2014 Kia Optima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2014 Kia Optima
BUILT 2026-08-02

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: 576 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	589
2012	916
2013	1371
2014	576
2015	998
2016	747
2017	252
2018	227
2019	200
2020	136

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 48%

48% of complaints: engine — 277 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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

I WAS IN A PARKING STRUCTURE, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. I CONTINUED A FEW FEET TO MY DESIGNATED PARKING STALL AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATED AT WHAT FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE FULL THROTTLE ON IT'S OWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150217

STEERING 16%

16% of complaints: steering — 92 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 48 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20230930

NHTSA ODI report, 20150217

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 576

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