KIA Optima Fuel/propulsion System Problems
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about fuel/propulsion system problems on the KIA Optima across 19 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (94). The words owners use most often: “pressure fuel” (9% of reports).
- 381fuel/propulsion system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 45%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.
- Pressure fuel: mentioned in 36 of 381 complaints (9%)
- Oil change: mentioned in 31 of 381 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do fuel/propulsion system problems happen?
Based on 150 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 381 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 43 a fire, 10 an injury.
KIA Optima fuel/propulsion system complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel/propulsion System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 12 | 8% | — |
| 2019 Optima | 17 | 8% | — |
| 2018 Optima | 13 | 6% | 68,000 |
| 2017 Optima | 20 | 8% | 81,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 53 | 7% | 72,708 |
| 2015 Optima | 46 | 5% | 90,000 |
| 2014 Optima | 42 | 7% | 77,500 |
| 2013 Optima | 94 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 42 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 23 | 4% | 89,843 |
| 2010 Optima | 1 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 2009 Optima | 1 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2008 Optima | 3 | 2% | 160,000 |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 1% | 124,000 |
| 2006 Optima | 5 | 3% | 81,481 |
| 2005 Optima | 1 | 1% | 97,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 1 | 0% | 62,000 |
| 2003 Optima | 3 | 2% | 108,000 |
| 2002 Optima | 2 | 2% | 94,049 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists fuel/propulsion system for the 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.
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…
Despite documenting this catastrophic internal mechanical destruction, the authorized franchise dealer has issued a written directive instructing the driver to operate this structurally compromised vehicle on public roads for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test with explicit instructions not to add…
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…
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…
Gas smell from under the hood. When taken to the dealership it was diagnosed as the high pressure fuel line. NOTE: The high and low fuel lines have recalls that impact this vehicle make, model, and year BUT not this VIN.
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Optimas have fuel/propulsion system problems?
No. NHTSA has 381 owner complaints about fuel/propulsion system for the KIA Optima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Optima fuel/propulsion system?
No recall currently lists fuel/propulsion system for this vehicle.
What do owners say about fuel/propulsion system problems on the KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “pressure fuel”, in 36 of 381 complaints, followed by “oil change” (31).
Other KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (3,164)
- Electrical System problems (936)
- Steering problems (758)
- Air Bags problems (563)
- Structure problems (559)
- Power Train problems (508)
- Exterior Lighting problems (359)
- Service Brakes problems (314)
See all KIA Optima problems.