Model year record

2019 Kia Optima

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 438 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V539000

Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking

Component: Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected: 11,423
Reported to NHTSA: 2019-07-19
Owners notified: 2019-08-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	129	70,000 mi
Unknown or other	55	10,479 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	40	9,015 mi
Electrical system	31	9,000 mi
Power train	25	9,200 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	24	—
Service brakes	22	17,325 mi
Structure: body	19	2,500 mi
Air bags	14	3,168 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	13	200 mi
Vehicle speed control	11	15,000 mi
Steering	6	33,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	112,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance	5	54,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection	5	—
Lane departure: warning	5	12,000 mi
Exterior lighting	3	—
Wheels	3	—
Back over prevention: warnings	2	—
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	82,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	19,312 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	95,658 mi
Lane departure: assist	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	2	70,000 mi
Seat belts	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	20,000 mi
Tires	2	47,800 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking	1	—
Electronic stability control (ESC): control module	1	62,000 mi
Suspension	1	—
Visibility/wiper	1	3,100 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	10,479 mi

The 2018 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2020 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.