Kia Optima problems, reliability and years to avoid
If you are considering buying a used Kia Optima, these are the common problems worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 2 known faults for this model, 2 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.
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Is the Kia Optima reliable?
The Kia Optima has 2 known faults in our database, 2 of them rated high severity. The most serious are engine (turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon buildup) and engine (connecting rod bearings on some engines can wear early). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.
That is a count of the faults we hold, not a reliability score. Popular cars get written about more, and a newer generation has had less time to show its faults.
Which Kia Optima years should you avoid?
No year is a write-off on its own. What matters is which serious faults a given year and engine can have, and whether the car in front of you has had them fixed.
Years and engines with a serious known fault
2010 to 2018, 1.6 & 1.7 CRDi Diesel: turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon
2016 to 2018, Engine not named in the recall; most likely the 2.0 T-GDi GT (Theta II): connecting rod bearings on some engines can wear early
Each one is set out in full below, with the symptoms, the typical mileage and a rough repair cost.
Generation 1 of 12 known faults · 3 owner reports · 12 good notes
Kia Optima 2010-2018 Models (2010 to 2018) problems
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity🏛️ Official recall
Connecting rod bearings on some engines can wear early, which can end in a knocking engine and failure. A UK recall for 610 Optimas built between December 2015 and September 2018: the dealer runs an electronic vibration test and replaces the engine if it fails. The recall notice does not say which engine. Rod bearing wear is the known fault of the Theta II petrol, which in UK Optimas of these years was the 2.0 T-GDi GT; the plug-in hybrid uses a different 2.0 engine.
Typical symptoms
knocking from the engine that rises with revs
engine warning light
Affected vehicles
Engines:
Engine not named in the recall; most likely the 2.0 T-GDi GT (Theta II)
Typical mileage:
unknown miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon buildup from infrequent oil changes
Rough guide
£800-1500
Typical symptoms
loud whining or 'siren' noise from turbo
loss of power
blue smoke from exhaust
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.6 & 1.7 CRDi Diesel
Typical mileage:
70000-120000 miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →
What owners report on the 2010-2018 Models
3 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Bodywork · June 2018The glass sunroof on a Kia Optima broke, leading to an insurance claim and a wait of over six weeks for a replacement.
Gearbox and clutch · September 2016A 30-month-old Optima with 22,000 miles experienced gear selection problems; the dealer quoted £900 for a new clutch, outside the two-year warranty.
Gearbox and clutch · August 2014A 2014 Optima experienced poor gearchange and difficulty engaging gears, with a dealer admitting a clutch design problem and long replacement back orders.
What owners like about the 2010-2018 Models
12 notes
A full-sized spare wheel is provided as standard equipment under the load area floor.
The DCT automatic transmission provides a very relaxed and comfortable driving experience, especially on motorways.
The rear seating area of the Kia Optima provides generous space, comfortably accommodating adult passengers on longer journeys.
The car achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with strong scores for adult and child occupant protection.
The Kia Optima presents an understated yet sophisticated exterior design, offering a refined and appealing aesthetic.
The Optima's cabin boasts a very high standard of construction, with quality materials and excellent fit and finish.
The dashboard layout in the Optima is intuitive, making controls easy to find and operate for the driver.
There is plenty of space available in both the boot and the cabin.
The car generally provides a solid and reassuring driving experience, instilling confidence on various road types.
The diesel engine fitted to the Kia Optima operates quietly, contributing to a refined and peaceful cabin environment.
The Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle version of the Optima is notably efficient, offering impressive fuel economy figures.
This car is excellent for motorway journeys, particularly models equipped with an automatic transmission.
Sellers rarely admit these faults outright
We track 6 specific phrases sellers use in adverts to soft-pedal these exact issues. Paste any Kia Optima advert and we check it in seconds.
Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. These are the 5 DVSA recalls for the Optima, newest first. They do not tell you whether this particular car has had the work: for that, put the registration into the free GOV.UK MOT history check, which shows a recall status where the manufacturer shares it, or ask a franchised dealer to check the VIN.
🏛️ November 2023Cars built December 2015 to September 2018
Certain engines may have been produced with conditions that can cause premature wear of the connecting rod bearings
Certain engines may have been produced with conditions that can cause premature wear of the connecting rod bearings
Put right by: Complete an electronic vibration test if the engine fails the test it will be replaced
DVSA R/2023/266610 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ September 2023Cars built October 2018 to September 2020
The mesh filter inside the tandem pump may block causing insufficient oil supply and a risk of vacuum pump failure. If the pump fails there will be no vacuum assistance and the possibility of increased braking distance when applying the brake pedal.
The mesh filter inside the tandem pump may block causing insufficient oil supply and a risk of vacuum pump failure. If the pump fails there will be no vacuum assistance and the possibility of increased braking distance when applying the brake pedal.
Put right by: Remove the mesh filter and check the vacuum pump for damage if damaged replace the pump/drive belt.
DVSA R/2023/25520,781 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2019Cars built September 2017 to May 2019
The forward collision avoidance assist may fail to identify stationary vehicles
The Forward Collision Avoidance Assist system may have problems identifying stationary cars.
Put right by: Upgrade the software for the Multi-Function Camera system.
DVSA R/2019/259411 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ June 2018Cars built October 2015 to September 2017
High voltage battery system may malfunction and cause a sudden loss of power
Incorrect operation of the Voltage Protection Device (VPD) may lead to the high voltage battery system intermittently switching off the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) motor whilst driving. If the fault occurs a warning light will be displayed on the dashboard and the vehicle could suffer a sudden loss of power.
Put right by: Replace the Battery Management System (BMS) main and sub units and wiring loom
DVSA R/2018/123398 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ June 2013Cars built August 2010 to April 2011
Brake lights may malfunction
The vehicles brake lights may intermittently malfunction due to carbonisation of the contacts within the brake light switch. This can also affect other systems on the vehicle including: ESC cruise control gear selection (autoboxes) engine check lamp.
Put right by: Recall vehicles likely to be affected to replace the brake light switch.
DVSA R/2013/05540,769 vehicles affected in the UK
Recall data published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall listed here may not apply to every car of this model: the build dates and the registration check are what decide it.
Kia Optima timing chain, and service intervals
A timing chain has no change interval, which is not the same as lasting for ever. Listen for it on a used Optima, and check the oil has been changed on time. These are the figures UK specialists work to.
Timing chainChain
2.0 THETA, 2.4 THETA, 1.6 GDI
No fixed replacement interval
These petrol engines drive the camshafts by chain, with no scheduled replacement. Some Theta II engines suffered connecting rod bearing wear, which led to large recall programmes in the United States; in the UK, DVSA recall R/2023/266 covers early rod bearing wear on 610 Optimas built from December 2015 to September 2018. Worn bearings put metal into the oil, and old or overdue oil wears the chain guides and tensioners, so an unbroken record of oil changes matters more than the chain itself.
Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.
Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026
Kia Optima buying questions
Which Kia Optima years should I avoid?
No Kia Optima year is a write-off, but the 2010-2018 Models (2010 to 2018) carries the most serious faults: engine. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.
What should I check when viewing a used Kia Optima?
Ask the seller about the engine faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for loud whining or 'siren' noise from turbo and knocking from the engine that rises with revs. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against its known faults before you travel. Check a Kia Optima advert →
Are there any recalls on the Kia Optima?
The DVSA lists 5 safety recalls for the Kia Optima issued between 2013 and 2023. The most recent, from November 2023, is "Certain engines may have been produced with conditions that can cause premature wear of the connecting rod bearings". Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. This list is by model, so it cannot tell you whether one particular car has had the work: the free GOV.UK MOT history check shows a recall status from the registration where the manufacturer shares it, and a franchised dealer can check the VIN.
What is the real MPG of a Kia Optima?
Owners report 49.0 mpg on average across the Kia Optima engines with data, about 73% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 121 owner submissions. Kia Optima Real MPG by engine →
If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Kia Optima owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.