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: other or unspecified
139 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2020
HI MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA ON 08/07/2020 I PUT THE RECOMMENDED GAS IN MY TANK AND THEN GOT ONTO THE INTERSTATE AFTER ABOUT 5-15 MINS IT STARTED LOOSING POWER AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE PAST 60. ALSO NOW WHEN I START DRIVING IT JERKS REALLY BAD AND WON'T GO PAST 2 ON THE RPMS. WHEN IT JERKS I'M ASSUMING THAT IT IS THE GEARS TRYING TO CHANGE. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE HAS ACTED WEIRD EVER SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IT COMES AND GOES AND JUST RECENTLY IS WHEN IT STAYED ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN THE LOSS OF POWER AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY ISSUE BEGAN
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 4, 2020
'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, FIRST WITH MY BREAK LIGHT SWITCH, THEN MY A/C CONTROL PANEL WENT OUT . NOW. AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY FOOD IN THE DRIVE THROUGH LANE MY CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF BUT MY CAR WAS STILL ON, I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND GET MY ENGINE GOING AGAIN.I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE MY ENGINE WON'T START BUT MY CAR WILL TURN ON ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS I OFTEN FEEL MY CAR JITTER A LITTLE. I HAD MY BATTERY CHECKED BUT THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 24, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT EVERY FEW SECONDS AND WAS GETTING WORSE THE WHOLE WAY TO THE SHOP, WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST ONE I COULD FIND AS SOON AS IT STARTED DOING IT. THE SHOP RAN THE ERROR CODE AND GOT A KNOCK SENSOR ERROR. I HAD KIA COME PICK IT UP AND TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. THE SHOP PERFORMED A BEARING CLEARANCE CHECK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS SO THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD DUE TO "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE". WHILE REPLACING THE ENGINE THEY FOUND THE TURBO HAD PLAY AND SO THEY INSTALLED A NEW TURBO ASSEMBLY. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY FOUND THE STARTER SEIZED, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY PERFORMED THE ECU UPDATE AND RESET ADAPTIVE VALUES, THEN PERFORMED WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK WHICH STARTED OK. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AREA. SHOP ENDED UP REPLACING CALIPER AND WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH NEEDING AN ALIGNMENT. ALL HAPPENED AROUND 58K MILES. LUCKILY STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SHOP SAID IT WAS JUST A BAD ENGINE. NOTHING I COULD OF DONE COULD OF CAUSED IT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2020
MY CAR HAS A FOUL SMELL IN IT I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT HAS BACTERIA GROWING UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND THE ENGINE AND THAT'S WHY IT SMELL LIKE MOLD WHEN I TURN ON THE A/C I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO FROM DRIVETIME IN COLUMBUS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2020
THEIR IS A CONTINUOUS SOUND COMING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH BOARD, WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE. THIS SHARP SOUND SOMETIMES OCCURS TIME TO TIME TO COURSE DISCOMFORT TO ANYONE INSIDE THE CAR. THIS SHARP SOUND OCCUR SOME TIMES AND NOT ALWAYS. BUT WHEN OCCUR IT TAKES THE FULL DAY AND DOES NOT STOP FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS. THEIR IS ALSO LOT OF COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SOUND ON YOUTUBE WITH KIA OPTIMA CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME SOUND COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH BOARD, WHEN THE ENGINE IS START. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REVIEW COMMENTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS FROM GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE REGARDING THE PROBLEM.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 24, 2019
THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 AND THE CAR CUT BUT ALL LIGHTS WHER STILL ON IT TO ME TO SIT FOR 5 MINUTES AND THEN IT STARTED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER MY CHECK EINGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY SAY IT A P0014 CODE BUT THE CAR IS KNOCKING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I25 AROUND 530PM AFTER WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SLIDING SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND ME AT ALL THANK GOD BECAUSE THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE AND I DIDN'T HAVE MY 10YR OLD SON IN THE CAR AS I USUALLY DO. KIA IN MOTOR CITY COLORADO SPRINGS IS WHERE WE BOUGHT IT. THIS WAS OUR FIRST LOW MILAGE EXPENSIVE CAR WE HAVE EVER BOUGHT. KIA TOLD US ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND WE MUST HAVE HIT A ROCK OR SOMETHING BUT THIS WAS FALSE. AS I HIT NOTHING.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2019
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
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2017 WITH 34K MILES APPROX. I AM CONSTANTLY PUTTING OIL IN MY CAR AND IT SEEMS TO EVAPORATE IN 2-3 DAYS. THERE IS NO LEAK AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE CAR IS CONSUMING SO MUCH OIL. LATELY THE CAR HAS BEEN KNOCKING AND WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SPUTTER AND BEGINS TO STALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN AND NO LONGER USE THIS VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FIND THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS THE MOST OVERALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND THERE STILL HAS YET TO BE A RECALL ON THE ENGINE? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY KIA SKIPPED THIS YEAR?? LET ALONE BLAME CONSUMERS THAT IT'S THEIR FAULT FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, YET WHEN TOLD THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED, WILL FIND SOME OTHER LAME EXCUSE SO THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT AT FAULT. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO HAVE THIS ENGINE RECALLED? WE AS CONSUMERS, MYSELF, A SINGLE HARD WORKING PARENT, DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE JUST BECAUSE KIA SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED BEGINNING OF APRIL 2019, MY VEHICLE HAS 52K.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2019
INTERMITENT EBGINE LIGHT AND GOES ON AND OFF. HAD IN A LOCAL SHOP AND THEY STATE ITS A CALAYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE SLIGHT TICK ONLY WITH EXCILARATION ON AN UPHILL CLIMB BUT NOT HARDLY NOTICEABLE. NO LOSS OF POWER OR OTHER ISSUE. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 76,700 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 23, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT PLUS TRIANGLE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PART WAS REPLACED LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR 1 DAY CAME BACK ON AND LOSSES POWER I HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC KEEP TAKING TO DEALERSHOP THEY CLAIM RHEY ARE QAITING ON QORS FROM MANUFACTURERS NO WORD FOR 2 MONTHS NOW THEY HAVE BEEN DODGING MY CALLS BY PUTTING ME ON HOLD OR DROPPING MY CALLS
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2019
THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND SOFTWARE, SENSORS, ACTUATORS, WARNING LIGHTS, FAULT CODES, AND PERFORMANCE RELATED CONCERNS OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. MY PASSENGER WINDOW WON'T GO UP ONCE YOU PUT IT DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. I BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND IT'S NOT FIXED.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2019
IT SEEMS THAT MY LIGHTS ALWAYS GO OUT! I'VE REPLACED THE FRONT LIGHT 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. AND THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS AS WELL. I AM ALWAYS GETTING PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF MY LIGHT GOING OUT! THE TRIM SEEMS TO FALL OFF AS WELL ON BACK DOORS ABOVE WINDOW.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 20, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH, GOT IN LANE 4 TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME WITH ANY UPDATES (THIS WAS AFTER TELLING ME THAT IT WOULD COST $165 TO DIAGNOSE). JUST GOT THE ECU UPDATED APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING POPPED UP ON THE DASH, JUST GOT THE OIL CHANGED 06/15/2019. THERE ARE APPROX. 118K MILES.
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2019
MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON THEN IT WILL GO OFF FOR AWHILE THEN BACK ON
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2019
WHEN I GET IN THE CAR SOMETIMES IT CRANKS RIGHT UP WITH NO PROBLEM BUT ON THAT SAME DAY OR THE NEXT I CAN TRY AND FRANK IT BUT IT WON'T FRANK IT JUST CLICKS THE DASH BOARD WILL LIGHT UP AND EVERYTHING AND AFTER TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS IT IT WILL CRANKS UP AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS FOR A FEW HOURS THEN I CHECK IT AND THEN IT MIGHT FRANK RIGHT UP AND MIGHT JUST CLICK A FEW TIMES AND THEN CRANK RIGHT UP I THINK ITS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ABOUT 4 MONTHS
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2019
I OWN A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. I HAVE A PANORAMIC SUNROOF THAT STRETCHES HE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING A VERY BRUTAL WINTER WHERE WE HAD TEMPERATURES IN THE MINUS CATEGORY A FEW TIMES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY DOING APPROX. 55MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHIT. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET SOMEWHERE SO I COULD SEE WHAT HAPPENED, I NOTICED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. THE COVER WAS NOT OPEN BECAUSE IT WAS WINTER, SO LUCKILY THE SHATTERED GLASS COLLECTED INTO ON TOP OF THE COVER, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN THROUGHOUT MY CAR AND WHOEVER WAS IN IT AT THE TIME CAUSING PHYSICAL HARM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY HAD HEARD IT HAPPENED BEFORE, AND BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE SOMETHING MADE THE GLASS EXPAND.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2019
ON OCTOBER 15, 2018, I PURCHASED FROM PEP BOYS FOUR GOODYEAR ALL SEASON 205/65R16 TIRES. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A TIRE PUNCTURE AND FLATTEN IMMEDIATELY AS A RESULT OF VERY LITTLE MEASURABLE SIDE IMPACT WITH A CURB. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER ONLINE I HAVE DETERMINED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS GOODYEAR STYLE TIRE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO GOODYEAR CEO RICHARD KRAMER THREE TIMES (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS) AND GOODYEAR'S RESPONSE TO DATE HAS BEEN LACKING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2019
THIS COMPLAINT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY VEHICLE. IT IS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SUPER-BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS. I GET TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY THESE LATE MODEL VEHICLES WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY HEADLIGHTS (HID OR LED) WHEN THEY ARE COMING TOWARD ME. I HAVE LONG RESPECTED THE OVERSIGHT PROVIDED FOR VEHICLE SAFETY IN THIS COUNTRY AND HAVE ALWAYS TRUSTED THAT PROPER CONSIDERATIONS ARE MADE TO ENSURE VEHICLES ARE SAFE. BUT I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME UNDERSTAND HOW THE SUPER-BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS HAVE MADE IT PAST SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS, AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REGULATED OUT OF EXISTENCE. IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD TO DEFINE MAXIMUM LIMITS FOR HEADLIGHT INTENSITY AND EFFECTIVE LIGHTING DISTANCE THAT WOULD PREVENT THE BLINDING OF ONCOMING DRIVERS. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE ON AMERICAN ROADS, AND I'D BE SHOCKED IF IT HASN'T ALREADY CAUSED ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND DEATH. PLEASE RECTIFY THIS OVERSIGHT IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE THAT THE REPUTATION OF AMERICAN CAR/ROAD SAFETY IS RESTORED AND TO PREVENT NEEDLESS INJURIES AND DEATH.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON MY DRIVEWAY GOING LESS THAN 10MPH AND ALL THE SUDDEN I HEARD A NOISE LIKE I WAS BEING SHOT AT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND NOTICED MY SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED OUTWARDS
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2018
IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED MY CAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES A LOT WHEN IT IS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT OR WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE IDLING IT USED TO BE THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE CAR WAS RUNNING IN EITHER OF THESE POSITIONS.
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2018
BACK UP CAMERA FAILED IN VEHICLE AND KIA DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $1000.00 TO FIX IT THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 55,000 MILES .