Recalls & safety ratings

2019 KIA OPTIMA

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 2019 KIA OPTIMA, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 1
    Recalls
  • 205
    Owner complaints
  • 2
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 6 September 2026.

1 recall campaign

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

NHTSA campaign 19V539000 · Kia Motors America

Summary

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

2019 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

9.8% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard
  • Lane departure warning: Standard

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