Owner report · 2014 model year

2014 Kia Optima

Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 315 of 622 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Fuel System include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 1,443 in 2013 to 622 in 2014.

Data last changed Nov 7, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints: 622
Recall campaigns: 7
EPA fuel cost per year: $1,700–$2,600
Combined MPG: 24–37

Complaints by model year

1,0312012
1,4432013
6222014
1,0232015
7652016

Where owners report problems

Engine315 (51%)
Steering100 (16%)
Other93 (15%)
Electrical71 (11%)
Body, Seats & Latches53 (9%)
Fuel System53 (9%)

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	vs. 2014 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	1,750–2,400	1,700–2,400	1,700–2,600	1,700–2,600	1,700–2,500
Combined MPG	26–36	26–37	24–37	24–37	25–37
City / Highway MPG	22–34 / 33–38	22–35 / 33–38	20–35 / 30–38	20–35 / 30–38	22–35 / 31–38
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	247–342	242–340	242–372	242–372	242–360
Complaints filed	1,031	1,443	622	1,023	765	Not compared
Recalls issued	6	10	7	4	5	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	30	49	25	31	27	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	83	116	44	76	21	Not compared
Injuries reported	36	38	24	23	21	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	4	2	1	1	Not compared
Configurations compared	4	5	4	4	5

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Optima have?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Kia Optima?

Engine: 315 of 622 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Kia Optima get?

EPA rates it 24–37 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Kia Optima?

EPA estimates $1,700–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic 6-spd	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	20 mpg (low)	30 mpg (low)	24 mpg (low)	$2,600 (high)	372 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2	Automatic 6-spd	4	2.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	23 mpg	33 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400	332 g/mi
Configuration 3	Automatic (AM6)	4	2.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	35 mpg (high)	38 mpg (high)	37 mpg (high)	$1,700 (low)	242 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4	Automatic (AM6)	4	2.4L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	35 mpg (high)	38 mpg (high)	36 mpg	$1,750	247 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	315	11	31	12	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	23	3	1	1	0
Fuel System	53	5	10	10	2
Electrical	71	3	9	7	0
Brakes	49	8	4	6	0
Steering	100	1	0	1	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	15	0	0	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	20	8	1	6	0
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	26	6	1	4	1
Body, Seats & Latches	53	1	3	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	30	0	1	0	0
Other	93	4	8	2	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (7)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign 22V093000 · Feb 17, 2022
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Campaign 21V331000 · May 10, 2021
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Campaign 20V519000 · Aug 27, 2020
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign 20V100000 · Feb 21, 2020
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Consequence
If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE
Campaign 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. 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.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Campaign 17V224000 · Mar 31, 2017
Defect
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Consequence
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.