2019 Hyundai Sonata vs 2019 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2019 Hyundai Sonata | 2019 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 161 | 206 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 167 | 123 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 8 | 20 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–41 | 24–41 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 29,500 mi | 33,950 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Hyundai Sonata | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 86 | 88 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 36 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 23 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 12 | 15 |
| Power Train | 8 | 17 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 12 |
| Structure | 7 | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 18 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Oil consumption | 41 | 30 |
| Stalling | 17 | 17 |
| Check engine light | 14 | 20 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 14 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 0 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 5 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 5 | 14 |
2019 Hyundai Sonata
2019 Kia Optima
Compare all Hyundai Sonata vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.