Kia Optima vs Subaru Legacy
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Kia Optima
- Total complaints
- 7,494
- Avg per model year
- 375
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 22
- Most complained year
- 2013 (1,381)
Top problems: Engine, Electrical System, Unknown / Other
Subaru Legacy
- Total complaints
- 3,146
- Avg per model year
- 88
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 68
- Most complained year
- 2005 (184)
Top problems: Electrical System, Air Bags, Power Train
Complaints by model year
| Year | Kia Optima | Subaru Legacy | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 145 | 121 | ||
| 2019 | 206 | 123 | ||
| 2018 | 232 | 117 | ||
| 2017 | 255 | 119 | ||
| 2016 | 754 | 147 | ||
| 2015 | 1,007 | 159 | ||
| 2014 | 585 | 53 | ||
| 2013 | 1,381 | 66 | ||
| 2012 | 919 | 90 | ||
| 2011 | 593 | 167 | ||
| 2010 | 75 | 150 | ||
| 2009 | 116 | 65 | ||
| 2008 | 144 | 65 | ||
| 2007 | 167 | 33 | ||
| 2006 | 155 | 87 | ||
| 2005 | 144 | 184 | ||
| 2004 | 225 | 49 | ||
| 2003 | 141 | 60 | ||
| 2002 | 107 | 54 | ||
| 2001 | 143 | 77 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.