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CarsLore / Kia / Optima / 2020

2020 Kia Optima

151 owner complaints — #13 of 20 Optima model years. 0 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

151complaints · 6 crashes, 3 fires
0recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
60,000 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Optima, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Engine102
  • Power train27
  • Unknown or other16
  • Electrical system14
  • Fuel/propulsion system12
  • Engine and engine cooling8
  • Air bags7
  • Service brakes7
  • Vehicle speed control6
  • Forward collision avoidance5

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’20151’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’20151
20012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 64 2020 Optima vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 38 people died inside them, and 8 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.

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

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 2020 Kia Optima failed the safety check 1.56% of the time — 33% more often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 37,343 miles.

8,773first inspections
1.56%failed on safety
37,343 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.6%3.3%’01’03’05’07’09’11’13’15’17’19’201.6%0.0%1.6%3.3%’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’201.6%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Registered new in Europe in 2020

5,861 new Kia Optima cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2020; the largest markets were Sweden (3,627), Poland (579), Denmark (371).

Average mass
1,769 kg
Average CO₂
59 g/km (WLTP)
Average power
115 kW
Fuel type recorded
Petrol/electric 80% · Petrol 12% · Diesel 7.5%

European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

In the Netherlands

49 first registered in 2020 are on Dutch roads; 92% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €46,793.

32.7%had an APK defect recorded since June 2022
80.0%logical odometer history
0.0%with a recall still open

Most common APK defects

Colours

Grey 37%White 35%Blue 18%

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording

In the United Kingdom

122 cars built in 2020 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 9 more were declared off the road (SORN).

122licensed, end of 2025
93%of those still registered are on the road

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

MOT test results in Great Britain

In 2023, 148 of these cars first registered in 2020 took their annual MOT test. 88% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2020 the figure was 88%.

88%passed first time
88%all cars from 2020
45,400 miaverage mileage at the test (all cars 26,000 mi)
Failed onThese carsAll cars from 2020
Tyres5.4%4.9%
Visibility4.1%2.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment1.4%3.0%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems1.4%0.3%
Steering0.7%0.1%

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

In Finland

549 of these cars first registered in 2020 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 109,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.

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

In New Zealand

1 2020 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.

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

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2020 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.8 %
Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane departure warning
Standard
Best overall rating
5 / 5

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

Fuel consumption

Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 8.4 L/100 km (about 28 mpg US), CO₂ 199 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
Optima · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.4 L, 4 cyl.AS69.57.18.4199

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

Recalls in Canada

1 Transport Canada recall for the 2020 Kia Optima.

2022004
11 Jan 2022		Engine
Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an eng…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

No recall campaigns cover the 2020 Kia Optima.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Kia told its dealers about the 2020 Kia Optima: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
11009492TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) BLOWER MOTOR FUSE RELOCATION - This bulletin provides the procedure to relocate the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor 40-ampere fuse on some 2016-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from August 28, 2015 through June 23, 2020 which may experience an inoperative blower motor due to a blown multi-fuse at position #3. The HVAC system provides cooling and heating to help maintain a comfortable environment inside the vehicle cabin. The blower motor provides primary airflow for the HVAC system
11001594TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) and 2016-2020MY Optima (JF, JFa) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobil
11000787This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
10251973TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION ANDREPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY036) to diagnose and repair certain airbag warning light 'ON' conditions on 2019-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from May 21, 2018 through June 23, 2020. The affected vehicles may exhibit an airbag warning light 'ON' with DTC B1380 and/or B1384 due to the front seat Side Airbag (SAB) connector experiencing higher than normal resistance. The warranty coverage for repairs related
10251611TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY036) to diagnose and repair certain airbag warning light 'ON' conditions on 2019-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from May 21, 2018 through June 23, 2020. The affected vehicles may exhibit an airbag warning light 'ON' with DTC B1380 and/or B1384 due to the front seat Side Airbag (SAB) connector experiencing higher than normal resistance. The warranty coverage for repairs re
10250772WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY036) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch.
10250771WARRANTY EXTENSION: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY036) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY036.
10250770WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY036) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Airbag Warning Light ON condition.
10250769WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Airbag Warning Light ON condition.
10250768WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the Airbag Warning Light ON condition.
10250517TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti
10240563TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 7. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated
10240262CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to
10239713TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) and 2016-2020MY Optima (JF, JFa) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobil
10239108TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 6. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature.
10236643TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) and 2016-2020MY Optima (JF, JFa) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobil
10235104PIT STOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W AND DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This Pitstop contains information regarding the log file collection procedure for 2020MY~ models equipped with AVN 5.0/W or Display Audio 2.0 head units.
10232943TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) and 2016-2020MY Optima (JF, JFa) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobil
10232178CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a
10232113TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) and 2016-2020MY Optima (JF, JFa) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation.
10226555TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.
10225574TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FUEL PUMP FILTER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY028) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump filter assembly on 2016-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from August 28, 2015 through June 23, 2020, for repairs that may be necessary to address a low-pressure fuel pump failure to be covered for 15 years / 150,000 miles, whic
10225572TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FUEL PUMP FILTER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY028) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump filter assembly on 2016-2020MY Optima (JFa) vehicles produced from August 28, 2015 through June 23, 2020, for repairs that may be necessary to address a low-pressure fuel pump failure to be covered for 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The affected vehicles may exhibit an intermittent reduction in engine po
10220346TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equi
10217892TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster. The KDS is required to change the setting from "Workshop" to "Customer Mode."

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

DP22003 · Engineopened 12 Sept 2022 · closed 12 Dec 2023

Loss of Motive Power

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation