2019 Kia Optima: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2019 Kia Optima at 24–41 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 213 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
24–41
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as OPTIMA PHEV.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2019 Kia Optima recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2019 Kia Optima, newest first.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Risk
Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2019 Kia Optima fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2019 Kia Optima crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2019 Kia Optima NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2019 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.8%
Standard
2019 Kia Optima Hybrid 4 DR FWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.8%
Optional
2019 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2019 Kia Optima owner complaints
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Optima, most recently on Oct 9, 2026. 20 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 16 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2019 Kia Optima complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
93
Unknown or other
43
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings
30
Electrical system
22
Service brakes
19
Fuel/propulsion system
17
Power train
17
Structure: Body
14
Air bags
12
Vehicle speed control
11
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
