AI DamageKIA Optima: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Optima across 5 model years: 1,613 owner complaints and 252 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 57% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 917 complaints (57% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 117.
- Electrical system: 199 complaints (12% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 211.
- Powertrain: 158 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 115 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Exterior lighting: 80 complaints (5% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2020named in 1 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2011–2020named in 1 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2001–2020named in 33 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2001
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2002–2010
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2017–2020named in 1 complaints
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl 2017–2020named in 1 complaints
- 2.4 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2011–2016named in 11 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2001–2006
- automatic, 5-speed 2006–2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2020
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2013–2020named in 7 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2016–2020named in 7 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 2001–2010
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2013
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,613 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 917 | 6 | 117 |
| Electrical system | 199 | 8 | 211 |
| Powertrain | 158 | 3 | 61 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 115 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 80 | 2 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 74 | 10 | 13 |
| Structure | 68 | 6 | 29 |
| Vehicle speed control | 68 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 57 | 0 | 152 |
| Air bags | 57 | 34 | 18 |
| Steering | 55 | 4 | 46 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 55 | 11 | 5 |
| Visibility | 47 | 0 | 21 |
| Seat belts | 22 | 5 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
I was run off the road by a drunk driver I hit a tree at 35MPH MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT LOCK!!!! I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE INJURIES I HAVE BROKEN BONES ALL THROUGHOUT MY FACE!!!!! A SEVERE CONCUSSION!!!!!
Unknown the airbags didn't deploy when the car hit other driver from behind.
Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.
No warning lights was illuminated. A police report was filed. No medical attention was sought, and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was pronounced totaled at the scene. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer however, received no response. The failure mileage was 96,145.
They even caused the ac to go power retarded and wouldn't work half the time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- SC367_STKR
- SC367_POC
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.