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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
TT0602017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TECH TIP: HVAC Blower Stuck on High - This article give the procedure to follow when the HVAC Blower is stuck on high.
TSB-SST0332017-08-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL FOR HOOD RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL - This bulletin provides information related to the introduction of a new Special Service Tool (SST) (A) developed to prevent the hood release lever pivot point (B) from being damaged when removing the hood release lever. Follow the instructions included in this bulletin to properly remove the hood release lever using the new SST.
PS3032017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. PIT STOP: HIGH VOLTAGE (HV) INSULATED GLOVES RE-CERTIFICATION - The purpose of this Pitstop is to remind dealer personnel about the importance of having the High Voltage (HV) insulated gloves, used by technicians to service hybrid electric vehicles, recertified on a six month or yearly basis.
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.
PS4142017-02-17. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT. PITSTOP: DIFFICULTY ASSEMBLING STRUT BEARING/INSULATOR - ON SOME OPTIMA VEHICLES, WHEN REPLACING THE STRUT INSULATOR OR STRUT BEARING WITH NEW PARTS YOU MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY INSTALLING THE NEW STRUT BEARING INTO PLACE ON THE INSULATOR. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE DESIGN OF THE STRUT BEARING (A) WHICH RESULTS IN TIGHTER TOLERANCES BETWEEN THE BEARING AND INSULATOR. REFER TO THE PROCEDURE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
TSBTRA051R12017-02-17. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT – MULTIPLE DTCS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS SHIFT SOLENOIDS ON 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES WITH DTCS P0741, P0743, P0748, P0753, P0758, P0763, P0768, P0773, P1778 AND P2709. REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS IF CURRENT OR HISTORY CODES ARE PRESENT; DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. TO REDUCE VEHICLE REPAIR TIME, THIS PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. REFER TO KGIS FOR SOLENOID PACK REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE.
TSBELE0892017-02-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). TSB: NAVIGATION HEAD UNIT SD CARD REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE SD CARD EXCHANGE/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE RELATED TO ERROR MESSAGES THAT MAY BE DISPLAYED ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WHEN THE INCORRECT SD CARD IS INSERTED. NOTE: ONLY NEW MODELS (DURING PDI INSPECTION OR AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE) OR COMPATIBILITY MISMATCHES THAT OCCUR AFTER HEAD UNIT REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROGRAM.
PS3872017-02-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). PITSTOP: NAVIGATION HEADUNIT AND SD CARD COMPATIBILITY - THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES BETWEEN NAVIGATION HEAD UNITS AND SD CARDS WHEN REPLACING HEAD UNITS FOR MULTIMEDIA ISSUES. IF AFTER REPLACING A NAVIGATION HEAD UNIT THE ORIGINAL SD CARD DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY, FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE:
PS365R12017-02-17. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: BLUETOOTH® ISSUES AFTER IPHONE® IOS 8 SOFTWARE UPDATE - THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO POSSIBLE BLUETOOTH CONCERNS WHEN USING AN IPHONE® WITH IOS 8.X (IOS 8, 8.0.1, 8.0.2, 8.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, ETC.) WHILE PAIRED TO A HEAD UNIT.
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
PS266R12017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. PITSTOP: HVAC RECEIVER/DRYER - DESICCANT REPLACEMENT - IN THE EVENT OF A HVAC SYSTEM CONCERN IN WHICH METAL PARTICLES OR SHARDS HAVE CONTAMINATED THE SYSTEM, THE DESICCANT OR THE ENTIRE A/C RECEIVER/DRYER ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE ALL METAL CONTAMINANTS FROM THE RECEIVER/DRYER DURING THE A/C FLUSHING PROCEDURE. REFER TO THE INCLUDED TABLE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON COMPONENT REPLACEMENT BY MODEL. IF YOU SUSPECT A PLUGGED EXPANSION VALVE, THE INLET SCREENS CAN BE CLEANED. IF THE VALVE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INLET SCREEN AND IS RESTRICTED, THE EXPANSION VALVE MAY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED.
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.
TSBCHA072R12017-02-08. Service bulletin. STEERING. TSB REV1: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CS1604) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON SOME 2011-2014 MY OPTIMA (QF/TF/TFH) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 12, 2010 TO DECEMBER 18, 2013. 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, REPLACE THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAS NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF THE AFFECTED VINS. 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 DATE OF FIRST SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. IF THE MDPS UNIT EXPERIENCES NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, REPLACE THE AFFECTED FLEXIBLE COUPLING WITH A NEW ONE.
PS2632017-02-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. PITSTOP: INTERMITTENT OPERATION FROM A/C OR HEATER DTC - P1237 - WHEN DIAGNOSING A CONCERN RELATING TO INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER OR THE HEATER, CHECK FOR THE PRESENCE OF DTC P1237 (ACTIVE AIR FLAP FEEDBACK VOLTAGE HIGH) IN THE ACTIVE AIR FLAP (AAF) SYSTEM.
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.
PS2742017-02-06. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. PITSTOP: ACU VARIANT CODING AFTER PARTS SUPERSESSION - KMA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS OF SOME 2011~13MY OPTIMA AND 2010~13MY FORTE VEHICLES NOT ACCEPTING THE VARIANT CODE LISTED ON KGIS, FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. IN SOME CASES, AN AIR BAG MODULE WITH A SUPERSEDED PART NUMBER MAY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT VARIANT CODE. KGIS IS BEING UPDATED IN PHASES AND WILL LIST BOTH VARIANT CODES (OLD AND NEW) IN CASE OF P/N SUPERSESSION.
TSBCHA0402017-02-06. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:REAR. SERVICE ACTION: REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (SA150) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON SOME OPTIMA (TF), OPTIMA (QF) AND OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2011 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2012, THAT ARE IN STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED FOR DE-ICING IN THE WINTER MONTHS.
TSBBOD1022017-02-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. TSB: SEAT BACK COVER REMOVAL PROCEDURE - THIS BULLETIN OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK COVERS ON OPTIMA (QF) AND SORENTO (XMA).
PS2512017-02-06. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. PITSTOP: ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR OPTIMA - THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES NEW ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR OPTIMA (QF) VEHICLES DUE TO A MODIFICATION TO THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION.

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