Kia Optima complaints by model year
7,509 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 148 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 210 | 20 | 6 | 1 |
| 2018 | 232 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| 2017 | 256 | 4 | 9 | 3 |
| 2016 | 756 | 27 | 19 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1,009 | 31 | 74 | 4 |
| 2014 | 586 | 20 | 42 | 7 |
| 2013 | 1,383 | 48 | 114 | 9 |
| 2012 | 919 | 25 | 77 | 5 |
| 2011 | 593 | 23 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010 | 75 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 116 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 2008 | 144 | 20 | 4 | 3 |
| 2007 | 167 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| 2006 | 155 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2005 | 144 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 225 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| 2003 | 141 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | 107 | 15 | 4 | 3 |
| 2001 | 143 | 15 | 0 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2011–2020. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 256 | 398 | 612 | 283 | 622 | 425 | 164 | 131 | 90 | 100 |
| Unknown or other | 39 | 87 | 186 | 88 | 139 | 122 | 33 | 37 | 42 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 63 | 122 | 146 | 60 | 135 | 103 | 25 | 33 | 23 | 13 |
| Steering | 100 | 188 | 213 | 95 | 69 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 47 | 88 | 114 | 41 | 90 | 24 | 6 | 17 | 19 | 8 |
| Structure | 21 | 39 | 127 | 48 | 76 | 40 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 1 |
| Power train | 25 | 54 | 64 | 20 | 49 | 73 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 27 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 42 | 93 | 42 | 46 | 53 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Kia Optima recalls (22)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Optima model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | Sep 25, 2023 | HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire | 2011–2015 | 32.4% |
| 23V594000 | Aug 24, 2023 | Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 | 2016, 2017, 2018 | 46.1% |
| 22V560000 | Aug 1, 2022 | Headliner Plate Detachment | 2012, 2013 | 51% |
| 22V093000 | Feb 17, 2022 | Low Pressure Fuel Hose May Leak | 2013, 2014 | 69.7% |
| 21V331000 | May 10, 2021 | Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short | 2013, 2014, 2015 | 70.5% |
| 20V519000 | Aug 27, 2020 | Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short | 2013, 2014, 2015 | 45% |
| 20V100000 | Feb 21, 2020 | Low Pressure Fuel Hose May Crack and Leak | 2013, 2014 | 76% |
| 19V539000 | Jul 19, 2019 | Collision-Avoidance Assist may not Engage | 2019 | 87% |
| 18V907000 | Dec 19, 2018 | High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak | 2011–2017 | 65.5% |
| 18V363000 | Jun 1, 2018 | Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled | 2011, 2012, 2013 | 44.5% |
| 18V161000 | Mar 8, 2018 | Voltage Protection Device may Activate | 2017, 2018 | 81.7% |
| 17V224000 | Mar 31, 2017 | Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure | 2011–2014 | 67.5% |
| 17V007000 | Jan 6, 2017 | Driver Air Bag may not Fully Inflate | 2016 | 100% |
| 16V705000 | Oct 3, 2016 | Right Front Axle Driveshaft may Fail | 2016 | 82.3% |
| 16V231000 | Apr 21, 2016 | Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly | 2016 | 94.1% |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Crash-test stars by model year
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Tested as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2019 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2018 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2017 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2016 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2015 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2014 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2013 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2012 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2011 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Kia Optima FAQ
How many recalls has the Kia Optima had?
NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns that cover at least one Kia Optima model year from 2001 to 2020. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Kia Optima year has the most complaints?
Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2013 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1,383) and the 2010 the fewest (75). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Kia Optima problems?
Across the 2011–2020 model years, owners most often name the engine, unknown or other, electrical system in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2020 Kia Optima at 24 to 41 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
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.