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Engine coolingPart report

2014 Kia Optima Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
3%of 591 total for the year
Median mileage
131,859miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2014 Kia Optima, 3% of the 591 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,859 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the oil level was lower than expected. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle vibrated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the engine was replaced under the recall in September 2020. The contact stated that 5 years after the recall repair was completed, after approximately one month, the brake failure warning light was illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11654417, filed 2025-04, 294,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 231,054.”

NHTSA complaint #11589935, filed 2024-05, 231,054 miles

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact also stated that the failure had occurred several days earlier, but the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the camshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11612662, filed 2024-09, 136,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 15-20 MPH, the vehicle stalled after 7 months of ownership. The vehicle stalled in the intersection. A few guys were able to push the vehicle out of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed as having a locked-down motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The warranty was declined due to the prior service records. …”

NHTSA complaint #11738606, filed 2026-05, 141,000 miles

“The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine stalled and shut off. The vehicle coasted to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine failure and it was determined that the engine required replacement. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) due to insufficient service records. …”

NHTSA complaint #11771378, filed 2026-10, 145,848 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202085%
201931%
2018146%
201783%
2016243%
2015313%
2014163%
2013423%
2012202%
201181%
201023%
200922%
200853%
200742%
200696%
200564%
2004115%
200375%
200277%
20012417%

Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima

Engine
284 complaints
Steering
97 complaints
Other or unknown
90 complaints
Electrical system
60 complaints
Fuel system
48 complaints
Body and structure
48 complaints
Brakes
42 complaints
Vehicle speed control
21 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaints
Exterior lighting
18 complaints
Air bags
16 complaints
Visibility (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