How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2019 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 17 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain area for the 2019 Optima, which is 8% of its 208 total complaints for the year.

At what mileage do 2019 Kia Optima transmission problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 19,600 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2019 Kia Optima transmission?

No related recalls are listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2019 Optima in this data, though one owner mentioned a separate Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM software recall affecting shifting.

Are transmission issues worse in the 2019 Optima than other years?

The 2019 Optima's 8% share of complaints in this area is lower than the 2010 model's 32% and the 2016 model's 10%, but similar to the 2017 and 2018 models, both also at 8%.

Did any 2019 Kia Optima transmission complaints involve crashes or injuries?

No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among these complaints.

2019 Kia Optima Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 17 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 Kia Optima, 8% of its 208 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 19,600 miles. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 17; 8% of 208
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 19,600 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report shuddering, shaking, and stuttering during acceleration, sometimes after a full transmission replacement.
Several describe hesitation or sluggish power delivery when accelerating from a stop, going uphill, or speeding up after slowing down.
Some report the vehicle violently shaking and refusing to move forward on hills, with dealers unable to find diagnostic codes.
Multiple owners describe double-clutch failures requiring transmission replacement more than once.
One owner reported jolty, clunky downshifting after a Theta II ECM software recall update was performed.
Loss of power combined with shuddering and inability to accelerate above 50 mph was linked in one case to a fuel pump control module code.

When 2019 Kia Optima transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 14, 2019, latest Sep 8, 2026.

17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Dec 2025 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2019 Kia Optima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Optima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201024 (32%)
201125 (4%)
201254 (6%)
201364 (5%)
201420 (3%)
201549 (5%)
201673 (10%)
201721 (8%)
201818 (8%)
201917 (8%)
202027 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2019 Kia Optima have?: NHTSA lists 17 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain area for the 2019 Optima, which is 8% of its 208 total complaints for the year.
At what mileage do 2019 Kia Optima transmission problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 19,600 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Kia Optima transmission?: No related recalls are listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2019 Optima in this data, though one owner mentioned a separate Theta II 2.4L GDI ECM software recall affecting shifting.
Are transmission issues worse in the 2019 Optima than other years?: The 2019 Optima's 8% share of complaints in this area is lower than the 2010 model's 32% and the 2016 model's 10%, but similar to the 2017 and 2018 models, both also at 8%.
Did any 2019 Kia Optima transmission complaints involve crashes or injuries?: No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among these complaints.