2019 Kia Optima Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Optima.

20182020
Complaints
297
per 10K Sold
30.7
US Sales
96,623
Crashes
30
Fires
7
Injuries
22
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2019 Kia Optima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#182 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:59,977 mi
Fires:4
#227 complaints

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings

Avg mileage:10,508 mi
Crash-related:7
#320 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:15,654 mi
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2019 Kia Optima.

Engine Problems
82
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
59,977
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
27
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,508
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
15,654
Brakes
18
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,081
Transmission / Drivetrain
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,600
Body Structure
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,500
Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,923
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,100
Unintended Acceleration
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,560
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
22,667
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Warning
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Optima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2019 Kia Optima

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~11,423 vehicles.

19V539000Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
~11,423 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.

Other Kia Optima Years

20012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020

2019 Kia Optima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2019 Kia Optima has 297 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 82 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2019 Kia Optima?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (82 complaints, avg 59,977 mi); Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings (27 complaints, avg 10,508 mi); Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 15,654 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2019 Kia Optima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 33,530 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2019 Kia Optima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Kia Optima include 30 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2019 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 11,423 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2019 Kia Optima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Optima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2019 Kia Optima

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