Most common 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Optima Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Optima Hybrid years: 2018, 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2012. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid:
Scope and Timeliness
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. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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 and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines…
Electrical overstress
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. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
What 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. On two occasions, the vehicle shifted to LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine was replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,997.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated with the "check hybrid battery and check engine" warning lights displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with a battery management system (BMS) message displayed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the pedal became firm, causing the contact to almost crash into another vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the BMS message and check engine warning was light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle needed be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 84,000.
While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015.
Speed control & acceleration
While parking into a parking space that faces a supermarket building, with my foot on the brake, the car suddendly accelerates at an unkown speed , while I am stepping harder on the brake , and the car is not responding crashing into a parking barrier pole finally making the car stop inches from the wall where people go in and out of the supermarket, I was screaming the whole time while being pushed rapidly at an unkown speed feeling helpless and scared, the car side aribags deployed on the right side of the vehicle making the vehicle all full of smoke inside. This is a complaint of a concerned victim for a fault that the Kia Optima Hybrid has, so it can be addressed before people are hurt, or killed out there needlesly.
While trying to park the car in the parking lot structure, the car accelerated beyond control on it's own and hit the wall head on. I was already in my parking spot and only few feet away when the car accelerated. The passenger air bag was deployed and body damage occurred. Everything happened so suddenly, I am not sure about the speed at the time of impact. Note: this complaint is a duplicate of 10620789. The following additional information is being provided to indicate a trend of similar sudden acceleration safety issues with the Kia Hybrid Optima. This is a request to initiate a safety investigation as there have been similar reports with Kia Optima Hybrid and Kia Optima. …
2014 Kia Optima Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 35 / 38 / 37 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Optima Hybrid rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Optima Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid?
The engine & cooling — 16 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (11) and speed control & acceleration (4).
How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Optima Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012. See the full Kia Optima Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 52% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.