Recalled components: brakes, fuel system, and engine and cooling. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (106 complaints, 17%). Most-reported area: engine (299 complaints, 48%; median mileage when it happened: 85,000).
More complaints than most Optima years
The 2014 drew 86 owner complaints in its first three years, against 53 for a typical Optima year: 1.6 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
Years to avoid: 2012 and 2013. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC284.
Brakes
May 10, 2021
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC212.
Brakes
Aug 27, 2020
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles.
The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC228.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100.
The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Risk: If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Components: Engine; Fuel system: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Kia campaign SC172.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC147.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2014 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries; all 4 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
Engine fires
Engineering analysis EA21003Closed Feb 5, 2024 (opened Dec 22, 2021)
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Component: Engine.
Non-crash vehicle fires
Preliminary evaluation PE19004Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened Mar 29, 2019)
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recalls 20V-100, 20V-519 and 21V-331, listed above.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Components: Electrical system; Engine and cooling; Engine; Exterior lighting; Unknown or other.
Scope and timeliness
Recall query RQ17003Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened May 18, 2017)
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia’s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia’s compliance with reporting requirements.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 17V-224, listed above.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 617 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Optima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Engine failure or replacement106 · 17%
Median 88,000 miles at failure, from 69 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off100 · 16%
Median 88,500 miles at failure, from 76 reports with mileage
Check engine light59 · 10%
Median 95,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode58 · 9%
Median 96,000 miles at failure, from 39 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell57 · 9%
Median 77,500 miles at failure, from 40 reports with mileage
Won't start32 · 5%
Median 94,700 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Engine knocking, ticking or rattling27 · 4%
Median 77,500 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Median 85,000 miles at failure, from 185 reports with mileage
Steering98 · 16%
Median 11,200 miles at failure, from 59 reports with mileage
Electrical system71 · 12%
Median 76,000 miles at failure, from 41 reports with mileage
Body structure48 · 8%
Most named: body (48) · Median 75,500 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system45 · 7%
Brakes42 · 7%
Median 83,900 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Speed control25 · 4%
Median 44,200 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Unknown or other92 · 15%
Median 62,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Optima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2014 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Optima drew the most (148) and the 2014 drew 86.
Owner complaints
2014: 617 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Complaints
2010
75
2011
627
2012
1,028
2013
1,438
2014
617
2015
1,021
2016
760
2017
305
2018
243
2019
211
2020
148
Safety recalls
2014: 7 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
6
2013
10
2014
7
2015
4
2016
5
2017
4
2018
3
2019
1
2020
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 617 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Kia Optima, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (106), stalling or shutting off (100), and the check engine light coming on (59). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2014 Kia Optima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2014 Kia Optima earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2014 Kia Optima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2014 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries. It lists 4 closed ones; the most recent closed on Sep 19, 2024.
How do I check if my Optima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.