KIA Optima Structure Problems
Owners have filed 559 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the KIA Optima across 20 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (127). The words owners use most often: “side door” (11% of reports).
- 559structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 30mention a crash
- 21mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 40%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.
- Side door: mentioned in 60 of 559 complaints (11%)
- Paint peeling: mentioned in 55 of 559 complaints (10%)
- Pearl white: mentioned in 54 of 559 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 277 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 559 complaints, 30 mention a crash, 40 a fire, 21 an injury.
KIA Optima structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 1 | 1% | 6,300 |
| 2019 Optima | 14 | 7% | 2,500 |
| 2018 Optima | 7 | 3% | 15,625 |
| 2017 Optima | 5 | 2% | 59,500 |
| 2016 Optima | 40 | 5% | 34,000 |
| 2015 Optima | 76 | 8% | 56,000 |
| 2014 Optima | 48 | 8% | 75,500 |
| 2013 Optima | 127 | 9% | 70,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 39 | 4% | 47,700 |
| 2011 Optima | 21 | 4% | 50,000 |
| 2010 Optima | 2 | 3% | 74,000 |
| 2009 Optima | 4 | 3% | 58,250 |
| 2008 Optima | 5 | 3% | 75,944 |
| 2007 Optima | 4 | 2% | 146,107 |
| 2006 Optima | 12 | 8% | 61,300 |
| 2005 Optima | 22 | 15% | 80,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 42 | 19% | 103,900 |
| 2003 Optima | 25 | 18% | 114,993 |
| 2002 Optima | 30 | 28% | 124,933 |
| 2001 Optima | 35 | 24% | 99,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk: A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC245.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Paint began chipping/flaking off little by little everytime I washed the car. Itâs a common occurrence with snowy white Kia paint in this year
My 2015 white Kia Optima is having terrible paint peeling problems. It is peeling and chipping on the hood, along the sides of the windshield, above the wind shield, on my back bumper, above my back tires, and just about every place in between. PLEASE HELP!
Unknown the airbags didn't deploy when the car hit other driver from behind.
Factory paint defect/delamination known to Kia causing excessive paint bubbling, peeling, flaking, large chunks of paint falling off, a widespread issue documented inherent to appear on the roof, front pillars both sides next to windshield, trunk, door panels and hood rapidly expanding. Notorious…
Snow white pearl paint bubbling, peeling, and chipping in multiple areas of my vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Optimas have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 559 owner complaints about structure 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 structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about structure problems on the KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “side door”, in 60 of 559 complaints, followed by “paint peeling” (55).
Other KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (3,164)
- Electrical System problems (936)
- Steering problems (758)
- Air Bags problems (563)
- Power Train problems (508)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (381)
- Exterior Lighting problems (359)
- Service Brakes problems (314)
See all KIA Optima problems.