2019 KIA OPTIMA

288 complaints filed with NHTSA.

288
Complaints
30
Crashes
6
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

NHTSA Safety Rating

5/5
Overall
5/5
Front Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE78
UNKNOWN OR OTHER36
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
SERVICE BRAKES18
POWER TRAIN14
STRUCTURE:BODY14
AIR BAGS12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING9
STEERING6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE4
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING3
WHEELS3

Recalls (1)

19V53900019/07/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Kia 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 vehicle is detected

Recent Complaints

20260129ENGINE

The vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure one day after undergoing a manufacturer emissions/service campaign at an authorized dealership. Prior to service, the vehicle operated normally with no warning lights, knocking, or drivability issues. After the failure, the dealership denied coverage and declined to inspect the engine oil. The vehicle was towed for an independent inspection, which found metal shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal mechanical engine failure. The sudden fa

20260129POWER TRAIN

The vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure one day after undergoing a manufacturer emissions/service campaign at an authorized dealership. Prior to service, the vehicle operated normally with no warning lights, knocking, or drivability issues. After the failure, the dealership denied coverage and declined to inspect the engine oil. The vehicle was towed for an independent inspection, which found metal shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal mechanical engine failure. The sudden fa

20260125UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The paint is bubbling and falling off in spots. This is ruining our trade-in value. The dealer says it always happens to white vehicles.

20260120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was sputtering sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and burned spark plug, and that there was oil inside the cylinder and on the spark plug. The contact was i

Mileage: 112,000

20260120ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was sputtering sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and burned spark plug, and that there was oil inside the cylinder and on the spark plug. The contact was i

Mileage: 112,000

20260113ENGINE

I purchased this vehicle on [XXX], with approximately 170,150 miles. On [XXX], during a routine oil change at approximately 172,636 miles, it was discovered that the engine had no oil present. Shortly afterward, the oil warning light began flickering intermittently while driving. On November 4, 2025, at approximately 175,495 miles, a certified mechanic again confirmed that there was no oil present in the engine. At no point were there visible external oil leaks, indicating excessive internal oi

20260113FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I purchased this vehicle on [XXX], with approximately 170,150 miles. On [XXX], during a routine oil change at approximately 172,636 miles, it was discovered that the engine had no oil present. Shortly afterward, the oil warning light began flickering intermittently while driving. On November 4, 2025, at approximately 175,495 miles, a certified mechanic again confirmed that there was no oil present in the engine. At no point were there visible external oil leaks, indicating excessive internal oi

20260103CrashAIR BAGS

Car was affected by emergency theft system locked car down when moving and caused airbags to deploy in which fractured my spine vertebra causing spinal fusion

20260103CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car was affected by emergency theft system locked car down when moving and caused airbags to deploy in which fractured my spine vertebra causing spinal fusion

20251228UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Paint peeling off hood.

20251212POWER TRAIN

Brought vehicle in for Recall-SC340 Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. After service was performed I took my vehicle back home and noticed that my down shifting was different, jolty and clunky. Prior to the upgrade my vehicle shifted flawlessly. Took my vehicle back in to have them check it out and they told me that they couldn't feel it and that the upgrade wouldn't cause that. Called Kia Corporate and filed a complaint.

20251212ENGINE

Brought vehicle in for Recall-SC340 Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM S/W Upgrade. After service was performed I took my vehicle back home and noticed that my down shifting was different, jolty and clunky. Prior to the upgrade my vehicle shifted flawlessly. Took my vehicle back in to have them check it out and they told me that they couldn't feel it and that the upgrade wouldn't cause that. Called Kia Corporate and filed a complaint.

20251211ENGINE

I purchased a used 2019 Kia Optima from a dealership in January 2025 with 103,000 miles. 11 months later it's burning oil. Every 2 weeks I have to add a quart of oil. I took it to my mechanic and they found cylinder 4 has been burning oil. They also found a technical service bulletin related to engine oil consumption. They recommended replacing long block assembly. They referred me to a Kia dealership. Currently, my vehicle is at a Kia dealership. They performed a "leak down test" and found cyl

20251211ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was previously replaced. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, two weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started misfiring. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to an unknown engine recall, and the contact was r

Mileage: 179,000

20251209ENGINE

Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this vin. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. P

20251209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this vin. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. P

20251209POWER TRAIN

Unknown needing help with new purchased car. Bought this car October/2025 with 93k on engine. Already been to dealership i Bought it from to have current issues im dealing with checked out and they only listen to it and said it was injector ticking clatter. Since then ive seen white smoke and the car burning excessive oil. I am adding oil to the car every 2-3 days. Still noticeable smoke and smell of burning oil. No recall on this vin. It seems as if this is a huge problem with this engine. P

20251205ENGINE

Engine burners oil at about 1qt per 1000 miles. There is no leak, and no repair to stop the oil from burning quickly. I have to refill my engine with oil several times in between oil changes. Paint is peeling in various spots on my hood and bumper. I first noticed a small area along the border of the hood nearest the windshield (mostly visible from the driers seat). Then 3 more spots on the opposite side of the hood and eventually all over the bumper.

20251205STRUCTURE:BODY

Engine burners oil at about 1qt per 1000 miles. There is no leak, and no repair to stop the oil from burning quickly. I have to refill my engine with oil several times in between oil changes. Paint is peeling in various spots on my hood and bumper. I first noticed a small area along the border of the hood nearest the windshield (mostly visible from the driers seat). Then 3 more spots on the opposite side of the hood and eventually all over the bumper.

20251204FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

After routine maintenance replacing the valve cover gasket, the low pressure GDI fuel line developed a leak in an area away from where the maintenance had occurred. After a 10 minute drive, the car developed a fire in the engine compartment. Upon investigation by an independent auto mechanic, it was determined that the fuel line had become brittle and developed a crack that had sprayed fuel into the hot surfaces of the engine compartment. This appears similar to the scenario affecting earlier Ki