2020 Kia Optima electrical system problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2020 Kia Optima — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought my car brand new in July of 2020. In Spetember of 2023 roughly around 60,000 miles the engine started consuming large amounts of oil. The dealership put me through the so-called warranty process 3x over a years' time. They refused to file warranty paperwork within the year I was going…”
filed May 16, 2025
“I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear…”
filed May 1, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections…
SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions · issued Mar 6, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Optima | 22 | 11% |
| 2018 Optima | 33 | 14% |
| 2017 Optima | 25 | 10% |
| 2016 Optima | 99 | 13% |
| 2015 Optima | 135 | 13% |
| 2014 Optima | 59 | 10% |
| 2013 Optima | 145 | 11% |
| 2012 Optima | 122 | 13% |
| 2011 Optima | 61 | 10% |
| 2010 Optima | 13 | 17% |
| 2009 Optima | 16 | 14% |
| 2008 Optima | 15 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.