2015 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,008 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 31 involved a crash and 74 involved a fire. 23 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
135 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 12, 2018
ENGINE ( AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ) SHUT DOWN (3 TIMES) COMPLETELY AND UNEXPECTEDLY , WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS( TWICE) AND ONCE WHILE AT TOLLS. ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU TURN KEY OCCASIONALLY , ITS LIKE BATTERY IS DEAD. I BELIEVE THAT FIRST AND SECOND TIMES I WAS FLASHING HI BEAMS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER THESE EVENTS HAPPEN , THE MILEAGE GUAGE RESETS, AND CLOCK IS WRONG. ALSO NOTICE THAT THE RADIO FLICKERS,, AND OR TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. ALSO, NOT ABLE TO RESET TRIP MILEAGE, AND NOTICED THAT SHIFTER BUTTON INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT DEPRESS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 24, 2018, fire
KIA OPTIMA 2015 WITH 20K MILES CAUGHT FIRE. ENGINE STOPPED WHILE AT RED LIGHT, IN DRIVE. STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. CALLED 911. VEHICLE BEHIND ME CALLED REPORTING SEEING FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. KIA REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 17, 2018
SHARK FIN ANTENNA COVER FELL OFF. THIS IS REPORTED TO HAPPEN TO MANY 2015 KIA OPTIMAS. THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FIN AND TO FIX THE ISSUE A WHOLE ANTENNA KIT HAS TO BE INSTALLED. APPARENTLY THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE ANTENNA FIN DOWN RUST OVERTIME AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE FIN TO POP OFF. THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM THAT WOULD ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE DAMAGE.
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2017
TIRE SENSOR KEEPS GOING OFF. NO DAMAGES TO TIRE OR NO LOSS OF AIR. WHEN I PUT AIR IN IT GOES OFF. A FEW DAYS LATER SENSOR GOES ON AGAIN. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A MONTH.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2017
KEEP HEARING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE IS MORE SO WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND EARLY MORNING. HAS GONE TO THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS ISSUES AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN PROVIDED A RECORDING OF THE SOUND. ALSO THE RADIO COMPLETE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES NOW. ONCE AGAIN HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT DUPLICATE IT'S SELF. THE PASSENGER WINDOW GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP. I GOT THIS CAR JULY 21. 2017. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOW TWICE. FIRST TIME FOR A WEEK. SECOND TIME 6 DAYS. STILL NO SOLUTION. WAS TOLD BY LEMON LAW TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THEM SERVICE IT AGAIN. HAS TO BE SEEN BY DEARER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL HELP.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME DURING TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A WHOLE YEAR. ON JULY 3,2017 MY MOTHER AND I WAS COMING HOME ON THE FWY AND ONCE AGAIN, DURING TRAFFIC FLOW, MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO GET A SAFE SPOT BEFORE I CRASHED BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY CARS COMING BEHIND ME SO FAST AND THE SIDE RAMPS WE'RE VERY NARROW. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICING BUT FOR SOME REASON, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE TAKING IT IN AND EVEN LEFT WITH THEM FOR ALMOST A WHOLE MONTH AT ONE TIME AND STILL NO DIAGNOSIS. RENTAL CAR AFTER RENTAL CAR. THEY INSTALLED A DATA RECORDER IN MY CAR AND THE FIRST TIME THEY FOUND NO DATA, THEN THEY INSTALLED IT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. SO THEY INSTALLED A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY IN MY CAR. A FEW WEEKS LATER MY CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN ON THE WAY COMING HOME AND IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY MOTHER AND 2 YEAR NEICE. WE WE'RE ALMOST KILLED. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND SAYS "GOODBYE" WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING THIS IS HOW I KNOW THAT THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND WE ARE IN DANGER. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR CUT ON AND OFF TOO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN IT SUDDENLY CEASED TO ACCELERATE. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED AS IT COASTED INTO A SIDE STREET TO GET OFF THE BUSY ROAD. I COULD SMELL WIRES BURNING AS A ELECTRICAL FIRE.I IMMEDIATELY GOT MYSELF AND FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR AFRAID IT WAS ON FIRE. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED WITH ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE. I CALLED THE 360 KIA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I BOUGHT A "GOLD" WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY LITERALLY LOST MY CAR FOR SIX DAYS AND THEN CALLED ME WANTING MY SERVICE RECORDS STATING THE CAR HAD NO OIL IN THE MOTOR. THIS IS A OUTLANDISH LIE! MY CAR HAD PLENTY OF OIL IN IT ...I NEVER SAW A ENGINE LIGHT COME ON INDICATING THAT I HAD MOTOR PROBLEMS NOR DID I SMELL OIL . THIS WAS A "SUDDEN " MALFUNCTION. MY CAR NEVER RAN HOT NOR DID MY GAUGES EVER INDICATE A PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR FOR RIGHT AT 40K MILES AND HAD A OIL CHANGE DUE AGAIN AT THE END OF APRIL.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 8, 2017
I HAVE TWO KIA, ONE 2013KIA SOUL, AND KIA OPTIMA 2015, FIRST THE KIA SOUL WON'T START, LOOKS LIKE NO BATTERY AT ALL, DEALER SAY IT WAS A BAD BATTERY, BUT THE PROBLEM START AGAIN, JUST THIS TIME LOOSE ALL POWER WHEN RUNNING, THEY TOWING BACK TO THE DEALER THIS TIME, THEY SAY THIS TIME WAS CRANK PISTON SENSOR, NO COST AT THIS TIME, THIS HAPPEN ON 08/01/2016, NOW THE KIA OPTIMA, SAME, I DRIVE ALL MORNING, THE DAY WAS HOT, AND I STOP AT THE STOREFOR WATER, DON'T TAKE MORE THEN 5MIN. WHEN I GET BACK TO MY CAR, CARS UNLOCK THE DOOR, BUT HAVE NO POWER AT ALL, I CHECK THE BATTERY WITH A FLUKE MULTIMETER, READS 12 VOLTS WHEN I DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST, AND 6 VOLTS WHEN I CONNECTED BACK TO THE BATTERY, THEN MY FRIEND STOP BY, AND JUMPSTART MY CAR, SAME THING, I DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE POST AND I TAKE CHASSIS GROUND FOR THE JUMPSTART, SAME THING, THEN I TOOK OF THE BATTERY FROM A CHEVY 2002 SILVERADO, MY FRIENDS TRUCK, AND I CONNECTED DIRECT TO MY CAR, SAME THING, I ENDED TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR KIA MOTOR, TO TAKE IT TO THE KIA DEALER, THE TOWING TRUCK DRIVER SAY, THEY PICKUP A LOT OF KIA'S CARS FOR THE SAME REASON, THIS TIME HAPPEN ON 04/05/2017, I DID CLAIM TO KIA MOTOR, THEY SAY WAS THE BATTERY, AND I JUST THINK THEY WANT SALE A 300 AND SOMETHING BATTERY, AND A HAVE TO BUY A NEW BATTERY EVERY TWO YEARS, WITH THE NEW KIA AND HYUNDAI RECALLS I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS TWO CARS!!
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 7, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2015
THE BLUE TOOTH FOR THE PHONE IF ALLOWED TO RING CAN CAUSE ONE TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE RING CAN GO WELL PAST 100 DB. IF WE FORGET TO TURN OUR BLUE TOOTH OFF IT ACTUALLY HURTS.