Reliability & cost of ownership
Kia Optima Hybrid Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Kia Optima Hybrid? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Kia Optima Hybrid problems by model year
12 recall entries across 5 model years and 276 owner complaints across 10 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 5 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima Hybrid | Not confirmed | 1 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2019 Optima Hybrid | Not confirmed | None on file at try.vin | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2018 Optima Hybrid | 2 | 3 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2017 Optima Hybrid | 2 | 26 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 Optima Hybrid | Not confirmed | 4 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2015 Optima Hybrid | Not confirmed | 12 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2014 Optima Hybrid | Not confirmed | 31 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 Optima Hybrid | 2 | 56 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2012 Optima Hybrid | 3 | 109 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 Optima Hybrid | 3 | 34 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Kia Optima Hybrid, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine148 complaints
- electrical system73 complaints
- power train32 complaints
- unknown or other27 complaints
- steering20 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic19 complaints
- service brakes18 complaints
- vehicle speed control17 complaints