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: engine
647 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 29, 2021
Engine oil consumption is extremely high with no leaks and caused damage to the engine. Causing car to quit and lose power. I have been doing my oil changes correctly.
Engine, Jun 27, 2021
While driving 55MPH on highway vehicle suddenly stalled. I was able to coast to the shoulder on the right. I was not able to restart vehicle. Vehicle left on highway to be towed.
Engine, Jun 25, 2021
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed as an engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the dealer informed the contact that they needed the maintenance history receipts. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,978.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2021
I was driving my car on the street going about 35-45 mph when all of a sudden with no warning my car stopped completely. It had to be towed.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 8, 2021
When I drive my car it smells just like it is burning or melting in the motor, it comes thru the vents and smells awful. It has only smoked a couple of times when I have turned it off. I have had it looked at but at first they couldn't find the problem. The second time I had it checked out they said that the changed the HECU on my car but it still smells like it is burning. It has been doing it for about 3 months.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 7, 2021
I’ve completed the recall on Saturday it took them less then a few minutes even though the invoice said 0.00hrs. I showed that I had brake fluid leaking and the car smokes but was told to come back if things got worse. Saturday night I was driving to the house with my fiancée and the car started slowly if down, the check engine light came on. Then the car shut off in the middle of the highway after a while it just cut back on and smoke all the way to the house. If there was someone behind me I would have cause a accident but it not within my control. My car has randomly shut off while driving and a while later coming idling again, today making the 5th time with in 3days
Engine, Jun 4, 2021
2015 Kia Optima approximately 120xxx miles, daily driver Regular maintenance on vehicle. Engine failed as I was driving to doctor appointment. No warnings, no fluids leaking, no irregular gauge readings, no lights. Vehicle had to be towed to nearest dealership. Confirmed engine failure, failed bearing test. Contacted Kia Motors Consumer related to failed engine. No update on engine repair.
Engine, May 25, 2021
I had 2 incidents with my cars engine not even a year apart! I got my car 8/1/2020 on 10/03/2020 I had a blinking engine light come on. I got it towed to the Kia dealership and they told me they were going to replace my engine because their is recall.. well they didn’t they ended up running a “test” and the engine light “came off” and they gave me my car back. Now we’re back again with another engine problem on 5/20/2021 my engine light, oil light and battery came on! Luckily I pulled over in time because shortly after my car seized and then didn’t start! My pap came to get me and checked my oil and there was none in there! I just got an oil change and every time I get an oil change I run out of oil and coolant and windshield fluid so fast and get it replaced in between oil changes it’s ridiculous! I definitely think it had something to do with the recall on my engine I’m still waiting for a diagnosis on my car and it’s been 5 days since I’ve had my car towed to Kia with no answers still!
Engine, May 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V519000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic) in January of 2019. The contact was relating the failure to the recall. The contact was unable to service the recall because the dealer was behind on work. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine, May 18, 2021
I was driving in rush hour traffic I'm my 2015 kia optima when it just cut off while I was driving almost causing me to hit another car. Unsure of what was happening I had it towed to akin and bobs auto repair. They inspected the car and it needs a new engine. I had not had any issues with car before. Now I see there is a recall that is causing issue like I experienced that day.
Electrical system, Engine, May 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER ALM KIA SOUTH (4310 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 261-8409) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS GAIN TAKEN TO ALM KIA SOUTH TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
Engine, May 10, 2021, crash
EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN WOODSTOCK GA I HAVE NOTICED A STRANGE SMELL LIKE BURNING OIL IN THE ENGINE I COULD SMELL IT INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AS WELL .ALSO THE ENGINE ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE RUNNING HOT AND CERTAIN DAYS IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRYS TO MAKE THE CAR START .ALSO MY LIGHTS WOULD CONSTANTLY FLICKER INSIDE THE VECHILE .I HAVE PAYED OFF MY KIA AND SOLD IT NOW BUT I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING I WOULD BE BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOMEKIND OF COMPENSATION EVEN AFTER IT WAS SOLD I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS I LOST THE FIRST LETTER I WAS SENT SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW ALL MY OPTIONS HERE THANK U AND GOD BLESS MY MY CAR WAS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA I BEGAN FINANCING THE VECHILE THROUGH ALLY ON 12/04/2018 IT WAS PAID OFF 10/31/2019 ALSO I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND THE WHOLE TIME I DROVE MY VEHICLE COMEING FROM MY ENGINE AS WELL AS A BURNING SMELL WHILE DRIVING
Engine, May 3, 2021
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY IT'S STOPPED I TRIED TO TURNING IT BACK ON BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T TOUCH IT. HE ALSO SAID IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING BLOW UP IT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEIR MECHANIC AND CUSTOMER REP ARE TELLING ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T DO THE RECALL ON TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND I HAD TO PAY $7008.00 OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH I NEVER GOT A NOTICE FOR A RECALL. IN THEIR SYSTEM THEY HAD A DIFFERENT ADDRESS, AND WERE ABLE TO UPDATED MY ADDRESS AND STILL TOLD ME I WAS LIABLE BECAUSE THERE ARE WAYS OF CHECKING FOR RECALLS.
Engine, May 1, 2021
MY CAR IS RAPID LOSING OIL IN BETWEEN REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT OIL IN WEEKLY AND THERE NOT HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY LEAKS. THE OILD IS BURNING OFF WAY FASTER THEN IT SHOULD BURN. SO ON TOP OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I HAVE TO PURCHASE OIL ON TOP OF IT. THE TIMING CHAIN IS SUFFERING DUE TO THE ENGINE GOING DRY WAY TOO FAST. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR SOMEONE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. THE OIL TURNS BLACK QUICKER THEN IT SHOULD AS WELL. MY MECHANIC SAID YOU ALL NEED TO REPLACE THESE RIGHT AWAY OR SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAS TAKEN A YEAR FOR ME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPORT THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Apr 21, 2021
MY KIA IS USING AND LOSING OIL RAPIDLY. AS IN IN-BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS AND IT IS NOT BURNING OIL. MY ENGINE HAS SEIZED UP TWICE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, BECAUSE ITS RAPIDLY USING THAT MUCH OIL. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE'S WORKED ON SEVERAL KIA'S WITH THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHERE IS MY OIL GOING? AFTER CALLING 5 KIA DEALERSHIPS TODAY, NONE OF THEM CAN GET ME IN FOR AT LEAST 45 DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BACKED UP WITH FIXING ALL THE RECALLS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2021
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAVING A HARD TIME PICKING UP SPEED AND SOON AFTER IT WAS A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE RPM AND DASHBOARD GAUGES WERE VERY SPORADIC. I PARKED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THERE WAS SOMEHOW ABSOLUTELY NO OIL, BUT NO CURRENT SIGN OF LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CAR CONTINUES TO KNOCK WHEN I START IT UP AND AM AFRAID OF IT OVERHEATING AND IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. IT SMELLS DEFINITELY LIKE BURNTNESS AND WHEN SHIFTING INTO D3 AND D IT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE COULD BE HAVING TOUBLE. SPEEDS AND RPM GAUGE ARE MOST SPORADIC AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE EXHAUST PIPE SEEMS TO HAVE RESIDUE OF SOME SORT THAT ISN'T NORMAL.
Engine, Apr 10, 2021, fire
I HAD JUST LEFT THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-30 EASTBOUND IN BENTON, AR. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN ACTING JERKY AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I STARTED TO CROSS OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN I NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT THE BACK. I GOT ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER, PARKED IN FRONT OF EXIT 118, AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IN MY VEHICLE CALLING A RIDE WHEN I NOTICED A GENTLEMAN RUNNING TOWARDS ME YELLING, "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE, WENT AROUND TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO RETRIEVE MY PURSE AND LAPTOP BAG FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND MOVED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME, I HAD RETRIEVED MY ITEMS OUT OF THE FRONT SEAT, THERE WAS SMOKING COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME, I HAD BEGUN WALKING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, YOU COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. I WAS CALLING 911 AS I WALKED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE BY K & A TIRES IN MALVERN, AR. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACED, AN OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE INVOICE WAS IN THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS GIVEN INFORMATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS/IS UNDER AN NHTSA RECALL# 20V519.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS MY WHEELS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO. I HAD TO PUSH IT DOWN A HILL AND USE NEUTRAL TO GET AT LEAST GET THE CAR OFF THE MAIN STREET AND TOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CAN'T HELP BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROVIDE RECEIPTS OF ANY MAINTENANCE THAT WAS DONE ON THE CAR OVER TIME.
Engine, Mar 26, 2021
I WAS DRIVING TODAY ON 95 NORTH PHILADELPHIA! AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE BATTERY LIGHTS AND OIL LIGHT DID COME ON. AND AFTER THAT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 73 NEW JERSEY
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2021
WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, FOR EXAMPLE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, ALL LIGHTS ILLUMINATING ON THE PANEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PLACED IN PARK AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT AWAY, SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES.
Engine, Mar 25, 2021
2015 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR OIL CONSUMPTION. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JS
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Mar 15, 2021, fire
ON 3-14-2021 ABOUT 225PM I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE I10 FREEWAY IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA, WHILE MERGING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF AND MY SPEED WAS GOING DOWN . I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, ONCE I WAS STOPPED I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THAN WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES I JUMPED OUT THE CAR AND THE CAR LIT UP IN FLAMES. I CALLED ONTARIO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Engine, Mar 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL LIGHT, AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CALAVAN KIA WEST (1301 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122, (678) 715-5399) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 6, 2021
I WAS HEADED TO KY DECEMBER 2020 TO VISIT MY FATHER. THE CAR STARTED MAKING RATTLING NOISE. AS I HIT THE GAS PETAL, THE CAR WAS STOPPING IN ON COMING 1-65 TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS NEARLY 50 MILES FROM BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY (12-23-20). I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND WE SET UP ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOWING TO PICK UP THE NEXT MORNING (LESS THAN 24 HOURS- CHRISTMAS EVE). WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS, THE CAR WAS IMPOUNDED BY KENTUCKY POLICE NEAR GLASGOW, KY. AFTER PAYING TOWING FEES AND TICKETS, I FINALLY GOT MY CAR TO AUTO COMPANY TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. AFTER COMPLETION, I FOUND OUT THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH MORE STUFF. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR (KIA-HUNTSVILLE, AL) TO ASK FOR ADVICE ON NEXT STEPS. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE NEAREST KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEAR WHERE THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO MARTIN KIA (BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY). THEY PUT ME IN LINE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND COMPLETELY FIXED. ON JANUARY 4, 2021 THE VEHICLE WAS IN KIA POSSESSION TO FIX RECALL REPAIRS. MARCH 6, 2021 I WAS SCHEDULED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PROMISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, I HAD TO WAIT 45MINUTES BECAUSE MY CAR WAS LOCKED AND TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS PULLED TO SIDE AND TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY BRAND NEW EMPLOYEE AND TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE A ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON BECAUSE IF SO, IT'S PROBABLY THE NEW HIRE FAULT FOR IT MESSING UP. AFTER ALL OF THAT, I WAS HEADED HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED A SECOND TIME! AFTER CONTACTING LOCAL POLICE, I WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO KIA TO RETURN THE KEYS AND MAKE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE TO GET IT OFF OF THE INTERSTATE.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 17, 2021
CAR ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ROAD RANGER ATTEMPTED TO JUMP CAR OFF BUT SPARKS CAME AND MULTIPLE CABLES WERE BURNT OUT.. CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP AND WAS ADVISE TO CONTACT KIA FOR RECALL