Kia Optima electrical problems, 2016–2020
218 of the 1,667 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima 2016–2020 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (105), 2017 (39), 2018 (37). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Optima electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | 9% | — | 77 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 | 23 | 11% | — | 80 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2018 | 37 | 15% | — | 91 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 | 39 | 13% | 18k | 131 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 105 | 14% | 66k | 128 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 26 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 27 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 19
Across the model years, half of the 70 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 18,000 and 82,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid, which caught fire and was completely destroyed on October 5, 2025.
I AM having an issue with the second window motor on this vehicle. From reading reviews, it's a common problem
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, the cruise control was inoperative, the infotainment screen darkened, and the charging outlet was inoperative.
Headlights will randomly turn on and off throughout while driving. Radio has the same issue
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima PHEV. The contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high systems temperature switching to hybrid mode message was displayed. The contact stated that there was a two-hour delay for a full charge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- 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 ele…
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Apr 15, 2026
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2108 Flight 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2019-2020MY Kia Optima HEV & PHEV vehicles to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the add
- Mar 20, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: remote Start/Climate Control function not working, vehicle Status on the Kia Access App not updating, con
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Optima
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Kia Optima problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Optima years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 105; 2017, 39; 2018, 37. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (15%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Kia Optima?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the Kia Optima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 42,100 miles across the model years; half of them between 18,000 and 82,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.