Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.
vehicle
2020 / kia / optima
known issues
6 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-23)
complaints
145 on file (2019-12-03 → 2026-09-15)
recalls
0
investigations
1
fars
45 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
Dual-clutch transmission shudder and failurePOWER TRAIN10 complaints2021-11 → 2026-06kia-optima-2020-dct-shudder
11683362 The vehicle experiences a dual-clutch transmission shudder in low gears and at low speeds. This issue causes a sudden loss of speed in situations such as merging onto a highway, leaving a parking spot, or while driving at approximately 30 mph
11674268 After complaining about clutch judder resulting in getting anti-judder logic software update, followed a month later by transmission serviced, transmission suddenly failed while driving in heavy traffic on the freeway
11540523 The vehicles 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), is horribly jerky at very low speeds and on take off. It has become dangerous to drive as my wife almost caused an accident from the vehicle not reacting to acceleration pedal, or from it reacting completely unexpectedly
Seat belt alarm activates without causeSEAT BELTS4 complaints2022-02 → 2024-10kia-optima-2020-seatbelt-alarm-fault
11453073 The passager side seat belt goes off by itself
11454052 UNKNOWN But the passenger side seat belt start chumming on its on and won't stop until I connect the seat belt
Anti-theft system vulnerable to unauthorized startELECTRICAL SYSTEM3 complaints2022-07 → 2024-02kia-optima-2020-anti-theft-vulnerability
11474661 The vehicle is incredibly easy to steal. A simple flat head screw driver in the hands of a child will steal this vehicle. My car was stolen from Daytona Beach Florida on July 8 2022 by 2 14 year and one 15 year old kids
11524124 April 30, 2023 my 2020 Kia Optima was stolen. The thief or thieves broke my backside passenger window to get inside. Once inside they started my car using a USB cord/ charger block. I purchased the car in Feb 2023
11573169 I need an immobilizer installed on my car so I will be able to get insurance. Please recall these vehicles. This problem is because something wasn't installed on the car that it needs. PLEASE help us
Excessive oil consumption and rod bearing engine failureENGINE96 complaints2022-02 → 2026-07kia-optima-2020-engine-oil-consumption
11751391 My engine failed while driving which put me and others at risk. It was confirmed by the Kia dealership as rod bearing failure. Which is a known recall on the Kia 2.4L Theta II engine
11685083 My engine is burning lg amounts of oil. There has been a lawsuit regarding the same issues with Kia engines (specifically up to 2019 Optimas). The Theta 2 engine lawsuit is regarding excessive oil consumption/burning, knock sensor issues, and deeper engine issues
11709712 While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of engine power and entered limp mode. The check engine light began flashing and the vehicle had very limited acceleration, creating a safety concern when driving in traffic
Airbags fail to deploy in crashAIR BAGS4 complaints2020-11 → 2026-02kia-optima-2020-airbag-non-deployment
11378067 MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING WHEN A FORD 150 PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. FORWARD COLLISION WORKED & SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO 35MPH. I HIT THE TRUCK DOING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHAT SO EVER
11374574 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT
11715952 Stable track control failed to work, the driver seatbelt did not tighten & stayed loose, & air bags did not deploy upon hitting the ditch & small trees resulting after hitting ice/water upon coming to a stop sign at a “T” cross road
Forward collision warning and brake system malfunctionSERVICE BRAKES7 complaints2020-01 → 2024-08kia-optima-2020-brake-fca-malfunction
11337484 THE FCW FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT GET ACTIVATED UNDER ANY CIRCUSNSTANCES. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SYSTEM TO ALL LEVELS AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. IT NEVER WARNS YOU OF AN COLLISION
11353811 IN THE PROCESS, I HIT A BUMP (NOT A POT HOLE) IN THE ROAD'S AND MY BRAKES DISENGAGED AND I THOUGHT I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS NOT SURE THE BRAKE WERE GOING TO ENGAGE IN TIME FOR ME MISS A HIT ON COLLUSION
11501369 ABS module is faulty. Confirmed by professional auto shops and it’s a safety risk. Without this working properly, my car refuses to brake sometimes. Will not automatically stop when it needs to due to the spongy, unresponsive brake pedal
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.
Cite this
Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.
Wrench.Pro (2026). 2020 Kia Optima vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2020/kia/optima
@misc{wrenchpro_2020_kia_optima_2026,
author = {Wrench.Pro},
title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2020 Kia Optima},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2020/kia/optima}},
note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}
