Kia Optima Hybrid Reliability
399 NHTSA complaints (2011–2020). Complaint rate: 1511.4 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 2012–2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The 2020 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 Hybrid Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 145 | 2.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 62 | 6.5% |
| POWER TRAIN | 31 | 3.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 25 | 8.0% |
| STEERING | 19 | 5.3% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 17 | 23.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 17 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 15 | 20.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 13 | 53.8% |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | — | 47 | 2 | 4 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | — | 151 | 12 | 7 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 80 | 3 | 2 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 51 | 12 | 1 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015GOOD | — | 17 | 0 | 3 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | 3 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017 | — | 37 | 2 | 1 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018GOOD | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2020GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2020View→ |
See also: Kia Optima Hybridaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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