YearToAvoid

2019 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2019 Kia Optima has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 208 complaints, 1 recall, 20 crashes, and 6 fires, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 47% of reports.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#7 of 16 Optima years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
208
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
20
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
16
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

Top 2019 Kia Optima problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine97 (47%)
  2. Other42 (20%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras36 (17%)
  4. Electrical System25 (12%)
  5. Brakes22 (11%)
  6. Fuel System17 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain17 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body16 (8%)
  9. Airbags12 (6%)
  10. Lane Departure7 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist activated unexpectedly during low-speed turns, causing the vehicle behind to strike the car.
  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy in animal-strike and rear-end collisions despite noticeable impact force.
  • Automatic emergency braking reportedly failed to engage or stop the vehicle, leading to low-speed rear-end crashes.
  • One owner described the forward collision warning triggering along with an unexpected engine shutoff and loss of steering control.
  • Electrical smoldering was reported in a Theta II-equipped Optima, resulting in the vehicle being declared a total loss.
  • A forward collision warning falsely indicated a blocked sensor shortly before a collision with a deer at highway speed.
2019 Kia Optima complaints: complaints filed per quarter162019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
208 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q1 (16).

2019 Kia Optima recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V539000Jul 19, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras11,423 vehicles

    Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2019 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Optima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good40255329
2018Caution53232228.5
2019Caution60208129
2020Good33146029

All Kia Optima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2019 Optima a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints make up 47% of all reports for this year.
What is the top problem area for the 2019 Kia Optima?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 97 of 208 complaints (47%), with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles.
Does the 2019 Kia Optima have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA recall 19V539000 covers a software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system on 2019 Optima models with the Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2019 Optima compare to other Optima years?
The 2019 model's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than years like 2017 (40, Good) and 2020 (33, Good), but better than 2013 (100, Avoid) and 2015 (93, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Kia Optima?
EPA rates the 2019 Optima at 29 mpg combined (25 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.