Kia Optima: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
7,537 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima, model years 2001 to 2020. 10 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2013 (engine 50×); 2015 (engine 50×); 2012 (engine 32×); 2016 (engine 34×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2010, 2002, 2009. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 143 | quiet: 5 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2002 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 107 | quiet: 2 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2003 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 141 | quiet: 4 of 19 | 2 | |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | — | 1 | |
| 2005 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 144 | quiet: 6 of 19 | 0 | |
| 2006 Optima | 155 | — | 2 | |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | — | 2 | |
| 2008 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 144 | quiet: 7 of 19 | 3 | |
| 2009 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 116 | quiet: 3 of 19 | 1 | |
| 2010 OptimaFEW REPORTS | 72 | quiet: 1 of 19 | 1 | |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | engine 20× | 5 | |
| 2012 Optima | 922 | engine 32× | 5 | |
| 2013 Optima | 1,387 | engine 50× | 9 | |
| 2014 Optima | 591 | engine 23× | 7 | |
| 2015 Optima | 1,011 | engine 50× | 4 | |
| 2016 Optima | 761 | engine 34× | 5 | |
| 2017 Optima | 257 | engine 13× | 3 | |
| 2018 Optima | 233 | engine 11× | 2 | |
| 2019 Optima | 214 | engine 7.3× | 1 | |
| 2020 Optima | 153 | engine 8.5× | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Kia models
Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2004200620072011201220132014201520162017201820192020