MODEL
Kia Optima Plug-In
NHTSA safety across every Kia Optima Plug-In model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Kia Optima Plug-In we cover (2019 to 2020), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 1 recall have been issued across those years.
The Kia Optima Plug-In is a midsize plug-in hybrid sedan aimed at commuters and eco-conscious family buyers who want a practical, fuel-efficient car without fully committing to a battery-electric vehicle. Slotting into the competitive midsize sedan segment, it blends a conventional trunk-back silhouette with an electrified powertrain, appealing to shoppers who prioritize efficiency alongside everyday usability.
At MotorCaliber, our job is to tell you what the safety record actually looks like, and for the 2019 to 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In, the picture has some notable gaps and genuine concerns worth unpacking. First, the gap: NHTSA did not conduct crash testing on this model during the years we cover, which means there are no star ratings to lean on. That absence alone should give shoppers pause, because there is simply no independent federal crash data to reassure you about structural protection in a real-world collision. What we do have is owner complaint data, and it tells a cautionary story. Across the 2019 to 2020 model years, NHTSA logged 334 total complaints, including 26 reported crashes, 8 reported fires, and 20 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the fire figure in particular stands out for a plug-in hybrid. Battery and charging system concerns are a known area of scrutiny for electrified vehicles, and eight reported fire allegations in a relatively low-volume model is a number that deserves serious attention. The single recall across these two model years is comparatively modest, but it does not offset the complaint volume. Bottom line: the lack of crash-test data combined with a meaningful complaint count, especially fire-related ones, makes this a vehicle where thorough due diligence is essential before buying.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the Optima Plug-In to be a comfortable, reasonably refined midsize sedan with a smooth ride and an accessible cabin layout. They tend to appreciate the practicality of its plug-in hybrid setup for daily commuting, though some note that interior materials feel closer to mainstream than premium, and driving dynamics are considered adequate rather than engaging.
- NHTSA did not crash-test the 2019 to 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In, so there are no federal star ratings available to help evaluate occupant protection in a collision.
- Owner complaints across these two model years total 334, including 8 reported fire allegations. For a plug-in hybrid, fire reports are a particularly important signal and shoppers should check whether any open investigations or service actions apply to a specific vehicle.
- Twenty reported injuries appear in the NHTSA complaint database for this model across the covered years. While these are unverified allegations, the combined count of crashes, fires, and injuries represents a complaint profile that warrants careful review of the full complaint records before purchase.
- Only one recall was issued across the 2019 to 2020 model years. Any used example should be checked against the NHTSA recall database using its VIN to confirm that recall work has been completed.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In with 1 recalls.