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Before you buy a used Kia Optima (IV).

2015–2020 · Petrol / Plug-in hybrid / Diesel · 4 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Kia Optima (IV), real photo of this generation
LuvsMG481 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

2.0 GDi · 1.6 T-GDi · 1.7 / 1.6 CRDi

2.0 GDi (Petrol) · 1.6 T-GDi (Petrol) · 1.7 / 1.6 CRDi (Diesel)

  • Judder on the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (7DCT)Automatic gearbox
    Period mentioned
    Approx. 2015–2021
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (7DCT). Confirm the gearbox type.

2.0 GDi Plug-in Hybrid

Plug-in hybrid

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Kia Optima (IV)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
2.0 GDiPetrol11 with conditions3
1.6 T-GDiPetrol11 with conditions3
2.0 GDi Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybrid11 with conditions4
1.7 / 1.6 CRDiDiesel11 with conditions3

According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Kia dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Kia brake recalls (2003–2024)Brakes

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Kia engine, transmission and software recalls (2004–2025)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Kia electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2010–2026)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Kia electric and hybrid drive recalls (2018–2026)Electric powertrain

Engines: 2.0 GDi Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid)

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 2 checked

Automatic gearbox

  • Look out for: Abnormal vibration or shudder when pulling away and at low speed, especially in traffic.

    Ask them to check: At the dealer: run the judder test with the diagnostic tool, install the latest gearbox software and replace the dual clutch only if the judder remains.

Engine

  • Look out for: Metallic engine knock that rises with revs, oil-pressure warning, loss of power and, in the worst case, a broken connecting rod with an oil leak and fire risk.

    Ask them to check: Ask Hyundai or Kia by VIN about a campaign or KSDS update; with knocking or the oil warning, stop and do not keep driving; check the oil level often.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

More Kia buying guides

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