Short answer
Among Kia Optima model years through 2024, 2005 and 2020 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2013 has the most (10). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Kia Optima: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 20 (2001–2020)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 24
- Fewest recalls
- 2005 and 2020 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2013 (10)
- Most recalled system
- Engine (12)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2011, 2012, 2013 and 7 more years
Kia Optima Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2019 | 1 | 5 stars | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2018 | 3 | 5 stars | Engine, Hybrid propulsion system, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2017 | 4 | 5 stars | Engine, Hybrid propulsion system, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 stars | Air bags, Engine, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine |
| 2014 | 7 | 5 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, gasoline, Engine |
| 2013 | 10 | 5 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2012 | 6 | 5 stars | Engine, Air bags, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 | 6 | 5 stars | Engine, Air bags, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Power train |
| 2007 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train |
| 2006 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Power train |
| 2005 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Suspension |
| 2003 | 2 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Suspension |
| 2002 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Suspension |
| 2001 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Suspension |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20200 recalls
- 20191 recall
- 20183 recalls
- 20174 recalls
- 20165 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 20147 recalls
- 201310 recalls
- 20126 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 20101 recall
- 20091 recall
- 20083 recalls
- 20072 recalls
- 20062 recalls
- 20050 recalls
- 20041 recall
- 20032 recalls
- 20023 recalls
- 20013 recalls
Kia Optima: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Kia Optima recalls are engine (12), service brakes, hydraulic (11), air bags (9), fuel system, gasoline (6) and engine and engine cooling (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 10 of these 20 model years, and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 7 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Kia Optima Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Kia Optima?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2005 and 2020 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Kia Optima model years have the most recalls?
2013 has the most, with 10 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Optima", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy