Which Kia Optima Hybrid years should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data flags 2012, 2013, and 2014 as Avoid years for the Optima Hybrid. 2012 ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 109 complaints.

Is there a best year for the Kia Optima Hybrid?

No year in this lineup is rated Best. The years with the fewest reported problems are 2015 through 2020, which show much lower complaint counts and complaint indexes than 2012-2014.

What is the most common problem on the Kia Optima Hybrid?

Across all model years, engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 161 of 274 total complaints, or 59 percent.

Are there recalls on the Kia Optima Hybrid?

Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the Optima Hybrid model years, including ones covering brakes, engine compartment fire risk, and airbag control unit short circuits.

How many complaints does the Kia Optima Hybrid have in total?

NHTSA lists 274 total complaints across 9 model years for the Optima Hybrid, spanning 2011 through 2020.

Kia Optima Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2011–2020)

The 2012, 2013, and 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid years are rated Avoid, with 2012 the worst (complaint index 100, 109 complaints). No year in this lineup earns a Best rating; 2015 and later years show far fewer complaints and lower complaint indexes.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013 Avoid 2014

Model years: 9; 2011–2020
NHTSA complaints: 274
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 14
Fires reported: 14
Top problem area: Engine

Optima Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Optima Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	Caution	63	34	2	2	3	Engine	36	—
2012	Avoid	100	109	5	5	3	Engine	36	5★
2013	Avoid	88	54	1	2	2	Electrical System	36.5	5★
2014	Avoid	75	31	5	1	0	Engine	36.5	5★
2015	Good	38	12	0	2	0	Electrical System	36.5	5★
2016	No verdict	25	4	0	1	0	Electrical System	36.5	5★
2017	Caution	50	26	1	1	2	Engine	42	5★
2018	No verdict	13	3	0	0	2	Engine	42	5★
2020	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Electrical System	42	5★

Optima Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Index 100 · 109 complaints · 3 recalls

2012 is the worst-rated year, with 109 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup. Engine problems dominate, making up 70 percent of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 92,000. Owners reported sudden power loss, unexpected shaking, and engine compartment fires while driving. NHTSA also lists five crashes and five fires tied to this year. Three recalls apply, covering brakes, engine fire risk, and airbag control unit short circuits.

2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Index 88 · 54 complaints · 2 recalls

2013 carries 54 complaints and a complaint index of 88. Electrical system issues lead at 41 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,521, followed closely by brakes and engine problems each near a third of complaints. Owners described electrical shocks when touching exterior metal, dashboard warning lights flashing with door locks clicking on their own, and brake warnings appearing during acceleration. Two recalls apply, for brakes and engine fire risk.

2013 electrical system problems →2013 brakes problems →2013 engine problems →

2014 Kia Optima Hybrid Index 75 · 31 complaints · 0 recalls

2014 has 31 complaints and a complaint index of 75. Engine problems account for 55 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,000. Owners reported sudden uncommanded acceleration while parking and one case describing an engine failure while driving. NHTSA lists five crashes for this model year, the highest crash count of any year, though no recall campaigns are recorded for 2014.

2014 engine problems →

Most common Kia Optima Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine161 (59%)
Electrical System76 (28%)
Brakes42 (15%)
Transmission & Powertrain32 (12%)
Other28 (10%)
Steering20 (7%)
Fuel System15 (5%)
Airbags13 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
Structure & Body6 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Optima Hybrid years should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data flags 2012, 2013, and 2014 as Avoid years for the Optima Hybrid. 2012 ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 109 complaints.
Is there a best year for the Kia Optima Hybrid?: No year in this lineup is rated Best. The years with the fewest reported problems are 2015 through 2020, which show much lower complaint counts and complaint indexes than 2012-2014.
What is the most common problem on the Kia Optima Hybrid?: Across all model years, engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 161 of 274 total complaints, or 59 percent.
Are there recalls on the Kia Optima Hybrid?: Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the Optima Hybrid model years, including ones covering brakes, engine compartment fire risk, and airbag control unit short circuits.
How many complaints does the Kia Optima Hybrid have in total?: NHTSA lists 274 total complaints across 9 model years for the Optima Hybrid, spanning 2011 through 2020.