CarBrief

NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Optima[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 95 complaints[2].

213owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
24–41MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2019 Optima is necessarily included.

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, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] 27 / 37 / 31 $2,150
Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800
Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
Optima FE, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] 25 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Optima Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 39 / 45 / 41 $1,650
Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity[18] 38 / 43 / 40 n/a

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR FWD[5] 5 5 5 5 9.8%
4 DR FWD[19] 5 5 5 5 9.8%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2019 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder[20] 178 hp
2019 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder[21] 154 to 245 hp
2019 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder[22] 185 hp

How 2019 compares with other years

2001: 143 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 107 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 141 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 225 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 144 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 155 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 167 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 144 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 116 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 628 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 1,029 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls20132014: 621 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 763 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 243 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 213 complaints, 1 recalls21320192020: 153 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2019 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011433
20021073
20031412
20042251
20051440
20061552
20071672
20081443
20091161
2010751
20116286
20121,0296
20131,44110
20146217
20151,0214
20167635
20173064
20182433
20192131
20201530

NHTSA's counts for the Optima show 213 complaints and 1 recalls for 2019[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2019 and 9 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 2019 Optima?

The 2019 Optima has a fair number of owner complaints, 213 in all[1]. Engine reports lead the list at 95 complaints[2]. Forward collision avoidance follows with 36 complaints, and electrical issues with 23[7][8]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. The recalls and by-year sections above give more to weigh before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Optima?
The engine group has the most complaints at 95[2]. Forward collision avoidance has 36[7] and the electrical system has 23[8].
Does the 2019 Kia Optima have recalls?
Yes. The by-year fact lists 1 recall for this model year[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
How many complaints does the 2019 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Kia Optima?
See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2019 Kia Optima a year to avoid?
See the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it against other years of the same model. The complaint count is 213[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Optima

Compare all model years of the Kia Optima

Other Kia models from 2019

All Kia models

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Optima (20 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 95 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 6 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 39 city / 45 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 43 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,479). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 36 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 20 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 14 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V539, filed July 19, 2019: Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Optima, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Optima FE, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity: 40 MPGe combined, 610 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 178 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 154 to 245 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. 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.