The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Optima · 2025
2025 Kia Optima. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 3
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | AWD | 24 / 33 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S8) | FWD | 23 / 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 2,400 and 15,500 miles. Median 4,400, from 5 complaints with a mileage.
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 28% |
| Electrical | 21% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 11% |
| Wheels | 9% |
| Lights | 9% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
25V493000 Jul 2025 Structure / Body / Roof And Pillars
Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Risk. Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC346.
25V351000 May 2025 Exterior Lighting / Lighting Control Module / Software
Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.
Manufacturer communications 27
Kia filed 27 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Technical service bulletin: service action: 8-speed transmission gear shift logic improvement…
- Technical service bulletin: service action: battery wiring harness covering inspection /…
- Technical service bulletin: service action: sunroof operation software logic improvement…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia K5 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia K5 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
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