KnownCarProblemsKia Optima Problems by Year
Owners have filed 7,526 complaints with NHTSA about the Kia Optima since the 2000 model year. The years with the most are 2013, 2015, 2012. The most common problem overall: engine.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: popular years collect more complaints, and recent years have had less time to.
Kia Optima problems by model year
| Year | Complaints | Top problem | Recalls | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | Engine | 0 | 6 |
| 2019 Optima | 212 | Engine | 1 | 20 |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | Engine | 2 | 10 |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | Engine | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 Optima | 759 | Engine | 5 | 27 |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | Engine | 4 | 31 |
| 2014 Optima | 590 | Engine | 7 | 20 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | Engine | 9 | 48 |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | Engine | 5 | 25 |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | Engine | 5 | 23 |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | Transmission | 1 | 7 |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | Transmission | 1 | 5 |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | Air bags | 3 | 20 |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | Air bags | 2 | 11 |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | Air bags | 2 | 3 |
| 2005 Optima | 144 | Doors and locks | 0 | 7 |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | Doors and locks | 1 | 8 |
| 2003 Optima | 141 | Doors and locks | 2 | 8 |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | Body and structure | 3 | 15 |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | Body and structure | 3 | 15 |
59 recalls in total across these years. Years with fewer than 25 complaints have no separate page.
Questions about the Kia Optima
- What years of the Kia Optima have the most problems?
- By owner complaints to NHTSA: 2013 (1,386), 2015 (1,009), 2012 (920).
- What is the most common problem with the Kia Optima?
- Across all model years, owners complain most about the engine (3,384), electrical (936), other or unspecified (840).
- Which Kia Optima years have the fewest complaints?
- Among model years at least four years old: 2010 (75), 2002 (107), 2009 (116). Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold, so compare with sales before you decide.