2014 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 8%of 591 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the body and structure of the 2014 Kia Optima, 8% of the 591 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Noticed the shark fin missing. After closer examination it appears that it snapped off to replace the headliner must be removed I order a new one and I am unable to replace it. Taking to dealership and hopefully the will it when checking on my steering issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11256314, filed 2019-09, 104,000 miles“My antenna shark cover came off during washing it is a problem with this shark cover. The owner of the car wash told me this and so did the collision center at the repair place. It is going to cost almost 400.00 to repair this and I think Kia should have a recall on these due to the fact that the screws holding the shark on is breaking off. The consumer should not have to pay for this.I saw 2 others while I was at the repair place.I do have a report from the car wash and the other says the video shows that her employees did not touch or hit the shark.”
NHTSA complaint #11150131, filed 2018-11, 59,000 miles“'Kia pearl white paint recall' I have had my Kia Optima for less than 2 years. I am from the south and I drove it up north a few weeks ago and ice and snow got on my car and my paint has started peeling. It's $2,000 to get the hood and the drivers side pannel fixed and all Kia told me is their paint warranty ended in 2016. I did not even own the car at that time. This is clearly an issue with the way they painted the car. No 2014 car should be losing paint from driving up north for a few days. I also called Kia and they started a 'case' they told me to submit a quite. …”
NHTSA complaint #11191262, filed 2019-03, 53,500 miles“I was heading north bound, cruise control set at 55 when my 2014 Kia Optima thera ii motor started making a grinding sounds, lost complete power and stalled out. Car would not turn on anymore, a texas state trooper and small town cop helped me pushed the car into a parking lot after about an hour, the car started smoking and caught fire from the engine bay. Luckily no one got hurt but the car is a total lose and I have a feeling Kia is going to give me the runaround. The theta ii does have an open recall. The motor was checked twice and passed both times.”
NHTSA complaint #11113500, filed 2018-07, 85,000 miles“Driving southbound on I-95 in virginia, I heard a loud explosion like a gunshot. Moments later, I heard the sound of air rushing past from above my head and debris vibrating on the interior sunroof screen. I later found that it was broken glass crackling and falling against the interior sunroof screen. I pulled over immediately to check the roof for damage. What I found was a gaping hole (8-12 inches in diameter) in the glass of the front sunroof. I was not near any overpass or work trucks, nor did I ever observe anything striking the car at any time- not during this incident or ever before. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565194, filed 2014-02, 1,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima
284 complaintsSteering
97 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsFuel system
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