Kia Optima Plug-in: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Kia Optima Plug-in: 4 model years scored from 473 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns. Worst year 2018, best year 2019.
Kia Optima Plug-in: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Kia Optima Plug-in ranges from 63/100 in 2018 to 96/100 in 2017 — a 33-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Engine (137 of them).
Safest years: 2017, 2020 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2019 (score 65). Worst: 2018 (score 63, CAUTION).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 94 | BUY | $2,833 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 65 | CAUTION | $3,529 | 206 | 0 |
| 2018 | 63 | CAUTION | $3,686 | 243 | 0 |
| 2017 | 96 | BUY | $3,298 | 23 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Optima Plug-in sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Kia Optima Plug-in
Across every Optima Plug-in model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine236 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other86 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Electrical System68 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Power Train39 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Service Brakes38 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
- Forward Collision Avoidance36 complaints across all Optima Plug-in years · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration$780–$2,160
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Kia Optima Plug-in years to buy?
2017, 2020 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2017 at 96/100, on 23 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
Which Kia Optima Plug-in years should I avoid?
The 2018 is the weakest year we score, at 63/100 (CAUTION), on 243 complaints and 0 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Kia Optima Plug-in problem?
236 of the complaints filed against the Optima Plug-in across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04