The Lemon IndexKia Optima.
The best Kia Optima years are 2017, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2001, 2006, 2007. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 84, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2017.
Quick answers.
Is the Kia Optima a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 84; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2017 and the worst is 2001.
What are the best Kia Optima years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2017, 2019, 2020.
What Kia Optima years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2001, 2006, 2007.
How many recalls does the Kia Optima have?
79 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2013 (9), 2014 (7), 2012 (6). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Kia Optima problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, steering and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 233 | 2.3× the average car's complaints | 64 | airbags (28%) | 3 | — | 19–21 |
| 2002 | 102 | about average | 28 | airbags (36%) | 3 | — | 18–21 |
| 2003 | 117 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 33 | airbags (27%) | 2 | — | 21–23 |
| 2004 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 29 | electrical (24%) | 1 | — | 21–23 |
| 2005 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 20 | airbags (40%) | 0 | — | 21–23 |
| 2006 | 160 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 43 | airbags (35%) | 2 | — | 21–25 |
| 2007 | 119 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 43 | airbags (56%) | 2 | — | 23–25 |
| 2008 | 88 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 39 | airbags (41%) | 3 | — | 23–25 |
| 2009 | 77 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 23 | transmission & drivetrain (30%) | 1 | — | 23–25 |
| 2010 | 79 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 28 | transmission & drivetrain (57%) | 1 | — | 23–25 |
| 2011 | 85 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 84 | steering (26%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 26–36 |
| 2012 | 95 | about average | 156 | steering (32%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 26–36 |
| 2013 | 107 | about average | 205 | steering (39%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 26–37 |
| 2014 | 66 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 115 | engine (41%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 24–37 |
| 2015 | 98 | about average | 153 | engine (54%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 24–37 |
| 2016 | 87 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 118 | engine (35%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 25–37 |
| 2017 | 53 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 63 | engine (46%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–42 |
| 2018 | 57 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 60 | engine (32%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 25–42 |
| 2019 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 55 | electrical (15%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 24–41 |
| 2020 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 42 | engine (43%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 24–42 |
| 2021 | 92 | about average | 82 | electrical (29%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2022 | 112 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 100 | fuel or EV drive system (26%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2023 | 135 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 108 | fuel or EV drive system (37%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2024 | 68 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 31 | engine (29%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | — |
| 2025 | 120 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 53 | tires (28%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | — |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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