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2019 Kia Optima

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
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.

Recalls1
Complaints203
Safety
Fuel

Vehicle Summary

2019 Kia Optima

1 recall
203 complaints
31 MPG combined
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
1
Owner complaints
203
Complaints citing a crash
20

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalised 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 We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.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.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

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.

Consumer complaints

203 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

203
Total
20
Crashes
6
Fires
16
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE93
  • OTHER38
  • BRAKES19
  • AIR BAGS12
  • STRUCTURE12

Notable Issues

203 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 16 reports involve injuries. 20 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)93
miscellaneous issues38
brake problems (soft pedal, noise, failure)19

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
$1,950
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Data sources

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Kia Optima years

Common problems

Kia Optima problems

2,570 owner complaints analysed

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation EA19001

    Electrical overstress

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP22003

    Loss of Motive Power

  3. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP22003

    Loss of Motive Power

  4. Recall

    Recall 19V539000

    Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  5. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA19001

    Electrical overstress