CarBrief

NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Optima[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 109 complaints[2].

153owner complaints[1]
24–42MPG combined (EPA)[3]
5★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2020 Optima[12].

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 Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] 40 / 45 / 42 $1,600
Optima, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[13] 27 / 37 / 31 $2,150
Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800
Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 24 / 32 / 27 $2,500
Optima FE, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 25 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity[17] 39 / 44 / 41 n/a

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR FWD[4] 5 5 5 5 9.8%
4 DR FWD[18] 5 5 5 5 9.8%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2020 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder[19] 178 hp
2020 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder[20] 154 to 245 hp
2020 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder[21] 185 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
OPTIMA HYBRID 4DR SEDAN[22] 191 in 73 in 57 in 111 in 3,490 lb
OPTIMA LX/LX+/EX/EX TECH 4DR SEDAN[23] 191 in 73 in 58 in 111 in 3,230 lb
OPTIMA PHEV 4DR SEDAN[24] 191 in 73 in 57 in 111 in 3,792 lb
OPTIMA SX/SXL 4DR SEDAN[25] 191 in 73 in 58 in 111 in 3,558 lb

How 2020 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 recalls20192020: 153 complaints, 0 recalls1532020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2020 is highlighted[12].
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 153 complaints and 0 recalls for 2020[12]. Among the 20 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 12 have more[12]. The fewest complaints are for 2010 (75) and the most are for 2013 (1,441)[12]. 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 2020 Optima?

The 2020 Kia Optima has 153 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Most of the weight sits in the engine group at 109 complaints[2]. Owners in that group describe lost power, odd noises and oil use. The complaints are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a pattern to check rather than a rate. Before you buy, look at the recalls and year comparison sections on this page and ask for the repair history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Optima?
The engine group has the most complaints, 109 in all[2]. Power train, electrical and fuel system reports follow[5][7][8].
Does the 2020 Kia Optima have any recalls?
The recall count for 2020 is 0 in our data[12]. See the Recalls section on this page for the current list by code.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Optima get?
See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
Is the 2020 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints for this year[1], and 109 of them name the engine[2]. These are unverified reports, so check the other sections on this page too.
Is 2020 a good year for the Kia Optima?
The by-year comparison section on this page shows how each year stacks up. For 2020 it lists 153 complaints[12].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Kia Optima

Compare all model years of the Kia Optima

Other Kia models from 2020

All Kia models

Similar cars from 2020: large cars

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Optima (6 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 109 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 116,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 45 highway / 42 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 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
  5. 28 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,175). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,148). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. 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
  17. EPA rating for Optima Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular Gas and Electricity: 41 MPGe combined, 630 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. 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
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Optima with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 178 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 154 to 245 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,490 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA LX/LX+/EX/EX TECH 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,230 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA PHEV 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,792 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA SX/SXL 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,558 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.