2019 KIA OPTIMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
288
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
29
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
The 2019 KIA OPTIMA has received a total of 288 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (78 complaints), Unknown Or Other (36 complaints), and Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings (27 complaints).
Recalls for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA, potentially affecting up to 11,423 vehicles.
Recall 19V539000 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
| 11,423 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia 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.
Consequence: Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
288 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure one day after undergoing a manufacturer emissions/service campaign at an authorized dealership. Prior to service, the vehicle operated normally with no warning lights, knocking, or drivability issues. After the failure, the dealership denied coverage and declined to inspect the engine oil. The vehicle was towed for an independent inspection, which found metal shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal mechanical engine failure. The sudden failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of engine function. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center and the vehicle remains available for inspection. No warning lamps or symptoms were present prior to the failure.
The vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure one day after undergoing a manufacturer emissions/service campaign at an authorized dealership. Prior to service, the vehicle operated normally with no warning lights, knocking, or drivability issues. After the failure, the dealership denied coverage and declined to inspect the engine oil. The vehicle was towed for an independent inspection, which found metal shavings in the engine oil, indicating internal mechanical engine failure. The sudden failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of engine function. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center and the vehicle remains available for inspection. No warning lamps or symptoms were present prior to the failure.
The paint is bubbling and falling off in spots. This is ruining our trade-in value. The dealer says it always happens to white vehicles.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was sputtering sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and burned spark plug, and that there was oil inside the cylinder and on the spark plug. The contact was informed that the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred months later. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with oil consumption, oil intrusion into the firing chamber, and that another spark plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was sputtering sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and burned spark plug, and that there was oil inside the cylinder and on the spark plug. The contact was informed that the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred months later. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with oil consumption, oil intrusion into the firing chamber, and that another spark plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Safety Rating for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
The 2019 KIA OPTIMA received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
Kia America, Inc. has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SC340_OWNR_JF103 — ENGINE
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2016-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas...
SC340_OWNR_JF101 — ENGINE
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 101 / JF) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2016-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas...
SC340_TSB_R1 — ENGINE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New / revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic...
WTY036_TSB_R1 — AIR BAGS
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: SIDE AIRBAG (SAB) INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT FOR DTC(S) B1380/B1384 (WTY036) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension...
WTY036_OWNR — AIR BAGS
WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY036) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15...
WTY036_DPSM — AIR BAGS
WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima...
WTY036_DP — AIR BAGS
WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY036) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the illumination of the Airbag Warning Light in 2019-2020 MY Optima vehicles from 5 years / 60,000...
SC205_DP — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on 2016-2020 MY Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine to update the emission related logic of the Engine Control Module "ECM"...
SC205_DP — EQUIPMENT
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on 2016-2020 MY Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine to update the emission related logic of the Engine Control Module "ECM"...
SC205_QA — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC205).
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2019 KIA OPTIMA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA OPTIMA
- 2014 KIA OPTIMA — 763 complaints
- 2015 KIA OPTIMA — 1,360 complaints
- 2016 KIA OPTIMA — 1,021 complaints
- 2017 KIA OPTIMA — 336 complaints
- 2018 KIA OPTIMA — 313 complaints
- 2019 KIA OPTIMA (current)
- 2020 KIA OPTIMA — 179 complaints
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