2020 Kia Optima Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 92 1 crash 2 fire

“I was told by me dealership recently that the Kia Optima is not designed for high mileage. It’s been consuming oil and my dealership was aware of the issue. Yesterday smoke came out from under the hood and the engine and front half of the car was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11547377, 2023 · fire

“2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to leak oil stall and is dangerous to drive12/24/2022”
NHTSA complaint #11696226, 2022 · fire

“Metal contamination found on VVT solenoid of 2020 kia optima 2.4L GDI engine. Firestone Autocare Confirmed metal debris in oiling system. Vehicle exhibits symptoms identical to prior theta II bearing recall SC172/SC200/SC227 but not covered under recall range.”
NHTSA complaint #11694952, 2025 · crash

Power Train 25 1 fire

“2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to leak oil stall and is dangerous to drive12/24/2022”
NHTSA complaint #11696226, 2022 · fire

“Engine replacement needed at 99,782 miles. P1326 code continuously popping up. Also has excessive oil consumption and electrical problems concerning the forward collision system. Kia refuses to replace engine although the P1326 code is covered by lifetime warranty. The cause of the incident was defect in engine resulting in a recall of all 2011-2019 models. The 2020 Kia optima LX contains a 2.4L GDI engine which has identical problems relating to previous lawsuits.”
NHTSA complaint #11743902, 2026

“Car is consuming oil every three weeks. Engine is going to burn if it does not stop. It’s not in a class action but probably should be. It’s been 4 months and over 1,000 spent.”
NHTSA complaint #11737059, 2026

Unknown Or Other 15 1 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.”
NHTSA complaint #11715952, 2026 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to leak oil stall and is dangerous to drive12/24/2022”
NHTSA complaint #11696226, 2022 · fire

“Car is consuming oil every three weeks. Engine is going to burn if it does not stop. It’s not in a class action but probably should be. It’s been 4 months and over 1,000 spent.”
NHTSA complaint #11737059, 2026

Electrical System 12 1 fire

“I was told by me dealership recently that the Kia Optima is not designed for high mileage. It’s been consuming oil and my dealership was aware of the issue. Yesterday smoke came out from under the hood and the engine and front half of the car was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11547377, 2023 · fire

“I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear that the engine might stall on me so I went to O’Reillys and have them check it and it says it’s the P1326 Code”
NHTSA complaint #11658199, 2025

“Hi, thank you for taking the time to look over my complaint. On Saturday march 22 while driving down the highway going about 75 mph, my car died. The check engine light was flashing and so was the oil light. I pulled over to the shoulder and when I tried cranking the car it sounded like a rumming noise and the car would not stay on. I had the vehicle towed to Texas Star Auto Shop. On monday march 24th i spoke with the mechanic and he said there is an internal engine problem . Since I am a 2nd owner and the car has 105,736 miles kia will not honor their extended warranty and I am left to pay ou…”
NHTSA complaint #11651623, 2025

Fuel/Propulsion System 9

“I was driving on the freeway and my check engine light started to flicker and I felt my car shake and going to limp mode. I made an appointment with the Kia dealership and they told me the engine is failing. They submitted a request for a Goodwill case to Kia corporation and it was denied since there’s no open recalls and is not covered by the extended warranty. the dealership recommended me to take my car and keep driving it even though it’s unsafe the vehicle will not go above 50 mph and it starts to shake when driving I have tried to call Kia corporate and explain this situation but they ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11740375, 2026

“My vehicle burns oil too quickly. I schedule my regular oil change based on the feedback from the auto repair shop. During my last oil change he said I practically had no oil left, but it has been less than 5,000 miles since my previous oil change. The tech informed me he's seen this happen a lot within Kia's including the optima that I currently drive. Fast forward a few months i noticed my oil light illuminate for a moment and immediately turn off. I still want to get it checked out just in case so i brought it back to the same shop. They informed me my oil was very low even though, but I st…”
NHTSA complaint #11733038, 2026

“I own a 2020 Kia Optima. My vehicle has experienced repeated low-pressure fuel pump failures, causing hard starting, loss of power, and stalling risk. These issues first appeared in July 2023 and have recurred despite multiple repairs. The dealership has replaced the upper portion of the fuel pump three times (July 10, 2023; March 1, 2025; June 9, 2025) for the same issue, but the problem persists. Most recently, in August 2025, the vehicle again exhibited difficulty starting and loss of power. Diagnostic code P123300 was found, indicating the pump is not generating enough pressure. The deale…”
NHTSA complaint #11681001, 2025

Engine And Engine Cooling 8

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a full stop, the red oil warning light illuminated; however, after driving off, the warning light disappeared. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with an oil pump failure caused by low oil pressure while the vehicle was stationary, and the RPM was low. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11720784, 2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering and vibrating abnormally while starting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic out of fear of the vehicle stalling on the highway. Prior to the engine failure, the contact became aware that there were oil spots where the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic sealed two holes in the oil pan and replaced the spark plugs that were fouled by engine oil. The vehicle was repai…”
NHTSA complaint #11714482, 2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating and there was excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the piston rings were faulty, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11645355, 2024

Service Brakes 8 1 crash

“ABS module is faulty. Confirmed by professional auto shops and it’s a safety risk. Without this working properly, my car refuses to brake sometimes. Will not automatically stop when it needs to due to the spongy, unresponsive brake pedal. Kia / Hyundai have known about this for years and continues to sell these vehicles that WILL kill myself or someone else on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11501369, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the OEM bolt had fractured while the brake pads were being replaced. The OEM bolt was replaced with an aftermarket bolt that was purchased from Auto Zone. The aftermarket replacement bolt was manufactured by Carquest; Part Number: H803. The manufacturer was…”
NHTSA complaint #11606467, 2024

“The Kia optima 2020 2.4 every 3000 to 4000 miles oil change is metal shavings in the old oil. The clicking noise stared it around the 10000 miles mark and now is getting worse with 60000 miles ,everytime I hit the gas and goes over 30 miles loose a lot of power and a clicking noise come out ,now is getting worse. Is a new car. Already change a ABS pump and I keep my oil change to the date. I m afraid the car is breaking . Help.”
NHTSA complaint #11475800, 2022

Air Bags 7 4 crash 4 injury

“Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.”
NHTSA complaint #11715952, 2026 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owned a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a guardrail, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel and lose consciousness. The vehicle came to a complete stop in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for a concussion and was later diagnosed with early signs of onset dementia. A police report was filed and the contact was taken to jail under the assumption that she was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but…”
NHTSA complaint #11460018, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT”
NHTSA complaint #11374574, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 6

“I was driving on the freeway and my check engine light started to flicker and I felt my car shake and going to limp mode. I made an appointment with the Kia dealership and they told me the engine is failing. They submitted a request for a Goodwill case to Kia corporation and it was denied since there’s no open recalls and is not covered by the extended warranty. the dealership recommended me to take my car and keep driving it even though it’s unsafe the vehicle will not go above 50 mph and it starts to shake when driving I have tried to call Kia corporate and explain this situation but they ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11740375, 2026

“I have kept up on regular oil changes and maintenance on my Kia which I bought new 5 years ago. My issues started when my car's orange check engine light came on, I experienced loss of power such as difficulty accelerating even at low speeds, especially up hill. As soon as I was able I checked my oil which and there was nothing on the dipstick. I put in 3 quarts of oil. I brought it into my usual dealership for service and let them know about the oil issue and issues with power when driving. They failed to address the root cause of the issue, they performed an oil change, engine light turned o…”
NHTSA complaint #11699816, 2025

“I was driving on the high way and the car loose power completely have to do change oil every two weeks and can’t find a solution”
NHTSA complaint #11632860, 2024

Forward Collision Avoidance 5 1 crash

“ABS module is faulty. Confirmed by professional auto shops and it’s a safety risk. Without this working properly, my car refuses to brake sometimes. Will not automatically stop when it needs to due to the spongy, unresponsive brake pedal. Kia / Hyundai have known about this for years and continues to sell these vehicles that WILL kill myself or someone else on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11501369, 2023 · crash

“Engine replacement needed at 99,782 miles. P1326 code continuously popping up. Also has excessive oil consumption and electrical problems concerning the forward collision system. Kia refuses to replace engine although the P1326 code is covered by lifetime warranty. The cause of the incident was defect in engine resulting in a recall of all 2011-2019 models. The 2020 Kia optima LX contains a 2.4L GDI engine which has identical problems relating to previous lawsuits.”
NHTSA complaint #11743902, 2026

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure. I’ve been reporting engine stalling since around 34,000 miles or so I purchased the car and immediately had battery issues before 25,000 miles as well. While I was driving on the road the engine stalled about 34,000 miles with me and my pregnant daughter in the car. The seatbelts jerked. The car stuutered and shut off and every light on the dashboard went insane. I purchased the car with 34 miles on it. Now…fast forward I’ve been having the car engine check, consumption oil…”
NHTSA complaint #11688705, 2022

Seat Belts 4 1 crash 2 injury

“Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road.”
NHTSA complaint #11715952, 2026 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension (Illumination of Air Bag Warning Light); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The seat belt alarm chimed while the front driver seat belt was buckled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximate…”
NHTSA complaint #11622702, 2024

“UNKNOWN But the passenger side seat belt start chumming on its on and won't stop until I connect the seat belt”
NHTSA complaint #11454052, 2022

Exterior Lighting 2

“My front headlights on both signs shorts out while driving. If one goes the other goes. No warning. I have replaced the headlights since 2020, 3 times and the bulbs 4. There needs to be an investigation into to these headlights shorting out can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11562977, 2024

“After changing the bulbs and fuses . The lights flicker and sometimes don’t come on at all .”
NHTSA complaint #11462706, 2022

Steering 2

“This is my 3rd or 4th complaint on here with NO RESPONSE, HELP, OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT! My 2020 finally got engine put in and car does not drive the same. Steering wheel acts weird, the engine has a sound, the anti collision lights went off twice, but could be due to weather. Kia told me that it's my responsibility since my yr is not on recall. I'm surrendering this car asap to give me piece of mind before another engine is due. I met several people at kia that are on their 2nd and 3rd engine and the mechanics told me they know I will be back for another engine! This is wrong and now I'm out of al…”
NHTSA complaint #11570154, 2023

“Steering wheel bearing broken. Had replaced in November and again now needs to be replaced. Major safety concern that Kia should fix properly so the car runs efficiently”
NHTSA complaint #11560695, 2023

Other/I Am Not Sure 1

“The driver side seat It goes off whenever sometimes for a few seconds other times a few minutes and this is when I'm driving”
NHTSA complaint #11463586, 2022

Seats 1

“The passagen side seat belt comes on and beeps and stays on sometimes and other times it dont Then the check engine one day started flashing on me lost of power wouldnt do no more then 60mph”
NHTSA complaint #11514612, 2023

Structure 1

“THERE IS A VERY LIMITED AND INADEQUATE SPACE BETWEEN THE THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH CAN IMPEDE A DRIVER FROM MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP.THE SAME LACK OF SPACE BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL.NOTHING HAPPENED IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.”
NHTSA complaint #11286741, 2019

Visibility 1

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driver’s side window. The contact discovered that the glass had shattered. The contact stated that the Police Department advised her to contact the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, not the Insurance Company. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a manufacturing defect. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected or repaired. diagnoses. The manufacturer was no…”
NHTSA complaint #11650912, 2025