The Lemon IndexKia Optima recalls.
Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2001–2025 Kia Optima, newest first. Each one is listed once, with the model years it covers.
Check a VIN to see that car's model-year report and recalls.
Illustrations (AI-generated) of the cars shown, not photos of specific cars. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Park-it warnings 3
NHTSA flagged these: don't drive the car, or park it outside, until the fix is done.
- Brakes · recall issued Sep 2023 · model years 2011–2015 Park outside
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
1,730,192 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V652000
- Brakes · recall issued May 2021 · model years 2013–2015 Park outside
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
440,370 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V331000
- Brakes · recall issued Aug 2020 · model years 2013–2015 Park outside
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
440,370 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V519000
Every recall 31
1 filed in the last 12 months. A new recall has had the least time to be fixed, so it's the one most likely still open on a used car.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Nov 2025 · model years 2021–2024 New: most likely still open
A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
250,547 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V794000
- Body structure · recall issued Jul 2025 · model years 2023–2025
The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
100,063 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V493000
- Lights · recall issued May 2025 · model year 2025
A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker.
82,281 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V351000
- Brakes · recall issued Sep 2023 · model years 2011–2015 Park outside
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
1,730,192 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V652000
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued Aug 2023 · model years 2016–2018
The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
319,436 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V594000
- Airbags · recall issued Mar 2023 · model years 2021–2023
The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
188,912 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V149000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Oct 2022 · model years 2021–2023
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.
69,038 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V760000
- Body structure · recall issued Aug 2022 · model years 2012–2013
The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
257,998 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V560000
Show all 31 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Feb 2022 · model years 2013–2014
The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
72,848 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V093000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Jul 2021 · model years 2021–2022 2.5L engines only
Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
21,575 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V519000
- Lane assist · recall issued Jun 2021 · model years 2021–2022 2.5L engines only
The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults.
846 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V447000
- Brakes · recall issued May 2021 · model years 2013–2015 Park outside
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
440,370 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V331000
- Airbags · recall issued Mar 2021 · model year 2021
The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat.
142 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V164000
- Engine · recall issued Dec 2020 · model year 2012
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
294,756 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V750000
- Brakes · recall issued Aug 2020 · model years 2013–2015 Park outside
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
440,370 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V519000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Feb 2020 · model years 2013–2014
The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
141,774 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V100000
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued Jul 2019 · model year 2019
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.
11,423 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V539000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Dec 2018 · model years 2011–2017
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
71,653 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V907000
- Airbags · recall issued Jun 2018 · model years 2011–2013
In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
507,587 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V363000
- Hybrid propulsion system · recall issued Mar 2018 · model years 2017–2018 Hybrid only
These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
1,710 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V161000
- Engine · recall issued Mar 2017 · model years 2011–2014
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
618,160 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V224000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2017 · model year 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle.
1 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V007000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Oct 2016 · model year 2016 2.4L engines only
The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
12,214 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V705000
- Airbags · recall issued Apr 2016 · model year 2016
In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
17 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V231000
- Lights · recall issued Apr 2013 · model years 2008–2011
Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles.
980,377 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 13V114000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2012 · model years 2006–2008
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.
145,755 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V014000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Mar 2011 · model years 2006–2008
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007.
70,115 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 11V153000
- Suspension · recall issued May 2009 · model years 2001–2004
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUS…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Apr 2004 · model years 2002–2003
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
- Electrical · recall issued Mar 2003 · model years 2001–2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
- Airbags · recall issued May 2001 · model year 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recalls by model year. Campaigns that cover each year.
Tap a year for its problems, complaints and Lemon Index.
What they fix. Campaigns by system.
Is one open on your Optima?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does the Kia Optima have?
31 recall campaigns across model years 2001–2025, from NHTSA. Many campaigns cover several model years; counted once for every model year they cover (the way each year's page counts them), that's 79.
Which Kia Optima year has the most recalls?
The 2013, with 9 campaigns. 2014: 7, 2021: 6, 2012: 6.
What are most Kia Optima recalls about?
Airbags: 7 of the 31 campaigns. Then fuel system, gasoline (6) and brakes (3).
What is the newest Kia Optima recall?
Fuel system, gasoline, filed Nov 2025 (NHTSA 25V794000): A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
What is the biggest Kia Optima recall?
NHTSA 23V652000 (brakes, Sep 2023) covers 1,730,192 vehicles in all, every model in that campaign. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
How do I check if my Kia Optima has an open recall?
Use its VIN: type it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Kia dealer. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Kia Optima: problems and best years · All Kia recalls · Recall check
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
Know someone with a Optima?