Reliable Auto DB

2019 Kia Optima reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima over 8 years — 14 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Optima years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Automatic emergency braking.

2012 Kia Optima
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

208

Per year

14

Recalls

1

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (89 of 208), then Forward collision avoidance (36) and Electrical system (23). Those filings include 20 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 11 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Optima has 232 complaints, 14 per year, and the 2020 has 146 complaints, 8 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Kia Optima. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking 2019-07-19 · NHTSA campaign 19V539000
Summary 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.
Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.

Complaints by component (208 total)

Engine
89
Forward collision avoidance
36
Electrical system
23
Service brakes
18
Powertrain
17
Fuel and propulsion system
16
Structure
14
Air bags
12
Speed control
10
Lane departure
7
Steering
6
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Engine and engine cooling
3
Wheels
3
Back-over prevention
2
Exterior lighting
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Seat belts
2
Tires
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Suspension
1
Visibility
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

20

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

11

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

112019132020172021142022342023462024482025252026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "On December 26, 2023, this vehicle received a complete engine assembly replacement at an authorized dealership under a manufacturer warranty repair order. Following the engine overhaul, the vehicle developed a severe,…"
    Engine, Fuel and propulsion system, Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-09-24
  • "My car was parked when my Kia Optima Panoramic sunroof exploded. It was between 8:00-8:30 a.m. Friday XXX. It sounded like an explosion. I was sleeping and the explosion woke me up. The sunroof was closed and the car…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-23
  • "While driving, my vehicle suddenly began shuddering and shaking. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly. I had to press the brake pedal unusually hard. After parking, the vehicle would not move…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-09-08
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-18
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on two occasions, the vehicle lost power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven over to the…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2019 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2019 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Optima 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 37 31 MPG $2100
Optima 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 30 24 MPG $2700
Optima 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 33 27 MPG $2400
Optima FE 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 35 29 MPG $2250
Optima hybrid 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 39 45 41 MPG $1600
Optima Plug-in hybrid 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 38 43 40 MPG / 610 mi range $1600

Specs and fitment

4th generation (JF), 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V161000. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently. If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Kia Optima Next year 2020 Kia Optima See every Kia Optima model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima over 8 years — 14 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Optima years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Automatic emergency braking.

What are common problems with a 2019 Kia Optima?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (89 of 208), then Forward collision avoidance (36) and Electrical system (23). Those filings include 20 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 11 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Optima has 232 complaints, 14 per year, and the 2020 has 146 complaints, 8 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Kia Optima been recalled?

The 2019 Kia Optima has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 208 complaints about the 2019 Kia Optima with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Kia Optima get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Kia Optima is 32 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Optima take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.4L and 2.0L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-161 cover on the Kia Optima?

NHTSA campaign 18V161000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Optima?

4th generation (JF) (2012-2020).