Kia Optima vs Tesla Model 3
Midsize sedan · 2015–2025 · 5,795 federal complaints
Kia Optima
1,591 complaints · 5 engines
Most-complained engine: GDI · 2.4L I4
Full breakdown for Kia Optima →
Tesla Model 3
4,204 complaints · 1 engines
Most-complained engine: Electric
Full breakdown for Tesla Model 3 →At a glance
Side by side. EPA figures are the model's median across its test variants; price is the base-trim MSRP (CarAPI), median across covered model years.
| Kia Optima | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Base MSRP | $22,400 | — |
| Most common engine | GDI · 2.4L I4 | Electric |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated | — |
| Fuel economy | 29 MPG | — |
| Running cost | $2,100/yr | $600/yr |
| Low emissions | 309 g/mi | — |
| Cabin space | 105 cu ft | 97 cu ft |
| Cargo space | 16 cu ft | 15 cu ft |
| Displacement | 2.0 L | — |
| NHTSA overall crash rating | ★★★★★ (2020) | ★★★★★ (2023) |
| Rollover risk (NHTSA) | 9.8% | 6.6% |
| Engines with enough data | 5 | 1 |
Side by side
Both cars scored as percentiles within Midsize sedan, so the shapes are directly comparable. Built from EPA test data.
What each one's complaints are about
Showing each car's highest-volume engine. Share of component mentions — not a failure rate, and not a ranking between the two.
Kia Optima
Tesla Model 3
How often each one's complaints involve a fire, crash or injury
Shares of each car's own complaints — sales volume cancels out of a within-car ratio, so these two can be compared. The vertical mark is the all-vehicle average.
all vehicles — Fire 1.1% · Crash 4.4% · Injury 2.6%
Every engine with enough data
Complaint counts per engine are shown for scale only — they track how many were sold, not how often they fail.
Kia Optima
- GDI · 2.4L I4Naturally aspirated675
- THETA II · 2.4L I4Naturally aspirated596
- T-GDI · 2.0L I4Turbo149
- THETA II · 2.0L I4Naturally aspirated77
- T-GDI · 1.6L I4Turbo53
Tesla Model 3
- Electric4,204
Recalls where NHTSA said stop driving or park outside
The severest recall class only. Model-level, manufacturer-confirmed. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, whatever the car's age.
Kia Optima
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (park outside, 2015–2015) 23V652000
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (park outside, 2015–2015) 21V331000
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (park outside, 2015–2015) 20V519000
Tesla Model 3
None on record for this model.
One car having more complaints than the other mostly reflects how many were sold, not how often they break. Compare each car's own mix of problems — not the totals.