2020 KIA Optima Engine Problems
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2020 KIA Optima, 68% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 103,593 miles. The words owners use most often: “knock sensor” (14% of reports).
- 102engine complaints
- 103,593median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 62%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Knock sensor: mentioned in 14 of 102 complaints (14%)
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 14 of 102 complaints (14%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 12 of 102 complaints (12%)
- Code P1326: mentioned in 9 of 102 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 8 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 102 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
KIA Optima engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 102 | 68% | 103,593 |
| 2019 Optima | 92 | 43% | 65,000 |
| 2018 Optima | 131 | 56% | 69,000 |
| 2017 Optima | 164 | 64% | 72,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 426 | 56% | 88,000 |
| 2015 Optima | 622 | 62% | 87,992 |
| 2014 Optima | 284 | 48% | 85,000 |
| 2013 Optima | 613 | 44% | 99,062 |
| 2012 Optima | 398 | 43% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 256 | 43% | 101,000 |
| 2010 Optima | 9 | 12% | 76,500 |
| 2009 Optima | 14 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2008 Optima | 19 | 13% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 16 | 10% | 99,560 |
| 2006 Optima | 7 | 5% | 105,735 |
| 2004 Optima | 3 | 1% | 89,400 |
| 2003 Optima | 2 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Optima | 4 | 4% | 118,049 |
| 2001 Optima | 2 | 1% | 105,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2020 KIA Optima. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My vehicle keeps consuming/burning oil. In between oil changes I still need to add oil
At around 103K miles, I took to the dealership for a multipoint inspection for knocking when braking and my forward collision/lane assist systems going offline mid drive. I learn I have to replace my axle, despite replacing my axle in sept 2025. I return a week after due to the red oil light…
purchased this vehicle on June 18, 2024, as a second owner with 125,019 miles on the odometer. Within months of purchase, the engine began exhibiting symptoms consistent with connecting rod bearing failure: engine knock, excessive oil burning (requiring oil top-ups every 2-3 weeks), and rough…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2020 KIA Optimas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints about engine for the 2020 KIA Optima (68% of the 151 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2020 KIA Optima engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 103,593 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2020 KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “knock sensor”, in 14 of 102 complaints, followed by “oil consumption” (14).
See all 2020 KIA Optima problems or engine problems across all Optima years.