NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Kia Optima Plug-In Safety Record
The 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 0 recalls and 136 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The federal record for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In shows a Light recall and complaint burden band, with zero open recall campaigns on file. This is paired with 136 unverified owner complaints. However, the absence of crash-test data from NHTSA means no Safety Index or star ratings are available, leaving a meaningful gap in the safety profile of this vehicle.
The 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries zero recalls, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 136 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In?
Zero recall campaigns mark the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In's safety profile, placing it in the "Light" recall and complaint burden band. However, a significant concentration of owner complaints, 136 in total, warrants closer examination. Of these, 91 reports specifically cite engine-related issues. Power train concerns account for an additional 25 complaints, while 9 reports are logged for the Fuel/Propulsion System, a key area for plug-in hybrid models. Six complaints allege a connection to a crash, and two reports indicate fire involvement. There are no crash-test results for this specific model year or adjacent years available for direct comparison.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In have any recalls?
The 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In has zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this model year. No park-outside or do-not-drive advisories are associated with any recall for this vehicle. Buyers should still verify their specific VIN at nhtsa.gov, as recall status can change.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In?
NHTSA's complaint database lists 136 unverified consumer allegations for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In. The top reported components are Engine (91 alleged reports), Power Train (25), Unknown Or Other (15), Electrical System (12), Fuel/Propulsion System (9), and Engine And Engine Cooling (8). These are unverified allegations, not established findings.
136 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In?
Before purchasing a used 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In, run the vehicle's VIN through the free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov to confirm no open recall campaigns have been filed after this record was compiled. Recall status is specific to the individual VIN.
- NHTSA has no crash-test result for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In, meaning shoppers have no federal star ratings or Safety Index score to consult for this specific model year.
- Zero recall campaigns are on file for this model year, but VIN-level verification at nhtsa.gov is the only way to confirm an individual vehicle has no open recalls.
- Engine-related complaints represent 91 of the 136 unverified consumer allegations on file for this model year, a concentration that prospective buyers may wish to investigate further through NHTSA's complaint database.
- The Fuel/Propulsion System category, which is directly relevant to the plug-in hybrid powertrain of this vehicle, accounts for 9 of the 136 unverified complaints logged for this model year.
FAQ2020 Kia Optima Plug-In safety questions
Was the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 0 recalls and 136 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 136 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Optima Plug-In years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Optima Plug-In 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.