Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (42.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Engine complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 85 · 42.5% | Investigation closed | DP22003 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 28 · 14% | Recalled | Recall 19V539000 |
| Electrical System | 21 · 10.5% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 18 · 9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 16 · 8% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 14 · 7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 200 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V539000 · 2019 · reported 07/19/2019
Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“This vehicle is a lemon. It is a 2019 with 81,000 miles. How in the world does the engine start knocking when i have consistently…”NHTSA complaint 11608387 — filed 08/14/2024 · ENGINE
“The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact…”NHTSA complaint 11605731 — filed 07/31/2024 · ENGINE
“My car was having to get the spark plugs once a month loosing oil. Lots of Oil is coming out through the exhaust my grandfather…”NHTSA complaint 11592022 — filed 06/02/2024 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 85 of 200 NHTSA complaints (42.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (39), forward collision avoidance: warnings (28), electrical system (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
200 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 19V539000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
