Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2018 vs 2019 KIA OPTIMA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 95 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 1.5% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

2018 205 complaints 2019 202 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2018 share 2019 share Share change
ENGINE 45.8% 30.7% ▼ 15.1 pts smaller share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 0.4% 11.9% ▲ 11.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.6% 3.0% ▼ 4.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5.0% 1.0% ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 1.7% 5.5% ▲ 3.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 2.1% 5.0% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
STEERING 5.0% 2.5% ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 2.5% 5.0% ▲ 2.4 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.5% 4.5% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE 0.8% 2.0% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 5.0% 4.0% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
BACK OVER PREVENTION not reported 1.0% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 1.7% 1.0% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION not reported 0.5% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.4% 3.0% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 0.8% 0.5% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.4% 0.5% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19.3% 39.6% ▲ 20.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2018 3

Campaign components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2019 1

Campaign components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
10 → 6
◆ Injuries
9 → 16