AN ORIGINAL OR SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE OWNER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION IS TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH CONNECTING ROD AND BEARING WEAR THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. OPTIMA HYBRID VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION.
SC135QA2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. Q AND A (SC135/WTY009) - EVAPORATIVE CANISTER VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM
SC135OWNER2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC135) - DEAR KIA OWNER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER IN YOUR VEHICLE.
SC135DEALERPSM2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOLLOWING KIA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, MAY EXHIBIT AN EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAK DUE TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT
SC135DEALERP2017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PRINCIPALS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOLLOWING KIA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, MAY EXHIBIT AN EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAK DUE TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT
TSBSC1352017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: EVAPORATIVE CANISTER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC135) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER ASSEMBLY ON SOME OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SOME OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2011 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SOME RONDO (UN) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010, AND SOME SEDONA (VQ) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 17, 2014. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF TWENTY-EIGHT (28) SALT BELT STATES MAY EXPERIENCE A LEAK DETECTION WARNING OF THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH DTC(S) P0442 OR P0455. FOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF THE TWENTY-EIGHT (28) SALT BELT STATES, (AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV, KS, KY, NE, ND, SD AND UT), THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER WILL BE INSPECTED, AND IF NO LEAK IS FOUND, THE MOUNTING BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART. IF A CRACK IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER IS FOUND, THE CANISTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF AFFECTED VINS. FOR VEHICLES IN OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN.
TSBENG1282017-02-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE. TSB: PCSV INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SA142) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PCSV (PURGE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE) ON SOME 2012MY OPTIMA HYBRID VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 TO NOVEMBER 18, 2012.
PS2342017-02-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMPWITH DRIVE MOTOR DTC P0A41 OR P0A42 - THIS GIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF SOME OPTIMA HYBRID CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON CONDITION OR AN INTERMITTENT HYBRID SERVICE INDICATOR LAMP (SIL) ON CONDITION WITH ONE OF THE ABOVE DTCS IN THE MOTOR CONTROL UNIT (MCU) SYSTEM, EITHER IN ACTIVE, PENDING, OR HISTORY STATE.
TSBENG132R12017-02-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: ECM UPGRADE - DRIVING PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT (VER.2) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO A CONTROLLER SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR ALL 2011~2012MY OPTIMA HYBRID VEHICLES.
PS4002017-01-31. Service bulletin. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; ENGINE. PITSTOP: SMART PEDAL FEATURE - THE “SMART PEDAL” IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) FUNCTIONALITY WHICH MONITORS AND PREVENTS THE SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVATION OF ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. WHEN ENGAGED, THE FEATURE REDUCES ENGINE POWER TO IDLE. MOST CUSTOMERS WILL NEVER NOTICE THE SMART PEDAL FEATURE WHEN ACTIVE, HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS WHO TEND TO REST THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING MIGHT DESCRIBE A HESITATION OR DELAY SYMPTOM AND NOT REALIZE THAT THE EMS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS INTERVENING, AS DESIGNED.
SC114QA2017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. Q AND A: SC114 – ECU UPDATE – MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 / VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN Q&A
SC114OWNEROPTIMA2017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. OWNER LETTER: DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO UPDATE THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IN CERTAIN 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES WHICH COULD OTHERWISE EXPERIENCE A DECREASE IN ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE “CHECK ENGINE” OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL).
SC114DEALERSM2017-01-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: ATTENTION: ALL KIA SERVICE MANAGERS - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WILL BE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO UPDATE THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IN CERTAIN 2012-2014 MY SORENTO, 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA, AND 2012-2013 MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES’ ENGINES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) SYSTEM THAT UTILIZES A FLOW CONTROL VALVE (FCV) TO CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE FCV NEEDLE MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN IMPAIRMENT OF FUEL FLOW. IF THAT HAPPENS, AND TO PROTECT THE ENGINE, THE ECU MAY REDUCE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE ILLUMINATING THE “CHECK ENGINE” OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL). THE ECU UPDATE WILL IMPROVE THE DURABILITY AND OPERATION OF THE FCV NEEDLE.
SC114DEALERP2017-01-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PRINCIPALS - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WILL BE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN, TO UPDATE THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IN CERTAIN 2012-2014 MY SORENTO, 2012-2013 MY OPTIMA, AND 2012-2013 MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.4L OR 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINES, WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE THE “CHECK ENGINE” LIGHT OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0087.
TSBSC114R12017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ECM UPGRADE - MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 (SC114) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO AN ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IN CERTAIN 2012~2014MY SORENTO, 2012~2013MY OPTIMA, AND 2012~2013MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.4L AND 2.0L TURBO GDI ENGINES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE’S ENGINES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) SYSTEM THAT UTILIZES A FLOW CONTROL VALVE (FCV) TO CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE FCV NEEDLE MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN IMPAIRMENT OF FUEL FLOW. IF THAT HAPPENS, AND TO PROTECT THE ENGINE, THE ECU MAY REDUCE ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE ILLUMINATING THE “CHECK ENGINE” OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL). THE ECU UPDATE WILL IMPROVE THE DURABILITY AND OPERATION OF THE FCV NEEDLE.
TSBCLI0262017-01-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: A/C EVAPORATOR FREEZE-UP DURING EXTENDED DRIVE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR OF SOME OPTIMA (TF/QF) AND SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES (SEE PRODUCTION DATES ON PAGE 3), WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE FREEZING OF CONDENSATION ON THE EVAPORATOR CORE AND THE FOLLOWING A/C PERFORMANCE RELATED CONCERNS.
TSBGEN0762017-01-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE. TSB: PROPER OIL GRADE / VISCOSITY SELECTION FOR TURBO EQUIPPED VEHICLES - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PROPER ENGINE OIL GRADE / VISCOSITY TO BE USED WHEN SERVICING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TURBOCHARGER. IN ADDITION TO FOLLOWING THE TURBO-SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE INTERVAL SCHEDULES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE GRADE AND THE SAE OIL VISCOSITY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE APPLICABLE SERVICE MANUAL TO ENSURE THE PROPER LUBRICATION IS DELIVERED TO THE TURBOCHARGER AND TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE.
TSB-1382014-05-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE. KIA: THE VOLTAGE VALUE BOOST PRESSURE ACTUATOR POSITION CONTROL NEEDS INSPECTING BY USING GDS DUE TO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ILLUMINATING. MODEL 2012 OPTIMA. *PE
TSB-1102014-05-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. KIA: THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE VOLTAGE VALUE, FOR BOOST PRESSURE ACTUATOR POSITION CONTROL, NEEDS INSPECTING, BY USING GDS, ON SOME VEHICLES. MODEL 2012 OPTIMA. *PE
TSB-0252013-11-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. KIA: DUE TO SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCING AN ILLUMINATION MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL), THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED AND REPROGRAMMED WITH GDS DOWNLOADS TO PREVENT AND/OR CORRECT THIS SITUATION. MODELS 2011-2012 OPTIMA, SPORTAGE. *PE
TSB-1282013-06-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE. KIA: INFORMATION IS PROVIDED REGARDING THE PROCEDURE OF REPLACING THE PURGE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE (PCSV), ON SOME VEHICLES. MODELS 2012 OPTIMA. *PE

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