2020 Kia Optima problems and complaints
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Optima. The most-reported areas: Engine (104), Power Train (27), Unknown Or Other (16).
Key takeaways
- 153 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 6 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 5 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 104 | 68% |
| Power Train | 27 | 18% |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 14 | 9% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | 8% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 7 | 5% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 1% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2020 Kia Optima
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
- Wiper blades
- Headlight bulb
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| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-10-28
On October 25, 2026, while traveling eastbound on US Highway 74 near Bryson City, North Carolina, my 2020 Kia Optima 2.4L GDI experienced a sudden and substantial loss of engine power while driving through mountainous terrain. The check-engine light began flashing, and the vehicle entered what appeared to be reduced-p...
Engine,forward Collision Avoidance - filed 2026-10-28
Driving car on highway Car would not accelerate Stalled engine loud noise all lights are on now
Engine - filed 2026-10-09
My vehicle keeps consuming/burning oil. In between oil changes I still need to add oil
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More for the 2020 Kia Optima
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.