Kia Optima Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Optima 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 2010 drew the fewest (75) and the 2013 the most (1,383).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
75 | 1 | Power train | — | 23–25 |
| 2002 Among the fewest complaints |
107 | 3 | Structure | — | 18–21 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
116 | 1 | Power train | — | 23–25 |
| 2003 | 141 | 2 | Latches/locks/linkages | — | 21–23 |
| 2001 | 143 | 3 | Structure | — | 19–21 |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 | Latches/locks/linkages | — | 21–23 |
| 2008 | 144 | 3 | Air bags | — | 23–25 |
| 2020 | 148 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 24–41 |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 | Air bags | — | 21–25 |
| 2007 | 167 | 2 | Air bags | — | 23–25 |
| 2019 | 210 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 24–40 |
| 2004 | 225 | 1 | Latches/locks/linkages | — | 21–23 |
| 2018 | 232 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 25–40 |
| 2017 | 256 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 25–40 |
| 2014 | 586 | 7 | Engine | 5★ | 24–36 |
| 2011 | 593 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 26–27 |
| 2016 | 756 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
919 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 26–27 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
1,009 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 24–36 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
1,383 | 9 | Engine | 5★ | 26–36 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Optima 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.
2013 Kia Optima: 1,383 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 612 (44%); Steering 213 (15%); Electrical system 146 (11%).
Reports mention 48 crashes, 114 fires, 36 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 84,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Kia Optima: 1,009 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 622 (62%); Electrical system 135 (13%); Service brakes 90 (9%).
Reports mention 31 crashes, 74 fires, 23 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Kia Optima: 919 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 398 (43%); Steering 188 (20%); Electrical system 122 (13%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 77 fires, 34 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Kia Optima years with the fewest complaints
2010 Kia Optima: 75 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 24 (32%); Air bags 17 (23%); Electrical system 13 (17%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,500 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2002 Kia Optima: 107 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 30 (28%); Suspension 21 (20%); Air bags 19 (18%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 4 fires, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Kia Optima: 116 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 33 (28%); Air bags 28 (24%); Service brakes 21 (18%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Optima owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 148 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2019 | 210 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 30,449 |
| 2018 | 232 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 45,325 |
| 2017 | 256 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2016 | 756 | 27 | 19 | 21 | 1 | 68,086 |
| 2015 | 1,009 | 31 | 74 | 23 | 1 | 80,000 |
| 2014 | 586 | 20 | 42 | 22 | 2 | 71,500 |
| 2013 | 1,383 | 48 | 114 | 36 | 4 | 84,000 |
| 2012 | 919 | 25 | 77 | 34 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2011 | 593 | 23 | 33 | 19 | 1 | 90,000 |
| 2010 | 75 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 70,500 |
| 2009 | 116 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 64,000 |
| 2008 | 144 | 20 | 4 | 22 | 8 | 62,000 |
| 2007 | 167 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 76,000 |
| 2006 | 155 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2005 | 144 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2004 | 225 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 82,500 |
| 2003 | 141 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 84,200 |
| 2002 | 107 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2001 | 143 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 82,000 |
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 recalls
- HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2011–2015 model years; 1,730,192 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V652000)
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2008–2011 model years; 980,377 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V114000)
- Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure (2011–2014 model years; 618,160 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V224000)
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled (2011–2013 model years; 507,587 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2018; 18V363000)
- Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short (2013–2015 model years; 440,370 vehicles across all models; filed May 2021; 21V331000)
All 22 Kia Optima recall campaigns · Kia Optima 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 years FAQ
Which Kia Optima year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (75). 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 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 2013, 2015 and 2012 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 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (3,157 of 7,509 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Optima have?
NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns covering the Kia Optima. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Optima 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.