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
1,008 reports, newest first.
Engine, Nov 7, 2022
My engine has died while driving on two occasions. The first time the engine died I pulled over to the side of the road and I turned the ignition off and it cranked right up. No more issues for approximately two months. The next time I was driving and the engine died I pulled over to the side of the road, turned the ignition off and tried to crank it but nothing happened. All the lights were on but the engine wouldn't turn over at all, no clicking noise, absolutely nothing. I was so confused because all lights were on but nothing happened when I turned the key. I had it towed to Pep Boys who said I had complete engine failure. What? No warning, no check engine lights, no running hot, I maintained my car religiously. I heard there was a recall on the Theta engines but I can't find anything on 2015 engines. If the engines have a recall up to 2014 and my engine did the same exact thing then my engine repair and/or replacement should be covered under a warranty also. This is dangerous. I was traveling at speeds between 75 -80mph when the engine died. This needs to be addressed but I can't seem to find anyone that cares enough to help me.
Engine, Nov 6, 2022
Engine rod bearings are now making a knocking sound. It is available for inspection when driving down the high my car lost power engine light started to flash and then a loud knocking noise started.I was in the highway with my three children when the car lost power cause me and my family to be out in harms way of being hit from behind. The vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic who stated the engine will need to be repairs due to the rod bearings. No warning lights were on until the car all the sudden lost power and started knocking. I then had to have it towed 150 miles just to get it home
Engine, Nov 6, 2022
While driving vehicle it started making noise and then loss of power
Engine, Oct 31, 2022
The engine stopped running while driving down the Hwy. this could have caused a major accident. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet. There were warnings or indications that anything was wrong.
Engine, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized with knocking sounds coming from the vehicle. The contact’s wife pulled over, and the contact arrived on the scene to inspect the vehicle and check the engine oil. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure recurred with knocking sounds coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the main bearing had fractured and the engine needed to be replaced; however, the manufacturer declined the engine replacement due to an unrepaired Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) recall. The contact had not yet received the recall notification. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer offered to buy back the vehicle from the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined the engine replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 19, 2022
As I was driving on the Interstate, my car lost power and I was unable to push on my gas or use my brakes to slow down to pull off the interstate. Lights begin flashing with a warning that read “ Check Hybrid system. Stop vehicle and turn off engine. This is the second time this has happened but before my car shut off and didn’t turn back on. I was going to be hit by a semi truck had he not swerved around. Also, this the 5th time this week it has happened.
Engine, Oct 18, 2022, fire
May 28,2022 car stalled no warning, car towed to service center found out engine trouble, claim denied by warranty because it was related to a Kia recall,Knock Sensor Detection System, car was towed to Kia Dealership on June 7,2022, where it was confirmed that engine seized do to the recall, had engine replaced and car returned July 9,2022, on July 10,2922 returned car to dealership for engine knocking noise, car repaired tensioner pulley and alternator m, picked car up July15,2022. On August 7,2022 car stalled while driving and smoke coming out of hood, engine was on fire and engulfed entire vehicle.
Engine, Oct 12, 2022
i was driving my 2015 kia optima lx 2.4L which i recently got i am currently the second owner and did not receive no mail containing any open recalls to my car and the engine seized up and now the Kia dealership does not want to help me out , what can i do?
Engine, Oct 12, 2022
I was driving down the freeway and my car engine shut off and lost all power. Pulled off to the side of the road and the car started back up and was running fine. About 10 miles later the engine started clicking and continued to get worse as I tried to get off the highway and into a Kia Dealership. When I was about a tenth of a mile away from a Kia Dealer, my engine made a loud bang noise, and started smoking immediately as my car completely shut down. I had cars behind, alongside, and in front of me that were put in obvious danger as my engine blew up and smoke filled the air around the area. Making visibility poor for others as well as my speed dropping without brake lights due to the engine failing. The problem cannot be reproduced as the engine will not start but the Kai Dealership the car is currently at stated that the engine needs to be completely rebuilt. Vehicle was inspected when I lived in North Carolina in 2018 and 2019, nothing was stated as a danger at that time. There were no warning lights when the vehicle first shut down. The check engine light did not come on until about 20 minutes after the engine started clicking.
Engine, Oct 9, 2022, fire
My car started smoking while I was driving! From under hood and into vents in car bad! Got pulled over and some yelled my car was on fire, get out! There were no lights on for car! I had ran one of those diagnostic checks that morning ( have it set for once a month) Nothing came back on it at all, car seemed to be great! Left house and 15 mins later car caught fire in the engine! I could of died and my dog! Fire looks to have burned through the fire wall!
Engine, Oct 7, 2022
My Kia had been using oil at an abnormal rate. Could not identify anything wrong. The car would sometimes unexpectedly stall out and the oil would be a little low, even relatively soon after an oil change. I would top it off and it would operate fine. This month the engine seized up completely. When we had a mechanic disassemble the engine and examine it, he found abnormal damage to the engine, including carbon deposits from burned off oil that had escaped and not returned for lubrication, as well as metal shavings in the oil pan.
Engine, Oct 5, 2022
Driving one day and I hear a knocking sound coming from the engine. It locked on me on the way home and isn’t drivable. Took it to the dealership and they said it had a recall and the engine needs to be replaced. Kia denied the engine replacement saying I took to long to come in. I bought it used and never received a letter in the mail about it.
Structure, Oct 4, 2022
The vehicles paint started peeling on one of the rear columns. I have noticed very many different Kia optimas with the same issue when it came to the same color paint. The paint is snow white pearl. I’ve had no success working with Kia and it is clearly a defective paint issue. I own several cars older and they never had issues. They are unwilling to help.
Engine, Oct 4, 2022
2015 Kia Optima began to not accelerate on freeway when trying to reach 2 rpms. Took for diagnostic it was stated solenoid needed replaced. However, the engine was knocking and I was informed that I needed a new engine. Mechanic did not want me to invest money into vehicle. I pulled up vehicle and see this as an issue for 2015 Kia Optimas. That current issues have been reported by numerous people. My car had no lights or warning sensors regarding these issues. Now the engine is inoperable and I have no vehicle w a car payment.
Steering, Sep 24, 2022
Vehicle lost power steering completely. Has been inspected. Steering wheel sensor needs to be replaced. ABS light active as well as steering wheel light. No reason as to why this happen but it seems to be and ongoing issue for Kia Optima owners after reading other reports online.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2022
Have a white pearl paint that is completely chipping off by the pillars, windshield sides, top of the trunk, roof, around the gas tank and some car door edges. Have read an excessive amount of kias with MAJOR white paint job problems. It is also obvious the paint is thin as water which is contributing to this issue.
Engine, Sep 19, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, smoke was coming inside the vehicle. The contact had to stop the vehicle and turn off the vehicle, when the contact restarted the vehicle, he saw flames coming from the windshield wipers. While opening the hood of the vehicle to see where the flames were coming from, the contact burned his hands. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Sep 15, 2022
While driving on the freeway vehicle began to knock. Pulled off the freeway into a dealership. Dealer said there was little oil in the engine despite having an oil change less than 1000 miles prior. Engine burned through 5 quarts in less than 1000 miles. No oil lights or check engine lights on causing engine failure and need for a new engine. Told vin does not fall under the endings oil consumption recall of similar model/year.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 13, 2022
2015 Kia Optima Hybrid HEV system. Months after purchasing the vehicle two different lights would come on the engine. One is the HEV warning light and the other is a flashing “Turn off engine and check HEV system”. The first time it happened the vehicle turned off. It was towed to Kia, 02/2020. They change some sensor and sent me on my way. 3 weeks later the HEV warning light came on again so it was towed to Kia for the 2nd time, 03/2020. This time they said they could not recreate the issue. A month later the light came on again and again but since the light never stayed on, I kept getting told by Kia that I’d have to take it in when the light stayed on. 01/2021 the light came on again, with the flashing warning and the vehicle turned off, mid-drive. It was towed to a mechanic shop near me, where they replaced the wiring harness completely, but a month later the same light came on again. Over the course of the year, the warnings kept turning up and time and time I kept getting told they needed the light on at the dealer so they could determine with the codes, what is wrong. 07/2022, light came on as I was merging on to the freeway and the car shut off. I was able to make it turn on and make it home safe. The next day I towed it to the shop where they replaced the wiring harness and they stated they could not touch it further since the codes they got where “High voltage battery” codes and a specific tech is the only one when could work on it. I took it to Kia where it stayed 33 days. They changed a part. Two days later the HEV light came on again, so I took it back. They kept it one day, drove it 60 miles and they could not recreate the issue. I got it back on Saturday, 5 miles out the light came back again and again. I took video. Called Kia and now the car is back at the dealer while they try and figure out the issue. I’m scared for my life. The car gives no warning when it decides to shut off. Wheel locks on the times it does turn off. HEV system is no good.
Other or unspecified, Visibility, Sep 12, 2022
Sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving down the road. The glass is pushing outward like it was broken from the inside of the car. Nothing hit the care at the time, there was a loud explosion sound and then cracking sounds after that.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while her mother was driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's mother depressed the brake pedal and veered to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and emitted abnormal loud knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the contact stated that an oil change was completed on the vehicle approximately one month earlier. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2022
1. The paint on my car has been pealing off. I can make myself available for the car to be inspected. 2. No 3. I have the problem on multiple vehicles of the same make and model 4. Yes 5. No This is problem that the manufacturer should be responsible for. It causes monetary damages to the owners. Upon resale of the vehicle they will be out thousands of dollars towards the value of the car.
Engine, Aug 31, 2022
2015 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HAD NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2022
I purchased a 2015 Kia Optima SXL Turbo in Snow White Pearl color on Dec 11,2020. In Mid 2021 I started to notice little chip marks in different places throughout the exterior of the car. On April 16,2022 i was washing my car to prepare for vacation and as i was washing a large patch of paint flew off. I attempted to rinse the car to prevent further chipping only to my surprise more paint flew off in another area. The more rinsed the worse it became. i havent washed my car since june in fear that paint would just keep peeling,
Engine, Aug 26, 2022, fire
On January 12, 2022 I was informed by Danbury KIA (Danbury, CT) that my 2015 KIA Optima required a recall engine replacement. I left the vehicle with the dealer and the repair was completed on Jan 31, 2022. I picked up the car on February 1, 2022 and on February 3, 2022 the car was destroyed by an engine fire. My insurance company deemed the car a total loss and compensated me for the market value of the car. At the time the car was completely paid off and I was still in excellent condition. I had no reason to trade for a newer model - especially with the new engine. After the insurance payoff I still needed to finance $25000 for the purchase of a comparable replacement vehicle. To date neither the dealer nor the KIA corporation have contacted me or made any attempt to address my loss.