NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Optima

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Optima.

Complaints

7,779

Active records

Recalls

24

Active records

TSBs

781

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

18

Injuries

274

Crashes

326

Fires

427

Top reported issues — Kia Optima

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

2,530

Condition issue

2,210

Reporting mechanism

1,739

Engine behavior

1,498

Noise

1,359

Performance issue

1,159

Fluid issue

993

Thermal issue

836

Safety restraint issue

657

Access/entry issue

613

Steering behavior

517

Vibration/harshness

507

Lighting behavior

430

Starting behavior

363

Braking behavior

330

Driver assistance issue

315

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

290

Ride/handling behavior

248

Electrical issue

241

Smell

240

Safety restraint behavior

220

Electrified system issue

197

Powering on/off behavior

190

Recent change

126

Infotainment behavior

56

HVAC behavior

55

Wiper/washer behavior

10

Communication/network issue

5

Charging behavior

4

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2016 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 25, 2026


Crash

Vehicle was purchased in 2023. AC blower failure occurred for the first time in June 2024 and was repaired by PepBoys. On 4/2/2025 the ve3hicle had an active recall event when the engine seized on the highway because of a faulty oil pump/filter, Engine was replaced 4/17/2025 under that recall. Kia advised at the time that the wiring harness should be replaced due to electrical issues at the time but said that there was no recall for that work. At the time, there were no electrical failures of…

2014 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 25, 2026


XXX engine seized while driving on freeway — lost power, no crank, dash lights work, coasted to shoulder — safety hazard. Towed to Nayo's Auto [XXX] then to Kearny Mesa Kia [XXX]. Dealer confirmed 6 open recalls including recall 17V224 SC147 engine bearing failure / premature wear from machining defect. Kia corporate denied engine replacement under 15 year 150k extended warranty because product improvement PI1803 knock sensor update was not done. I never received PI1803 notification. I moved…

2015 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 24, 2026


Fire

My 2015 KIA optima experienced a catastrophic engine fire while I was driving. There was no warning, I just heard a boom in the engine bay the breaks stopped working and all electrical cut out. As I'm coasting, because I'm unable to stop, flames started to come in through under the dash. I couldn't turn the car off, nor put it in park so the doors stayed locked. The driver window was opened just enough for me to grab the top and break it, allowing me to crawl out. The car coasted itself to the…

2017 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 24, 2026


While driving at highway speed, my engine began to produce a loud knocking noise without prior warning. Within few seconds, the engine seized completely causing sudden loss of motive power.This caused a dangerous situation— loss of power steering and barking at highway speed, leaving me stranded in traffic lanes. I was forced to coast to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the nearest independent repair shop because it was not drivable and I was stranded far from home. The shop diagnosis…

2016 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 21, 2026


While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in San Diego, the engine of my 2016 Kia Optima catastrophically seized without warning. I instantly lost all power steering, brake assist, and electrical power, creating an immediate life-threatening emergency. The vehicle was towed to a Kia dealer. Corporate Techline and the dealership are refusing to perform the mandated settlement rod bearing test and are falsifying paperwork to deny the safety remedy.

2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

Filed Aug 21, 2026


The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. In addition, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed…

2020 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 21, 2026


Today as I was driving to work my car suddenly stopped while being idle at the stop light. It turned off. I was able to restart and drive to work safely and home. I googled the issue and saw many Kia optima owners having the same issues and they’re saying no codes or anything popping up. Should this be considered a recall.

2013 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 20, 2026


The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was leaking fuel from the high-pressure pipe leading to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not…

2015 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 20, 2026


The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that for over 8 years, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that there was an oil leak on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for the oil consumption failure; however, the dealer was unable to find a fault with the vehicle. The dealer had not yet provided a cause for the oil leak. The vehicle was not…

2011 KIA OPTIMA

Filed Aug 20, 2026


Fire

I was having trouble with my left driver tire. 2 mechanics went to test drive the car to see what the problem was. As they were driving, the car died. They got it started but it ran horrible back to the garage. When they pulled in the driveway of the garage, the car started on fire. It was an engine fire but undetermined what exactly was the cause. The vehicle was looked over by the insurance claims adjustor. I am not sure if sluggish driving had anything to do with the fire. The car is…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.