Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | 9% | — |
| 2019 | 23 | 11% | 18,000 miles |
| 2018 | 33 | 14% | 42,000 miles |
| 2017 | 25 | 10% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 104 | 14% | 67,000 miles |
| 2015 | 135 | 13% | 84,000 miles |
| 2014 | 60 | 10% | 72,000 miles |
| 2013 | 146 | 11% | 87,000 miles |
| 2012 | 122 | 13% | 79,000 miles |
| 2011 | 63 | 11% | 86,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 17% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 16 | 14% | 67,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 10% | 97,000 miles |
| 2007 | 14 | 8% | 97,000 miles |
| 2006 | 23 | 15% | 69,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 20% | 99,000 miles |
| 2004 | 45 | 20% | 85,000 miles |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 13% | 72,000 miles |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% | 10,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
I own a 2020 Kia Optima and have been experiencing multiple ongoing problems with the vehicle. The vehicle is leaking and/or losing engine oil at an excessive rate. I have had to add oil multiple times within a short period of time because the oil level continues to drop. I am concerned that the continued loss of oil could result in engine damage or engine failure while the vehicle is being driven. I am also experiencing an electrical problem with the vehicle. The air conditioning and heating system will not turn on or operate properly. I was informed that the problem is related to the vehicle's electrical system/wiring. These problems have continued and require repeated attention. I am concerned about the safety and reliability of the vehicle, particularly the continued oil loss and the electrical malfunction. …
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound and started vibrating and shuddering. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated while attempting to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had previously experienced engine failures and electrical fuse failures. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery was previously replaced three times. The contact had taken the vehicle to two local dealers. The second dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
Drove roughly an hour from Roseville MI to Temperance MI. Car was fine. No issues on the drive. Gauges were all fine. Got to my friend's house and took my stuff inside. Came back out immediately and saw dark smoke now coming from the hood. Attempted to open, but couldn't unlatch the hood after it was popped. Saw flames and called 911. Entire car burned down to the back seats. Car seat, Reading glasses and personal items destroyed. Fire fighters put it out and police took report. KIA after review states they dont know why it happened. Also has taken forever and not offered to compensate me in any way shape or form. Received their "findings" a day ago, April 30. Date of fire was Feb 11th 2026.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The contact stated that the vehicle also sputtered while driving at various speeds, and while reversing. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that oil was getting onto the spark plugs and ignition coils. The spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Was driving on the interstate. The only light on was the ABS light and the car started smoking. Had to come to a stop as they were sparks coming from out under the car through it into park at around 15 mph steel jumped out of the car and within a minute the car was fully engulfed in flames.
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, the cruise control was inoperative, the infotainment screen darkened, and the charging outlet was inoperative. The Check Engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence, and the contact used a vehicle scanner to scan the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 for the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) was found, which detected excessive engine vibration. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. No further information was available. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The vehicle automatically turns the headlights off automatically (at night). While driving and not touching the multi function switch, the vehicle indicate that the headlights were switched manually to the "off" position from the "auto" position on the multi function switch. This happens randomly at random intervals and most noticeable at night when the car is driving and the lights are turned off and is not reproducible on demand. The safety of both myself and the other vehicles around me are put at risk if my headlights cannot turn on or turn off by themselves at night while operating the vehicle. I went to the dealer, and they told me that even though the car is under warranty since the problem cannot be reproduced I would need to pay a $175 diagnostic fee, the dealer told me that Kia will charge them if they can't prove that the multi functional switch is defective. …
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Starter assembly
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5 and 2.7 liter v6 engines, the crankshaft position sensor (ckp) cases did not meet dimensional specifications.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ckp. Owner notification began March 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
NHTSA investigations
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…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (146), 2015 (135), 2012 (122), 2016 (104) and 2011 (63) model years. Electrical complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-067 (starter assembly, Mar 4, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Optima electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (8 mentions), followed by the ignition › anti-theft › immobilizer/proximity › key/sender (8).
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.