2020 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 146 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 6 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
146 reports, newest first.
Engine, Feb 5, 2025
Oil pan developed stress crack below and along both sides of the oil pan drain plug All components are in place and there are no signs of road damage or damage do to obstacles being hit Leak started slowly and progressively became worse Returned car to have plug checked but no report back of any problem and it was documented on service order
Power train, Feb 3, 2025
At gas, the vehicle jumps/judders as if it’s not getting enough gas to get up and go, and then at higher speeds it goes fine. Was reported to Horne Kia while under warranty. They never found the issues. Months later issue was found by a new mechanic, now the vehicle is no longer under warranty and the TRA codes are posted online. [XXX] Reported August 2021 [XXX] Reported December 2020 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 30, 2025
I got a CEL (code P1326), three different times. Each time has been after a hard rain or a car wash. I have had to pay to have the knock sensor replaced each time, twice by a mechanic and once by a Kia dealership. There’s a recall for this issue on model years older than my 2020. I was told that Kia is aware but that there aren’t enough people having the issue to warrant them to investigate.
Engine, Jan 9, 2025
The engine is burning through oil. I have already had the car checked for an oil leak. It is the engine. It's a 2020 however it does not have high mileage for the year that it is.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 28, 2024
I was driving on the high way and the car loose power completely have to do change oil every two weeks and can’t find a solution
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that oil changes needed to be performed more frequently than normal. The contact stated that the oil light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Engine, Dec 6, 2024
Driving at highway speed of 65 mph, the vehicle abruptly lost power. The check engine light started flashing. I was almost rear ended due to the loss of power, I was able to coast to the emergency shoulder and stop. The car was towed to the nearest Kia dealership. Diagnostics show code P1326, the engine has failed and needs to be replaced at a cost of over $10000. This the same engine that was included in a class action lawsuit for model years up to 2019, the 2020 was not included. Kia is offering no assistance to me as the second owner of the vehicle even thought the car only has 98,000 miles, the powertrain warranty is reduced to 60,000 for a second owner. The cost of repairs is more than the value of the vehicle.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension (Illumination of Air Bag Warning Light); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The seat belt alarm chimed while the front driver seat belt was buckled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 42,860.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 13, 2024
Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms car would struggle to accelerate, car had been using up oil like crazy the week before. Stopped at an autozone car read code P1326.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the check engine light was flashing. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was being depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P1326; and notified the contact that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, one quart of engine oil was being added weekly. The contact called a dealer however, the Service Manager did not return the call. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 16, 2024
I started having clicking sound in engine around 50k miles . Then my check engine light came on and my engine has been using so much oil. I have to get an additional 3 quarts in between oil changes. The clicking sound is getting louder and my car is now having issues accelerating. . My engine is failing and I bought this car brand new and have regularly maintained it .
Engine, Aug 27, 2024
Car has been excessively consuming oil for the past year. Black smoke blowing out of exhaust pipe. Engine siezed up which almost caused an accident, had to veer off the road to keep from causing myself and the other party harm. Kia is stating no recall but there is tons of motors having this same issue. The actual motor in car is a 2019 model engine.inspected by Kia dealership with no help stating out of warranty even though this has been going on for over a year.
Service brakes, Air, Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the OEM bolt had fractured while the brake pads were being replaced. The OEM bolt was replaced with an aftermarket bolt that was purchased from Auto Zone. The aftermarket replacement bolt was manufactured by Carquest; Part Number: H803. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Engine, Jul 30, 2024
I purchased my car used in 2022. It had a metal clanking noise in the engine. I took it to KIA they said there was no recall open for them to check it. The sound is getting worse and the engine is now burning oil but KIA won’t do anything unless I pay them $1,200 to clean the heads and another $187 an hour to scope the engine. This has been a problem since I purchased the car and I am sure it has to do with the engine recall but they refuse to fix it or look at it. I have had regular oil changes and maintenance done at appropriate intervals.
Engine, Jul 29, 2024
I was driving in the freeway to my girlfriends house and suddenly my check engine light came on and started flashing, I got off the freeway as soon as I could and parked to check what was wrong and while driving to park I noticed I couldn’t accelerate past 2000 RPM and when shifting my car was skipping and it felt like gas wasn’t getting to the engine. I checked my oil levels and they were at normal levels, the battery was fine, and the car was turning on without a problem. I ran a diagnostics code and it came up with the P13-26 Code
Engine, Jul 13, 2024
Oil leaking at drain pan and won’t come out.
Engine, Jul 9, 2024
While traveling on the highway at the stated rate of speed between 65-75 mph, my vehicle experienced what I described as a downward surge causing the vehicle to suddenly lose speed immediately followed by a consistent blinking engine light. Fortunately, I was in the slow lane and there wasn't a vehicle behind me, or I could have been rear ended. I tried to accelerate; however, the engine acted as if it was choking. I backed off acceleration and allowed the engine to pick up speed on its own. Fortunately, I was almost home and stopped by the Auto Zone in my neighborhood and they attached the device that will generate the code. The code generated P1326 which points toward the knock sensor. KIA need to address this issue and be made to correct these dangerous issues before someone is in a major accident where they may find themselves in a lot of traffic. In my research, I have found numerous complaints regarding this issue and consumers not receiving restitution or taking 3-4 months waiting for their vehicle to be repaired. We hope you will be able to assist in getting KIA to review these motor issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Engine, Jul 7, 2024
June 29th I was driving home and car suddenly went into limp mode. Had this car less than 2 yrs. I'm the second owner so I don't have 100,000 engine warranty. Its at 91 000 miles. Gets maintained regularly. But the cart consumes a lot of oil and after I google and read all about P1326, i find out there is a campaign by kia fixing these engines. Unfortunately my make and model, even tho same engines didn't make the cut. From the list of complaints from people online seems to me that there will be more legal action taken. These are the same crappy engines. I will never nor let anybody I know by a Kia/Hayandai ever again, if I can help it.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 4, 2024
Leased this Kia by force from rightway auto here in Indianapolis in. Had for about 1 1/2. First notice after filling up my tank gas was depleted within 3 days on driving 12 miles to and from work in town. Then oil start disappearing a week after oil changes. .around Jan 8,2024. Check engine light start flashing driving the highway to work. Speed jumped down to 45. Engine start shaking if I tried to go faster. Got a engine light scan says needs knock sensor. Had it replaced. 6 months later. Car did the same thing. Same code. Knock sensor. Had it re replaced. 3 hours later car did the same thing. Each time while driving the highway almost got me rear ended. On June 27,2024 took it to ray skillman dealership. Found out knock sensor needed to be replaced again, this time along with plugs n worse apparently knock sensor throwed off spark plugs. Was told it's consuming a lot of oil they don't know why cause there's no leaks. Spent over 800 at the dealership. After paying 320. Replace part. Then another 140. Replace that replaced part. Less than a week after spending 800 at the dealership. [XXX].on my way to work my car did the same thing driving on the highway where the speed limit I think is 70. Cars flying. And almost got rear ended again. Cause the speed of the car dropped to 45, engine light start flashing. Car started shaking.. so again I'm out of a car cause it has to go back to the dealership. Not enough money for lift to work n home. About to lose my job. Just paid my car note on the 23 of june at 700 plus insurance 175.. 1300 for rent. And a minimum wage paying job at the airport. Apparently the 5 yr warranty on the car is up when I just reached 10000 miles . And I only had this car for less than 2 years I think it had 90 something thousand miles on it when I got it..i guess the makers of this car knew this trash would only last 5 yrs . reason why it came with a 5 yr manufacturer warranty Can someone please help. We the people are out of money. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jun 27, 2024
Cat consumes excessive oil. Smokes.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2024
I was stopped at a red light and the car stayed on but just stopped working. I had to wait for it to reset itself, or at least that was what it felt like it was doing. I got the oil changed in it the next day and about three weeks later the low oil light has come back on.
Engine, May 25, 2024
Oil consumption is absurd. 5 quarts in 2k miles.
Engine, May 2, 2024
On April 19 of this year I was driving on the freeway and I noticed my car was losing power and my engine light came on and I quickly had to merge over to the emergency lane while my car was jerking back and fourth and making a knocking sound. I’ve only had the car for about 5 years and I took it to the dealership and explained to them that my oil would burn faster now and I think it was messing up my engine but they didn’t care. They said I need a new engine now and it’s going to cost me $6200 to fix and I’m still financing on this car.
Engine, Apr 9, 2024
Unknown all I know is my check engine light came on . And was told from O’Reillys that my knock sensor was bad. And I have warranty so I reached out to you guys but still haven’t got a call back
Engine, Mar 27, 2024
Engine is burning 1-2 quarts of oil per week. I work from home so it only get driven once or twice a week max. I’m still making payments on a car that is unsafe to drive, eating oil, and running potential for the engine to lock up due to it being the exact same engine with the exact same issues as what is in prior years but for some reason to 2020 was not included in the recall. I am a single mother of 4 and can’t afford to put thousands of dollars worth of work into this car, that’s why I bought newer for reliability and I can’t even confidently put my kids in this car and am stuck with it for another 4 years. Kia needs to address this!!