Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (48.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 277 · 48.1% | Recalled | Recall 17V224000 |
| Steering | 92 · 16% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 57 · 9.9% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 48 · 8.3% | not available | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 40 · 6.9% | Recalled | Recall 18V907000 · Recall 20V100000 · Recall 22V093000 |
| Service Brakes | 25 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 20V519000 · Recall 21V331000 · Recall 23V652000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 576 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · 2018 · reported 12/19/2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V100000 · 2020 · reported 02/21/2020
If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V519000 · 2020 · reported 08/27/2020
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V331000 · 2021 · reported 05/10/2021
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V224000 · 2017 · reported 03/31/2017
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 22V093000 · 2022 · reported 02/17/2022
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 2023 · reported 09/25/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 11105076 — filed 07/02/2018 · ENGINE
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH MY CAR HAS RANDOMLY STOPPED AND CUT OFF.. AFTER SITTING THERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART. HOWEVER I WAS BARELY…”NHTSA complaint 11099477 — filed 06/04/2018 · ENGINE
“AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT WONT SHIFT AND SOUNDS FORCED. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLE SOUND AND I WAS VERY CONCERNED! THE…”NHTSA complaint 11092694 — filed 05/09/2018 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 277 of 576 NHTSA complaints (48.1%), followed by steering (92), unspecified/other issues (87), electrical system (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
576 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 40 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V907000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
