2014 Kia Optima Hybrid Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 52%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,998miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, 52% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,998 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While trying to park the car in the parking lot structure, the car accelerated beyond control on it's own and hit the wall head on. I was already in my parking spot and only few feet away when the car accelerated. The passenger air bag was deployed and body damage occurred. Everything happened so suddenly, I am not sure about the speed at the time of impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10620789, filed 2014-08, 765 miles“I was traveling on the freeway when the dashboard read 'hev system warning. Pull over and shut off vehicle.' engine then shut off. After nearly being hit by a semi-truck, I coasted from the carpool to the off ramp exit. The vehicle was able to travel at approximately 5-15mph and made it home safely. I towed my vehicle to the citrus valley motors in the city of ontario. They ran diagnostics stating it was a fuse in the engine and it will cost me $686.97. …”
NHTSA complaint #11220953, filed 2019-06, 87,000 miles“My 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid blew-up going down the road! The engine threw a rod through the motor which is the exact motor in the recall.. It's just the hybrid so Kia says it's not recalled even though it's the exact recall of the same motor in the gas car!! This car falls in the exact recall! Please help me! The car only has 72,000miles on the car & should not have had this to occur!! 3 different mechanics has told me it's the exact recall Kia has put out for the exact motor!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11032346, filed 2017-10, 15 miles“On the highway at approximately 60mpg, engine started knocking as acceleration increased. Then acceleration would not increase and the car hovered at 60mph. After a few minutes and the knocking continuing, the car decreased to 40 MPH. Then the warning came on and said hybrid system not charged pull over and turn off engine . Then I pulled off turned off the car and attempted to restart it. It continued to present with the same warning. No energy flow through the engine. I had my car towed to my home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10978923, filed 2017-04, 59,160 miles“I was driving on a four lane highway with my 4 yr old and 7 yr old. Literally as I pulled off onto the off ramp, my dash lit up stating hybrid system not charged. Pull off and turn off engine I did not even have time to do this when the engine shut off in an extremely dangerous place. If this had happened while driving on the highway, we could have been killed. After hours spent having to convince the dealership to tow the vehicle and provide a ride for me and my children, we finally were able to get a rental. …”
NHTSA complaint #11006507, filed 2017-07, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11030342Mar 18, 2026PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign…
- 11020817Jul 15, 2025PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform…
- 11010705Nov 20, 2024PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign…
- 11010513Nov 7, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2104Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to…
- 10090972Sep 19, 2016Owner notification letter (sc135) - dear kia owner, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign / warranty extension program regarding the…
- 10090970Sep 15, 2016Dealer parts & service manager memo (sc135) - attention: all dealer parts and service managers, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign /…
- 10090969Sep 15, 2016Dealer principal memo (sc135) - attention: all dealer principals, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign / warranty extension program to…
- 10090943Sep 15, 2016Tsb: voluntary emissions service campaign: evaporative canister inspection and/or replacement (sc135) - this bulletin provides information to inspect and/or replace the…
- 10058534Jul 1, 2015Kia: crankshaft position sensor (ckp) variation has not learned causing misfire of engine and malfunction indicator light (mil) to come in dash. Model all. No years listed.
- 10089987Apr 24, 2015Pitstop: smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems) functionality which monitors and prevents the simultaneous activation…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid
11 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology