2014 Kia Optima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2014 Kia Optima
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2014: 583 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	143
2002	107
2003	141
2004	225
2005	144
2006	155
2007	166
2008	143
2009	116
2010	75
2011	592
2012	919
2013	1379
2014	583
2015	1006
2016	754
2017	255
2018	231
2019	205
2020	142

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 48%

48% of complaints: engine — 282 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

On 7/13/26 around 0715 my son was driving our 2014 Kia optima when it caught fire and burned from the engine to the back of the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260713

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180525

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2014 KIA OPTIMA STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND WITH SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND NOT LONG AFTER ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180221

STEERING 16%

16% of complaints: steering — 94 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system.

CRASH INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 60 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasnât traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260830

Also filed under AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Summer 2017 The engine failed while driving with my family. The engine seized and a fire was engulfed. I was in the interstate and we feared for our life. Out of town visiting family we were stranded in another state for a month waiting for repairs.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231003

I was driving down the street when car caught on fire out of no where.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230930

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body.

CRASH FIRE

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 583

I 20170518 — RQ (closed 20211222)

Scope and Timeliness

R 20170620 — engine and engine cooling

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 17V224000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20190117 — engine, fuel system, gasoline

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS)...

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Campaign 18V907000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

R 20200612 — fuel system, gasoline

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines.

Remedy: Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Campaign 20V100000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201020 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed.

Campaign 20V519000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210702 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 21V331000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

R 20220802 — fuel system, gasoline

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.

Campaign 22V093000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed