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
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 13, 2018, fire
AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 12, 2018, THE ENGINE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND TURNED OFF. NO ONE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR, MELTED THE TIRES AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH SMOKE. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD TO THE GAS TANK.
Engine, Nov 12, 2018
VEHICLE SMOKING FROM EXHAUST AND STALLING, (26,630 MILES ) TAKEN TO DEALER ( RUSTY WALLACE KIA ) ON 05/15/18. CLEANED OIL FROM INTAKE. VEHICLE SMOKING AND STALLING,TAKEN BACK TO DEALER ON 05/28/18. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR 30 DAYS. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEMS FOUND. VEHICLE STILL SMOKING AND NOW VERY LOW ON OIL,VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER ON 11/12/18.
Engine, Nov 11, 2018
VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE ON THE CITY STREETS.
Engine, Nov 1, 2018
ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT AROUND 86,000 MILES. NOW HAS 95,000 MILES. HAS SHAKING, BURNING SMELLS, AND SUSPECTED POWER SURGING. DEALER STATES CAN NOT REPLICATE SMELL OR SURGING. ALTHOUGH A RESISTOR WAS BURNT UP. THEY SAY THE SHAKE IN THE CAR IS NORMAL DUE TO ENGINE DESIGN. ENGINE DID NOT START SHAKING UNTIL 40,000 MILES. KIA CORPORATE REFUSES TO SEND A TECH OUT.
Engine, Oct 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,500.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 26, 2018
I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT WOULD FIRST MAKE A NOISE AND THEN RIGHT AFTER IT WOULD STALL AND SPUTTER/ JERKING LIKE IT WANTS TO CUT OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP FIRST IN ALEXANDRIA,VA WHERE THEY ONLY DID MY OIL CHANGE AND NOTHING ELSE BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER FOR ME, SO I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE FALLS CHURCH, VA LOCATION AND I EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR AND FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS I WAS BRINGING MY CAR BACK AND FORTH THERE FOR OIL CHANGES BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND NO MATTER HOW MANY OIL CHANGES THEY DONE MY CAR WOULD STILL DO THE SAME THING. MY CAR WAS CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM MILES FOR WHERE IT WOULD STILL BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY TO GET FIXED AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED BEFORE MY WARRANT RUNS OUT. SO FINALLY THEY KEEP MY CAR SITTING IN THE SHOP FOR 1 MONTH WITHOUT ANYONE LOOKING AT IT AND COME TO FIND OUT THE GUY THAT WAS GOING TO BE WORKING ON MY CAR NO LONGER WORKS THERE, I WOULD CALL THEM TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND MOST TIMES I COULD NEVER REACH ANYONE AND THEY DIDN'T CALL ME TO KEEP ME UP TO DATE ON THE PROGRESS, SO AFTER ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTH THEY CALL ME AND TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT FIX MY CAR DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND UP KEEP BY ME AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, MY CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WILL COST ME $5000 + TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I'M STILL DRIVING MY CAR AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE IT'S LIKE KIA DOESN'T EVEN CARE AND SEEMS LIKE THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO KEEP COMING BACK AND FORTH SO THAT I CAN GET CLOSE TO THE MILES TO WHERE IT WOULDN'T BE UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO FIX IT. MY CAR ISN'T FIXED AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED, I'M HOPING FOR A MIRACLE.
Engine, Oct 23, 2018
RELOCATING TO LAS VEGAS AND MY ENGINE WENT OUT. THE CAR JUST STOP MOVING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR 13 MONTHS AGO AT PAUL BLANCO STOCKTON AND IT WENT OUT AFTER ONLY HAVING 84,000 MILES
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.
Engine, Sep 5, 2018, fire
2015 OPTIMA SXL WITH 130K MILES REGULARLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL HIGHWAY MILES. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A MILD KLANKING SOUND. SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A LOUD BANG OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. PULLED OFF THE ON THE SHOULDER AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE AND A FEW OTHER LIGHTS WERE ON. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CONTINUED TO BURN. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NO PRIOR SOUNDS OR NOISES SUGGESTING A PROBLEM. ALL KIA UPDATES OR MAINTENANCE NOTICES WERE HANDLED BY A KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE DONE BY A SHOP. HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS IS NOT ONLY A SURPRISE BUT A CONCERN AS THIS IS MY SECOND KIA (PRIOR ONE IS STILL OWNED).
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN ODOR OF OIL BURNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: KIA12818043. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,168.
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.
Engine, Jul 17, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED. TRIED RESTARTING IT BUT IT WOULD SHUT DOWN AGAIN WITH A CLUNKING SOUND LIKE METAL TO METAL GRINDING. HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS AT THE RIGHT LEVEL AS I HAD RECENTLY CHANGED THE OIL A FEW WEEKS AGO. I TRIED RESTARTING IT A COUPLE MORE TIMES BUT IT JUST SHUTS DOWN AND THE ENGINE REALLY SOUNDED BAD WITH A SCREECHING SOUND. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND CURRENTLY SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR A MONTH NOW SINCE I DON'T HAVE ANY FUNDS TO GET IT FIX.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 10, 2018
BOUGHT A BRAND-NEW 2015 KIA OPTIMA IN FEBRUARY 2016 - 2.5 YEARS AND 34,000 MILES IN, IT DIED ON ME WHILE GOING 70MPH ON I85N IN ATLANTA IN MORNING RUSH HOUR. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND NO WARNING SIGNS WHATSOEVER - I WENT TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE AROUND A SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY GAS PEDAL NO LONGER WORKED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH LIT UP - THE ENGINE WAS DEAD AND I WAS COASTING. COULD NOT GET OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO TRAFFIC, SO HAD TO PUT IT AS FAR TO THE LEFT AS I COULD, WHICH ENDED UP HALFWAY IN THE HOV LANE - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY ALL OF MY SERVICES AND OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (RICK CASE KIA IN GWINNETT, GA). SO THEY HAD NO WAY TO TRY TO WIGGLE AROUND THE WARRANTY. I AM SEEING THIS EXACT ISSUE BEING DESCRIBED AT THE EXACT MILEAGE RANGE FOR DOZENS AND DOZENS OF 2015 KIA OPTIMAS ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. IT APPEARS THAT KIA AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE GETTING AROUND PAYING FOR WHAT OBVIOUSLY IS AN ENGINE DEFECT BY ASKING THAT THE DRIVERS PROVE THEY HAD THE OIL CHANGED BY PRODUCING RECEIPTS FOR EVERY SERVICE. WHEN/IF THEY CAN'T, KIA IS NEGATING THE WARRANTY AND ASKING THE DRIVER'S TO PAY $7K-8K FOR A NEW ENGINE. IT'S DESPICABLE. MY DEALERSHIP COULDN'T GET AROUND THE WARRANTY SINCE I HAD DONE EVERY RECOMMENDED SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS AM THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN APPROVED AND WILL BE REPLACED (NOT BEFORE TRYING TO MILK MONEY OUT OF ME BY TRYING TO BLAME THE ISSUE ON A FAULTY BATTERY FIRST, WHICH WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY). KIA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THEIR 2011-2014 AND 2016 OPTIMAS, AND EXCLUDED THE 2015 MODELS. IT'S PAINFULLY OBVIOUS THAT THE 2015 OPTIMAS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.
Engine, Jun 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER (KIA OF DAYTON, 8560 TROY PIKE, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424, (888) 461-2115) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jun 13, 2018
MY CAR MILEAGE IS AT 65000 I HAD THE CAR LAST YEAR MARCH I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES A MONTH AND HALF AGO I DID ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE THERE IS A TICKING SOUND IN ENGINE BROUGHT IT TO PEP BOYS AND MECHANICS AND THEY ARE SAYING ITS A OIL DEFECT AND ROD BEARING TICKING WHENEVER I ACCELERATE CAR WON'T MOVE
Power train, Engine, Jun 13, 2018
I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. I MAKE SURE TO GET REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND I AM NOT A HARSH DRIVER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON A 2 LANE ROAD. THE LIGHT AHEAD TURNED YELLOW AND I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP. ONCE MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT THE RED LIGHT, IT MADE A WEIRD NOISE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF BUT DIDN'T. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I BEGAN TO PRESS THE GAS AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT WAS STALLING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS QUICKLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT POPPED ON SO I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, TURNED MY CAR OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I CRANK THE CAR BACK UP AND THE ONLY LIGHT REMAINING ON WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE GAS. I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME AND DECIDED SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY I WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. I WENT TO CRANK MY CAR UP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE KNOCKING NOISE HAD GOTTEN LOUDER. I STARTED DRIVING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME BUT IT TURNED OFF AT A RIGHT LIGHT. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO TRY AGAIN SO I CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. SINCE I WAS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, THE ENGINE WAS APPROVED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WAS VERY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BEING THAT I HAVE HAD ZERO OTHER PROBLEMS NOR DID ANY HAZARD LIGHTS APPEAR ON MY DASH BEFOREHAND. MY VIN WAS CHECKED FOR ENGINE RECALLS AND DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ON THE LIST.
Engine, Jun 8, 2018
WHILE DRIVING HOME MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS NO NOTHING. I HAD A TOW COMPANY TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. NOTHING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP. CHECKED STARTER, FINE. MECHANIC TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE, NEVER HEARD BEFORE. HE STRONGLY SUGGESTED I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR. HAD ALL OIL CHANGES DONE AT DEALERSHIP. WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP OR KIA. I DO NOT HAVE $5200 TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. NO CAR FOR 3 MONTHS
Engine, Jun 7, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY- CAR DIED- ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON- STARTED BACK UP-- HAD A KNOCKING NOISE- DROVE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARKED IT. TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP- ENGINE IS GONE. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE REGULARLY- THE CHECK OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON - STILL ISNT ON- NO OIL IN THE ENGINE- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER THE CAR DIED.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS- THE CARS DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC
Engine, Jun 5, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND WITH NO WARNING MY CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND IT WAS OKAY, NO LIGHTS OR NOISES. THE NEXT DAY I WAS GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR I HEARD A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE, BUT CAR STILL WAS FUNCTIONAL. A FEW HOURS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.
Engine, May 30, 2018
ENGINE LOCKED UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD NO PRIOR ISSUE
Engine, May 24, 2018
2015 KIA OPTIMA WAS GOING THROUGH 2 QUARTS OF OIL AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE. HAD ENGINE REPLACED UNDER 100K WARRANTY AT 98,844K. AT 110,474 MILES ENGINE BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MANAGED TO GET CAR TO SHOULDER AND WOULD ONLY DRIVE 5 MILES AN HOUR. KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED NEEDS NEW ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STATES NOT IN WARRANTY. KIA CORPORATE ADVISED WE HAVE 12 MONTH/12K WARRANTY ON NEW ENGINE MEANING THERE IS APPROX 1100 MILES REMAINING UNDER WARRANTY. KIA DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THAT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY FOR THE CAR OF 100K IS WHAT WAS COVERED FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS WELL, MEANING THE WARRANTY FOR THE NEW ENGINE LASTED APPROX 1100. THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RENTAL CAR THEY PROVIDED AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT THEN THE ENGINE ISSUE.
Engine, May 18, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THICK, BLACK SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON KIA (36 WATER ST, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,386. *TT CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER ON 5/11/18, SERVICE REPORT STATES ENGINE DEFECT AND EVAP CANISTER RECALL WHICH DOES NOT SHOW UP ANYWHERE. UPDATED 9/21/18*JB
Engine, May 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO KIA AUTO TEAM DELAWARE (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (877) 364-9441) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Apr 23, 2018
THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR UNTIL SUDDENLY I SAW SMOKE. CHECKED MY OIL & IT WAS LOW. I ADDED OIL. I BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING IN THE ENGINE AND HUGE WHITE PUFFS OF SMOKE EMIT FROM MY ENGINE, SO BAD THAT CARS BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY (ALL 4 LANES) HIT THEIR BRAKES AS THEY CANNOT SEE. THE 101 FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR - THIS IS VERY BAD AND COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED, INCLUDING ME IF MY ENGINE SEIZES AT 75 MPH. I CHECK MY OIL EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO AND SEEMS TO BE LOW ONCE A WEEK. I'VE BEEN WAITING TO DROP MY CAR AT MY MECHANIC. WHEN I GOT THERE HE SAID HE COULD NOT TOUCH MY CAR DUE TO THE SAME EXACT REASON FOR OVER 1.2 MILLION RECALLED ENGINES. I WENT TO BRAKE MASTERS DOWN THE ROAD ASKING IF THEY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID "ABSOLUTELY!" THEY TOLD ME DO NOT DO AN OIL CHANGE AS MANY PEOPLE'S ENGINE SEIZES WITHIN A DAY OR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. DEALERS CONSISTENTLY TELL PEOPLE THEIR ENGINE HAS "SLUDGE" IN IT. REALLY? I HAVE READ SO MANY REVIEWS OF THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. TELLING PEOPLE IT IS $6,000-$8,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AT THEIR COST. BOTH MY MECHANIC AND BRAKE MASTERS TOLD ME THAT THEY FEEL THE ONLY REASON MY ENGINE HAS NOT SEIZED ON ME IS BECAUSE I TOOK NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE SOUNDED SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. NOT ONE TIME HAS A LIGHT GONE OFF ON MY CAR. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A DASH WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WHILE LOOSING POWER AND BURNING OIL SO BAD THAT PEOPLE CANNOT SEE. SO, WE HAVE TWO ISSUES..... #1 OBVIOUS FAILURE OF DASH WARNING/ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS AND #2 THE BURNING OIL, METAL SHARDS RUINING MY ENGINE. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND DO NOT GET CHILD SUPPORT. I DON'T HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. I AM VERY GOOD WITH MY VEHICLES AND WHAT I AM READING IS UNACCEPTABLE. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR NEW ENGINES AND I WILL NOT BE ONE OF THEM. PLEASE HELP ME AS THIS ENGINE ISSUE IS NOT A LACK OF CARE
Engine, Apr 12, 2018
2015 KIA OPTIMA. DROVE OUT OF MY PARKING LOT AND MY CAR JUST CUT OFF AFTER I TURNED THE CORNER AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING HEADING TO WORK. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN IT STARTED AND CUT RIGHT BACK OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER IN FREDERICK. THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THAT MY ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL IN IT AND IT HAD SLUDGE AND A CRACK IN THE ENGINE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS TO PROVE I WAS GETTING MY OIL CHANGED. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. THE WARRANTY CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU ARE COVERED 10YEARS OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. KIA IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THEIR WAIRRANTY WHICH IS DEAD WRONG. GOT A CALL TODAY STATING THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST $7200 TO FIX MY ENGINE. LAST TIME I CHECKED I WAS NOT RELATED TO ROCKEFELLER. PEOPLE JUST DON'T GO AROUND DELIBERATELY CRACKING ENGINES. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. HOW WAS IT RECALLED FROM 2011-2014 SKIPPED 2015 AND RECALLED AGAIN IN 2016. I'VE BEEN DOING MY HOMEWORK WITH THIS SITUATION AND THERE HAVE BEEN 98 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2015 KIA OPTIMA WHICH 48 OF THEM WHERE ABOUT THE ENGINE AND KIA NOR NHTSA HAD INVESTIGATED ANY OF THEM. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THERE ISSUES THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT PRIOR TO IT HAPPENING. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT IT. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY FOR A CAR AND THEN WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO IT YOU CAN'T EVEN GET IT FIXED. BUT I BET IF IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CORPORATE PEOPLES CARS THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM HONORING THE WARRANTY OR BETTER YET GIVING THEM A NEW CAR.