Recalls by ModelHyundai Sonata vs Kia Optima: recalls and problems
Since 2000 the Hyundai Sonata has 59 recalls and 15,715 owner complaints; the Kia Optima has 22 recalls and 7,544 complaints. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
At a glance
| Hyundai Sonata | Kia Optima | |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 59 | 22 |
| Do-not-drive / park-outside recalls | 3 | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 15,715 | 7,544 |
| Crashes reported | 697 | 313 |
| Fires reported | 513 | 418 |
| Injuries reported | 658 | 271 |
| Most reported problem | Engine | Engine |
NHTSA data, model years 2000 onward.
Complaints by model year
Hyundai SonataKia Optima
Every model year
| Year | Sonata recalls | Sonata complaints | Optima recalls | Optima complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3 | — | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 17 | — | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 48 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 88 | — | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 98 | — | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 135 | — | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 183 | 0 | 153 |
| 2019 | 0 | 162 | 1 | 214 |
| 2018 | 1 | 375 | 2 | 233 |
| 2017 | 3 | 769 | 3 | 258 |
| 2016 | 6 | 730 | 5 | 762 |
| 2015 | 9 | 1,157 | 4 | 1,011 |
| 2014 | 7 | 750 | 7 | 591 |
| 2013 | 9 | 1,921 | 9 | 1,388 |
| 2012 | 8 | 1,559 | 5 | 923 |
| 2011 | 14 | 3,380 | 5 | 594 |
| 2010 | 2 | 345 | 1 | 75 |
| 2009 | 2 | 460 | 1 | 116 |
| 2008 | 3 | 425 | 3 | 144 |
| 2007 | 5 | 696 | 2 | 167 |
| 2006 | 9 | 1,047 | 2 | 155 |
| 2005 | 1 | 165 | 0 | 144 |
Hyundai Sonata: top problems
Engine5,028
Steering2,352
Air Bags1,982
Electrical System1,947
Unknown or other1,323
Service Brakes1,207
Kia Optima: top problems
Engine3,397
Electrical System939
Unknown or other850
Steering759
Air Bags564
Structure560
Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Questions
Which has more problems, the Hyundai Sonata or the Kia Optima?
Since model year 2000 owners have filed 15,715 complaints about the Hyundai Sonata and 7,544 about the Kia Optima with NHTSA, so the Kia Optima has fewer. These are raw counts: the model that sold more will usually have more complaints, so compare individual model years too.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Kia Optima?
NHTSA lists 59 recall campaigns for the Hyundai Sonata and 22 for the Kia Optima since model year 2000.