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: service brakes
89 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 2, 2020
HEAD LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP SHORTING OUT MAKING IT HARD FOR YOU TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EVEN DURING THE DAY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE JAMS AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO SLIDE IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFULLY IN THE RAIN AND SNOW
Service brakes, Sep 13, 2020
AT ABOUT 1500 MILES ON THE CAR, I HAVE 2200 NOW, I STARTED TO NOTICE A GRINDING AND A ROUGH CONTACT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS KIA HAS HAD AOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES ON THE STINGER SINCE INTRODUCTION. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALERSHIP SOON BUT PER THE RESEARCH, KIA DOES NOT HAVE FIX OTHER THAN REPLACING REPEATEDLY.
Service brakes, Jul 17, 2020
I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THEM HOW MY BRAKES MAKE A NOISE JUST WHEN I BACK UP AND THEY KEEP SAYING MY BRAKES ALRIGHT BUT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT TO ME...
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 16, 2020
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF. THIS ENDED UP KILLING MY BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY RECHARGED IT ALLOWED THE CAR TO START WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING PUSHED IN. ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE STOPPER HAD BROKEN. THIS ALLOWED THE COMPUTER TO THINK THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH THE PEDDLE WASN'T PUSHED.
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 .
Service brakes, Mar 10, 2020
BOTH BACK BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME AND WE REPLACED LIGHTS AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 25, 2019
MY BRAKES AND TRACTION LIGHTS COMES ON RANDOMLY. IT STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE LAST YEAR. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING, IT JUST COMES ON AND SOMETIMES WHEN I GET IN AND START THE CAR THEY COME ON.
Service brakes, Jul 19, 2019
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 55K MILES ON IT. WITHOUT WARNING DRIVING TO WORK I SLOWED DOWN TO ENTER THE GATE AND HEARD MY BRAKES GRIND METAL ON METAL. I THOUGHT I WOULD HEAR A SQUEAL WHEN MY BRAKE PADS STARTED WEARING OUT WAY BEFORE I HEARD METAL ON METAL. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY SQUEAL BARS ON EACH BRAKE WERE BENT BACK TO WHERE THEY DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE PAD. HE STATED THAT SOMETIMES A STICK OR SOMETHING COULD GET UP IN THE WHEEL AND POSSIBLY BEND ONE A LITTLE BIT BUT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN ON BOTH FRONT BRAKES. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY THAT WAY BUT I HAVE NO PROOF. EVEN IF I WAS HARD ON MY BRAKES AND THE PADS WERE WORN I SHOULD HAVE HEARD THE SQUEAL AS A WARNING TO REPLACE THE PADS BEFORE I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL FRONT PADS AND ROTORS ON THE SAME DAY.
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 16, 2019
THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS FIRST THE ENGINE WENT UP JUST LOCKED UP. THE BRAKES PULSATE WON'T STOP AND I HAVE CHANGED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES 3 TIMES. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. SUSPENSIONS CAR ROCKS AND BOUNCES . NOW THE RADIO IS OUT. AND MY WINDOW WON'T GO UP IF PUT DOWN. THE WAS IN MOTION FOR ALL.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 26, 2019
IF I PUSH THE PROXIMITY IGNITION BUTTON ACCIDENTLALLY THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN, NO BRAKES, NOT POWER STEERING. I AM WONDERING IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHEN I AM TRAVELLING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE ME ANY SATISFACTIOON..."TOLD ME NOT TO PUSH THE BUTTON" AND "TRADE IT IN ON A 2019." SOME MAKES WILL NOT SHUT DOWN IF GOING OVER 5 PMH UNLESS THE BUTTON IS PUSHED TWICE. OTHERS, YOU MUST HOLD THE BUTTON. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN THE MANUAL AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NO HELP. THERE HAVE BEEN DEATHS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SOME WEBSITES. I CAN'T TEST THE CAR MYSELF. WAS HOPING THE DEALER WOULD OR TELL ME THE SITUATION WITH THE BUTTON AND SPEED. CAN YOU HELP ME?>.
Service brakes, Jul 29, 2018
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY KIA OPTIMA WITH ONLY 14K MILES ON IT PRE-OWN FROM THE DEALER... THE EMERGENCY BRAKE (PARKING BRAKE) HAS BEEN LOOSE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN I PARK MY VEHICLE ON A DOWNHILL AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE WITH THE NEUTRAL MODE POSITION JUST TO SEE IT'S WORKING, THE VEHICLE SLOWLY MOVES DOWNHILL EVEN IF THE ROAD IS NOT THAT STEEP. IT WORRIES ME THAT IF I EVER LOSE THE BREAKS THE EMERGENCY BREAKS WON'T STOP THE CAR. FIXING THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN WILL COST ME LOTS OF MONEY BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAME OUT OF THE FACTORY LIKE THAT. I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 8, 2016
BOTH ESC AND AUTO HOLD LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY GO YELLOW AT THE SAME TIME. USUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER SOME PERIOD OF TIME. THIS STARTED MAYBE COUPLE MONTHS AGO. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY ERROR CODES.
Service brakes, Engine, Oct 27, 2015
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN THE GREATER SAN DIEGO AREA BACK IN JUNE 31. 2015. HAVE APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE AROUND 3K MY CAR WOULD JERK WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIME (AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH).AND TODAY 10-27-2015, MY CAR ONCE AGAIN JERK BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE MADE A UNFAMILIAR SOUND. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.MY CAR HAS RECEIVED ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE; PER OWNER MANUEL. IT HAS PASSED ALL KIA CERTIFED DEALER/MECHANIC INSPECTION WHEN TAKEN IN. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE WAS SIGNED IT DID NOT GET A FULL INSPECTION AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING AND THE APPROPRIATE STAFF FOR INSPECTION HAD LEFT FOR THE DAY. NOTICE WHEN I GOT HOME THE FRONT PASSENGER SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT WORK. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY NEW CAR FIXED AND HAD TO WAIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 DAYS FOR THE REPAIR, AT THAT POINT IT ALSO PASSED THIER INSPECTION.
Tires, Service brakes, Jun 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN DRIVING ON THE SIDEWALK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRES EXPLODED AND DESTROYED THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200. UPDATED 8/31/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN