Kia Optima Hybrid Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Optima Hybrid model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (1) and the 2012 the most (109).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 42 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 42 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 37 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 37 |
| 2017 | 26 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 42 |
| 2014 | 31 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 37 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
34 | 3 | Engine | — | 36 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
55 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 37 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
109 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 36 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Optima Hybrid years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid: 109 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 72 (66%); Electrical system 20 (18%); Service brakes 12 (11%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 87,200 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Kia Optima Hybrid: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 21 (38%); Service brakes 16 (29%); Engine 13 (24%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid: 34 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 19 (56%); Electrical system 6 (18%); Service brakes 5 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 91,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Kia Optima Hybrid years with the fewest complaints
2020 Kia Optima Hybrid: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (100%); Engine 1 (100%); Power train 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Kia Optima Hybrid: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (100%); Electrical system 1 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (33%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Kia Optima Hybrid: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (50%); Power train 2 (50%); Electrical system 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Optima Hybrid owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 23,000 |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60,400 |
| 2014 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2013 | 55 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 68,000 |
| 2012 | 109 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 87,200 |
| 2011 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 91,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Kia Optima Hybrid recalls
- HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2011–2013 model years; 1,730,192 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V652000)
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled (2011–2012 model years; 507,587 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2018; 18V363000)
- Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 (2017–2018 model years; 319,436 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2023; 23V594000)
- Engine Damage May Cause Fire (2011–2013 model years; 294,756 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2020; 20V750000)
- Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire (2017–2018 model years; 10,731 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2021; 21V844000)
All 5 Kia Optima Hybrid recall campaigns · Kia Optima Hybrid problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Kia Optima Hybrid years FAQ
Which Kia Optima Hybrid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Kia Optima Hybrid years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2013 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Kia Optima Hybrid problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (147 of 275 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Optima Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Kia Optima Hybrid. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Optima Hybrid recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.