2019 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 318 complaints about the 2019 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 27.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of forward collision avoidance at 13.8%.
Complaints318
Crashes30
Fires9
Injuries22
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 27.4% · 87
Forward collision avoidance 13.8% · 44
Unknown or other 12.9% · 41
Electrical system 6.9% · 22
Service brakes 5.7% · 18
Power train 5.0% · 16
Fuel/propulsion system 4.7% · 15
Structure 4.4% · 14
Severity
Of those complaints, 30 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire and 22 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2019 sits 9th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 187 in the last three years against 93 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 20,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2019 KIA Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph and merging onto the highway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pumped the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle responded. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,800. Engine · reported at 74,800 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was oil leaking from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil was changed; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,008. Engine · reported at 100,008 miles
I currently have 119500 miles on my 2019 Kia Optima. I am losing oil somewhere between oil changes, and the car is beginning to hesitate while driving. I don't see oil on the ground but I have had to put in 2-3 1/2 quarts of oil way too often. For this to happen on some many vehicles, it must be a manufacturer defect. The hesitation just started and I'm taking it do get a diagnostic test. 11 Engine
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…