KnownCarProblems2019 Kia Optima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima, most often about the engine (44% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 10th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2019 Kia Optima problems
Engine
94 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact's husband replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the starter was replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed an oil change; however, the…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH and merging onto the highway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pumped the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle responded. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the…
Other or unspecified
43 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles.
Last night a warning message popped up that said there was an issue with the front crash collision sensor and it was turning off. The warning lights stayed on while driving home and this morning it was off but popped back up after around 15 minutes of driving.
Was driving on I 95 when the vehicle pulled me into the median totaling my car. I was unable to apply brakes and unable to turn my steering wheel in the other direction to avoid the collision.
Driver assistance
37 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: warnings, automatic emergency braking, warning, blind spot detection.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the "check blind spot collision warning system" and "check forward collision avoidance assist system" messages became displayed. The ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were…
Was driving on I 95 when the vehicle pulled me into the median totaling my car. I was unable to apply brakes and unable to turn my steering wheel in the other direction to avoid the collision.
Electrical
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound and started vibrating and shuddering. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle stalled…
When my phone is plugged into the charger, my screen will go black all of a sudden, and I have to turn the car off and unplug my phone and turn the car back on for the screen to come back on. Also, there have been several occasions where my brakes lock up on me, and I almost hit the person in front of me. Especially…
Brakes
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles.
I was driving up a hill and as I reached the top of the incline, my car stopped accelerating. I then attempted to use my brakes and I barely tapped them, but they reacted as if I slammed on my breaks. I took my foot off of the brakes and I began rolling backwards even though my car was still in drive. My brakes were…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the "check blind spot collision warning system" and "check forward collision avoidance assist system" messages became displayed. The ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 9%The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the fuel odor was stronger on the rear driver's side, where the gas tank was located. The used car dealer from whom the vehicle was purchased was notified of the failure. The…
Transmission
17 complaints · 8%If I slow down then speed up it takes off slow. If I go up a hill it putts and when I drive it just feels like its puttering the whole time. Took it to dealership of course they didn't find anything but this is a new car I know something is wrong. I just got the car in march drove fine no accidents or anything and…
I have a 2019 Kia Optima. In december I was going up a hill and the vehicle started violently shaking. I was pressing on the gas and not going anywhere. I had to put it in reverse to back down 2 rods to get back to my driveway. Had it towed to dealer and they said they could not figure out what was wrong. It was not…
Body and structure
14 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: body.
I was rear ended on the freeway. Traffic came to a complete stop, but the car behind me was going 40-50mph and did not stop in time and rear ended me and pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. My airbags did not deploy.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2019 Kia Optima recalls
Driver assistance: automatic emergency braking
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2019 Kia Optima
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Optima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (94 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); other or unspecified (43 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); driver assistance (37 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Optima have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 19, 2019 (driver assistance). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2019 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
- It is 10th of 20 Optima model years by number of complaints, with 212 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.