Model-level range presence is a source-coverage check. It does not confirm that a repair fits every engine or model year.
Vehicle problem research
Kia Optima problems and repair guidance
Read 5 documented issue files for the Kia Optima, including symptoms, source-defined vehicle scope and the published repair or diagnostic steps. A matching model name does not diagnose your car or confirm VIN eligibility.
This profile contains problem research. Model-specific warranty cost estimates and aggregate NHTSA complaint counts are not included for this model.
Choose the exact year
Kia Optima model-year research
Model-year coverage varies. Each page shows the available problem files and identifies whether warranty estimates and federal report counts are included.
Problem research and repair guidance
Kia Optima: symptoms, affected vehicles and documented fixes
Match the symptom and the exact vehicle scope before arranging work. These files preserve the FixCatalogue research, with the manufacturer position, safe checks and original evidence available here.
5documented issue files
5vehicle systems
5 recall files · 0 other manufacturer files. These are editorial file counts, not distinct campaign totals, failure rates or a complete recall history.
Body & structure
Official safety recall2016, 2017, 2018Campaign 23V594000Door may open or fail to latch
The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000 includes certain 2016 to 2018 Kia Optima vehicles. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Symptoms to compare
- The door may be difficult to latch, may show an ajar warning or may not remain secured
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Other ways owners describe it: door will not stay shut; door opens while driving; door latch is broken; car door will not lock; door ajar warning stays on; loose door handle.
Which vehicles the source covers
- 2016 to 2018 Kia Optima
- NHTSA campaign 23V594000
- The manufacturer filing lists 319,436 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Component in the source: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Published recall remedy
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Use the official recall remedyAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Limit: Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
Check the complete VIN before arranging workBasic check · 5 minutes
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
Limit: A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
Evidence for this issue
- 23V594000: Official campaign record for Kia Optima
NHTSA safety recall · Aug 24, 2023
NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 319,436 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
Brakes
Official safety recall2015Campaign 23V652000Braking performance may be reduced
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 includes certain 2015 Kia Optima vehicles. 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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Symptoms to compare
- The driver may notice a warning, changed pedal feel or reduced braking, depending on the recalled component
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Other ways owners describe it: brake pedal feels soft; car takes longer to stop; brake warning light; brakes suddenly weak; brake fluid leaking; parking brake not working.
Which vehicles the source covers
- 2015 Kia Optima
- NHTSA campaign 23V652000
- The manufacturer filing lists 1,730,192 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
- NHTSA marks this campaign with a Park Outside advisory
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Component in the source: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Published recall remedy
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.
Use the official recall remedyAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN
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.
Limit: Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
Check the complete VIN before arranging workBasic check · 5 minutes
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
Limit: A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
Evidence for this issue
- 23V652000: Official campaign record for Kia Optima
NHTSA safety recall · Sep 25, 2023
NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 1,730,192 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
Driver assistance
Official safety recall2019Campaign 19V539000Driver assistance system may not respond correctly
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.
NHTSA campaign 19V539000 includes certain 2019 Kia Optima vehicles. 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. 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. Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Symptoms to compare
- A driver assistance warning may appear or the affected feature may respond incorrectly
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Other ways owners describe it: collision warning not working; lane assist turns off; car brakes by itself; driver assistance unavailable; safety system warning; automatic braking problem.
Which vehicles the source covers
- 2019 Kia Optima
- NHTSA campaign 19V539000
- The manufacturer filing lists 11,423 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Component in the source: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Published recall remedy
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.
Use the official recall remedyAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN
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.
Limit: Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
Check the complete VIN before arranging workBasic check · 5 minutes
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
Limit: A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
Evidence for this issue
- 19V539000: Official campaign record for Kia Optima
NHTSA safety recall · Jul 19, 2019
NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 11,423 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
Fuel system
Official safety recall2015, 2016, 2017Campaign 18V907000Fuel leak and fire risk
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.
NHTSA campaign 18V907000 includes certain 2015 to 2017 Kia Optima vehicles. 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. 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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Symptoms to compare
- A fuel odour, visible leak or warning light may be present, although some vehicles show no warning
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Other ways owners describe it: car smells like gas; fuel leaking under car; strong petrol smell; gas smell after parking; fuel line recall; car could catch fire.
Which vehicles the source covers
- 2015 to 2017 Kia Optima
- NHTSA campaign 18V907000
- The manufacturer filing lists 71,653 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Component in the source: ENGINE
Published recall remedy
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.
Use the official recall remedyAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN
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.
Limit: Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
Check the complete VIN before arranging workBasic check · 5 minutes
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
Limit: A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
Evidence for this issue
- 18V907000: Official campaign record for Kia Optima
NHTSA safety recall · Dec 19, 2018
NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 71,653 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
Transmission & drivetrain
Official safety recall2016Campaign 16V705000Driveshaft may break and cause power loss
The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
NHTSA campaign 16V705000 includes certain 2016 Kia Optima vehicles. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail. If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward.
Symptoms to compare
- The vehicle may hesitate, shift unexpectedly or lose drive, depending on the recalled part
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Other ways owners describe it: transmission slips; car will not move; gearbox jerks; car jumps out of gear; delayed acceleration; drivetrain warning came on.
Which vehicles the source covers
- 2016 Kia Optima
- NHTSA campaign 16V705000
- The manufacturer filing lists 12,214 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Component in the source: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Published recall remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Use the official recall remedyAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Limit: Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
Check the complete VIN before arranging workBasic check · 5 minutes
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
Limit: A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
Evidence for this issue
- 16V705000: Official campaign record for Kia Optima
NHTSA safety recall · Oct 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 12,214 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
Confirm who pays before authorizing work
A recall remedy follows the campaign and VIN eligibility. A service bulletin provides diagnosis or repair instructions; it does not by itself promise payment. Manufacturer warranty extensions and support programs have their own conditions.
Compare recalls, bulletins and warranty extensions →Keep a current problem separate from future coverage
These files do not supply a shop quote. Ask for a diagnosis and written estimate, then check recall remedies or existing coverage. A new vehicle service contract generally excludes pre-existing conditions.
Prepare a useful description for the mechanic →Each file retains its original source review date. Historical remedy wording can change; check the current manufacturer notice and NHTSA VIN lookup for your vehicle. The separately dated NHTSA counts elsewhere on this page use a different dataset and scope.
Read the evidence for this vehicle
What can the data tell you about Kia Optima?
No model-specific individual-repair price keys are retained for Kia Optima in this library. Generic parts and labor estimates, public records and separate annual cost references may still be available.
An unmatched specification is an information gap. Do not borrow an engine or drivetrain from another year.
Recall and communication counts describe records. They cannot establish a breakdown probability or current VIN status.
Price-key audit reviewed October 12, 2026; EPA source snapshot 2026-08-07. Individual-repair ranges and annual repair-budget references are different datasets.
Cost-library audit
The evidence behind a repair estimate
In our 44-category library, 24 categories have attached published benchmarks and 20 use planning assumptions. The audit separates the appearance of a precise total from the strength and scope of its inputs.
44 repair categories in our current library; a content audit, not a market survey
See the analysis, charts and method →Campaign-reference audit
One campaign can create many entries
In the selected collection, 1,186 files with extractable identifiers refer to 771 distinct campaign IDs. The difference is a counting-unit issue, not evidence of additional unique recalls or a vehicle's failure risk.
1,200 selected recall files; campaign references extracted from their evidence fields
See the analysis, charts and method →