The Lemon Index2007 Kia Optima.
The 2007 Kia Optima is worse than average by owner complaints: 43 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 119, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 23 to 25 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 167 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Optima year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 108K miles on the car (130 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 28K–103K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 59K–160K miles
- wipers & visibility complaints mostly came at 37K–112K miles
Recalls 2
- airbags 2012
IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn
- Optima (mg) shift cable detachment
- Automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedTransmission shift cable detachment2010–2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2007 Kia Optima with several safety issues. Consumer states that the transmission was replaced in february 2008, 5 weeks after the car was purchased. In april mechanic informed consumer that the #1 engine bracket Bolt was missing.
2007 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 10233969
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Kia Optima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2007 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (56%), transmission & drivetrain (14%) and visibility (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Kia Optima have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Kia Optima get?
23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,400 and 108,500 miles. The middle report was at 75,500 miles, from 130 complaints.
Does the 2007 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Kia Optima have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works