Research · complaint index
Kia Optima Hybrid years to avoidWhat NHTSA complaint data does and doesn’t say
We compared 10 model years of the Kia Optima Hybrid by owner complaints to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. 2019, 2012 stand out with at least twice the typical complaint rate.
Complaints per year on the road
1.0 = typical year for this model
| Year | Complaints | Per year on road | Index | Recalls | Crashes | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2019 | 214 | 27 | 11.2 | 0 | 20 | Most complaints |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2017 | 26 | 3 | 1.1 | 2 | 1 | Typical |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2015 | 12 | 1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2014 | 31 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 5 | Typical |
| 2013 | 56 | 4 | 1.7 | 2 | 1 | Typical |
| 2012 | 109 | 7 | 3.0 | 3 | 5 | Most complaints |
| 2011 | 34 | 2 | 0.9 | 3 | 2 | Typical |
- 20201 complaints · 0 recallsFewest complaints
- 2019214 complaints · 0 recallsMost complaints
- 20183 complaints · 2 recallsFewest complaints
- 201726 complaints · 2 recallsTypical
- 20164 complaints · 0 recallsFewest complaints
- 201512 complaints · 0 recallsFewest complaints
- 201431 complaints · 0 recallsTypical
- 201356 complaints · 2 recallsTypical
- 2012109 complaints · 3 recallsMost complaints
- 201134 complaints · 3 recallsTypical
Data from NHTSA Complaints & Recalls APIs · synced Nov 7, 2026
Fewest complaints for their age: 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015.
About this comparison
What Kia Optima Hybrid years have the most complaints?
Adjusted for years on the road, 2019, 2012 drew at least twice the typical rate of NHTSA owner complaints among the 10 model years compared.
Is this a reliability rating?
No. These are counts of unverified owner complaints to NHTSA. They are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a popular year can collect more complaints. Use them to find patterns, then read the reports.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.