Kia Optima fuel system problems, 2016–2020
130 of the 1,667 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima 2016–2020 name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). The loudest years: 2016 (62), 2017 (24), 2019 (18). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. 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 fuel system 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 fuel system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 18 | 9% | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 24 | 8% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 62 | 8% | 75k | 1 recall | 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 fuel system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the fuel system complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 22
Across the model years, half of the 28 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 58,000 and 105,000 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 fuel 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.
After purchasing the car, the first time I went to fill up the car with fuel I set the fuel nozzle to auto stop. When it clicked off, I pulled the handle out and quite a bit fuel gurgled back out of the fuel tank, like it was over full. I took the car back to the dealership and they checked lines and said it was fine.
5/9/23 appointment for 4 recalls -completed 2 and ask if we could bring back next day to finish and we said no because granddaughter in school so service manager said important to get it back in and finish and sent granddaughter home with car 5 days later while driving car caught on fire and lost brakes and transmission and swerved into…
A auto repair shop said my Kia Optima has a bad knock sensor which is a common problem with those cars. My safety and others was put at great risk when I suddenly lost power on the freeway Problem was confirmed at an independent service center Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer Warning message came up at the same time as losing…
Kia fuel rail spurting gas out. Kia dealer said it’s not under warranty and no recalls. Gas leak is so bad car can’t be driven
On XXX, Towbin Kia Service (Henderson, NV) officially diagnosed my 2019 Kia Optima (VIN: , Mileage: 118,325) with a critical component failure: "LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FROM TOP HAT" (Invoice #XXX).
What is on file about the fuel system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V907000 HighDec 19, 2018 · 71,653 vehicles
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 15, 2026
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC269 FLIGHT #401) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage fuse in 2013-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles.
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 fuel system complaints?
2016, 62; 2017, 24; 2019, 18. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (9%).
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the Kia Optima?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V907000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the Kia Optima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 75,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 58,000 and 105,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.