Kia Optima Reliability
10,128 NHTSA complaints (2001–2020). Complaint rate: 230.6 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2011–2016 Kia Optima (284 crash-related complaints). The 2009–2010 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Kia Optima Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 3,060 | 1.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 856 | 2.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 814 | 2.2% |
| STEERING | 732 | 2.9% |
| AIR BAGS | 475 | 28.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 443 | 3.2% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 438 | 6.2% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 354 | 2.8% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 312 | 1.6% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 306 | 12.4% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | — | 231 | 26 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2002GOOD | — | 168 | 28 | 5 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003 | — | 190 | 10 | 2 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004 | — | 306 | 14 | 4 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 180 | 7 | 2 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006 | — | 214 | 3 | 1 | View 2006View→ |
| 2007 | — | 217 | 20 | 6 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008 | — | 188 | 26 | 7 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009GOOD | — | 166 | 6 | 10 | View 2009View→ |
| 2010GOOD | — | 99 | 11 | 2 | View 2010View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 768 | 38 | 46 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | — | 1,243 | 37 | 119 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 1,846 | 76 | 165 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014AVOID | — | 769 | 35 | 57 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015AVOID | — | 1,370 | 56 | 110 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016AVOID | — | 1,032 | 42 | 36 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017 | — | 339 | 7 | 14 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018 | — | 320 | 12 | 17 | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 297 | 30 | 7 | View 2019View→ |
| 2020 | — | 185 | 9 | 5 | View 2020View→ |
See also: Kia Optimaaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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