2014 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 3%of 591 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,242miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 Kia Optima, 3% of the 591 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,242 miles. 2 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.
“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“As I was driving the car it wont shift and sounds forced. The engine started making a rattle sound and I was very concerned! The car stopped in full speed and I was scared for me life and my sons. Had a car been behind us or in the intersection it could have been bad! It turned back on after putting the car in n and pressing the start button. But the car continues to sound and feel as though its being forced to run.”
NHTSA complaint #11092694, filed 2018-05, 89,000 miles“Check engine light has been on for a week. Had appt to go in 2/2/21 with Kia but driving down the interstate started hearing a light ticking sound. When I accelerated on the gas it didnt do anything. It was bogged down. It stayed at 60 MPH so I did it again and still the same thing. My husband aslo said that it's been sucking oil down for no reason. It has 89,000 miles on it. I had to pull over and have it towed to Kia. I'm still currently waiting to hear what they are gonna do.”
NHTSA complaint #11390128, filed 2021-01, 89,000 miles“When I cold crank it the engines sound very very loud rattle and settles to a loud rattle after about getting warmed up with the engine vibrating which could also be seen. I took it in warmed up & the technician stated after a review, he didn't hear a rattle or a knock (thats a lie, I am going back again & review with the tech) I also hear a rattle from the left cv axle when the trac control comes to play, turning on a hard right & a thump when pulling hard on a wet pavement on a green light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11083538, filed 2018-04, 29,566 miles“I was driving to work, same route same time, when my engine stalled while on the highway going around a curve. Hybrid system failure, pull over and turn off engine was the error. I was able to coast around the curve and to the side of the highway. Had to tow it off the highway at first, and tried to jump it. (I had a problem in 2017 with the neutral safety switch on my battery, replaced safety switch/battery at the cost of 1k and a month due to the safety switch being an aspect of the recall for the non-hybrid optimas). …”
NHTSA complaint #11254125, filed 2019-09, 128,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10145156Sep 24, 2018PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) - TSB - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to…
- 10143474Jul 25, 2018Q & A - This document is the Q & A for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the…
- 10143472Jul 16, 2018DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer service manager of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
- 10127029Dec 13, 2017TSB - SERVICE ACTION: TURBO OIL FEED LINE REPLACEMENT (SA300) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the turbo oil feed line on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), produced…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 18% |
| 2019 | 17 | 8% |
| 2018 | 19 | 8% |
| 2017 | 21 | 8% |
| 2016 | 74 | 10% |
| 2015 | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 | 64 | 5% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 24 | 32% |
| 2009 | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 9% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima
284 complaintsSteering
97 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsBody and structure
48 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 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 29, 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