2019 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 208 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 20 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency brakingJul 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.
Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V539000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
208 reports, newest first.
Steering, Nov 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
Air bags, Structure, Oct 25, 2019, crash
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.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2019, crash
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 MY BODY BUT NONE OF THEM REALLY HAD ANY DRAINAGE ANSWERS. JUST RECENTLY HAD AN EMERGENCY SURGERY ON MY UPPER BACK. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS SPINAL STENOSIS. I HAD NO PRIOR HEALTH PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND I WANT SOME ANSWERS TO THAT. ALSO AFTER THIS INCIDENT MY BACK TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, FLARES FOR SAFETY OR ANYTHING WHEN I LOOKED IN MY TRUNK I AM SURE THIS IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT ISSUE ALL TOGETHER BEFORE ALL OF THIS I HAD FAITH IN KIA AND NOW I DOUBT THAT KIA CARES OR IS CONCERNED WITH THE WELL BEING OF BUYING AND PAYING CUSTOMERS. KIA FINANCIAL TREATED VERY BADLY AS WELL. MY MOM, MY DAD AND MY STEP MOTHER ALL DRIVE KIA'S A'S WELL. IS IT TIME FOR US TO SWITCH UP CAR CHOICES?
Other or unspecified, Sep 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
Air bags, Aug 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!
Visibility/wiper, Jul 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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 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 FIGHT IS NOT OVER, SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO BE DONE. IT ALSO HESITATES AT TIMES, FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS STRUGGLING TO GO. ALSO, TWO TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, THE DASH LIT UP WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING LIKE, I WAS IN A CRASH, THE EXCLAMATION POINT, ETC.
Power train, Mar 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.