Kia Optima: best & worst years

2020 Kia Optima Caution

Final-year Optima with the same 2.4L Theta II GDI engine, yet excluded from the engine recall extension; well-equipped and comfortable but buy only with documented engine health.

2019 Kia Optima Caution

Among the most refined and reliable Optima years with the fewest complaints, strong value and features, but the 2.4L GDI engine family still warrants a check.

2018 Kia Optima Caution

Comfortable, well-equipped and one of the better Optima years for refinement, tempered by the Theta II GDI engine's oil-consumption history.

2017 Kia Optima Caution

Solid value and comfort and a relatively strong year for this generation, but owners still report 2.4L GDI oil consumption and seizure; covered by Kia's engine settlement and knock-sensor software.

2016 Kia Optima Not rated

742 NHTSA complaints on file. See the full report for the breakdown.

2015 Kia Optima Caution

Late third-gen Optima, somewhat improved but sharing the Theta II GDI engine's seizure and oil-consumption risk; verify engine and recall completion.

• Theta II 2.0T and 2.4L GDI engines suffer rod-bearing wear, knocking, heavy oil consumption and sudden seizure or stalling; subject of Kia's engine recall and lifetime-warranty settlement.
• HECU/ABS hydraulic brake-control module defect with leak and fire risk; recall remedy faced long parts delays, worst on the early 2011-2012 cars.
• Engine-compartment fire risk from high-pressure fuel-pipe and oil leaks, prompting fire-related recalls and "park outside" advisories.

2014 Kia Optima Caution

A high-complaint third-gen year dominated by Theta II GDI engine failures plus fire and brake recalls; an engine-history check is essential.

• Theta II 2.0T and 2.4L GDI engines suffer rod-bearing wear, knocking, heavy oil consumption and sudden seizure or stalling; subject of Kia's engine recall and lifetime-warranty settlement.
• HECU/ABS hydraulic brake-control module defect with leak and fire risk; recall remedy faced long parts delays, worst on the early 2011-2012 cars.
• Engine-compartment fire risk from high-pressure fuel-pipe and oil leaks, prompting fire-related recalls and "park outside" advisories.

2013 Kia Optima Avoid

The peak-complaint Optima year, with widespread Theta II GDI rod-bearing seizures, engine-fire risk and brake-module recalls; best avoided unless the engine has been replaced under warranty.

• Theta II 2.0T and 2.4L GDI engines suffer rod-bearing wear, knocking, heavy oil consumption and sudden seizure or stalling; subject of Kia's engine recall and lifetime-warranty settlement.
• HECU/ABS hydraulic brake-control module defect with leak and fire risk; recall remedy faced long parts delays, worst on the early 2011-2012 cars.
• Engine-compartment fire risk from high-pressure fuel-pipe and oil leaks, prompting fire-related recalls and "park outside" advisories.

2012 Kia Optima Caution

Early third-gen Optima with the Theta II GDI engine seizure pattern and the HECU brake and fire recalls; cheap to buy but risky without documented repairs.

• Theta II 2.0T and 2.4L GDI engines suffer rod-bearing wear, knocking, heavy oil consumption and sudden seizure or stalling; subject of Kia's engine recall and lifetime-warranty settlement.
• HECU/ABS hydraulic brake-control module defect with leak and fire risk; recall remedy faced long parts delays, worst on the early 2011-2012 cars.
• Engine-compartment fire risk from high-pressure fuel-pipe and oil leaks, prompting fire-related recalls and "park outside" advisories.

2011 Kia Optima Caution

First year of the third generation: striking design but the launch of the Theta II GDI engine problems plus a hydraulic brake-module recall; verify the engine settlement work.

• Theta II 2.0T and 2.4L GDI engines suffer rod-bearing wear, knocking, heavy oil consumption and sudden seizure or stalling; subject of Kia's engine recall and lifetime-warranty settlement.
• HECU/ABS hydraulic brake-control module defect with leak and fire risk; recall remedy faced long parts delays, worst on the early 2011-2012 cars.
• Engine-compartment fire risk from high-pressure fuel-pipe and oil leaks, prompting fire-related recalls and "park outside" advisories.

2010 Kia Optima Caution

Last pre-GDI Optima, with the more durable older engines; main concerns are airbag clock-spring/occupant-sensor faults and an aging chassis.

• Airbag clock-spring and front passenger occupant-detection sensor faults: passenger-airbag warning light and the sensor failing to recognize an adult occupant, a non-deployment concern.
• Automatic transmission and shifter problems: hard or failed shifting, shift cable detaching from the transmission, and reports of the car rolling while shown in Park.
• Engine complaints on some units including connecting-rod bearing noise and stalling at relatively low mileage; pre-GDI engines are otherwise more durable than the later turbo units.

2009 Kia Optima Caution

Durable pre-GDI engine and long warranty make this a sensible budget sedan, though airbag-sensor and shifter complaints and age are caveats.

• Airbag clock-spring and front passenger occupant-detection sensor faults: passenger-airbag warning light and the sensor failing to recognize an adult occupant, a non-deployment concern.
• Automatic transmission and shifter problems: hard or failed shifting, shift cable detaching from the transmission, and reports of the car rolling while shown in Park.
• Engine complaints on some units including connecting-rod bearing noise and stalling at relatively low mileage; pre-GDI engines are otherwise more durable than the later turbo units.

2008 Kia Optima Caution

Reliable older engine but a notable cluster of airbag clock-spring and occupant-sensor complaints; a cheap, aging family sedan.

• Airbag clock-spring and front passenger occupant-detection sensor faults: passenger-airbag warning light and the sensor failing to recognize an adult occupant, a non-deployment concern.
• Automatic transmission and shifter problems: hard or failed shifting, shift cable detaching from the transmission, and reports of the car rolling while shown in Park.
• Engine complaints on some units including connecting-rod bearing noise and stalling at relatively low mileage; pre-GDI engines are otherwise more durable than the later turbo units.

2007 Kia Optima Caution

Comfortable pre-GDI Optima with good engine durability; age, airbag-sensor faults and shifter complaints are the main concerns.

• Airbag clock-spring and front passenger occupant-detection sensor faults: passenger-airbag warning light and the sensor failing to recognize an adult occupant, a non-deployment concern.
• Automatic transmission and shifter problems: hard or failed shifting, shift cable detaching from the transmission, and reports of the car rolling while shown in Park.
• Engine complaints on some units including connecting-rod bearing noise and stalling at relatively low mileage; pre-GDI engines are otherwise more durable than the later turbo units.

2006 Kia Optima Caution

First year of the second-generation redesign with the more durable pre-GDI engines; basic, affordable and now quite old.

• Airbag clock-spring and front passenger occupant-detection sensor faults: passenger-airbag warning light and the sensor failing to recognize an adult occupant, a non-deployment concern.
• Automatic transmission and shifter problems: hard or failed shifting, shift cable detaching from the transmission, and reports of the car rolling while shown in Park.
• Engine complaints on some units including connecting-rod bearing noise and stalling at relatively low mileage; pre-GDI engines are otherwise more durable than the later turbo units.

2005 Kia Optima Caution

Aged first-generation Optima; driver-door latch failures plus electrical and corrosion complaints dominate, suited only as basic low-cost transportation.

• Driver-door latch and lock failure: the door cannot be opened from inside or outside, an exit-in-emergency safety concern reported by many owners.
• Electrical-system malfunctions affecting accessories and warning lights.
• Structural and subframe-area corrosion on higher-mileage cars.