2014 Kia Optima: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
585 NHTSA owner complaints · 7 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Optima shares the Sonata's Theta II engines and the same recall history, and its 2013 and 2015 model years carry the highest counts — engine knocking, stalling and fire risk, addressed by the 2017 recall and the extended engine warranty. From 2017 the Optima improves sharply, and the 2018–2020 cars score around 90. Read the full note on the model page. 2014 specifically: 585 complaints on record, score 61/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2014 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 585 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 48.75
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
My vehicles Low-Pressure Fuel Feed Tube disconnected from the engine and sprayed fuel over the top. The vehicle was running and the engine was hot but luckily there was no fire and no was injured, but if this had happened any sooner it could have been much worse. There is currently a recall for this part on my exact model car and year, but my VIN does not show the recall. The part was inspected by a mechanic who info…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that a quart of oil was added every 600 miles. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the engine with a rebuilt engine under an unknown recall seven years prior. The dealer was informed of the recent failure and informed the contact that t…
I owe a lady made a complete stop in front of me and I hit her. I wasn’t traveling close behind her. Her car was not damaged at all, but my Kia was totaled from the front. They had to cut the car off because it was smoking like it was gonna catch a fire. I’ve been had this sign on my car the steering wheel with an! It says that the car is hot before the car accident I had driven to [XXX] back to my house in the car m…
Recalls: 7 campaigns (6 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 21V331000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
| 22V093000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak. |
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been… |
| 20V100000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment. |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. |
| 20V519000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
| 17V224000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 24 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,600
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine283 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Steering94 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other88 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System60 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Structure48 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Fuel/Propulsion System42 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Kia Optima years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Kia Optima?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (283 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2014 Kia Optima a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 61/100, computed from 585 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2014 Kia Optima's most common problem?
283 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2014 Kia Optima sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2014 Kia Optima cost to run per year?
About $5,806 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $29,030 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2014 Kia Optima have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for the 2014 Kia Optima, 6 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 10/05/2021. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2014 Kia Optima really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 585 complaints, 7 recalls on record
- 585 NHTSA complaints on record (48.8/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (44.1/yr)
- 7 recall campaigns, 6 touching safety-critical systems