The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Optima · 2019
2019 Kia Optima. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM7) | FWD | 27 / 37 / 31 | Regular | $2,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid | Auto (AM6) | FWD | 39 / 45 / 41 | Regular | $1,500 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | Auto (AM6) | FWD | 38 / 43 / 40 | Regular | $1,550 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 24 / 33 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 9,500 and 73,600 miles. Median 30,200, from 52 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 65,000 | 24,000–122,300 | 17 |
| Automatic emergency braking | 20,000 | 9,000–57,800 | 7 |
| Electrical | 18,000 | 2,000–34,900 | 7 |
| Airbags | 14,100 | 1,900–60,500 | 6 |
| Speed control | 15,000 | 9,000–47,400 | 5 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical | 15% |
| Engine | 15% |
| Airbags | 15% |
| Automatic emergency braking | 15% |
| Brakes | 13% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 212 | 20 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 25 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
19V539000 Jul 2019 Forward Collision Avoidance / Automatic Emergency Braking
Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Risk. Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
| Closed | Electrical overstress | 2019 | 2024 |
Manufacturer communications 130
Kia filed 130 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- LOWER ENGINE SERVICE COVER BOLT LOCATIONS - This Pitstop provides information on the correct bolt
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Standard | Standard |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data