Research · 20 model years
Kia OptimaEvery model year, 2001–2020
Across the 20 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 59 recall campaigns and 7,537 owner complaints for the Kia Optima. The 2013 model year has the most complaints (1,387).
Kia Optima years compared
Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | NCAP overall | MPG comb. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 151 | 6 | 5 of 5 | 28 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 212 | 20 | 5 of 5 | 28 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 233 | 10 | 5 of 5 | 28 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 257 | 4 | 5 of 5 | 29 | |
| 2016 | 5 | 760 | 27 | 5 of 5 | 28 | |
| 2015 | 4 | 1,009 | 31 | 5 of 5 | 25 | |
| 2014 | 7 | 591 | 20 | 5 of 5 | 25 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 1,387 | 48 | 5 of 5 | 27 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 920 | 25 | 5 of 5 | 27 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 594 | 23 | 5 of 5 | 27 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 75 | 7 | Not rated | 25 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 116 | 5 | Not rated | 25 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 144 | 20 | Not rated | 25 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 167 | 11 | Not rated | 25 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 155 | 3 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 144 | 7 | Not rated | 22 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 225 | 8 | Not rated | 22 | |
| 2003 | 2 | 144 | 8 | Not rated | 22 | |
| 2002 | 3 | 110 | 16 | Not rated | 20 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 143 | 15 | Not rated | 21 |
- 20200 recalls · 151 complaints · 28 mpg
- 20191 recall · 212 complaints · 28 mpg
- 20182 recalls · 233 complaints · 28 mpg
- 20173 recalls · 257 complaints · 29 mpg
- 20165 recalls · 760 complaints · 28 mpg
- 20154 recalls · 1,009 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20147 recalls · 591 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20139 recalls · 1,387 complaints · 27 mpg
- 20125 recalls · 920 complaints · 27 mpg
- 20115 recalls · 594 complaints · 27 mpg
- 20101 recall · 75 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20091 recall · 116 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20083 recalls · 144 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20072 recalls · 167 complaints · 25 mpg
- 20062 recalls · 155 complaints · 23 mpg
- 20050 recalls · 144 complaints · 22 mpg
- 20041 recall · 225 complaints · 22 mpg
- 20032 recalls · 144 complaints · 22 mpg
- 20023 recalls · 110 complaints · 20 mpg
- 20013 recalls · 143 complaints · 21 mpg
Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026
NHTSA complaints per model year
Newer years have had less time on the road
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 143 |
| 2002 | 110 |
| 2003 | 144 |
| 2004 | 225 |
| 2005 | 144 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 167 |
| 2008 | 144 |
| 2009 | 116 |
| 2010 | 75 |
| 2011 | 594 |
| 2012 | 920 |
| 2013 | 1,387 |
| 2014 | 591 |
| 2015 | 1,009 |
| 2016 | 760 |
| 2017 | 257 |
| 2018 | 233 |
| 2019 | 212 |
| 2020 | 151 |
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026