- Safety
- 5
- of 5 stars
- Recalls
- 1
- on record
- MPG
- 31
- combined
Open recalls on record
1 safety recall. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.
Vehicle Summary
2019 Kia Optima
Before You Buy
Safety record at a glance
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- Owner complaints
- 204
- Complaints citing a crash
- 20
These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.
1 Recall on Record
These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign affecting this model year.
- 19V539000high
Forward collision avoidance · automatic emergency braking
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
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.
Full campaign recordRemedy
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.
NHTSA crash-test ratings
NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2019 Kia Optima.
Frontal crash
- Driver
- 5 / 5
- Passenger
- 4 / 5
Side crash
- Driver
- 5 / 5
- Passenger
- 5 / 5
- Side pole
- 5 / 5
Rollover
- Rollover risk
- 9.8%
- Dynamic tip
- No Tip
Driver-assistance technologies
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
What the ratings mean
NHTSA gives the 2019 Kia Optima 5 out of 5 stars overall, level with the 5-star median for the 6 comparable 2019 vehicles NHTSA rated in this class.
NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.
NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 9.8% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.
Fuel economy & emissions
EPA figures for the 2019 Kia Optima, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.
27
City
37
Hwy
31
Comb
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,000
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 292 g/mi
How this compares
At 31 MPG combined, the 2019 Kia Optima ranks 1st of 10 large cars EPA rated for 2019 — 7 MPG better than the 24 MPG median for that group.
That places it in the upper third of its class. Fuel cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor against its direct rivals.
EPA puts annual fuel spend at about $2,000, $650 less than the $2,650 typical for the class. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $10,000, a $3,250 difference against a class-median vehicle.
Tailpipe CO₂ is 292 grams per mile — about 4.4 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.
Consumer complaints
204 owner reports filed with NHTSA.
- 204
- Total
- 20
- Crashes
- 6
- Fires
- 16
- Injuries
Most reported components
- ENGINE94
- OTHER38
- BRAKES19
- AIR BAGS12
- STRUCTURE12
Notable Issues
204 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 16 reports involve injuries. 20 reports involve a crash.
Most reported problems
Safety timeline
Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2019 Kia Optima, newest first.
- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation EA19001
Electrical overstress
- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation DP22003
Loss of Motive Power
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation DP22003
Loss of Motive Power
- Recall
Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation EA19001
Electrical overstress
Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.
Specifications & ratings
Specifications
- Body class
- Large Cars
- Drive type
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Fuel type
- Unknown
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM7)
- Seats
- 0
Fuel economy
27
City
37
Hwy
31
Comb
- Annual cost
- $2,000
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
NHTSA crash ratings
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Explore related
Systems recalled
Safety timeline
Full timeline- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation EA19001
Electrical overstress
- Investigation closed
NHTSA closed investigation DP22003
Loss of Motive Power
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation DP22003
Loss of Motive Power
- Recall
Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Investigation opened
NHTSA opened investigation EA19001
Electrical overstress