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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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Bulletins, newest first
PS2352017-02-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. PITSTOP: HORN CHIRP AND PARKING LAMPS INOP WHEN LOCKING DOORS WITH RKE FOB - THIS GIVES INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF YOU ENCOUNTER A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT RELATING TO THE VEHICLE NOT PRODUCING AN AUDIBLE TONE OR HORN CHIRP, AND THE PARKING LAMPS NOT FLASHING WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE RKE FOB.
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.
TSBTRA047R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY BY MODEL - THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN REVISED. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY FOR KIA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REFER TO THE TABLE BELOW FOR A DETAILED LIST OF VEHICLE MODELS. INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PARTS SUCH AS AXLE BOOTS, JOINTS AND HARDWARE FOR INNER JOINT ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR PARTS DEPARTMENT.
TSBELE0442017-02-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. "TSB: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE - THIS BULLETIN OUTLINES THE ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES FOR OPTIMA HYBRID VEHICLES (HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS ""HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERIES"" OR HVBS). EVERY KIA-APPROVED HYBRID DEALERSHIP’S PARTS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THE FASTEST HANDLING TIME AND TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF CHARGE-BACKS."
PS224R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. SEATS. PITSTOP: VENTILATED SEAT OPERATION - SOME VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH VENTILATED FRONT SEATS TO IMPROVE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY DRAWING INTERIOR VEHICLE AIR TEMPERATURE THROUGH THE SEATING SURFACES. THE CUSTOMER PERCEPTION MAY BE THAT THE SEAT IS AIR CONDITIONED AND THE SEAT IS NOT GETTING COLD ENOUGH HOWEVER THE ACTUAL DESIGN INTENT IS TO DRAW AMBIENT AIR THROUGH THE SEAT WITH A SEPARATE BLOWER MOTOR ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY.
PS2262017-02-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY. PITSTOP: PANORAMA SUNROOF TRIM SEAL LOOSE - OPTIMA’S PRODUCED FROM SOP TO OCTOBER 24, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH PANORAMA SUNROOF OPTION, MAY EXHIBIT A LOOSE OR SAGGING SIDE TRIM SEAL (A). A PORTION OF THE SIDE TRIM SEAL MAY BECOME DETACHED AND CAUGHT UNDER THE SUNROOF, AS IT IS CLOSED, CAUSING POOR APPEARANCE AND IMPROPER SEALING. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED BELOW.
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.
TSBTRA0492017-02-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6-SPEED A/T TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET/RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM/PCM.
TSBELE0772017-02-02. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM. TSB: REAR VIEW CAMERA DIAGNOSIS/REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO DIAGNOSE AND/OR REPLACE THE REAR VIEW CAMERA OF SOME KIA VEHICLES (SEE TABLE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC MODELS AND PRODUCTION DATES) WHICH MAY EXHIBIT INADEQUATE IMAGE QUALITY FROM THE REAR VIEW CAMERA.
TSBELE060R12017-02-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: OPTIMA (QF) AND SOUL (AM) AVN AND BASE AUDIO SYSTEM UPGRADE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE FOR UPGRADING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND BASE AUDIO SYSTEM SOFTWARE OF SOME 2012MY OPTIMA (QF) AND SOME 2012MY SOUL (AM) VEHICLES, TO IMPROVE BLUETOOTH® CONNECTIVITY.
TSBELE056R12017-02-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: UVO UPGRADE – RIO (UB), SPORTAGE (SL), SOUL (AM), OPTIMA (QF) AND SORENTO (XMA) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE FOR UPGRADING THE UVO SYSTEM ON ALL 2012MY RIO (UB), SPORTAGE (SL), SOUL (AM), OPTIMA (QF) AND SORENTO (XM) VEHICLES.
TSBCHA0492017-02-02. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. TSB: NOISE DURING BRAKE ACTUATION - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO ADDRESS A BRAKE NOISE CONCERN ON SOME OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2011 THROUGH DECEMBER 8, 2013, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A “SQUEAKING” AND/OR “HONKING” NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES RAPIDLY. LISTEN TO THE SOUND FILE BELOW TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PARTICULAR BRAKE NOISE AND, IF CONFIRMED, FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN.
PS2372017-02-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: FORCE-STARTING OPTIMA HYBRID ENGINE USING GDS: IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN OPTIMA HYBRID WITH A NO-START CONDITION, CHECK IF THE “READY” LAMP IS FLASHING IN THE CLUSTER AND VERIFY THE HYBRID BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) RANGES FROM 15% TO 20%. IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT, A TECHNICIAN MAY USE GDS TO “FORCE START” THE ENGINE AND RESOLVE THE CONCERN.
TSBGEN0602017-02-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM. TSB: HYBRID FUEL EFFICIENCY TIPS AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE - THE OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) OFFERS CUSTOMERS THE POTENTIAL OF EXCELLENT FUEL ECONOMY. HOWEVER, BECAUSE SOME CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ACHIEVING THE PUBLISHED EPA-RATED CITY/HIGHWAY NUMBERS, THEY MAY BRING A VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP’S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED SO THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE WELL INFORMED TO ANSWER THE CUSTOMER’S CONCERN AND, IF NECESSARY, TO TROUBLESHOOT THE VEHICLE.
CS1604QA2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. Q AND A: CS1604 - ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) FLEXIBLE COUPLING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM
CS1604OWNER2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. OWNER LETTER: CS1604 - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE OF A KIA OPTIMA VEHICLE. BECAUSE KIA VALUES YOU AS OUR CUSTOMER, WE ARE CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) UNIT IN ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES.
CS1604FORM2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: CS1604 - 2011-2013 AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS REPLACED, 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 AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC., P.O. BOX 52410, IRVINE, CA 92619-2410
CS1604DEALERPSM2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: CS1604 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE MDPS UNIT MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. KIA’S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS MAINLY IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO THE WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS, AFTER EXTENDED USAGE OVER YEARS. THE EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS INCLUDE: ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS, THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE FIRST DATE OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
CS1604DEALERP2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: CS1604 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE MDPS UNIT MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. KIA’S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS MAINLY IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO THE WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS, AFTER EXTENDED USAGE OVER YEARS. THE EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS INCLUDE: ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS, THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE FIRST DATE OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
TSBELE0382017-01-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: INFORMATION FOR DEALER UVO UPGRADE / RETAIL CUSTOMER - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE RETAIL CUSTOMER’S PROCEDURE FOR UPGRADING THE KIA UVO (YOUR VOICE) SYSTEM. KIA UVO OWNERS HAVE THE OPTION TO DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE UPGRADES DIRECTLY FROM THE KIA.COM WEBSITE AND CAN PERFORM THE UPGRADE THEMSELVES OR HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM THE UPGRADE IN WHICH CASE ADDITIONAL LABOR CHARGES MAY APPLY. FOR CUSTOMERS WHO PERFORM THEIR OWN UPGRADE, KIA PROVIDES THE CUSTOMER WITH SOFTWARE AND UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE CUSTOMER OPTS TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM THE UPGRADE, THE UPGRADE PROCEDURE IS OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN.
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.
TT0652017-01-30. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. "TECH TIP: BUZZING NOISE FROM DASH SYMPTOM: BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM DASH AREA. REPAIR: OPERATE THE AIR-TEMP CONTROLS OR THE VENT AIR POSITION CONTROL SETTING. IF THE NOISE STOPS AFTER ADJUSTING THE CONTROLS, THE NOISE MAY BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY AIR TEMP ACTUATOR OR AIR VENT POSITION ACTUATOR. TO RESOLVE THIS CONCERN, IDENTIFY WHICH BLEND ACTUATOR IS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE (SEE IMAGE) AND REPLACE IT."
TT0672017-01-30. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "TECH TIP: DTC P1A89 - DC/DC CONVERTER CURRENT SENSOR FAULT SYMPTOM: DTC - MIL – P1A89 DC/DC CONVERTER CURRENT SENSOR FAULT AND ILLUMINATED BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER. REPAIR: USE GDS/KDS TO CHECK THE LDC OUTPUT CURRENT UNDER LDC > CURRENT DATA (SEE IMAGE). IF THE OUTPUT IS ZERO AMPS, THIS MAY INDICATE AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LDC MODULE INSIDE THE HYBRID POWER CONTROL UNIT (HPCU). REPLACEMENT OF THE HPCU WILL BE NECESSARY."
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).

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