The Lemon Index2020 Kia Optima.
The 2020 Kia Optima is better than average by owner complaints: 42 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 55, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 24 to 42 mpg combined. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 152 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Optima year. 2020 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 10K to 117K miles on the car (28 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 100 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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…
- Technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this…
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
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
It is impossible to use the brake pedal if the shoe size is us10+. The distance between the floor and the knee airbag mechanism does not allow the use of the brake pedal.
2020 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 11414072
More owner reports
The passagen side seat belt comes on and beeps and stays on sometimes and other times it dont Then the check engine one day started flashing on me lost of power wouldnt do no more then 60mph
NHTSA complaint 11514612
Car burns through 3 quarts of oil per week with just normal usage. Confirmed there are no oil leaks.
NHTSA complaint 11508286
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Kia Optima reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2020 Kia Optima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (43%), brakes (17%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Optima have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Optima get?
24 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Kia Optima safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Kia Optima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,900 and 117,800 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 28 complaints.
Does the 2020 Kia Optima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Kia Optima cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Kia Optima have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Kia Optima year is better than the 2020?
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