What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Optima?

Engine complaints lead the list, followed by steering. See the problems section for the full breakdown.

Does the 2014 Kia Optima have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show the recall count, and each one is listed in the Recalls section.

How reliable is the 2014 Kia Optima?

Owners filed 621 complaints with NHTSA. Engine problems are the largest group. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Kia Optima?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is 2014 the best year for the Kia Optima?

See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each model year.

2014 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 621 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Kia Optima^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 315 complaints^[2].

621owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

24–37MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several parts of the car, and here are the groups from biggest to smallest.

Engine. 315 complaints^[2]. Owners describe knocking and clapping sounds soon after purchase, dealers calling for a replacement engine, and hesitation or stalling while driving.
Steering. 99 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that wanders on the highway and needs constant small corrections, plus a few cases of power assist cutting out.
Unknown or other. 93 complaints^[7]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Electrical system. 71 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car not cranking after sitting, dash lights and gauges acting up, and the car dying while driving. Some also say safety equipment did not react in a crash.
Structure. 48 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the antenna cover coming off and a sunroof glass breaking while driving.
Fuel and propulsion system. 45 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 43 complaints^[11].
Speed control. 25 complaints^[12].

These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2014 Optima is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (23V652), September 2023. About 1,730,192 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (22V093), February 2022. About 72,848 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (21V331), May 2021. About 440,370 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (20V519), August 2020. About 440,370 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (20V100), February 2020. About 141,774 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Engine (18V907), December 2018. About 71,653 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (17V224), March 2017. About 618,160 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	20 / 30 / 24	$2,800
Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	23 / 33 / 26	$2,600
Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	35 / 38 / 37	$1,800
Optima Hybrid EX, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	35 / 38 / 36	$1,850

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	5	9.6%
4 DR FWD^[23]	5	5	5	5	9.6%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2014 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[24]	274 hp
2014 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[25]	159 to 192 hp

How 2014 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2014 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	143	3
2002	107	3
2003	141	2
2004	225	1
2005	144	0
2006	155	2
2007	167	2
2008	144	3
2009	116	1
2010	75	1
2011	628	6
2012	1,029	6
2013	1,441	10
2014	621	7
2015	1,021	4
2016	763	5
2017	306	4
2018	243	3
2019	213	1
2020	153	0

NHTSA's counts for the Optima show 621 complaints and 7 recalls for 2014^[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2014 and 5 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2010 (75) and the most are for 2013 (1,441)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2014 Optima?

The 2014 Optima has a sizable complaint file, with 621 reports^[1]. The engine group stands out clearly^[2], and steering comes next^[6]. Recalls also exist for this year, and the count is listed in the by-year facts^[3]. Check the recall section above before you buy. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners report and not as a final verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Optima?: Engine complaints lead the list^[2], followed by steering^[6]. See the problems section for the full breakdown.
Does the 2014 Kia Optima have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show the recall count^[3], and each one is listed in the Recalls section.
How reliable is the 2014 Kia Optima?: Owners filed 621 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Engine problems are the largest group^[2]. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Kia Optima?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is 2014 the best year for the Kia Optima?: See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each model year^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Optima

2012 1,029 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls
2014 this page
2015 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 763 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 243 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 213 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Kia Optima

Other Kia models from 2014

2014 Kia Forte 445 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 Kia Soul 904 complaints, 5 recalls

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2014: midsize cars

2014 Honda Accord 1,012 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 Lexus ES 46 complaints, 1 recall
2014 Lincoln MKZ 125 complaints, 13 recalls
2014 Mazda 6 137 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 295 complaints, 8 recalls
2014 Nissan Maxima 96 complaints, 0 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 621 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Kia Optima (25 mention a crash, 44 a fire, 24 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
315 complaints name the engine component group (11 crashes, 31 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
99 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,125). NHTSA vehicle records
93 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 8 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
71 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 9 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
48 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,500). NHTSA vehicle records
45 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (5 crashes, 9 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,500). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,901). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,233). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V093, filed February 17, 2022: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V331, filed May 10, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V519, filed August 27, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V100, filed February 21, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V224, filed March 31, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Optima Hybrid EX, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 159 to 192 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2014 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and fuel economy