Midsize sedans · JF generation
Think twice Well below average
It scores 4 out of 100 for reliability compared with other midsize sedans. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $16,426 to own, including $7,688 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Kia Optima.
Reliability
4/100
Well below average
Repairs, 5 years
$7,688
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$6,581
31 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$8,323
$7,324 – $9,322, estimate
Recalls
5
on record
Owner complaints
760
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
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, "Internal Trunk Release."
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 dur
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2019 scores best (24/100) and the 2015 worst (0/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 16/100 |
| 2019 | 24/100 |
| 2018 | 20/100 |
| 2017 | 22/100 |
| 2016 | 4/100 |
| 2015 | 0/100 |
Yes. It scores 4 out of 100, among the least reliable midsize sedans of 2015–2024.
It scores 4 out of 100 against other midsize sedans from 2015 to 2024, which is well below average. Based on 760 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $7,688 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $16,426 over 5 years: $2,157 in lost value, $7,688 in repairs and $6,581 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $8,323 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2019 scores best (24/100) and the 2015 worst (0/100).
5 recalls on record with NHTSA.