Kia Optima years to avoid
Every Kia Optima model year on file (2012-2020), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2019
Worst year on file
99.7
Severity index
Engine
Most-reported system
2017
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019 Kia Optima | 99.7 High | 212 | Engine |
| 2 | 2014 Kia Optima | 94.9 High | 590 | Engine |
| 3 | 2013 Kia Optima | 93.7 High | 1,386 | Engine |
| 4 | 2012 Kia Optima | 87.7 High | 920 | Engine |
| 5 | 2015 Kia Optima | 76.9 Medium | 1,009 | Engine |
| 6 | 2018 Kia Optima | 70.0 Medium | 233 | Engine |
| 7 | 2016 Kia Optima | 57.9 Medium | 759 | Engine |
| 8 | 2020 Kia Optima | 57.0 Medium | 151 | Engine |
| 9 | 2017 Kia Optima | 52.4 Medium | 257 | Engine |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Kia Optima complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 920 | 5 | 25 | 77 | 87.7 High | ENGINE |
| 2013 | 1,386 | 9 | 48 | 114 | 93.7 High | ENGINE |
| 2014 | 590 | 7 | 20 | 43 | 94.9 High | ENGINE |
| 2015 | 1,009 | 4 | 31 | 74 | 76.9 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2016 | 759 | 5 | 27 | 20 | 57.9 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2017 | 257 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 52.4 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2018 | 233 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 70.0 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2019 | 212 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 99.7 High | ENGINE |
| 2020 | 151 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 57.0 Medium | ENGINE |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.