Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% | 15,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% | 23,000 miles |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% | 1,000 miles |
| 2016 | 29 | 4% | 39,000 miles |
| 2015 | 36 | 4% | 61,000 miles |
| 2014 | 21 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2013 | 39 | 3% | 57,000 miles |
| 2012 | 40 | 4% | 74,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% | 93,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 8% | 110,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 9% | 83,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% | 86,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 76,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% | 136,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% | 175,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 have yet to follow up with me in my case
Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms car would struggle to accelerate, car had been using up oil like crazy the week before. Stopped at an autozone car read code P1326.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to immediately accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 15,000.
I am reporting a recurring safety hazard involving my 2019 Kia Optima following a repair for diagnostic code P064A (Fuel Pump Control Module). Despite the dealership attempting to repair the fuel system, the vehicle remains in a 'limp mode' state. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost significant power, refusing to accelerate above 50 mph. This creates an immediate safety risk, as the vehicle cannot maintain highway speeds or safely merge, increasing the danger of a rear-end collision. The P064A code and subsequent 'limp mode' symptoms persist even after professional service. I am concerned that the existing Kia warranty extensions (such as WTY028 for the low-pressure fuel pump) or current repair procedures are insufficient to resolve this underlying mechanical/electronic failure, leaving the vehicle unpredictable and hazardous to operate in traffic.
My engine burns oil very bad. Black smoke comes out of my tailpipe and I burn through 5 quarts in less than a thousand miles. I just got my oil changed two weeks again and I just had to add more oil to my car bc it was empty. I've had to replace the spark plugs twice due to soot build up. I can't afford a new car I'm 17 and can barely afford the maintenance let alone a whole new engine. Have spoken to many mechanics and they all say the same thing "it's a Kia it's gonna burn oil" ITS A KNOWN ISSUE. And yet Kia will not resolve it bc they don't want to spend their own money to fix their mistake. I got an estimate for a new engine which is basically crucial and it's over three grand. No matter where I take it everyone always says the same thing- to get rid of it before it's too late. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ******Speed Control- Vehicle will stall while on road/ highway causing rear vehicles to brake. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? *****Several times I was forced to pull over to side lanes to avoid being rear ended. *****Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have called dealership several times in regards to this issue, all I was told was to do not use A/C or heater as that will make the vehicle lose power. Refused to conduct was full inspection of vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
On 6 June 2022 I was driving Eastbound Interstate 80 passing Fairfield, CA. Traffic was moderate, average traffic speed 65. The Kia's Adaptive Cruise was enabled and set to the maximum amount of safe distance. I recall the car directly in front of me changed lanes to pass a truck towing a trailer. I remember the Kia began to accelerate and I couldn't turn the wheel. Next memory was opening my eyes to the dust smoke of deployed air bags. I lost consciousness likely due to the sudden impact and air bags deployed. I was taken to a Fairfield hospital by ambulance where I spent 4 days. A slurry of tests ruled out loss of consciousness as the cause. No stroke, heart attack or seizure occurred. I was treated for bruised ribs due to the airbag. No doubt to me that this collision could have been catastrophic to this driver and others driving nearby. …
I was driving with an SUV in front of me at 18-wheeler in front of them. This is on a road where the speed limit is 65 however there's a section on 301 where there's a traffic light. All three vehicles came to a slow normal stop and the adaptive cruise control was doing a good job of slowing the vehicle down without my input. But the SUV when we were at about stopping speed but had not yet come to a complete stop, the SUV switched to the left lane. At which point I was maybe 20 ft behind the 18-wheeler and all of a sudden the car is adaptive cruise control tried to accelerate the car back up to the setting of 65. …
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (40), 2013 (39), 2015 (36), 2016 (29) and 2014 (21) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Kia Optima model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Optima acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (5 mentions), followed by the cruise control (2).
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.