MYRModel Year Report

Kia Optima — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

6 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 6 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid6 years

Caution3 years

Best bets6 years

Complaint history

2001: 143 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 107 complaints, Recommended 2003: 141 complaints, Recommended 2004: 225 complaints, Caution 2004 2005: 144 complaints, Recommended 2006: 155 complaints, Recommended 2007: 166 complaints, Recommended 2007 2008: 144 complaints, Recommended 2009: 116 complaints, Recommended 2010: 75 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 593 complaints, Avoid 2012: 919 complaints, Avoid 2013: 1,383 complaints, Avoid 2013 2014: 587 complaints, Avoid 2015: 1,008 complaints, Avoid 2016: 756 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 256 complaints, Caution 2018: 231 complaints, Caution 2019: 210 complaints, Recommended 2019 2020: 146 complaints, Recommended 2013 · 1,383
2001: 143 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 107 complaints, Recommended 2003: 141 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 225 complaints, Caution 2005: 144 complaints, Recommended 2005 2006: 155 complaints, Recommended 2007: 166 complaints, Recommended 2007 2008: 144 complaints, Recommended 2009: 116 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 75 complaints, Recommended 2011: 593 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 919 complaints, Avoid 2013: 1,383 complaints, Avoid 2013 2014: 587 complaints, Avoid 2015: 1,008 complaints, Avoid 2015 2016: 756 complaints, Avoid 2017: 256 complaints, Caution 2017 2018: 231 complaints, Caution 2019: 210 complaints, Recommended 2019 2020: 146 complaints, Recommended 2013 · 1,383
2001: 143 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 107 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 141 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 225 complaints, Caution 2004 2005: 144 complaints, Recommended 2005 2006: 155 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 166 complaints, Recommended 2007 2008: 144 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 116 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 75 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 593 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 919 complaints, Avoid 2012 2013: 1,383 complaints, Avoid 2013 2014: 587 complaints, Avoid 2014 2015: 1,008 complaints, Avoid 2015 2016: 756 complaints, Avoid 2016 2017: 256 complaints, Caution 2017 2018: 231 complaints, Caution 2018 2019: 210 complaints, Recommended 2019 2020: 146 complaints, Recommended 2020 2013 · 1,383
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2020 ● Recommended 146 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2019 ● Recommended 210 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2018 ◆ Caution 231 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2017 ◆ Caution 256 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2016 ■ Avoid 756 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2015 ■ Avoid 1,008 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2014 ■ Avoid 587 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2013 ■ Avoid 1,383 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2012 ■ Avoid 919 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2011 ■ Avoid 593 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 75 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ▲ Recommended 116 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 144 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ● Recommended 166 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2006 ● Recommended 155 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 ▲ Recommended 144 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 ◆ Caution 225 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ▲ Recommended 141 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ▲ Recommended 107 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ▲ Recommended 143 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

22

recalls on file across every Kia Optima model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Kia models