The best and worst Kia Optima years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Kia Optimas old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2017–2019 and 2021 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2011, 2013 and 2015–2016 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2021 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2011 Kia Optima · 70.1 per 10,000 sold (2.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 103,900 miles; then tie rods, linkage, shaft and column.
2013 Kia Optima · 88.6 per 10,000 sold (3.0× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,519 miles; then stalling and no-start.
2015 Kia Optima · 63.2 per 10,000 sold (2.1× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 88,000 miles; then stalling and no-start.
2016 Kia Optima · 60.7 per 10,000 sold (2.0× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 85,000 miles; then internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings).
Years with the fewest complaints
2017 Kia Optima · 23.7 per 10,000 sold (0.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 93,226 miles.
2018 Kia Optima · 22.7 per 10,000 sold (0.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 76,270 miles.
2019 Kia Optima · 21.4 per 10,000 sold (0.7× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks, typically around 70,000 miles.
2021 Kia Optima · 0.0 per 10,000 sold (0.0× this model’s typical year)
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Kia Optima year: 29.7 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Kia Optima?
Among Kia Optimas old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2013 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 88.6, about 3.0× a typical Kia Optima year. The 2011 and 2015–2016 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Kia Optima?
The 2021 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Kia Optimas from 2005–2021: 0.0, against 29.7 for a typical year. The 2017–2019 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2013 Kia Optima?
The most-reported problem on the 2013 Kia Optima is internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 100,519 miles.
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Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.