2020 Kia Optima Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 09/08/2026

97Engine complaints

67.4%Of all 144 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE97 · 67.4%

POWER TRAIN26 · 18.1%

Unspecified / other16 · 11.1%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 8.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11 · 7.6%

Share of the 144 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Kia Optima overview page.

What owners report

“My engine has failed. This is the second car Iâve had from Kia that the rod barring has failed.”NHTSA complaint 11728508 — filed 04/01/2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering and vibrating abnormally while starting. There were no warning lights…”NHTSA complaint 11714482 — filed 01/30/2026

“Iâve been told by multiple Kia dealerships that my Kia needs a new engine however I am barely outside of their class action lawsuit so…”NHTSA complaint 11713970 — filed 01/28/2026

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Kia Optima have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Kia Optima: 97 of 144 complaints on file (67.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2020 Kia Optima have in total?

144 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 4 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.