VehicleVerdict

Kia Optima Hybrid years to avoid

The Kia Optima Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014, 2011 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2019 is the cleanest year on record.

400

Total complaints

5

Recall campaigns

2011–2020

Years covered

4

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Kia Optima Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year151 complaints2011: 47 complaints2012: 151 complaints2013: 80 complaints2014: 51 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 38 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 3 complaints
Kia Optima Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Optima Hybrid years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2012High complaints + open investigation151
2013High complaints + open investigation80
2014High complaint rate51
2011High complaints + open investigation47

Every Optima Hybrid year

YearComplaintsRecalls
202030
201900
201872
2017382
201660
2015170
2014avoid510
2013avoid802
2012avoid1513
2011avoid473

Common questions

What are the worst Kia Optima Hybrid years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Optima Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014, 2011. The cleanest year on record is 2019.

What is the best year for the Kia Optima Hybrid?

By complaint volume, 2019 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Optima Hybrid years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Kia Optima Hybrid have?

Across all model years, the Optima Hybrid has 5 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 400 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.