2019 Kia Optima vs 2020 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 Kia Optima | 2020 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 206 | 145 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 123 | 93 |
| Investigations | 2 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 20 | 6 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 24–41 | 24–42 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 33,950 mi | 60,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Optima | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 88 | 98 |
| Power Train | 17 | 26 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 36 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 23 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 18 | 7 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Oil consumption | 30 | 34 |
| Check engine light | 20 | 29 |
| Stalling | 17 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 14 | 23 |
| Vibration / shaking | 14 | 13 |
| Hesitation / surging | 7 | 0 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 6 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 6 |
2019 Kia Optima
2020 Kia Optima
Compare all Kia Optima 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.