2020 Kia Optima
The 2020 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 42 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 146 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Plug-in Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl + 50kW IPMSM | 39 | 44 | 41 (61 MPGe blended) | 28 mi electric | 33 | 2.7 h | $1,500 |
| Optima Hybrid | Hybrid | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion | 40 | 45 | 42 | — | — | — | $1,500 |
| Optima | Gas | FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 27 | 37 | 31 | — | — | — | $2,000 |
| Optima FE | Gas | FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 | 35 | 29 | — | — | — | $2,150 |
| Optima | Gas | FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | — | $2,300 |
| Optima | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | — | $2,600 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41529, 41437, 41464, 41467, 41466, 41465.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2020 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 (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2020 Kia Optima. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
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
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database6 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 18 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 51 · 2026: 27
Most-cited components
What owners describe
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| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.
Other Optima model years
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.