Kia Optima Hybrid recalls and safety
5 recalls · crash ratings 2012-2020 · 275 owner complaints
5
recalls
5
recalls
The Kia Optima Hybrid has 5 recalls covering 2.86 million vehicles as reported; model year 2018 is covered by the most (3). The 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Owners filed 11 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
5
Most for 2018: 3
Units affected
2.86M
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2020
Complaints, 12 mo
11
+37.5% 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
9 rated versions, model years 2012 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 | 9.6% 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 |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Kia Optima Hybrid, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
11 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Engine147
- Electrical system72
- Power train32
- Unknown or other27
- Steering20
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Service brakes18
- Complaints
- 275
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 14
- People injured
- 7
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Kia Optima Hybrid by component
- Engine2 · 305K units
- Air bags1 · 508K units
- Latches/locks/linkages1 · 319K units
- Service brakes, hydraulic1 · 1.73M units
Kia Optima Hybrid recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2023 | KIA Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Forte Koup and 8 more (2010-2019): Service brakes, hydraulicNo. 23V652000Park outside | Fire | 1,730,192 |
| Aug 24, 2023 | KIA Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev, RIO (2016-2018): Latches/locks/linkagesNo. 23V594000 | Injury | 319,436 |
| Oct 29, 2021 | KIA Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev (2017-2018): EngineNo. 21V844000 | Fire | 10,731 |
| Dec 2, 2020 | KIA Forte, Forte Koup, Optima Hybrid, Sorento and 2 more (2011-2015): EngineNo. 20V750000 | Fire | 294,756 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | KIA Forte, Forte Koup, Optima, Optima Hybrid and 1 more (2010-2013): Air bagsNo. 18V363000 | Crash risk | 507,587 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid. 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 Hybrid have?
5 recalls cover the Kia Optima Hybrid, for 2.86 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is engine (2 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid?
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 Hybrid?
Engine: named in 147 of the 275 safety complaints about the Kia Optima Hybrid, then electrical system (72). 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.