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.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 6, 2021
I WAS HEADED TO KY DECEMBER 2020 TO VISIT MY FATHER. THE CAR STARTED MAKING RATTLING NOISE. AS I HIT THE GAS PETAL, THE CAR WAS STOPPING IN ON COMING 1-65 TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS NEARLY 50 MILES FROM BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY (12-23-20). I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND WE SET UP ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOWING TO PICK UP THE NEXT MORNING (LESS THAN 24 HOURS- CHRISTMAS EVE). WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS, THE CAR WAS IMPOUNDED BY KENTUCKY POLICE NEAR GLASGOW, KY. AFTER PAYING TOWING FEES AND TICKETS, I FINALLY GOT MY CAR TO AUTO COMPANY TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. AFTER COMPLETION, I FOUND OUT THE ENGINE FAILED ALONG WITH MORE STUFF. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR (KIA-HUNTSVILLE, AL) TO ASK FOR ADVICE ON NEXT STEPS. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE NEAREST KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEAR WHERE THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO MARTIN KIA (BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY). THEY PUT ME IN LINE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND COMPLETELY FIXED. ON JANUARY 4, 2021 THE VEHICLE WAS IN KIA POSSESSION TO FIX RECALL REPAIRS. MARCH 6, 2021 I WAS SCHEDULED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PROMISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, I HAD TO WAIT 45MINUTES BECAUSE MY CAR WAS LOCKED AND TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS PULLED TO SIDE AND TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY BRAND NEW EMPLOYEE AND TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE A ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON BECAUSE IF SO, IT'S PROBABLY THE NEW HIRE FAULT FOR IT MESSING UP. AFTER ALL OF THAT, I WAS HEADED HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED A SECOND TIME! AFTER CONTACTING LOCAL POLICE, I WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO KIA TO RETURN THE KEYS AND MAKE THEM TOW THE VEHICLE TO GET IT OFF OF THE INTERSTATE.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 17, 2021
CAR ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ROAD RANGER ATTEMPTED TO JUMP CAR OFF BUT SPARKS CAME AND MULTIPLE CABLES WERE BURNT OUT.. CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP AND WAS ADVISE TO CONTACT KIA FOR RECALL
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 12, 2021, fire
ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF. BUT DOESN'T GIVE A CODE WHEN I TAKE IT TO GET SERVICED. TOOK IT UP TO KIA TO TELL THEM THAT ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THAT MY WALL CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRUNK FROM THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE BULBS.BACK LIGHTS GO OUT CONSTANTLY AFTER THE BULBS ARE CHANGED OR THE SOCKET HAS BEEN CHANGED.
Engine, Feb 12, 2021
MY ENGINE IS TICKING AND TAPPING DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE GOT MY OIL CHANGE IT'S IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE02
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Feb 3, 2021
WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROAD APPROACHING REDLIGHY AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO STIFF AND CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ROLLING. COULD NOT GET TO START AGAIN AND SMELT ELECTRICAL BURNING SOMEWHERE. HAD TO BEG CAR TOWED HOME. TRIED JUMPING WITH A JUMP BOX TO ELIMINATE BATTERY AND IT WAS NOT ISSUE. ALMOST REAR ENDED VEHICLE INFRONT AND WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF MAIN ROAD.
Engine, Jan 22, 2021
DID AN OIL CHANGE AND AFTER THAT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine, Dec 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TOWED TO VICTORY KIA (5101 N. NAVARRO ST, VICTORIA, TX 77904, (361) 333-4542) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Engine, Dec 16, 2020
ROD BEARINGS WENT BAD AND SEIZED THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE . HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALER . HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 14, 2020, fire
DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON THE 405 AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOWED SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND 2 OTHERS, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND ONLY HAD BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO SHUFFLE OFF THE MAIN FREEWAY TO AN OFF RAMP WHERE I PULLED OVER TO ATTEMPT TO POWER THE CAR BACK ON. THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED TO BECOME APPARENT AND I WENT OUT TO LIFT THE HOOD AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT THE OPENING. I RUSHED TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE BATTERY CABLE OFF TO TRY TO SALVAGE IT FROM CATCHING FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO WIGGLE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF BUT SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY DROPPED OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP CAR PROS KIA IN GLENDALE AND IM BEING INFORMED THE STARTER WAS THE ISSUE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IM UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS SINCE THE EVENT OF THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL POWER OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING .
Structure, Dec 14, 2020
PEELING PAINT ON HOOD AND SIDE PILLARS. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH KIA AND SWP WHITE PEARL PAINT.
Engine, Dec 14, 2020
I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON I96 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO AN EXIT BUT THE CAR CUT OFF RIGHT AT THE EXIT RAMP AS I STOPPED TRAFFIC FOR A MILE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I HAD IT LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS A 2015 WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 100,000 MILES. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE. THE LAST CAR SHOP SAID THAT SOMETHING CAME LOOSE IN THE ENGINE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE RAMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH KIA AND HYUNDAI MOTORS.
Structure, Dec 10, 2020
THE PAINT IS SERIOUSLY PEELING "DELAMINATING" IN "SNOW WHITE PEARL" AND THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!! IT OCCURS DRIVING OR JUST WASHING THE CAR. SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER BROTHER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED SMOKE. THERE WAS FIRE IN THE TRUNK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BROTHER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RETRIEVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DIRECTED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING AN ODOR APPEARED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, GET OUT THE VEHICLE, LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND WITHIN SECONDS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WENT UP IN FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION LOT. NO MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020, fire
IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, I TOOK MY KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A STALL OUT AND TURNED OUT MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE A WEEK LATER AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. WELL A MONTH LATER, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND I'M HEARD A POP UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE. A MIN LATER MY CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES. NONE OF MY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE CAR HAD A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WARNING LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND UNDRIVABLE.
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ELECTRICAL INDICATION IN SIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SHAW KIA (6802 S PADRE ISLAND DR, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78412(361) 204-2731) WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS BURNT DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Engine, Nov 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS INDEPENDENTLY MOVE INWARDS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO BAYSIDE KIA OF WALDORF LOCATED AT 3188 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20603, (301) 645-1711, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.*DT*JB
Engine, Nov 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF AN WOULDNT START BACK.. A SHOP TOLD ME THE MOTOR WAS LOCKED UP AS WELL AS THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN. IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES AN SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WHAT SO EVER ALREADY!!! ONE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE 6-11,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT! ANOTHER KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DO HAVE A RECALL ON THE MOTOR LOCKING UP AND THAT THEY MIGHT FIX IT? IF THERE'S A RECALL IT SHOULDN'T BE A MIGHT THEY SHOULD FOR SURE FIX IT I FEEL.. ALSO, I DO HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY LIKE IM SUPPOSED TO.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 9, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDNT START.I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE.I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE TURBO SYSTEM WHICH HAD A RECALL ON IT IN 2016THAT WAS FOR THE KNOCK SENSORSYSTEM ON 2018/
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2020
ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME THAT DAY THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I REGAINED POWER STEERING. LATER THAT SAME DAY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REAPPEARED AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT FALL UNDER ANY RECALL THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2020
ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND I WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME MAYBE A DAY OR TWO THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND I REGAINED STEERING. SINCE THEN IT HAS COME BACK ON AGAIN AND I HAVE HAD NO POWER STEERING SINCE THIS PERIOD I KNOW THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THIS AND BELIEVE THIS IS PART OF IT, HOWEVER I AM TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THE SAFETY ISSUE FIXED ON MY OWN.
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 5, 2020, crash
TRYING TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING ME IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED SUSPENSION ISSUES OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS, THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND GLOBAL LENDING SERVICES IS CONSISTENTLY REPORTING IT AS A REPOSSESSION. BOTH VEHICLES WERE IN MOTION AND IT WAS ON A LA HWY.
Service brakes, Nov 3, 2020
WHEN I REVERSE MY CAR OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT IT STOPS LIKE MY BRAKES LOCKS. I HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS A LITTLE FOR IT TO GO. ALSO MY BRAKES OR WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT MY BRAKES LOOKS GOOD
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
Engine, Oct 24, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR DRIVE HORRIBLE. ENGINE IS SHAKING EVERYTIME I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BREAK WHILE CAR IS RUNNING