2023 Kia Optima.

The 2023 Kia Optima is so far worse than average by owner complaints: 108 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 135, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel or ev drive system, and it has 4 recalls. The best Kia Optima year is 2017.

Early read

135Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: worse than average. 1.4× the average car's complaints.

Best year 2017 · Worst year 2001

Photo shows a 2018 Kia Optima. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemFuel or ev drive system37% of owner complaints Recalls4Free fix at any dealer Better year to buy20171.9× fewer complaints than average Repair notes from Kia68Ask a seller if they were done

Owner complaints108first 3 years

Fuel economy—combined, EPA

Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 108 owner complaints, owners reported:

6crashes

8injuries

0fires

5tows

68 repair notes from Kia

Early read. The 2023 Kia Optima hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

fuel or ev drive system37%

body structure13%

fuel system, gasoline13%

engine11%

transmission & drivetrain10%

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.

Transmission problems in every Kia Optima year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 37K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 62K miles on the car (14 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 4

fuel system, gasoline 2025
A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
body structure 2025
The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
airbags 2023
The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.

Show all 4 recalls

transmission & drivetrain 2022
The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Kia told dealers about

Kia sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: anti-theft s/w logic upgrade & decal…
REAR OCCUPANT ALERT (ROA) W/REAR DOOR LOGIC - This bulletin has been revised to include…
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED WDCT REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS - This bulletin provides…

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

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningUnknown

Lane departure warningStandard

NHTSA front crash test of the 2023 Kia Optima — Front crash test · NHTSA

Crash test details

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
Kia K5 4 DR AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Kia K5 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

In owners' words

I was involved in a traffic accident on May 29 2023. I was hit on the passenger side sustaining $18,000 in damages. My side air bag never went off.
2023 Kia Optima owner · NHTSA complaint 11526279

More owner reports

Recall check and they kept my car and said they will not replace it
NHTSA complaint 11723082

Left rear car door C-Pillar trim ripped off while driving.
NHTSA complaint 11678704

Quick answers

Is the 2023 Kia Optima reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 1.4× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 135; 100 is average). The best Kia Optima year by this measure is 2017.

What are the most common 2023 Kia Optima problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel or ev drive system (37%), body structure (13%) and fuel system, gasoline (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Optima have?

4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2023 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.

Does the 2023 Kia Optima have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.

What Kia Optima year is better than the 2023?

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