2019 Kia Optima problems and recalls

Owners filed 128 complaints on the 2019 Kia Optima in the last three full years, out of 205 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

205
Complaints
1
Recalls
20
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
16
Injuries
100.0
Severity index

Severity index 100.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 100.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 5 of 123 by severity index among 2019 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 96% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2019 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 87 complaints (42.4%)87 42%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 41 complaints (20.0%)41 20%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 36 complaints (17.6%)36 18%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 22 complaints (10.7%)22 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 19 complaints (9.3%)19 9%Power TrainPower Train: 16 complaints (7.8%)16 8%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 15 complaints (7.3%)15 7%StructureStructure: 14 complaints (6.8%)14 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE8742.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4120.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE3617.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2210.7%
SERVICE BRAKES199.3%
POWER TRAIN167.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM157.3%
STRUCTURE146.8%

Complaints filed per year

024482019: 112020: 132021: 172022: 142023: 342024: 462025: 482026: 22 (partial year)192021222324254826
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201911
202013
202117
202214
202334
202446
202548
2026 (year to date)22
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.9x those in 2020 to 2022 (128 against 44).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V53900019/07/2019FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKINGKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary

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 2026-08-21. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.