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Kia Optima Hybrid Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 275 owner complaints across 9 model years of the Kia Optima Hybrid (2011–2020). The most-complained-about year is 2012.

5
safety recalls, all years
275
owner complaints, all years
2011
year with most recalls
2012
year with most complaints

Pick your Kia Optima Hybrid model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2020 Kia Optima Hybrid01
2018 Kia Optima Hybrid23
2017 Kia Optima Hybrid226
2016 Kia Optima Hybrid04
2015 Kia Optima Hybrid012
2014 Kia Optima Hybrid031
2013 Kia Optima Hybrid255
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid3109
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid334

What Kia Optima Hybrid owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA. The 2012 model year has the most, with 109.

All Kia Optima Hybrid recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Kia Optima Hybrid, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside

    NHTSA 23V652000 Reported 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected Kia America, Inc.

    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…

    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,…

    Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013

  2. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 23V594000 Reported 319,436 vehicles potentially affected Kia America, Inc.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401,…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…

    Model years: 2017, 2018

  3. Engine

    NHTSA 21V844000 Reported 10,731 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of…

    Model years: 2017, 2018

  4. Engine

    NHTSA 20V750000 Reported 294,756 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In…

    Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013

  5. Air bag/restraint control module (air bags)

    NHTSA 18V363000 Reported 507,587 vehicles potentially affected Kia Motors America

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle…

    Model years: 2011, 2012

Other Kia models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.