Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Kia Optima, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2013 Kia Optima - 853 complaints in its first 8 years (1,385 to date)
- 2015 Kia Optima - 730 complaints in its first 8 years (1,009 to date)
- 2016 Kia Optima - 634 complaints in its first 8 years (757 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2010 Kia Optima - 59 complaints in its first 8 years (75 to date)
- 2002 Kia Optima - 62 complaints in its first 8 years (107 to date)
- 2003 Kia Optima - 87 complaints in its first 8 years (141 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Optima | 150 | 150 | 0 |
| 2019 Kia Optima | 211 | 211 | 1 |
| 2018 Kia Optima | 232 | 232 | 2 |
| 2017 Kia Optima | 256 | 236 | 3 |
| 2016 Kia Optima | 757 | 634 | 5 |
| 2015 Kia Optima | 1,009 | 730 | 4 |
| 2014 Kia Optima | 589 | 401 | 7 |
| 2013 Kia Optima | 1,385 | 853 | 9 |
| 2012 Kia Optima | 919 | 620 | 5 |
| 2011 Kia Optima | 594 | 417 | 5 |
| 2010 Kia Optima | 75 | 59 | 1 |
| 2009 Kia Optima | 116 | 97 | 1 |
| 2008 Kia Optima | 144 | 105 | 3 |
| 2007 Kia Optima | 167 | 118 | 2 |
| 2006 Kia Optima | 155 | 124 | 2 |
| 2005 Kia Optima | 144 | 110 | 0 |
| 2004 Kia Optima | 225 | 131 | 1 |
| 2003 Kia Optima | 141 | 87 | 2 |
| 2002 Kia Optima | 107 | 62 | 3 |
| 2001 Kia Optima | 143 | 109 | 3 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | 2011-2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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... |
| 23V594000 | 2016-2018 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. |
| 22V560000 | 2012-2013 | Structure | 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... |
| 22V093000 | 2013-2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. |
| 21V331000 | 2013-2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. |
| 20V519000 | 2013-2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. |
| 20V100000 | 2013-2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. |
| 19V539000 | 2019 | Forward Collision Avoidance | 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. |
| 18V907000 | 2011-2017 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... |
| 18V363000 | 2011-2013 | Air Bags | 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. |
| 18V161000 | 2017-2018 | Hybrid Propulsion System | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. |
| 17V224000 | 2011-2014 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. |
| 17V007000 | 2016 | Air Bags | Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed,... |
| 16V705000 | 2016 | Power Train | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. |
| 16V231000 | 2016 | Air Bags | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. |
| 13V114000 | 2008-2011 | Exterior Lighting | Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011... |
| 12V014000 | 2006-2008 | Air Bags | KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007... |
| 11V153000 | 2006-2008 | Power Train | KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. |
| 09V183000 | 2001-2004 | Suspension | KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS,... |
| 04V180000 | 2002-2003 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. |
| 03V067000 | 2001-2002 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. |
| 01V156000 | 2001 | Air Bags | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT... |