2019 KIA Optima Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima years
- More complaints than other years 10th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 KIA Optima. That ranks 10th out of 20 Optima model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (92 complaints, 43%), typically at around 65,000 miles. Complaints mention 20 crashes, 7 fires, 16 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 212owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 20complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2019 KIA Optima problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 92 | 43% | 65,000 | “oil consumption” (21%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 43 | 20% | 10,479 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 36 | 17% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 23 | 11% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 18 | 8% | 18,663 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 17 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 17 | 8% | 19,600 | — | — |
| Structure | 14 | 7% | 2,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 12 | 6% | 14,084 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 5% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 7 | 3% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 3% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1% | 40,656 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1% | 112,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 47,800 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 1% | 3,100 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 0% | 95,658 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 0% | 10,479 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2019 KIA Optima recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Problem: 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. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Risk: Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Car smelled of what seemed like motor oil while driving. Parked, saw white smoke, and confirmed an engine fire. I was clearly in life threatening danger, especially with a full tank of gas. Fire developed rapidly into a roaring blaze. Entire front of car melted. Car is currently being investigated…
Vehicle shut off while driving at 40mph, engine seized ,will not crank .suspected conecting rod bearing failure under safety recall sc200, i call kia 18003334542 denied recall repair and bearing clearance test stating vehicle is rebuilt title. Federal safety recall cannot be denied due to rebuilt…
On XXX, Towbin Kia Service (Henderson, NV) officially diagnosed my 2019 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX], Mileage: 118,325) with a critical component failure: "LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FROM TOP HAT" (Invoice #XXX). Despite documenting a severe, volatile raw fuel leak that presents an immediate fire…
The vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine power while being driven on the interstate at highway speeds. The vehicle lost the ability to accelerate normally beyond approximately 60 mph, the Check Engine Light began flashing rapidly, and the vehicle entered âLimp Home Mode.â This…
On December 26, 2023, this vehicle received a complete engine assembly replacement at an authorized dealership under a manufacturer warranty repair order. Following the engine overhaul, the vehicle developed a severe, raw gasoline smell entering the passenger cabin through the climate control AC…
Other KIA Optima years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 | 212 | 1 |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | 2 |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | 3 |
| 2016 Optima | 759 | 5 |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | 4 |
| 2014 Optima | 589 | 7 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | 9 |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | 5 |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | 5 |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | 1 |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | 1 |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | 3 |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | 2 |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | 2 |
| 2005 Optima | 144 | 0 |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | 1 |
| 2003 Optima | 141 | 2 |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | 3 |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA Optima?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 92 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2019 KIA Optima?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2019 KIA Optima a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima model years, the 2019 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.