Kia Optima recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 22 recalls and 7,532 owner complaints for the Kia Optima (model years 2001–2020). The most reported problem area is engine (3,161 complaints), followed by electrical system (936 complaints). The 2013 model year has the most recalls (9).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 151 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 212 | 20 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 233 | 10 | 10 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 257 | 4 | 9 | |
| 2016 | 5 | 760 | 27 | 20 | |
| 2015 | 4 | 1,010 | 31 | 74 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 591 | 20 | 43 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 1,387 | 48 | 114 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 920 | 25 | 77 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 594 | 23 | 33 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 75 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 116 | 5 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 144 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 167 | 11 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 155 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 144 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 225 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 2 | 141 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 3 | 107 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 143 | 15 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2013 (1,387), 2015 (1,010) and 2012 (920). Among model years at least two years old, the 2010 has the fewest complaints on file (75).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Kia Optima model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3,161 | 16 of 20 | |
| Electrical system | 936 | 20 of 20 | |
| Steering | 746 | 14 of 20 | |
| Air bags | 559 | 19 of 20 | |
| Structure | 552 | 17 of 20 |
Latest 8 of 22 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | Sep 25, 2023 | Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module | 2011–2015 | 1,730,192 |
| 23V594000 | Aug 24, 2023 | Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid, latch | 2016–2018 | 319,436 |
| 22V560000 | Aug 1, 2022 | Structure: body, roof and pillars | 2012–2013 | 257,998 |
| 22V093000 | Feb 17, 2022 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2013–2014 | 72,848 |
| 21V331000 | May 10, 2021 | Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module | 2013–2015 | 440,370 |
| 20V519000 | Aug 27, 2020 | Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module | 2013–2015 | 440,370 |
| 20V100000 | Feb 21, 2020 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2013–2014 | 141,774 |
| 19V539000 | Jul 19, 2019 | Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 2019 | 11,423 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 313 complaints and a fire in 416 complaints; 271 people injured and 18 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.