2019 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
206 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,225 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 88 of 206 complaints (42.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 29 | 14.1% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 88 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 30 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Structure:Body | 14 |
Engine: 88; Unknown Or Other: 41; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 30; Electrical System: 22; Service Brakes: 18; Power Train: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Structure:Body: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 154 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 23 |
2019: 11; 2020: 13; 2021: 17; 2022: 14; 2023: 34; 2024: 46; 2025: 48; 2026: 23
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11186816 · 2019-03-14 (March 14, 2019)
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS. IT CURRENTLY HAS 1600 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE AND I AM STILL EXPERIENCING STUDDERING AND SHAKING. HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT ON 3/15. EVEN HAVE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE INVOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11186816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11223068 · 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
I BOUGHT MY 2019 OPTIMA BRAND NEW BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JUNE AND I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING ON ME. I GET THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, NOTHING COMES UP ON THE COMPUTER WHEN THEY PLUG IT IN. THEY SAY, "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, CALL US AND WELL TAKE IT IN". BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND MY PAYMENTS BEING THAT OF A RANGE ROVER, I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. TO TOP IT OFF, THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS SLIPPING DOWN. I AM OVER THIS CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. BUT, MY FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11223068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11240697 · 2019-07-30 (July 30, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FIXED PANE GLASS ABRUPTLY FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100. THE VIN WAS INVALID.*BF *AS
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11244735 · 2019-08-18 (August 18, 2019)
PURCHASED 2019 KIA OPTIMA EX ON 4/27/2019 FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN,MD. AFTER RESEARCH ON THIS WEBSITE WE FIND OUT THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION FOR AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON THIS VEHICLE IN CRASHES. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS INITIATED BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. HOW IS A DEALERSHIP ALLOWED TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE? A DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE TO LET THE PURCHASER KNOW BEFORE THEY BUY THE VEHICLE. WE WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS!
Owner-reported narrative. 46 miles reported. Look up ODI 11244735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11257250 · 2019-09-22 (September 22, 2019)
I WAS LOOKING ON CREDIT KARMA AND READ THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD NO CLUE AND HAVEN'T HAD ANYONE CONTACT ME IN REGARDS TO THIS! I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11257250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268064 · 2019-10-12 (October 12, 2019)
I WAS DRIVING ONE NIGHT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT STILL HIT THE DEER WHICH DAMAGED MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND LIGHTS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. I DIDN'T CALL THE AMBULANCE AT THE TIME BECAUSE I HAD TO GO RIGHT BACK TO WORK. AT THE TIME I ALSO DID NOT THINK THAT THE ACCIDENT AFFECTED ME BUT I BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE WHIPLASH FROM SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THAT IT DID IN FACT DAMAGE MY SPINE. I KEPT GOING TO THE DOCTOR'S AND HOSPITALS TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH M…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11271129 · 2019-10-25 (October 25, 2019)
I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING 40-50MPH AND DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND REAR ENDED ME AND PUSHED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11271129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280619 · 2019-11-17 (November 17, 2019)
LANE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM MAKES UNUSUAL TURNS WHILE I'M DRIVING RESULTING ME HAVING TO CORRECT. IN SOME SITUATIONS VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED INTO CARS IN NEARBY LANE. INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BOTH ON SURFACE STREETS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 55 MILES PER HOUR AND ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 55 MILES PER HOUR
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280619 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V539000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
Reported: 2019-07-19 (July 19, 2019)
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.
Consequence: Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗