Kia Optima Hybrid years to avoid (and the best years)
266 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls across 6 model years, 2011 to 2017. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 266complaints
- 5recalls
- 14reported crashes
- 13reported fires
- 7reported injuries
Which Kia Optima Hybrid years should you avoid?
No Kia Optima Hybrid model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Kia Optima Hybrid year has 32 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2012 (109) and 2013 (54).
What are the best Kia Optima Hybrid years?
The Kia Optima Hybrid years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2015 (12), 2017 (26) and 2014 (31). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 26 | 0.8× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 12 | 0.4× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 31 | 1.0× | 0 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 54 | 1.7× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 109 | 3.4× | 3 | 5 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 34 | 1.0× | 3 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 35 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain22 (63%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
- Airbags & seat belts4 (11%)
- Steering, suspension & tires3 (9%)
- Electrical & infotainment1 (3%)
Recalls (5)
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V594000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2017
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 21V844000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2017
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V750000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Airbags · 18V363000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2011, 2012
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.