KIA Optima problems by year
10,337 complaints across 19 model years, 2001–2020. 2013 draws the most at 1,896; 2009 the fewest at 166.
Read this first
Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold as much as how reliable they were. A popular model year will always look worse than a rare one. Compare the dominant failure system between years rather than the raw totals.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | Top reported system | Crashes | Fires | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 231 | Structure (16.0%) | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 168 | Structure (19.6%) | 28 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 190 | Latches/locks/linkages (27.9%) | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 306 | Latches/locks/linkages (26.5%) | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 180 | Latches/locks/linkages (36.7%) | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 214 | Air bags (21.5%) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 218 | Air bags (31.2%) | 20 | 6 | 0 |
| 2008 | 189 | Air bags (30.7%) | 26 | 7 | 12 |
| 2009 | 166 | Power train (19.9%) | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| 2011 | 782 | Engine (32.7%) | 38 | 51 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1,264 | Engine (31.5%) | 37 | 120 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1,896most | Engine (32.3%) | 77 | 171 | 7 |
| 2014 | 800 | Engine (35.5%) | 38 | 68 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1,406 | Engine (44.2%) | 56 | 118 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1,086 | Engine (39.2%) | 48 | 38 | 2 |
| 2017 | 356 | Engine (46.1%) | 7 | 14 | 0 |
| 2018 | 334 | Engine (39.2%) | 14 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | 330 | Engine (27.9%) | 30 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 221 | Engine (46.2%) | 9 | 6 | 0 |