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.
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR TOLD ME TO PULL OVER AND CHECK THE ENGINE. I PULL OVER, WAIT A LITTLE WHILE, AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN. IT DOESN'T START. THEY HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT TO JUMP IT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOOD. I START TO DRIVE AWAY AND MERGE BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I LOOSE POWER--- I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE GAS, THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL IS STIFFENING UP. I AM SOMEHOW ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, BARELY GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, AND THEN USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKES. THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED ME. I JUST HAD IT SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE SO I TOOK IT BACK. IT TURNS OUT THE HYBRID FUSE WENT OUT. I LOOK IT UP ONLINE AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE! I INFORMED ANOTHER KIA DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNAWARE OF THIS. IT'S INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND MY LIFE WAS ENDANGERED.
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, Engine, Jul 16, 2020
I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 KIA OPTIMA. COMPLETED REGULAR MAINTANENCE ON IT, AND THE ENGINE FAILED (LOCKED UP) AT 138,000 MILES. LATER, I WAS ADVISED THE 2015 KIA OPTIMA AND OTHER KIA'S WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAULTY ENGINES. KIA DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME, BUT ARE NOW OFFERING ASSISTANCE SINCE I HAVE TRADED THE KIA WITH A LOCKED MOTOR. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND FOR WEEKS AND TODAY A "REGIONAL MANGER" CALLED AND OFFERED ZERO ASSISTANCE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THE FAULTY MOTOR WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, I WAS PASSING A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THE OPTIMA STALLED WHILE I WAS IN ON-COMING TRAFFIC, AND THEN THE MOTOR DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFETLY, AND THE CAR SMELT LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN.
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 25, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER LANGDALE KIA (1508 N ASHLEY ST, VALDOSTA, GA 31602; (229) 242-0715) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MINUTES LATER THE SMOKE DRASTICALLY INCREASED, THEN, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,284. *LN*JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 24, 2020
THE CAR SPED IS FASTER THAN WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER DAY. THE CAR JERKS WHEN YOU ARE SITTING IDLE. THE OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WHEN THE OIL STICK SHOW THAT'S ITS OIL IN THERE. CAR DON'T PICK UP SPEED FAST ENOUGH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Engine, Jun 22, 2020, fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 MPH ON DRY STREET IN THE FAR LEFT LANE (FAST LANE), MY CAR STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE METAL CLICKING AND THEN CAR STARTED SMOKING. MY HUSBAND GETS OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND THE SMOKE GOES FROM GRAY TO BLACK AND WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD UP FLAMES COMING FROM REAR AND PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE! LUCKILY SOMEONE PULLED OVER AND HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE AND POLICE BOTH ARRIVED ON SCENE AND REPORTS MADE. VEHICLE TOWED HOME; WAITING TO TOW TO DEALER TO FIND OUT CAUSE OF FIRE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP ON THE VEHICLE AND NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS JUST FIRE. KIA KNOWS THERE IS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES AND CHOOSE TO ONLY RECALL CERTAIN YEARS WHEN THEY BASICALLY KNOW ANY VEHICLE BETWEEN 2011 AND 2018 CAN BE AFFECTED. DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE BUT VERY UPSET THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND KIA STATES SINCE IT'S OVER 100,000 MILES THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR
Engine, Jun 17, 2020
MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK CARE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS AND ULTIMATELY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. NO RECALL REPAIRS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE ON MY CAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. RECALL IS FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE AND THE DOCUMENTATION STATES IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Jun 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIKE MURPHY KIA (6150 ALTAMA AVE, BRUNSWICK, GA 31525) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR APPROVAL TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT FAILED AND THAT ANOTHER ENGINE NEEDED TO BE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Power train, Jun 11, 2020
P1236 KNOCK SENSOR CODE. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH. *TR
Engine, Jun 8, 2020
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND STARTER TWICE DUE TO OIL LEAKING THROUGH EXHAUST. NO OIL LEAKS ON GROUND WERE VISIBLE. NO LIGHTS WARNING LOW OIL. BOTH TIME CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. ABOUT TWO YEARS APART. WE REPLACED PARTS WITH USED MOTORS AS THAT'S WHAT WE COULD AFFORD. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 6, 2020
ENGINE LIGHT JUST STARTED FLASHING AND NO ACCELERATION WHATSOEVER. TAKES FOREVER JUST TO GET UP TO 30 MPH. CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A RECALL OR NOT ON THAT YEAR. NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I'M AFRAID FOR MY DAUGHTER TO EVEN DRIVE IT NOW AND IT'S HER ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK. *TR
Structure, Engine, Jun 3, 2020, fire
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE! HAD PICKED THE KIA OPTIMA UP THE DAY BEFORE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY HAD INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE, BELTS, AND HOSES. HAD DRIVEN 40 MINUTES FOR A DOCTOR APPT. GOT OFF THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LIGHT (ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM FREEWAY), NOTICED GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE. WITH A BROKEN LEFT ARM, HAD TO GET OUT AND ACROSS TRAFFIC. SAW THE FLAMES AS I WAS CROSSING THE STREET. IN UNDER A MINUTE, THE FRONT OF CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
Engine, Jun 3, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR MADE A NOISE AND THE GAS WOULDN'T GIVE THE CAR POWER. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND WHILE DOING SO THE CAR SHUT OFF. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC THEY SAID IT IS A SEIZED ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND KIA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO!! *TR
Engine, May 29, 2020
MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA SXL TURBO IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS. IT ALSO STALLED ON ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. SOLENOID ALSO HAD TRACES OF METAL SHAVINGS. *TR
Engine, May 27, 2020
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE ENGINE HAS A DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF. MAKES A STRANGE NOISE WHEN TURNING. SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING OIL AFTER DRIVING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE NEED TO REPLENISH THE ENGINE OIL. OIL IS EXTREMELY DARK. SOMETIMES THERE IS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. HARD TO ACCELERATE ON THE FREEWAY AT TIMES. *TR
Engine, May 27, 2020
MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA SXL TURBO IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS. IT ALSO STALLED ON ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR
Equipment, May 20, 2020
ANTENNA FIN BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING.. AND BROKE MY BACK WINDOW TOO. I TOOK TO DEALER WONT COVER UNDER WARRANTY YET I SEE ALL COMPLAINTS THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL . DEALER WANTS 450.00 TO REPLACE HAS TO BE FULL UNIT ALTHOUGH RADIO WORKS FINE I NEED THIS REPLACED AT KIA COSTS OR I WILL OPEN A CLASS ACTION CASE FOR DEFECT. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MUCH AND 2016 GOT THE RECALL IT'S THE SAME ANTENNA SHARK FIN CAP. *TR
Engine, May 11, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED UP METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN OIL PAN SOLENOID ALSO HAD TRACES OF METAL SHAVINGS. *TR
Engine, May 8, 2020
ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 47,700 MILES CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE CODE DTC P1326 WILL DROP OFF AT A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC OF ENGINE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE DESTINATION. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DTC CODES USING A DTC SCANNER TOOL. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CODES WERE INCORRECT. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,402.
Power train, Apr 15, 2020
MY 16 YEAR OLD SON SAVED HIS MONEY (SINCE 13 YEARS OLD) AND PURCHASED BACK IN OCTOBER 2019 THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH 79546 MILES ON THE CAR. ON FEBRUARY 18, 2020 ON HIS DRIVE HOME FROM SCHOOL HE NOTICED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. HE WAS NOT SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHATSOEVER. HE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK HAD NO OIL ON IT. THE CAR AT THIS TIME ONLY HAD 82794, IT'S LAST OIL CHANGE BACK WHEN WE PURCHASED IT IN OCTOBER AT 79546 MILES. HOW DOES A CAR BURN THROUGH SYNTHETIC OIL IN A LITTLE OVER 3K MILES AND 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHICH STATED THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEARING FAILURE. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH HYUNDAI AND KIA BUT IT APPEARS THE HEARING FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. I WISH AS A PARENT WE WOULD HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE OF RESEARCHING ABOUT THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF KIA VEHICLES BECAUSE KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW, I WOULD HAVE NEVER ALLOWED THIS PURCHASE. I FEEL COMPLETELY SCREWED AND NOW MY POOR 16 YEAR OLD HAS NO CAR BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE 6K TO FIX IT. WHAT A TERRIBLE FIRST CAR PURCHASING EXPERIENCE FOR MY SON. PLEASE GET KIA CORPORATION TO DUE THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD. THEY NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IN REGARDS TO THE DESIGN OF THEIR ENGINE.
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
Electrical system, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 8, 2020
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN BELLEVUE NE I TRIED TAKING IT BACK WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK. THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND SENT ME TO EDWARDS KIA IN COUNCIL BLUFFS IA. MY BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE HORRIBLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THEY IN NE SAID THEY WERE COMPLETELY FINE. IT COST $600 TO REPAIR. THE BELLEVUE MANAGER ASKED ME WHAT I EXPECTED HIM TO DO ABOUT IT. THEY LET ME LEAVE THE LOT WITHOUT INSPECTION MY CAR. THEN I HAD A MOTOR RECALL MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS. EDWARDS KIA IN COUNCIL BLUFFS CURRENTLY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS AND TELL ME THAT IT COULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 6 WEEKS BEFORE I GET IT RETIRED TO ME
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 .