2019 Kia Optima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 92about this part
- Share
- 43%of 212 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the engine of the 2019 Kia Optima, 43% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I've had this car going on three years sometimes not all the time I will go to start it and it will barely start so I took it to the dealership three times when I got my oil change and they checked the battery but they're saying the battery is good and the starting system the car will just be sitting in my garage and I try to start it it just sounds like it's barely starting and then the next time I started it's fine”
NHTSA complaint #11415708, filed 2021-05, 30,000 miles“I purchased on my 2019 Kia Optima on 6/19. And since then off and on the car has experience intermittent starting issues. Now I have taken the car to two different dealers and neither one can find the problem. When pressing the stop/start button the car would hesitate to start no lights or codes are stored in the computer. I have contacted Kia about the issue all I was ever told was take it to the dealer and let them inspect it. The dealer would reset and update firmware. That would last for a minute but eventually the car would go back into the same thing of hesitating. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377227, filed 2020-11, 100 miles“2019 Kia Optima, in july of 2019.1st instance, 2/4/2020 (late afternoon) I drove back from new albany in and as soon as I got off the freeway on keystone, I tried to turn a corner and the cel light came on flashing and the car would barely accelerate (heavy hesitation). They said do not drive, get a tow.I did, they hooked it up. An error to contact Kia eng. They indicated its 1 of 2 things, rock sensor harness/rock sensor. 1st they said they would replace the sensor but they only replaced the harness.mileage on this date 2/7/2020 8,801 miles. Picked up my car on february 7, 2020. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311882, filed 2020-02, 8,801 miles“I bought my 2019 Optima brand new back in november. It is now june and I have had it back to the dealership 3 times for randomly not starting on me. I get the same answer every time. They don't know what it is, nothing comes up on the computer when they plug it in. They say, if it happens again, call us and well take it in . Buying this car brand new and my payments being that of a range rover, I am extremely upset. To top it off, the back windshield is slipping down. I am over this car and I will never buy another Kia again. But, my fight is not over, something will have to be done. …”
NHTSA complaint #11223068, filed 2019-06, 2,000 miles“Since January 2024 I have had to replace the spark plugs more than 3 times. It has also had to have an oil change done at least every two months regardless of the miles that were put in it. BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY Mid October 2024 a full tune up was done as well as oil change and less than two weeks later it started bucking like a bronco and all oil was gone out of it. Check engine light is on and oil light goes on and off. Cannot drive at all”
NHTSA complaint #11630663, filed 2024-12, 132,684 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037394Sep 11, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC367) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting an important Voluntary Emissions…
- 11037393Sep 10, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain…
- 11037392Sep 10, 2026Sc367_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11037391Sep 10, 2026Sc367_poc: proof of correction card
- 11037390Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC367) – This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding…
- 11037389Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC367) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is…
- 11037388Sep 9, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC367) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting an important…
- 11031854Apr 4, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 11030390Mar 17, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 104 ) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 102 | 68% |
| 2019 | 92 | 43% |
| 2018 | 132 | 57% |
| 2017 | 165 | 64% |
| 2016 | 426 | 56% |
| 2015 | 623 | 62% |
| 2014 | 284 | 48% |
| 2013 | 614 | 44% |
| 2012 | 398 | 43% |
| 2011 | 256 | 43% |
| 2010 | 9 | 12% |
| 2009 | 14 | 12% |
| 2008 | 19 | 13% |
| 2007 | 16 | 10% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Optima
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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