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, May 11, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED UP METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN OIL PAN SOLENOID ALSO HAD TRACES OF METAL SHAVINGS. *TR
Engine, May 8, 2020
ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 47,700 MILES CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE CODE DTC P1326 WILL DROP OFF AT A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC OF ENGINE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE DESTINATION. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DTC CODES USING A DTC SCANNER TOOL. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CODES WERE INCORRECT. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,402.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 8, 2020
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN STREET WHEN EVERYTHING SHUT OFF, ELECTRICAL, MOTOR, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP . SHE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD , A MAN PULLED OVER TO HELP HER AFTER 20 MINS THE CAR WAS AS ABLE TO START AGAIN. 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. VERY SCARY .
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 13, 2020
I WAS HEADED FROM OHIO TO MICHIGAN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND I GET THIS BURNING SMELL AND THEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS START FLASHING AND THEN THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY STOPS I POP THE HOOD OPEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT'S LEAKING OIL WHICH IS NOT MY FAULT CAUSE I JUST GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN THE CAR JUST REFUSES TO START NOW I CAN GET THE LIGHTS ON AND STUFF BUT AS FOR THE ENGINE TURNING OVER IT'S JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN AND I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON ANYTHING AT ALL FOR THESE ENGINES CAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. NO VISIBLE LEAKS, TOOK TO THE DEALER ONCE AND THEY REPLACED THE PCV VALVE. SINCE THAT POINT THE CAR USES A QUART WITHIN A WEEKS TIME. NO LEAKS, NO SMOKE. USED FOR ORDINARY EVERYDAY HIGHWAY DRIVING. 40 MILES A DAY ROUND TRIP
Engine, Mar 5, 2020
WHILE IN IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR COMPLETED STOP ACCELERATING , (WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS IT WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN . THEN IT FINALLY DID 20 MINUTE LATER BUT THE GAS WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAT 55 MPH AND IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP , I GET MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON TIME MY CAR NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD AND I TOOK IT TO A SHOP APPARENTLY MY ENGINE HAS CEASED UP DUE TO THE LUMINAL BLOCKS . NOW THAT IS 6300 DOLLARS AND MY CAR WAS JUST FINE AND I HAVE PREVIOUSLY DISCOVERED ON LINE THAT MY KIA OPTIMA WAS NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN.
Engine, Mar 1, 2020
ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLED FOR AROUND 5-6 SECONDS THEN DROVE FINE. EVER SINCE THEN IT WILL RANDOMLY FEEL LIKE IT HESITATES WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING BETWEEN 45-65 MPH.
Engine, Feb 23, 2020
MY CAR A 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX 2.4 GDI WHICH ONLY HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT AND WHILE DRIVING HOME THIS PAST FRIDAY EVENING MY ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK REALLY LOUD. NOW THE CAR IS JUST SETTING AT MY HOUSE AND WHEN YOU START THE CAR UP, IT STILL HAS A HORRIBLE KNOCK. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR.
Engine, Feb 20, 2020
HAD MY OIL CHANGED WHEN SUPPOSED TO THEY ADVISED MY CAR WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY, AFTER CHANGED I HADN'T DROVE IT ABOUT 1,000 MILES AND I NOTICED IT WHITE SMOKE WHEN I STARTED IT COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, CHECKED MY OIL AND IT WAS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL. I'M HAVING TO PUT OIL IN EVERY FEW DAYS AND ITS SUPPOSED TO BE 2000 MORE MILES TIL TIME TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH NOW, ITS NOT LEAKING OIL, JUST BURNING IT. NOW WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IF I TRY TO GIVE IT GAS TO ACCELERATE MY CAR STARTS LOSING POWER AND A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT THE PIPE. ITS STILL DRIVABLE AS OF NOW BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE ISSUE WITH THESE MAKE/MODELS FOR THE 2015'S. I'M TAKING TO A DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 18, 2020
VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED THE STEERING CAPABILITY.
Engine, Feb 10, 2020
OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER, RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISES. ENGINE BLEW SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WAS UP TO DATE ON NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.
Engine, Jan 26, 2020
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WITH NO LEAKS VISIBLE
Engine, Jan 24, 2020
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 74,000 MILES. AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED SHAKING AND RELEASED BLACK SMOKE PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. A VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD TO BRAKE AND SWERVE TO MISS HITTING ME. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 10, 2020. I RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMING THE VEHICLE HAD ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO KNOCK SENSOR AND COMPRESSION ISSUES. ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS DAMAGED. I CONTACTED KIA AND INITIALLY THEY STATED IF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A KNOCK SENSOR ISSUE, IT WOULD BE COVERED. AFTER WAITING NEARLY 20 DAYS KIA IS STATING THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ANY ADVICE ON REMEDIES OR WHAT COULD BE DONE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Engine, Jan 23, 2020, fire
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR , WHEN HE HAD TO PULL OVER AND REALIZE THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THIS CAT WAS JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED 3WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH PAULDING CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. A DOWN PAYMENT WAS MADE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2020
WHEN TAKING OFF AT A STOP LIGHT OR GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE (BASICALLY WHEN ACCELERATING) THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT HAS NO POWER. YOU CAN HEAR A WEIRD NOISE AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL SMELL BURNT OIL OR SOMETHING BURNT. ALSO, I HAD A RECENT OIL CHANGE AND WITHIN THE MONTH I HAD TO ADD OIL AGAIN. THERE IS NO SIGN ON MY DRIVEWAY THAT THERE IS A LEAK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
Engine, Jan 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (DENNIS EAKIN KIA 5200 E CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY, KILLEEN, TX 76543) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Jan 13, 2020
ENGINE SOUND VERY LOUD SOUND ANY TIME I START THE ENGINE SINCE BRAND NEW.
Engine, Jan 13, 2020
DRIVING CAR ; JUST WENT DEAD , NOT THE BATTERY : NOW WON'T CRANK JUST CLICKS ; CAR HAS RECALL FOR EXCESSIVE CONNECTING ROD BEARING DAMAGE
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2020
MY VEHICLE IS AMONG THE VEHICLES REGISTERED/QUALIFYING FOR A RECALL. MY DEALER WAS TO HAVE REPLACED MY ENTIRE ENGINE DURING THE FIRST RECALL MY VEHICLE RECEIVED. WITHIN A WEEK/SOME 5 DAYS OR SO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO MY DEALER, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I PAY $145 JUST FOR THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE/MY VEHICLE THEY HAD JUST SERVICED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED/QUALIFIES FOR A RECALL THAT STEMS AND OR IS RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL THAT MY CAR HAD... AS RECENTLY AS A FEW DAYS AGO (1/8/2020), THE SAME DEALER SUPPOSEDLY 'FIXED' THE RECENT RECALL. I'D WENT BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SERVICED THE VEHICLE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT/WAS OFF. I'D SAY WHAT WAS AN HOUR OR SO HAVING THE CAR BACK IN MY POSSESSION FROM THE DEALER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I'M APPALLED AT THE FACT THAT I'M CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN ON GOING OVER A YEAR. IN MY RESEARCH ON RECALLS I'M NOT TO BE CHARGED ANYTHING BY LAW SURROUNDING RECTIFYING A RECALL. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION MY DEALER HAS SUGGESTED THAT I PAY AFTER FEELING THAT THEY'VE RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM CONCERNING MY VEHICLES RECALL. I HAVE VALID THIRD PARTY DIAGNOSTICS THAT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH WERE FREE, UNLIKE THE DIAGNOSTICS MY DEALER WOULD SUGGEST I PAY FOR ON A CAR THAT IS SURROUNDED BY A SERIOUS RECALL ISSUE. AND MORE INTERESTING IS MY HAVING RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT RENDERED THE RESULTS THAT ARE THE SAME CODES SURROUNDING THE RECALL, AND THIS AFTER/ON A DAY/ THE LAST DAY - MY CAR WAS SERVICED/SUPPOSEDLY 'FIXED.' I'M APPALLED AT THE SUGGESTION THAT I 'UPGRADE,' INTO A NEW CAR, PAY ANYTHING, HOW ANY CAR HAVING RECEIVED A 'NEW ENGINE,' THOUGH 5 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON - THAT'S 'SCARY.' I HAVE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION THAT CAN SHOW MY DEALER IS OBLIVIOUS TO PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS SURROUNDING RECALLS DUE TO REMEDIES THEY SUGGESTED ON 'FIXING,' MY VEHICLE.
Engine, Jan 10, 2020
MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, KIA OPTIMA 2015, HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR ENGINE REPAIR FOR IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, SINCE THEN, SHE TELLS ME THAT SHE HAS BEEN ADDING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY WEEK AND SOMETIMES SHE FINDS THE ENGINE EMPTY OF OIL FROM THE DIPSTICK. WHEN SHE CAME HOME, I MONITORED THE DRIVEWAY WHERE SHE PARKS TO LOOK FOR OIL LEAKAGE BUT I DIDN'T FIND ANY LEAKAGE OF OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY DAUGHTER IS NOT SAFE IN THIS CAR, UNFORTUNATELY SHE USES THIS CARE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM THAT KIA OPTIMA IS UNDERMINING AND OVERLOOKING. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE REPORTING THIS ISSUE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. FOR THE CONSUMERS, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WE CAN TURN TO IN TIMES LIKE THIS. I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM BY KIA CORPORATION.
Engine, Jan 4, 2020
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WOULD HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD TRY TO STALL, IT DID STALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAR WOULD JERK AND THE ENGINE WOULD START KNOCKING.
Engine, Jan 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I GOT IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. IT STARTED BACK UP AND RUNNING BUT WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THE ENGINE OIL WAS VERY THICK. I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE 2 MONTH AGO. I HAVE ONLY 104.000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR.
Engine, Dec 31, 2019
DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF WILL NOT START, INDICATING LIGHT AREN'T REPORTING ANY PROBLEMS
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 27, 2019
I WANTED TO ADD MORE INFORMATION TO MY COMPLAINT. WHEN IN MOTION IN FRONT OF HIGH SCHOOL CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITH KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED METAL FLAKES INSIDE ENGINE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS INVOLVING THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW OR REMANUFACTURED ENGINE COSTING ESTIMATED $3000 TO $4500 NOT INCLUDING CORE CHARGES AND SHIPPING FEES.