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CarsLore / Makes / Kia / Optima

Kia Optima

Model years 2001–2020 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016. Fewest complaints: 2002, 2009, 2010.

7,528owner complaints
22recall campaigns
2,057service bulletins
20model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2012. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’01’04’07’10’12’13’16’19920’01’04’07’10’12’13’16’19920

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2004.

0.0%1.6%3.3%’01’03’04’05’07’09’11’13’15’17’19’201.4%0.0%1.6%3.3%’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’201.4%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2020 Optima1510686 · 3
2019 Optima21219820 · 7
2018 Optima233213210 · 10
2017 Optima25731574 · 9
2016 OptimaMost complaints759520427 · 20
2015 OptimaMost complaints1,009419231 · 74
2014 Optima590726020 · 43
2013 OptimaMost complaints1,386922748 · 114
2012 OptimaMost complaints920523425 · 77
2011 Optima594522123 · 33
2010 Optima751337 · 2
2009 Optima1161325 · 4
2008 Optima14432920 · 4
2007 Optima16723011 · 5
2006 Optima1552363 · 1
2005 Optima1440227 · 1
2004 Optima2251158 · 3
2003 Optima1412228 · 2
2002 Optima10732015 · 4
2001 Optima14332515 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Engine3,166
  • Electrical system936
  • Unknown or other848
  • Steering758
  • Air bags563
  • Structure559
  • Power train509
  • Fuel/propulsion system381

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 1,074 Optima vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 612 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
202064388
2019118624
201899528
201749313
2016107597
201517811018
201477367
20131507514
201272419
201137245
201019114
200926173
200824195
200724174
20061072
2005751
2004730
2003320
2002221
2001111

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Crash-test ratings by year

NHTSA 5-star results for 10 model-year variants; 10 of 10 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20202020 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
20192019 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
20182018 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
20172017 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
20162016 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
20152015 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.6 %
20142014 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.6 %
20132013 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.6 %
20122012 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.6 %
20112011 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.6 %

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 10 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 7.4–8.7 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2020Optima · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.57.18.4199
2019Optima · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.57.18.4199
2018Optima FE · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.36.68.0190
2017Optima FE · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.36.68.0190
2016Optima · Full-size · Regular gasoline1.6 L, 4 cyl.AM78.46.17.4175
2015Optima · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS610.26.98.7200
2014Optima · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.A610.26.88.7200
2013Optima · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.96.78.5196
2012Optima · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.96.78.5196
2011Optima · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS610.07.08.6198

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

803 Optima cars are on the New Zealand register; 2% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2020101
201926260
201833330
201763630
201681800
201573672
2014105995
2013100982
20121411343
201191881
2010615
200612110
200543430
200411101
2003220
200213130
2001220

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

1,338 Optima cars are on Dutch roads; 26% arrived later as imports, and 124 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
20204992%€46,793
201939347%€43,715
201817132%€42,334
201714818%€41,790
20161468%€42,995
20154316%€36,793
20141464%€36,585
20132094%€34,790
20123327%€36,290

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

3,787 Optima cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 64% petrol, 36% diesel; 56% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
20214870,000 km
2020549109,000 km
2019929126,000 km
2018831146,000 km
2017670165,000 km
2016377181,000 km
201590182,000 km
2014101220,000 km
2013114223,000 km
201278244,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

Road collisions in Great Britain

From 2021 to 2025, 166 Optima cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 1 of those collisions were fatal and 39 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
202527010
20242503
202339011
20224417
20213108

Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count

In the United Kingdom

10,626 Optima cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
20201229
20191,57947
20182,52869
20173,14263
20161,20129
201558327
201457141
201331424
201256688
2011204

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

11,456 Optima cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 80% passed first time, against 80% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.

First registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
202014888%88%45,400 mi
20191,67681%86%49,800 mi
20182,73683%84%59,100 mi
20173,32682%82%68,200 mi
20161,28483%79%69,800 mi
201562775%75%75,800 mi
201459869%72%83,600 mi
201334770%68%91,700 mi
201271462%66%96,100 mi

Why they fail

Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).

AreaOptimaAll cars, same ages
Tyres6.9%5.7%
Brakes6.8%3.9%
Visibility3.8%3.7%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment3.8%5.7%
Steering1.8%0.7%
Suspension1.8%3.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks1.1%1.5%
Body, chassis, structure0.5%1.1%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

New registrations in Europe

70,043 new Kia Optima cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2011 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (2).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20222Spain1,626167 (WLTP)173
2021309Sweden, Germany, Finland1,80738 (WLTP)113
20205,861Sweden, Poland, Denmark1,76959 (WLTP)115
201912,311Sweden, Poland, United Kingdom1,690103 (WLTP)117
201813,522Sweden, United Kingdom, Poland1,672148 (WLTP)113
201715,255United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany1,654111 (NEDC)121
20168,705Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden1,633—106
20153,168United Kingdom, Germany, France1,606—105
20143,280United Kingdom, Germany, France1,609—105
20133,231Germany, United Kingdom, France1,587—106
20124,290United Kingdom, Germany, France1,585—101
2011109France, United Kingdom, Poland1,608—100

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Optima in 7 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

SR/02516/25 · Fire11 Jul 2025 · Optima

Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (anti-lock braking system / electronic stability control) system. This may lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing th…

SR/00586/25 · Fire14 Feb 2025 · Optima

Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing th…

SR/00592/25 · Fire14 Feb 2025 · Optima

Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing th…

A12/01885/23 · Fire, Injuries25 Aug 2023 · Cerato, Forte, Optima, Sorento, Sportage

Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance …

A12/00056/20 · Injuries17 Jan 2020 · Optima

The non-return valve in the vacuum pump may not function properly. This may lead to failure of braking power assistance thus increasing the risk of an accident.

A12/1361/19 · Injuries13 Sept 2019 · Optima

A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system may cause the brake assist function not to engage as expected. As a result, the system may not detect another vehicle standing in front of the moving car, increasing the risk of an accident.

A12/0592/13 · Injuries24 May 2013 · Sorento, Carens, Carnival, Soul, Sportage, Optima

A fault in the brake light switch may result in the brake light not coming on when the brake pedal is pressed or in the brake light remaining on. Moreover, in vehicles with automatic transmission it may not be possible to move the lever out of the ‘P’ position…

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

22 campaigns cover the Optima; the latest 12 are below.

23V652000 · Service brakes, hydraulic25 Sept 2023 · 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

23V594000 · Latches/locks/linkages24 Aug 2023 · 2016, 2017, 2018

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

22V560000 · Structure1 Aug 2022 · 2012, 2013

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.

22V093000 · Fuel system, gasoline17 Feb 2022 · 2013, 2014

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.

21V331000 · Service brakes, hydraulic10 May 2021 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

20V519000 · Service brakes, hydraulic27 Aug 2020 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

20V100000 · Fuel system, gasoline21 Feb 2020 · 2013, 2014

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

19V539000 · Forward collision avoidance19 Jul 2019 · 2019

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.

18V907000 · Engine19 Dec 2018 · 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

18V363000 · Air bags1 Jun 2018 · 2011, 2012, 2013

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

18V161000 · Hybrid propulsion system8 Mar 2018 · 2017, 2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

17V224000 · Engine and engine cooling31 Mar 2017 · 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

NHTSA recalls