The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 96 of 215 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 244 in 2018 to 215 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 215
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,500–$2,600
- Combined MPG
- 24–41
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2019 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,500–2,500 | 1,500–2,500 | 1,500–2,600 | 1,500–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–42 | 25–42 | 24–41 | 24–42 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–39 / 31–46 | 22–39 / 31–46 | 21–39 / 30–45 | 21–40 / 30–45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 212–360 | 212–360 | 215–371 | 213–371 | |
| Complaints filed | 306 | 244 | 215 | 155 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 10 | 20 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 12 | 10 | 7 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 9 | 16 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Optima have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2019 Kia Optima?
Engine: 96 of 215 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates it 24–41 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Kia Optima?
EPA estimates $1,500–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 292 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 371 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 327 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 325 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 39 mpg (high) | 45 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | $1,500 (low) | 215 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 43 mpg | 40 mpg | $1,550 | 97 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 96 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 23 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 48 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 44 | 2 | 1 | 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 (1)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. 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.
- Consequence
- Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.