Recalls by ModelNissan Altima vs Kia Optima: recalls and problems
Since 2000 the Nissan Altima has 49 recalls and 14,681 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
| Nissan Altima | Kia Optima | |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 49 | 22 |
| Do-not-drive / park-outside recalls | 0 | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 14,681 | 7,544 |
| Crashes reported | 687 | 313 |
| Fires reported | 189 | 418 |
| Injuries reported | 606 | 271 |
| Most reported problem | Engine | Engine |
NHTSA data, model years 2000 onward.
Complaints by model year
Nissan AltimaKia Optima
Every model year
| Year | Altima recalls | Altima complaints | Optima recalls | Optima complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 7 | — | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 44 | — | — |
| 2023 | 0 | 30 | — | — |
| 2022 | 0 | 32 | — | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 71 | — | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 162 | 0 | 153 |
| 2019 | 7 | 235 | 1 | 214 |
| 2018 | 2 | 226 | 2 | 233 |
| 2017 | 3 | 395 | 3 | 258 |
| 2016 | 4 | 555 | 5 | 762 |
| 2015 | 10 | 956 | 4 | 1,011 |
| 2014 | 8 | 1,114 | 7 | 591 |
| 2013 | 12 | 2,315 | 9 | 1,388 |
| 2012 | 4 | 426 | 5 | 923 |
| 2011 | 1 | 242 | 5 | 594 |
| 2010 | 3 | 381 | 1 | 75 |
| 2009 | 4 | 1,547 | 1 | 116 |
| 2008 | 4 | 1,031 | 3 | 144 |
| 2007 | 3 | 471 | 2 | 167 |
| 2006 | 3 | 824 | 2 | 155 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1,091 | 0 | 144 |
Nissan Altima: top problems
Engine3,256
Power Train2,134
Air Bags1,736
Structure1,717
Electrical System1,694
Unknown or other1,476
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 Nissan Altima or the Kia Optima?
Since model year 2000 owners have filed 14,681 complaints about the Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima or the Kia Optima?
NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns for the Nissan Altima and 22 for the Kia Optima since model year 2000.