Reliability & cost of ownership
Kia Optima Phev Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Kia Optima Phev? 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 Phev problems by model year
4 recall entries across 2 model years and 33 owner complaints across 4 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima Phev | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2019 Optima Phev | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2018 Optima Phev | 2 | 8 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2017 Optima Phev | 2 | 23 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Kia Optima Phev, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine15 complaints
- electrical system11 complaints
- unknown or other7 complaints
- power train3 complaints
- steering2 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system2 complaints
- hybrid propulsion system2 complaints
- air bags2 complaints