FaultScore

Worst years for a KIA Optima Hybrid

Owners have filed 406 complaints about the KIA Optima Hybrid with NHTSA across model years 2011 to 2020. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.

Avoid

2012 KIA Optima Hybrid

155 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly engine & cooling.

Cleanest on record

2015 KIA Optima Hybrid

17 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every KIA Optima Hybrid year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2020 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2018 7 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2017 C 38 2 1 23,000 Engine & Cooling
2016 6 0 3 Engine & Cooling
2015 C 17 0 3 60,400 Engine & Cooling
2014 D 51 12 1 40,879 Engine & Cooling
2013 C 82 3 2 67,000 Electrical System
2012 F 155 12 7 87,000 Engine & Cooling
2011 C 47 2 4 69,000 Engine & Cooling

What breaks on a KIA Optima Hybrid

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Engine & Cooling 150 36.9%

Worst in 2012

Worst in 2012

Brakes 35 8.6%

Worst in 2013

Worst in 2012

Worst in 2013

Steering 20 4.9%

Worst in 2012

Acceleration & Cruise Control 17 4.2%

Worst in 2012

Fuel & Propulsion 15 3.7%

Worst in 2013

Airbags 13 3.2%

Worst in 2011

Lights 7 1.7%

Worst in 2013

Stability & Traction Control 5 1.2%

Worst in 2013

Body & Structure 4 1.0%

Worst in 2012

Suspension 4 1.0%

Worst in 2012

Wheels 2 0.5%

Worst in 2012

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every KIA Optima Hybrid, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Nov 2012 peak 16 Aug 2026

KIA Optima Hybrid problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the KIA Optima Hybrid

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.