Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2020 Kia optima has 22 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 0 powertrain-related recalls.
22
Complaints
0
Recalls
0
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | My engine has failed. This is the second car I’ve had from Kia that the rod barring has failed. |
| Sep 29, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | I have kept up on regular oil changes and maintenance on my Kia which I bought new 5 years ago. My i... |
| Jun 30, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Engine knocking and stalling on interstate |
| Jun 6, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2020 Kia Optima LX 2.4, LESS THAN 100,000 miles on car. Car started over consuming oil 2 quarts/1,00... |
| May 27, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | When the vehicle was about 3 years old and at 60,000 miles, the fuel injector went out. Kia took wee... |
| May 11, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | After complaining about clutch judder resulting in getting anti-judder logic software update, follow... |
| Apr 8, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Accelerating at a normal rate to get on the highway and the check engine light starts flashing out o... |
| Feb 6, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Code P1326 and oil pressure light keeps flashing |
| Jan 5, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The engine in my 2020 Kia Optima S (2.4L GDI Theta II) has been experiencing excessive oil consumpti... |
| Dec 7, 2024 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | I was driving on the high way and the car loose power completely have to do change oil every two wee... |
| Nov 6, 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am filing this complaint due to severe and ongoing safety defects in my 2020 Kia Optima EX, which ... |
| Oct 16, 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle experiences a dual-clutch transmission shudder in low gears and at low speeds. This issu... |
| Oct 10, 2024 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms ... |
| Jul 12, 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | I started having clicking sound in engine around 50k miles . Then my check engine light came on and ... |
| Jun 17, 2024 | POWER TRAIN | At gas, the vehicle jumps/judders as if it’s not getting enough gas to get up and go, and then at hi... |
| Jan 8, 2024 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | Leased this Kia by force from rightway auto here in Indianapolis in. Had for about 1 1/2. First noti... |
| Oct 14, 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | My 2020 Kia Optima had engine failure and engine is being replaced now. I've had this car for 1yr/84... |
| Jul 4, 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | On July 4th 2023, I was driving with my son in car, when unexpectedly the check engine light came on... |
| Jun 2, 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicles 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), is horribly jerky at very low speeds and on tak... |
| Dec 24, 2022 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 2020 kia optima caught on fire in gallipolis ohio after insurance paid to fix car it continues to le... |