Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 21, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

145 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
118

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 29fluid leaks 27premature wear 24
A recent report: The oil consumption in my 2020 Kia optima is low so fast and needs to be replaced frequently. The engine is always hesitant and bucking. The car when you press the gas shakes and doesn't take off…
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The oil consumption in my 2020 Kia optima is low so fast and needs to be replaced frequently. The engine is always hesitant and bucking. The car when you press the gas shakes and doesn't take off properly i have brought this up to the dealership multiple times to be told nothing is wrong. When sitting at a light idle the car shakes and the RPM's drop and rev up. When you in reverse in the car and hit the gas the whole car shakes so bed the engine feels like its go to fall out. When you drive and press the gas the engine revs all the way before the car actually finds where it needs to be. There is something wrong with the 2020 Kia Optima Engine all though nothing will be done about it even with all these complaints!!!! This has been going on for years with this car and I maintain my car had all services done...Kia doesn't want to fix the problem.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764331 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
7

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was connected to a diagnostic machine. The DTC indicated a glow relay failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643407 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of braking 3premature wear 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the OEM bolt had fractured while the brake pads were being replaced. The OEM bolt was replaced with an aftermarket bolt that was purchased from Auto Zone. The aftermarket replacement bolt was manufactured by Carquest; Part Number: H803. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11606467 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: Steering wheel bearing broken. Had replaced in November and again now needs to be replaced. Major safety concern that Kia should fix properly so the car runs efficiently

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11560695 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 4software faults 2
A recent report: Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming…
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Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11715952 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
3

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: Snow White Pearl exterior paint is peeling off hood and sides of our 2020 Kia Optima. We paid an extra $495 for this paint.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760093 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 2
A recent report: THE FCW FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT GET ACTIVATED UNDER ANY CIRCUSNSTANCES. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SYSTEM TO ALL LEVELS AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT…
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THE FCW FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT GET ACTIVATED UNDER ANY CIRCUSNSTANCES. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SYSTEM TO ALL LEVELS AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. IT NEVER WARNS YOU OF AN COLLISION.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11337484 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 145 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2019 and 2026, roughly 21 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.