2014 Kia Optima problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2014 Kia Optima include 2 fatality reports, 20 crashes and 42 fires across 583 filings.

583
Complaints
7
Recalls
20
Crash reports
42
Fire reports
22
Injuries
95.0
Severity index

Severity index 95.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 95.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 26 of 139 by severity index among 2014 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 81% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2014 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 282 complaints (48.4%)282 48%SteeringSteering: 94 complaints (16.1%)94 16%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 88 complaints (15.1%)88 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 60 complaints (10.3%)60 10%StructureStructure: 48 complaints (8.2%)48 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 41 complaints (7.0%)41 7%Service BrakesService Brakes: 41 complaints (7.0%)41 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 21 complaints (3.6%)21 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE28248.4%
STEERING9416.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8815.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6010.3%
STRUCTURE488.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM417.0%
SERVICE BRAKES417.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL213.6%

Complaints filed per year

038752014: 402015: 152016: 262017: 222018: 472019: 752020: 582021: 592022: 592023: 592024: 472025: 492026: 27 (partial year)1415161718197520212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201440
201515
201626
201722
201847
201975
202058
202159
202259
202359
202447
202549
2026 (year to date)27
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (155 against 176).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The h
20V10000021/02/2020FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
20V51900027/08/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
21V33100010/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
17V22400031/03/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEKia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
22V09300017/02/2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Con

Other Kia Optima model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.