FaultScore

KIA Optima Hybrid vs Lincoln Mark Viii

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure KIA Optima Hybrid Lincoln Mark Viii
Complaints on file 406 984
Model years covered 2011–2020 1989–2000
Worst model year 2012 1993
Best model year 2015 1997
Crashes reported 31 49
Fires reported 21 21
Injuries reported 18 18
Deaths reported 0 6
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Lights
Share of complaints involving harm 17.2% 9.6%

KIA Optima Hybrid by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 150 36.9%
Brakes 35 8.6%
Steering 20 4.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 17 4.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 15 3.7%

Lincoln Mark Viii by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Lights 576 58.5%
Brakes 45 4.6%
Suspension 28 2.8%
Steering 22 2.2%