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2019 Kia Optima

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Large Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA207
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA41 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2019 Kia Optima is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large car with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Optima Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 41 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 207 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Optima Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 50kW IPMSM384340 (61 MPGe blended)29 mi electric332.7 h$1,550
Optima HybridHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion394541———$1,500
OptimaGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273731———$2,000
Optima FEGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253529———$2,150
OptimaGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl243327———$2,300
OptimaGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo213024———$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40811, 40777, 40336, 40339, 40338, 40337.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Kia Optima is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Forward Collision Avoidance

SC179
11,423 vehicles
ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.RiskImproper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.FixKia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
NHTSA campaign 19V539000reported Jul 19, 2019Kia Motors America

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
207complaints filed

20 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 16 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 34 · 2024: 46 · 2025: 49 · 2026: 23

Most-cited components

Engine89
Forward Collision Avoidance44
Unspecified41
Electrical System23
Service Brakes19
Power Train17

What owners describe

“For several years my 'check hybrid engine' followed by turn off engine. The dealership can not figure out the cause. Twice in the last month the engine has automatically shut off when the "check hybrid engine' warning light displays. I nearly had an accident because the brakes are much weaker when the engine shut off. …”Apr 30, 2025 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Two thefts of my 2019 Kia Optima in less than one year; 9/12/2021 and 7/30/2022 due to Kia's negligence in fixing a very obvious security flaw and lack of engine immobilizer. I have spent approximately $2,500 of my own money between insurance deductibles and replacing items that were stolen from my vehicle in addition …”Sep 19, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“On sept 1st I was in an accident. I hit a parked car. My car was totaled. I suffered a fractured sternum and possible concussion. All of airbags failed to deploy. PALO ALTO POLICE RECORD,22-02889”Sep 18, 2022 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Optima model years

A

2020 Kia Optima

0 recalls · 146 complaints

C

2018 Kia Optima

3 recalls · 242 complaints

F

2017 Kia Optima

4 recalls · 304 complaints

F

2016 Kia Optima

5 recalls · 758 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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