A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Risk: Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC179.
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 1 investigation that names the 2019 Kia Optima; it is 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 listing: OPTIMA. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. 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 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Optima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Forward collision avoidance36 · 17%
Most named: warnings (30); automatic emergency braking (10)
Electrical system23 · 11%
Brakes20 · 9%
Powertrain18 · 8%
Fuel and propulsion system17 · 8%
Body structure14 · 7%
Most named: body (14)
Unknown or other44 · 20%
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 2019 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 2019 drew 41.
Owner complaints
2019: 215 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
628
2012
1,032
2013
1,444
2014
622
2015
1,023
2016
766
2017
308
2018
244
2019
215
2020
155
Safety recalls
2019: 1 recallTap 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 215 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Optima, the problems described most are excessive oil consumption (38), engine failure or replacement (25), and the check engine light coming on (24). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2019 Kia Optima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2019 Kia Optima earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2019 Kia Optima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2019 Kia Optima. It lists one closed investigation, which 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 Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 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 PHEV.
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.