Vehicles / Kia / Optima

Kia Optima

10,368 federal complaints across 20 model years (2001-2020) ยท 22 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Kia Optima. Hover a bar for the count.

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 2013 Kia Optima - 1,886 complaints
  2. 2015 Kia Optima - 1,403 complaints
  3. 2012 Kia Optima - 1,263 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 2010 Kia Optima - 99 complaints
  2. 2009 Kia Optima - 166 complaints
  3. 2002 Kia Optima - 168 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Engine & cooling
3,389
Electrical system
940
Steering
756
Air bags
571
Body & structure
565
Brakes
531

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2020 Kia Optima2070
2019 Kia Optima3181
2018 Kia Optima3332
2017 Kia Optima3553
2016 Kia Optima1,0795
2015 Kia Optima1,4034
2014 Kia Optima7877
2013 Kia Optima1,8869
2012 Kia Optima1,2635
2011 Kia Optima7785
2010 Kia Optima991
2009 Kia Optima1661
2008 Kia Optima1883
2007 Kia Optima2172
2006 Kia Optima2142
2005 Kia Optima1800
2004 Kia Optima3061
2003 Kia Optima1902
2002 Kia Optima1683
2001 Kia Optima2313

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
23V6520002011-2015Service Brakes, HydraulicKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid,
23V5940002016-2018Latches/Locks/LinkagesKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing
22V5600002012-2013StructureKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in
22V0930002013-2014Fuel System, GasolineKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged,
21V3310002013-2015Service Brakes, HydraulicKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic El
20V5190002013-2015Service Brakes, HydraulicKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly re
20V1000002013-2014Fuel System, GasolineKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may
19V5390002019Forward Collision AvoidanceKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-
18V9070002011-2017Fuel System, GasolineKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number
18V3630002011-2013Air BagsKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, th
18V1610002017-2018Hybrid Propulsion SystemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high
17V2240002011-2014Engine And Engine CoolingKia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause
17V0070002016Air BagsKia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibl
16V7050002016Power TrainKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front
16V2310002016Air BagsKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer requi
13V1140002008-2011Exterior LightingKia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Opt
12V0140002006-2008Air BagsKIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND
11V1530002006-2008Power TrainKIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN
09V1830002001-2004SuspensionKIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, I
04V1800002002-2003Fuel System, GasolineSOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OV
03V0670002001-2002Electrical SystemON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
01V1560002001Air BagsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT CUSHIO