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, Jun 7, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY- CAR DIED- ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON- STARTED BACK UP-- HAD A KNOCKING NOISE- DROVE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARKED IT. TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP- ENGINE IS GONE. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE REGULARLY- THE CHECK OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON - STILL ISNT ON- NO OIL IN THE ENGINE- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER THE CAR DIED.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS- THE CARS DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC
Engine, Jun 5, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND WITH NO WARNING MY CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND IT WAS OKAY, NO LIGHTS OR NOISES. THE NEXT DAY I WAS GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR I HEARD A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE, BUT CAR STILL WAS FUNCTIONAL. A FEW HOURS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.
Engine, May 30, 2018
ENGINE LOCKED UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD NO PRIOR ISSUE
Steering, May 28, 2018
AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CAR SEEMS TO WANDER BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL "STICK" AND REQUIRES ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO GET IT TO RESPOND TO DRIVER INPUT. ONCE IT RESPONDS IT OVER CORRECTS SLIGHTLY WHICH CAUSES TO CAR TO WEAVE (WITHIN IT'S LANE). THE CAR NOW REQUIRES CONSTANT DRIVER INPUT TO KEEP THE CAR WITHIN IT'S LANE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN LATE 2016 AND DON'T DRIVE IT A LOT AS IT NOW HAS ONLY 11,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE ABOUT 5,000 MILES.
Engine, May 24, 2018
2015 KIA OPTIMA WAS GOING THROUGH 2 QUARTS OF OIL AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE. HAD ENGINE REPLACED UNDER 100K WARRANTY AT 98,844K. AT 110,474 MILES ENGINE BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MANAGED TO GET CAR TO SHOULDER AND WOULD ONLY DRIVE 5 MILES AN HOUR. KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED NEEDS NEW ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STATES NOT IN WARRANTY. KIA CORPORATE ADVISED WE HAVE 12 MONTH/12K WARRANTY ON NEW ENGINE MEANING THERE IS APPROX 1100 MILES REMAINING UNDER WARRANTY. KIA DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THAT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY FOR THE CAR OF 100K IS WHAT WAS COVERED FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS WELL, MEANING THE WARRANTY FOR THE NEW ENGINE LASTED APPROX 1100. THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RENTAL CAR THEY PROVIDED AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT THEN THE ENGINE ISSUE.
Engine, May 18, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THICK, BLACK SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON KIA (36 WATER ST, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,386. *TT CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER ON 5/11/18, SERVICE REPORT STATES ENGINE DEFECT AND EVAP CANISTER RECALL WHICH DOES NOT SHOW UP ANYWHERE. UPDATED 9/21/18*JB
Steering, May 3, 2018
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2015, THE STEERING BOX ON THIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2016 UNDER WARRANTY AS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE A HESITATION (FELT LIKE A BRIEF STICKING) REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS BUT MORE DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW MAY 2018 I AM HAVING TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN AS THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND WANDERS FOR NO REASON, AGAIN, REGARDLESS OF DRIVING CONDITIONS BUT MORE UNPREDICTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF CONCENTRATION TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. THE VEHICLE IS 36 MONTHS OLD WITH 78000 MILES AND IS HAVING THE 3RD STEERING BOX INSTALLED. THE TECHNICIAN HAS DEEMED MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND STATED THAT THE TECH SUPPORT FROM KIA ACTED AS THOUGH THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR KNOWING THAT THIS MECHANISM IS FAILING AT AN UNSAFE RATE. KIA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY FEELS FINE WITH IT THOUGH THEY DEEM THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A PART THAT THEY KNOWINGLY ARE INSTALLING IN THESE VEHICLES. A BRIEF SEARCH ON THE INTERNET (GOD LOVE THE INTERNET) WILL REVEAL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, THESE VEHICLES ARE UNPREDICTABLE ON THE ROAD AND BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION UNSAFE. MY CASE NUMBER WITH KIA FOR THIS PROBLEM IS 12711641
Engine, May 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO KIA AUTO TEAM DELAWARE (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (877) 364-9441) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2018
MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA WITH 46,000 MILES STARTED SMOKING AND RUNNING ROUGHLY; I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN GUNNED THE ENGINE VERY HARD UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. LATER THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR 7K AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE I DID NOT GET OIL CHANGES WITH THEM. I TOLD THEM I CHANGE MY OWN OIL OR GET IT DONE AT A LOCAL PLACE IN TOWN BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE WAITING FOR 3-4 HOURS FOR OIL CHANGES AT THE KIA IN GLENDALE CA WHERE BTW THE SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED LIKE THE OTHERS; IT IS NOT A PRODUCTION DEFECT IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND THE SOONER KIA RECOGNIZES THAT THE LESS LIABILITY THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THIS COMPANY IS A REAL DISAPPOINTMENT AND I HOPE THEY WILL MOVE TO A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND NOT PUT ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS THROUGH HELL WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FORCE THEM. I SPEAK NOTHING BUT NEGATIVELY ABOUT THESE CARS SO OTHER PEOPLE WON'T BE IN THE POSITION I AM IN.
Engine, Apr 23, 2018
THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR UNTIL SUDDENLY I SAW SMOKE. CHECKED MY OIL & IT WAS LOW. I ADDED OIL. I BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING IN THE ENGINE AND HUGE WHITE PUFFS OF SMOKE EMIT FROM MY ENGINE, SO BAD THAT CARS BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY (ALL 4 LANES) HIT THEIR BRAKES AS THEY CANNOT SEE. THE 101 FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR - THIS IS VERY BAD AND COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED, INCLUDING ME IF MY ENGINE SEIZES AT 75 MPH. I CHECK MY OIL EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO AND SEEMS TO BE LOW ONCE A WEEK. I'VE BEEN WAITING TO DROP MY CAR AT MY MECHANIC. WHEN I GOT THERE HE SAID HE COULD NOT TOUCH MY CAR DUE TO THE SAME EXACT REASON FOR OVER 1.2 MILLION RECALLED ENGINES. I WENT TO BRAKE MASTERS DOWN THE ROAD ASKING IF THEY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID "ABSOLUTELY!" THEY TOLD ME DO NOT DO AN OIL CHANGE AS MANY PEOPLE'S ENGINE SEIZES WITHIN A DAY OR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. DEALERS CONSISTENTLY TELL PEOPLE THEIR ENGINE HAS "SLUDGE" IN IT. REALLY? I HAVE READ SO MANY REVIEWS OF THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. TELLING PEOPLE IT IS $6,000-$8,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AT THEIR COST. BOTH MY MECHANIC AND BRAKE MASTERS TOLD ME THAT THEY FEEL THE ONLY REASON MY ENGINE HAS NOT SEIZED ON ME IS BECAUSE I TOOK NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE SOUNDED SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. NOT ONE TIME HAS A LIGHT GONE OFF ON MY CAR. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A DASH WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WHILE LOOSING POWER AND BURNING OIL SO BAD THAT PEOPLE CANNOT SEE. SO, WE HAVE TWO ISSUES..... #1 OBVIOUS FAILURE OF DASH WARNING/ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS AND #2 THE BURNING OIL, METAL SHARDS RUINING MY ENGINE. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND DO NOT GET CHILD SUPPORT. I DON'T HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE. I AM VERY GOOD WITH MY VEHICLES AND WHAT I AM READING IS UNACCEPTABLE. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR NEW ENGINES AND I WILL NOT BE ONE OF THEM. PLEASE HELP ME AS THIS ENGINE ISSUE IS NOT A LACK OF CARE
Engine, Apr 12, 2018
2015 KIA OPTIMA. DROVE OUT OF MY PARKING LOT AND MY CAR JUST CUT OFF AFTER I TURNED THE CORNER AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING HEADING TO WORK. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN IT STARTED AND CUT RIGHT BACK OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER IN FREDERICK. THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THAT MY ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL IN IT AND IT HAD SLUDGE AND A CRACK IN THE ENGINE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS TO PROVE I WAS GETTING MY OIL CHANGED. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. THE WARRANTY CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU ARE COVERED 10YEARS OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. KIA IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THEIR WAIRRANTY WHICH IS DEAD WRONG. GOT A CALL TODAY STATING THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST $7200 TO FIX MY ENGINE. LAST TIME I CHECKED I WAS NOT RELATED TO ROCKEFELLER. PEOPLE JUST DON'T GO AROUND DELIBERATELY CRACKING ENGINES. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. HOW WAS IT RECALLED FROM 2011-2014 SKIPPED 2015 AND RECALLED AGAIN IN 2016. I'VE BEEN DOING MY HOMEWORK WITH THIS SITUATION AND THERE HAVE BEEN 98 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2015 KIA OPTIMA WHICH 48 OF THEM WHERE ABOUT THE ENGINE AND KIA NOR NHTSA HAD INVESTIGATED ANY OF THEM. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THERE ISSUES THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT PRIOR TO IT HAPPENING. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT IT. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY FOR A CAR AND THEN WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO IT YOU CAN'T EVEN GET IT FIXED. BUT I BET IF IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CORPORATE PEOPLES CARS THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM HONORING THE WARRANTY OR BETTER YET GIVING THEM A NEW CAR.
Engine, Apr 11, 2018
I OWN A 2015 KIA OPTIMA LX. THIS PAST WEEKEND, I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I THEN HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I TURNED THE KEY OFF, AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. BUT IT JUST CLICK ONCE AND THAT WAS IT. IT NEVER WOULD START AGAIN, I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND PUT IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. I CALLED JEFFERY KIA THE NEXT DAY AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM. AFTER TWO DAYS, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZE UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD WITH JUST UNDER 60,000 MILES AND HAS A FULL WARRANTY. BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO MY OIL CHANGES THAT THEY REQUIRED ME TO BRING THEM RECEIPTS FROM OTHER PLACES TO PROVE THE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT I DO MY OWN OIL CHANGES, DUE TO I DON'T TRUST OIL CHANGE ESTABLISHMENTS. THE DEALER THEN REQUESTED THAT I BRING THEM RECEIPTS FROM WHERE I BOUGHT THE OIL AND FILTER TO PROVE THAT THE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED. I TOLD THE DEALER WHO KEEPS RECEIPTS LIKE THAT!!! WHY WOULD I KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL THAT I BOUGHT AT A AUTO PARTS STORE. I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP SUCH RECEIPTS. BUT AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF KIA, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. BACK IN 2014, KIA AND HYUNDAI BOTH RECALLED 1.2 MILLION VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. AND IT APPEARS, THAT IT IS STILL NO CORRECTED. THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE, SINCE THEY KNEW ABOUT IT FROM THE START AND FAILED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT UNTIL IT AFFECTED TONS OF INNOCENT BUYERS.
Engine, Apr 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PATRICK KIA (4810 NINE MILE RD, RICHMOND, VA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WAS NOT BEING CORRECTLY DISTRIBUTED AND RECOMMENDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT
Engine, Apr 3, 2018
I HAVE A 2015 KIA OPTIMA THAT COMPLETELY DIED ON ME ON 4/1/18. WE WERE WAITING TO TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF IN THE TURNING LANE. WE TRIED JUMPING IT AND IT DID NOTHING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED AT IT, THEY WERE SAYING THE ENGINE PROBABLY SEIZED AND SAID WE NEED TO GET OUR OIL CHANGE RECORDS TOGETHER BECAUSE WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THEY PROCEEDED TO TRY AND BLAME IT ON US AS WE DID NOT GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHO WOULD THINK TO SAVE OIL CHANGE RECORDS?! WE'VE OWNED MANY DIFFERENT CARS AND NEVER HAD TO DO THIS OR EVER HAD OUR ENGINE SEIZE. KIA WILL MOST LIKELY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD COST $7,000 AND POSSIBLY TAKE UP TO A MONTH TO COMPLETE. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT. SINCE WE'RE A ONE CAR FAMILY, WE WERE FORCED TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER CAR LAST NIGHT. I'M DISGUSTED WITH HOW WE WERE TREATED AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN. THEY SHOULD BE PAYING OFF MY LOAN BECAUSE THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE ENGINE ISSUES IN THE 2011-2014 OPTIMAS, AND STILL SOLD US A CAR THAT WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE.
Engine, Mar 19, 2018
OIL LIGHT WARNING DISPLAYED. TOOK IT TO NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING. SAME DIAGNOSIS AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 17V224000 RECALL!
Engine, Mar 18, 2018
ENGINE FAILED ON MY 2015 KIA OPTIMA WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, STARTED SMOKING, STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND STALLED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO A KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA ISSUED RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MODELS THROUGH THE 2014 MODELS. THEY FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR 2015 MODELS. THEY INITIALLY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND WANTED CLOSE TO $6,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FINANCIALLY, THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR VOLUNTARILY REPOSSESSED. I FILED A FORMAL, WRITTEN COMPLAINT AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR REPOSSESSED. AT THAT POINT, THEY RESPONDED WITH A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT STATING THEY WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY, IF I RELEASED THEM FROM FURTHER RESPONSIBILTY. THIS OFFER WAS NOT FEASIBLE, AS I NO LONGER HAD THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I ASKED FOR A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DO THAT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2018
TAKATA RECALL ,GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK
Engine, Mar 9, 2018
METAL FOUND IN ENGINE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAS TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Feb 22, 2018
WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY "65 MPH AND ABOVE" THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN THE 12:00 POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE FROM THE PRESSURE APPLIED TO CORRECT DRIFT . IT STEERS FINE IF YOU CONSTANTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR DRIVING STRAIGHT AND MAKING MINOR STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS. WHEN IT BREAKS LOOSE IT CAUSES YOU TO SWERVE WHICH COULD END UP CAUSING A CRASH.
Steering, Feb 20, 2018
I HAVE NOTICED THAT AS I AM DRIVING ON THE THE INTERSTATE THAT MY STEERING IS STICKING, THIS TOO ME IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND THIS SHOULD BE NOTED AS A SAFETY CONCERN, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE T TURNS DEADLY.
Steering, Feb 8, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED. THE DEALER (BECK & MASTEN KIA, 25503 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77377) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Engine, Feb 8, 2018
THE CAR ENGINE DIED ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL IN HEAVY RAIN ON A VERY BUSY TWO WAY STREET WITH FOUR LANES ACROSS. WE'RE LUCKY WE WEREN'T INJURED BECAUSE OTHER CARS COMING UP BEHIND US COULDN'T SEE THAT WELL IN THE RAIN. THERE WAS NEVER ANY KNOCKING OR INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG. IT JUST DIED OUT OF THE BLUE. WE TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REBUILT ON MY OWN DIME ($3000 PLUS TOWING ETC.) BECAUSE KIA REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD AT THAT POINT. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GIVE THEM ALL RECEIPTS SHOWING OIL CHANGES ETC. AND EVEN WHEN I BROUGHT THE RECEIPTS THEY SAID IT WASN'T ENOUGH AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. NOT TO MENTION KIA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THIS SAME ENGINE IN EARLIER MODELS AND IT'S THE SAME ENGINE (THETA II) THAT IS IN THE HUYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS ALSO RECALLED FOR SEIZING/SLUDGE. IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THIS ENGINE IS FAULTY AND KIA NEEDS TO RECALL IT BUT THEY AREN'T INCLUDING THIS 2015 IN THE RECALL WITH THE 2014, 2013 AND 2012 MODELS.
Engine, Feb 5, 2018
THE MOTOR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING, IT LOCKED UP.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY, GOING NO FASTER THAN 70 MPH. SUDDENLY I HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE GUN SHOTS. IT WAS MY SUNROOF, IT HAD EXPLODED!
Steering, Jan 27, 2018
STEERING SEEMS TO GET TIGHT AS IF THE POWER IS GOING OUT. STEERING WHEEL WILL SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND IT MAKES FOR AN EXHAUSTING DRIVE. I DRIVE 160 MILES TO AND FROM WORK DAILY AND THIS HAS BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY DRIVE FOR ME. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS DISHEARTENING THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS AS OF YET. I FEEL AS IF SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG HERE, WHEN YOU SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A VEHICLE AND ARE UNABLE TO USE IT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER FLAW. PLEASE, SOMEONE HEAR WHAT WE ARE SAYING BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS.