Kia Optima recalls and problems
22 recalls and 7,547 owner complaints for 20 model years. Pick your year for full details.
Recalls
22
Complaints
7,547
Crashes reported
313
Fires reported
418
Choose a model year
Kia Optima by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 0 | 153 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima | 1 | 214 | 20 | 7 | 16 | 0 |
| 2018 Optima | 2 | 235 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 Optima | 3 | 258 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 Optima | 5 | 763 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 1 |
| 2015 Optima | 4 | 1,011 | 31 | 74 | 23 | 1 |
| 2014 Optima | 7 | 591 | 20 | 43 | 22 | 2 |
| 2013 Optima | 9 | 1,388 | 48 | 115 | 37 | 4 |
| 2012 Optima | 5 | 923 | 25 | 78 | 34 | 0 |
| 2011 Optima | 5 | 594 | 23 | 33 | 19 | 1 |
| 2010 Optima | 1 | 75 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2009 Optima | 1 | 116 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| 2008 Optima | 3 | 144 | 20 | 4 | 22 | 8 |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 167 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 Optima | 2 | 155 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 Optima | 0 | 144 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| 2004 Optima | 1 | 225 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 2003 Optima | 2 | 141 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 Optima | 3 | 107 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 2001 Optima | 3 | 143 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Most reported Kia Optima problems
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3,170 | |
| Electrical System | 950 | |
| Unknown or Other | 839 | |
| Steering | 750 | |
| Air Bags | 571 | |
| Structure | 558 | |
| Power Train | 513 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 362 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 325 | |
| Service Brakes | 287 |
All Kia Optima recalls
| Recall | Date | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-652 | Sep 25, 2023 | 2011–2015 | Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic | Kia America, Inc. |
| 23V-594 | Aug 24, 2023 | 2016–2018 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Kia America, Inc. |
| 22V-560 | Aug 1, 2022 | 2012–2013 | Structure | Kia America, Inc. |
| 22V-093 | Feb 17, 2022 | 2013–2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. |
| 21V-331 | May 10, 2021 | 2013–2015 | Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. |
| 20V-519 | Aug 27, 2020 | 2013–2015 | Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. |
| 20V-100 | Feb 21, 2020 | 2013–2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. |
| 19V-539 | Jul 19, 2019 | 2019 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. |
| 18V-907 | Dec 19, 2018 | 2011–2017 | Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline | Kia 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 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… |
| 18V-363 | Jun 1, 2018 | 2011–2013 | Air Bags | Kia 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. |
| 18V-161 | Mar 8, 2018 | 2017–2018 | Hybrid Propulsion System | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. |
| 17V-224 | Mar 31, 2017 | 2011–2014 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. |
| 17V-007 | Jan 6, 2017 | 2016 | Air Bags | Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. |
| 16V-705 | Oct 3, 2016 | 2016 | Power Train | Kia 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. |
| 16V-231 | Apr 21, 2016 | 2016 | Air Bags | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. |
| 13V-114 | Apr 1, 2013 | 2008–2011 | Exterior Lighting | Kia 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 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year… |
| 12V-014 | Jan 17, 2012 | 2006–2008 | Air Bags | Kia motors america, inc. |
| 11V-153 | Mar 9, 2011 | 2006–2008 | Power Train | Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through june 13, 2007. |
| 09V-183 | May 27, 2009 | 2001–2004 | Suspension | Kia 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, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland… |
| 04V-180 | Apr 12, 2004 | 2002–2003 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Some passenger vehicles may contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. |
| 03V-067 | Mar 4, 2003 | 2001–2002 | Electrical System | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5 and 2.7 liter v6 engines, the crankshaft position sensor (Ckp) cases did not meet dimensional specifications. |
| 01V-156 | May 1, 2001 | 2001 | Air Bags | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst year for the Kia Optima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2013 Kia Optima has the most reports (1,388). Check the 2013 page for the problems owners describe.
How many recalls does the Kia Optima have?
NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls covering Kia Optima model years 2001–2004, 2006–2019.
What are the most common Kia Optima problems?
Owners report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems most often.