KIA OPTIMA HYBRID · model year

2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

51 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2014KIAOPTIMA HYBRID carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2014 OPTIMA HYBRID is engine with 16 filings, followed by electrical system (9) and vehicle speed control (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2014 OPTIMA HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

51
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

51 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
STEERING3
AIR BAGS3
POWER TRAIN3
SERVICE BRAKES1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)1

Recent Complaints

20260110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.

20260110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.

20260110POWER TRAIN

While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.

20230125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with a battery management system (BMS) message displayed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the pedal became firm, causing the contact to almost crash into another vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the BMS message and check engine warning was light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle needed be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

20230110ENGINE

The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,997.

Mileage: 58,997

20220705ENGINE

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer were notified but refused to help with the issue.

Mileage: 140,000

20220613HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the hybrid system malfunctioned. The contact stated that during the failure the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Error message comes up on the dashboard.

Mileage: 75,000

20220329ENGINE

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated with the "check hybrid battery and check engine" warning lights displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20190702ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON 6/07/19 WHILE TRAVELLING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MPH, THE DASH DISPLAY READ CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AND SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN STIFFENING, I COASTED FROM THE PASSING LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE CAR. KIA FAILED TO PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES(ACTUALLY HAS 95,000 MILES), HOWEVER I AM STILL UNDER THE 10YR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP VIA MY INSURANCE COVERAGE. AFTER THE ASSESSMENT I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN MAIN HYBRID FUSE. CHARGED $201.24 TO REPLACE THE FUSE. I PRESENT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY POSSIBLE TO REACH A LANE SHOULDER WITHOUT POSSIBLE HARM OR DEATH. ACCORDING TO KIA'S OWN "TECHNICAL OPERATIONS NOTICE - PS515(REV 2, 02/28/2019" DATED AUGUST 2017), THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS PRO

Mileage: 95,000

20190702ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 6/07/19 WHILE TRAVELLING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MPH, THE DASH DISPLAY READ CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AND SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN STIFFENING, I COASTED FROM THE PASSING LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE CAR. KIA FAILED TO PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES(ACTUALLY HAS 95,000 MILES), HOWEVER I AM STILL UNDER THE 10YR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP VIA MY INSURANCE COVERAGE. AFTER THE ASSESSMENT I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN MAIN HYBRID FUSE. CHARGED $201.24 TO REPLACE THE FUSE. I PRESENT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY POSSIBLE TO REACH A LANE SHOULDER WITHOUT POSSIBLE HARM OR DEATH. ACCORDING TO KIA'S OWN "TECHNICAL OPERATIONS NOTICE - PS515(REV 2, 02/28/2019" DATED AUGUST 2017), THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS PRO

Mileage: 95,000

20190702ENGINE

ON 6/07/19 WHILE TRAVELLING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MPH, THE DASH DISPLAY READ CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AND SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN STIFFENING, I COASTED FROM THE PASSING LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE CAR. KIA FAILED TO PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES(ACTUALLY HAS 95,000 MILES), HOWEVER I AM STILL UNDER THE 10YR/100,000 MILES WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP VIA MY INSURANCE COVERAGE. AFTER THE ASSESSMENT I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN MAIN HYBRID FUSE. CHARGED $201.24 TO REPLACE THE FUSE. I PRESENT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY POSSIBLE TO REACH A LANE SHOULDER WITHOUT POSSIBLE HARM OR DEATH. ACCORDING TO KIA'S OWN "TECHNICAL OPERATIONS NOTICE - PS515(REV 2, 02/28/2019" DATED AUGUST 2017), THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS PRO

Mileage: 95,000

20190618ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE DASHBOARD READ 'HEV SYSTEM WARNING. PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE.' ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK, I COASTED FROM THE CARPOOL TO THE OFF RAMP EXIT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 5-15MPH AND MADE IT HOME SAFELY. I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO THE CITRUS VALLEY MOTORS IN THE CITY OF ONTARIO. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS STATING IT WAS A FUSE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WILL COST ME $686.97. KIA RELEASED INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC STATING THEY KNOW THE 125 FUSE AMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEMS WAS THE WRONG SIZE WHICH CAN CAUSE A 'BLOW OUT' TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING. KIA STAYED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT WITH THE 150 AMP FUSE IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE POWER TO THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA EXPRESSING MY CONCERN UNDER THE FEDERAL POLICY 'LEMON LAW.' KIA TOLD ME 'YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BY 3 WEEKS. WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU ASSISTANCE.' MY VEHICLE SITS IN THE SHOP WITH A WRONG SIZE FUSE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE CORRECT SIZE THAT S

Mileage: 87,000

20190618ENGINE

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE DASHBOARD READ 'HEV SYSTEM WARNING. PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE.' ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. AFTER NEARLY BEING HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK, I COASTED FROM THE CARPOOL TO THE OFF RAMP EXIT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 5-15MPH AND MADE IT HOME SAFELY. I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO THE CITRUS VALLEY MOTORS IN THE CITY OF ONTARIO. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS STATING IT WAS A FUSE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WILL COST ME $686.97. KIA RELEASED INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC STATING THEY KNOW THE 125 FUSE AMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEMS WAS THE WRONG SIZE WHICH CAN CAUSE A 'BLOW OUT' TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING. KIA STAYED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT WITH THE 150 AMP FUSE IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE POWER TO THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA EXPRESSING MY CONCERN UNDER THE FEDERAL POLICY 'LEMON LAW.' KIA TOLD ME 'YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED BY 3 WEEKS. WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU ASSISTANCE.' MY VEHICLE SITS IN THE SHOP WITH A WRONG SIZE FUSE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE CORRECT SIZE THAT S

Mileage: 87,000

20190501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING VEH ON HWY AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. SCARY!!! AFTER TAKING TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEM BEING STUMPED SO MUCH THEY CALLED AND SPOKE TO KIA ENGINEERS,( TECH LINE CASE REF #13028149) I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PRESSURE SOURCE UNIT. I DID, DID NOT FIX IT. IN FACT WHEN I RETURNED THE PART THEY SAID IT IS NOW NOT WORKING. MECHANIC SUGGESTED A NEW ABS SYSTEM. I ALSO REPLACED THAT.... VEH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1600 AND CAN STILL NOT OPERATE MY VEH SAFELY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE MORE THAN ONCE. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

Mileage: 76,000

20190501ENGINE

DRIVING VEH ON HWY AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. SCARY!!! AFTER TAKING TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEM BEING STUMPED SO MUCH THEY CALLED AND SPOKE TO KIA ENGINEERS,( TECH LINE CASE REF #13028149) I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PRESSURE SOURCE UNIT. I DID, DID NOT FIX IT. IN FACT WHEN I RETURNED THE PART THEY SAID IT IS NOW NOT WORKING. MECHANIC SUGGESTED A NEW ABS SYSTEM. I ALSO REPLACED THAT.... VEH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1600 AND CAN STILL NOT OPERATE MY VEH SAFELY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE MORE THAN ONCE. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

Mileage: 76,000

20190501UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING VEH ON HWY AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. SCARY!!! AFTER TAKING TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEM BEING STUMPED SO MUCH THEY CALLED AND SPOKE TO KIA ENGINEERS,( TECH LINE CASE REF #13028149) I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PRESSURE SOURCE UNIT. I DID, DID NOT FIX IT. IN FACT WHEN I RETURNED THE PART THEY SAID IT IS NOW NOT WORKING. MECHANIC SUGGESTED A NEW ABS SYSTEM. I ALSO REPLACED THAT.... VEH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1600 AND CAN STILL NOT OPERATE MY VEH SAFELY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE MORE THAN ONCE. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

Mileage: 76,000

20190411UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE I WAS DRIVER ON THE STREET. A WARNING CHECK HEV SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JUST SHUTDOWN AND I LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR WENT FROM WORKING PERFECT TO COMPLETELY OUT OF POWER IN 30 SECOND.

Mileage: 50,000

20190116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING NORMALLY, HCU ERROR POPPED UP ON NAV DISPLAY AS WELL AS DRIVERS DISPLAY. TOLD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE. I WAS TRAVELING ON ONCE HE INTERSTATE, BY THE TIME I GOT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER. TURNED ON EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS AND AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND BROUGHT IT TO ROCK RIVER KIA IN ROCKDOED, IL. LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS NO LONGER HOLDING A CHARGE. ESTIMATED 14,000 REPAIR COST.

Mileage: 152,238

20190116POWER TRAIN

DRIVING NORMALLY, HCU ERROR POPPED UP ON NAV DISPLAY AS WELL AS DRIVERS DISPLAY. TOLD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE. I WAS TRAVELING ON ONCE HE INTERSTATE, BY THE TIME I GOT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER. TURNED ON EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS AND AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND BROUGHT IT TO ROCK RIVER KIA IN ROCKDOED, IL. LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS NO LONGER HOLDING A CHARGE. ESTIMATED 14,000 REPAIR COST.

Mileage: 152,238

20181020ENGINE

WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR YOU CAN SMELL A RUBBER BURNING SMELL COMIMG FROM THE AIR VENTS. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN.

Mileage: 40,879

Compare 2014KIAOPTIMA HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID have?
The 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID has 51 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID?
The 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID is ENGINE with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.