NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2011–2020

Kia Optima Hybrid recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 274 owner complaints for the Kia Optima Hybrid, covering model years 2011 to 2020. The 2012 model year drew the most complaints (109), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Optima Hybrid VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

5 recall campaigns on file
274 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
9 model years with data (2011–2020)

most complaints: 2012 (109 for that model year)
top component: Engine (147 complaints)
latest recall 23V652000 (reported Sep 25, 2023)

14 complaints reporting a crash (5.1%)
14 complaints reporting a fire (5.1%)
7 complaints reporting an injury (2.6%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Optima Hybrid complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2012 model year has the most complaints: 109 of 274, or 39.8%. Next come 2013 (54) and 2011 (34). The fewest are for 2020, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Kia Optima Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Kia Optima Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
2011	34	2	2	1
2012	109	5	5	2
2013	54	1	2	1
2014	31	5	1	2
2015	12	0	2	0
2016	4	0	1	0
2017	26	1	1	1
2018	3	0	0	0
2020	1	0	0	0
All model years	274	14	14	7

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Optima Hybrid components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 147 complaints (53.6% of all 274), followed by Electrical System (71) and Power Train (32).

Components named most often in Kia Optima Hybrid complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Kia Optima Hybrid complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Engine	147	53.6%
Electrical System	71	25.9%
Power Train	32	11.7%
Unknown or Other	27	9.9%
Steering	20	7.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	19	6.9%
Service Brakes	17	6.2%
Vehicle Speed Control	17	6.2%
Air Bags	13	4.7%
Hybrid Propulsion System	8	2.9%
Exterior Lighting	7	2.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System	7	2.6%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	5	1.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling	4	1.5%
Structure	4	1.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Optima Hybrid recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Optima Hybrid, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2011 to 2018. The 2011 and 2012 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

5 recall campaigns
1 “Park Outside” advisory

Kia Optima Hybrid recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
2010s		2011: 3 campaigns	2012: 3 campaigns	2013: 2 campaigns	2014: no campaigns	2015: no campaigns	2016: no campaigns	2017: 2 campaigns	2018: 2 campaigns

Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Reported Sep 25, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Model years 2011–2013
NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence:
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000
Reported Aug 24, 2023
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch
Model years 2017–2018
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence:
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 21V844000
Reported Oct 29, 2021
Engine
Model years 2017–2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Consequence:
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 20V750000
Reported Dec 2, 2020
Engine
Model years 2011–2013
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Consequence:
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 18V363000
Reported Jun 1, 2018
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Model years 2011–2012
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Consequence:
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.
Remedy:
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Optima Hybrid questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Optima Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Optima Hybrid, covering model years 2011 to 2020. The most recent, 23V652000, was reported on September 25, 2023 and is filed under “Service brakes, hydraulic”. The 2011 and 2012 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Kia Optima Hybrid model year has the most complaints?

The 2012 model year, with 109 of the 274 complaints in NHTSA’s file (39.8%). The next are 2013 (54) and 2011 (34). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Optima Hybrid complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 147 complaints, or 53.6% of all 274. Electrical System (71) and Power Train (32) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Optima Hybrid?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Optima Hybrid complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 274 complaints, 14 report a crash, 14 a fire, 7 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.