KIA Optima Problems by Year
KIA Optima years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Optima year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 Optima: 1,386 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2015 Optima: 1,009 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2012 Optima: 920 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2010 Optima: 75 complaints, 1 recall
- 2002 Optima: 107 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2009 Optima: 116 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common KIA Optima problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 3,164 | 19 | 46 |
| Electrical System problems | 936 | 20 | 29 |
| Steering problems | 758 | 20 | 23 |
| Air Bags problems | 563 | 20 | 153 |
| Structure problems | 559 | 20 | 30 |
| Power Train problems | 508 | 20 | 16 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 381 | 19 | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 359 | 20 | 7 |
| Service Brakes problems | 314 | 18 | 38 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 275 | 19 | 27 |
| Latches/locks/linkages problems | 271 | 15 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 250 | 20 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 211 | 15 | 14 |
| Suspension problems | 181 | 19 | 14 |
| Visibility problems | 131 | 19 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 109 | 17 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 85 | 15 | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 79 | 13 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 76 | 20 | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 73 | 11 | 11 |
| Wheels | 69 | 14 | 6 |
| Seats | 46 | 14 | 6 |
| Tires | 38 | 16 | 2 |
| Equipment | 27 | 11 | 3 |
| Lane Departure | 17 | 6 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Firerelated | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
KIA Optima problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2020: engine (102)
- 2019: engine (92)
- 2018: engine (131)
- 2017: engine (164)
- 2016: engine (426) · electrical system (104) · power train (74) · fuel/propulsion system (53)
- 2015: engine (622) · electrical system (135) · structure (76) · steering (69)
- 2014: engine (284) · steering (96) · electrical system (60)
- 2013: engine (613) · steering (213) · electrical system (146) · structure (127) · fuel/propulsion system (94) · power train (64) · air bags (62) · service brakes (59) · service brakes, hydraulic (53)
- 2012: engine (398) · steering (188) · electrical system (122) · power train (54) · service brakes (52)
- 2011: engine (256) · steering (100) · exterior lighting (88) · electrical system (63)
- 2008: air bags (57)
- 2007: air bags (65)
- 2005: latches/locks/linkages (66)
- 2004: latches/locks/linkages (81)
- 2003: latches/locks/linkages (53)
All KIA Optima model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | 0 | 5★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Optima | 212 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 Optima | 758 | 5 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | 4 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Optima | 589 | 7 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | 9 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | 5 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | 5 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | 1 | — | Power Train | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Optima | 144 | 0 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | 1 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | More complaints than other years |
| 2003 Optima | 141 | 2 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | 3 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | 3 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
More from KIA: all KIA models · KIA VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which KIA Optima years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (594), 2012 (920), 2013 (1,386), 2014 (589), 2015 (1,009), 2016 (758) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Optima year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the KIA Optima?
Engine, with 3,164 complaints across 19 model years.
How many recalls does the KIA Optima have?
22 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.