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Electrical systemPart report

2014 Kia Optima Electrical system Problems

Complaints
60about this part
Share
10%of 591 total for the year
Median mileage
71,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Kia Optima, 10% of the 591 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving on the interstate, my Kia Optima stopped accelerating, we were luckily near an exit and were able to pull over to the side of the road. The lights and music stayed on but the car would not start again. There was nothing happening up to the point that would have warned us this was going to happen, the check engine light never came on. I had to get the vehicle towed home.”

NHTSA complaint #11298894, filed 2020-01, 92,000 miles

“This happens while I am driving or when I come to a stop. The car appears to stall and then the gear indicator lights in my console area go out and the light indicator in the dashboard goes out and therefore you cannot see which gear you in. I have taken it to the Kia dealer they said nothing was wrong and that it appeared to fix itself. It appeared to clear up but since has started back .”

NHTSA complaint #11326202, filed 2020-05, 83,000 miles

“While driving the car stalled resulting in a collision with a telephone pole. I had just made a turn & the car went dead. Steering and brakes locked up. Now my car is completely totaled not to mention the airbags never deployed. My fianc was ejected from the vehicle resulting in a fractured hip.”

NHTSA complaint #11165223, filed 2019-01, 48,000 miles

“Kia Optima recall I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden my engine turn off and everything else was on I got off the freeway and park at a hotel try to turn the car on again and it wouldn't turn on again I noticed that it was smoking from the hood of my car. Can you please help me out”

NHTSA complaint #11144837, filed 2018-11, 20 miles

“I had taken the vehicle to the Kia dealer in orange county, and they charged me extra to resolve the recall, and the vehicle's air conditioning system is no longer working, the gas intake is ridiculous, and the car does not have the same power as it used to.”

NHTSA complaint #11343986, filed 2020-08, 55,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020149%
20192311%
20183314%
20172510%
201610414%
201513513%
20146010%
201314611%
201212213%
20116311%
20101317%
20091614%
20081510%
2007148%
20062315%
20052920%
20044520%
20032518%
20021413%
20011712%

Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima

Engine
284 complaintsSteering
97 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsBody and structure
48 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 Kia Optima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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