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We buy Kia Optimas from every year, 2001–2020, running or not. Pick your year for specs, recalls and common problems, or get a free offer now. Towing is always free.

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Kia Optima by year

The Optima is a midsize car sold from 2001–2020 with engines including 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl. NHTSA lists 64 recalls and 7,800 owner complaints across these years.

Combined MPG by model year · line shows the most efficient version, shading the range across versions
15253545200120062011201620202001: 19–21 MPG combined2002: 18–21 MPG combined2003: 21–23 MPG combined2004: 21–23 MPG combined2005: 21–23 MPG combined2006: 21–25 MPG combined2007: 23–25 MPG combined2008: 23–25 MPG combined2009: 23–25 MPG combined2010: 23–25 MPG combined2011: 26–36 MPG combined2012: 26–36 MPG combined2013: 26–37 MPG combined2014: 24–37 MPG combined2015: 24–37 MPG combined2016: 25–37 MPG combined2017: 25–42 MPG combined2018: 25–42 MPG combined2019: 24–41 MPG combined2020: 24–42 MPG combined42 MPG
YearEnginesCombined MPGRecallsComplaints
2001 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl19–213143
2002 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl18–213107
2003 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl21–232141
2004 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl21–231225
2005 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl21–230144
2006 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl21–252155
2007 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl23–252167
2008 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl23–253144
2009 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl23–251116
2010 Optima2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl23–25175
2011 Optima2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl26–366628
2012 Optima2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl26–3661,029
2013 Optima2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl26–37101,441
2014 Optima2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl24–377620
2015 Optima2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl24–3741,021
2016 Optima1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl25–375763
2017 Optima1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl25–424282
2018 Optima1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl25–423235
2019 Optima1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl24–411212
2020 Optima1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl24–420152

Specs from EPA fueleconomy.gov; recalls and complaints from NHTSA, retrieved October 2026.

Most common Kia Optima problems

Across all years, these are the components owners reported most often to NHTSA. If one of these failed on your Optima, it can still be sold as-is.

  • Engine3,293
  • Electrical System928
  • Unknown or Other837
  • Steering676
  • Power Train337
  • Structure306

Selling a Kia Optima: questions

How much is a junk Kia Optima worth?

It depends on the year, condition, which parts are still on it and current scrap prices. Newer, complete Optimas with working engines and transmissions bring more; older or stripped ones are valued mostly for scrap and parts. Pick your year above or use the form for a free offer.

Do you buy Kia Optimas that don't run?

Yes, from every model year we list (2001–2020), running or not, wrecked or stripped. Towing is always free.

Which Kia Optima year has the most complaints?

Among the years we cover, owners filed the most NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Optima (1,441). Across all years, the most-reported components were engine, electrical system and unknown or other.

Which Kia Optima year has the most recalls?

The 2013 Optima has the most NHTSA recalls of the years we cover, with 10. Open recalls don't stop you from junking a car.

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