22
recalls
The Kia Optima has 22 recalls covering 5.91 million vehicles as reported; model year 2013 is covered by the most (9). The 2020 Kia Optima earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Owners filed 418 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; engine is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
22
Most for 2013: 9
Units affected
5.91M
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2020
Complaints, 12 mo
418
-24.0% vs 12 months before
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
10 rated versions, model years 2011 to 2020
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.8% risk | |||
| 2019 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.8% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.8% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.8% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.8% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.6% risk | |||
| 2014 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.6% risk | |||
| 2013 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.6% risk | |||
| 2012 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.6% risk | |||
| 2011 | 4 DR · FWD | 9.6% risk |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Kia Optima, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
418 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Engine3,161
- Electrical system938
- Unknown or other846
- Steering758
- Air bags564
- Structure559
- Power train507
- Complaints
- 7,525
- Crashes reported
- 313
- Fires reported
- 415
- People injured
- 271
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Kia Optima by component
- Air bags5 · 670K units
- Fuel system, gasoline3 · 240K units
- Service brakes, hydraulic3 · 2.61M units
- Power train2 · 82K units
- Electrical system1 · 12K units
- Engine1 · 72K units
- Engine and engine cooling1 · 618K units
- Exterior lighting1 · 980K units
Kia Optima recalls
Newest first
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2019 Kia Optima recalled?
Yes: 2 recalls cover the 2019 Kia Optima. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Kia Optima have?
22 recalls cover the Kia Optima, for 5.91 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is air bags (5 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2020 Kia Optima?
5 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 5, side crash 5 and rollover 5 stars, with a 9.8% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the Kia Optima?
Engine: named in 3,161 of the 7,525 safety complaints about the Kia Optima, then electrical system (938). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.