2015 Kia Optima ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
All recalls were not done false input information they never fixed engine bearing recall I’m getting a consultant to handle all the false information being provided by Kia Federico in woodriver
My car started having electrical issues, started smoking and stopped completely while driving, now it won’t turn on / start
I have repeatedly been denied service by KIA Customer Service and KIA Dealerships regarding my safety recall. This ongoing issue has caused significant stress and inconvenience. I am simply requesting that my recall be completed so I can safely operate my vehicle. Despite my efforts, I continue to receive invoices for repairs while being denied the necessary service. I am frustrated by the lack of support and resolution.
The incident took place on Sunday, December 30th. I was driving to pick up my children from their father and on our way home my car stopped accelerating entirely. This had only happen one other time a few days prior. I was in a gas station parking lot and initially when I turned my car on and went to put it into drive it wouldn’t accelerate. I thought that was odd so I did the only thing I knew how to, I checked my oil levels. Levels were full and no other issues were there. The check engine light had popped up when I turned my car back on but my car did accelerate so I thought nothing of it. I took my car to auto zone for a diagnostic and they told me my “B cam shaft” sensor needed to be moved and that could be causing the engine light to come on and ticking in my motor. I called a few shops getting quotes and eventually was forced to tow to the closest shop to me after my car refused to start overall. They replaced the battery and the b cam shaft censors and still were unable to get the car started. They told me 3 recalls were open on my car, including the motor and to have it towed to Kia for a full replacement. After calling Kia to have the repairs done, they refused me service based on a previous owner not handling prior recalls.
I was driving on the freeway when I noticed smoke coming out of my hood. I immediately exited the freeway, pulled over, popped the hood open, and my engine was on fire. There were no warning lamps on my dash. I don’t know which components were involved and inspection of the components after was not possible, because everything under the hood burned by the time firefighters responded.
When I was driving my car had stopped driving, the engine light had popped up. I put a new battery, and starter on to see if that was the problem, but it wasn’t. I then took the car to battleground Kia in Greensboro, NC. They confirm that the engine had stopped working due to being locked up and it had a recall on it. First they said they can’t fix the engine without my registration and license, I turned that in then They said they will not fix the recall if I don’t have enough evidence of oil changes which I’ve handed over to them multiple times. I thought a recall was suppose to be fixed without hassle. My Kia advisor is Matt Cates. Email:[email protected]
ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF
HECU has been replaced by kia dealership but I paid although all recalls performed are free.
I have 3 issues currently going on with my 2015 Kia Optima. The first is the Oil Control Valve. This is supposed to be covered under my extended warranty that I pay for. If I didn't have the extended warranty I would be responsible for putting a new engine in a car with less than 60,000 miles on it. However, it will take time for the adjuster to come out and then to decide if the entire engine should be replaced which would then take even longer. The second issue is the O2 sensor which is part of the exhaust. Apparently in a care with less than 60,000 miles on it it's not unusual in the Kia Optima for this to go bad. Kia knows this is an issue but hasn't done anything about it. Lastly, the Stop Module in the braking system needs to be replaced. After hitting my brakes at a red light the ESC light came on and the brake lights don't go off. It's very dangerous as no one behind me can tell if I'm stopping or not. There was a previous recall for the HEC system which I had fixed. Per that recall brake fluid can leak and cause an electrical issue within the brake system but my Kia dealer service department is telling me it's not related to the original recall. I think it is and I think Kia should make the repair with no charge to me on a car with less than 60,000 miles on it. How does the engine, the exhaust system and the electrical system all go bad at the same exact time? This is unacceptable.
HI, I own a 2015 KIA OPTIMA. Sometimes when I drive it, I get a burning smell from the dashboard/engine after driving it after a while. I received A KIA recall notice regarding an electrical short circuit in November 2023. The notice said that the electrical short circuit could cause a fire, which I think is the cause of the burning smell. When I called KIA to bring the car in, they said there is no remedy to fix it yet. So I receive the notices in November 2023 and at the time of writing it is March 5th 2024, five months after and KIA does still does not have a remedy to fix the problem. I think this is a major safety issue that is not solved in a timely manner as there is potential risk of fire every time I drive my car. I hope NHTSA can step in and have KIA expedite a remedy to fix this hazard that can lead to potential injury and/or death. Thank you Concerned KIA owner
When driving down the highway car will beep a message on dashboad to pull the car over and turn engine off. the HEV light will be flashing. you can turn engine off and re start in a minute or so. the check engine light stays on and tells me to check hybrid system this willl ocur at random once a week or two times in a month. Kia dealership has not fixed the issue. I dont trust driving the car or safe when pulling off a busy highway. ON hand held obd did get a trouble code P0A37 Generator Temperature Sensor Hi Range .
On 1 30-30 2023 my vehicle spun a rod bearing no engine light came on no oil light alert. I have a lifetime warranty & I'm just learning of a recall NHTSA SAFETY ID# 21V331000, to which I did not receive any notifications or recall notices
Unknown
Anti Theft Security system is non-existent. There is a current known issue on the internet on the ease of theft of any Kia or Hyundai to certain years of manufacture. I am currently a single disabled person that could be a victim of vehicle theft because of a lack of this security software that Kia did not include on my 2015 vehicle. This Kia/Hyundai known issue could potentially leave anyone stranded in a dangerous situation. All other prior and current vehicles are equipped with the security software. Currently Kia & Hyundai has provided Lock bars for certain police departments to hand out, however .. not in my area. I am receiving warning letters from my Insurance company and have heard of some totally dropping coverages on all vehicles manufactured without the security software. This is a very dangerous situation and I believe that ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED SHOULD BE ISSUED AN IMMEDIATE RECALL AND SOFTWARE UPDATE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS AT NO COST TO CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. A proposed class action lawsuit was started in September 2022. In the meantime.. what happens to innocent people who go to a grocery store or doctors office only to find that their car had been stolen while they were inside? Or what happens when they can no longer receive insurance coverage because of the ease of this known lack of security originally promised from the manufacturer? These particular Kia/Hyundai's are missing a "key" anti-theft device..their keys lack computer chips for theft "immobilizer" systems that other car manufacturers have as a standard theft deterrant during those same years of manufacture & currently have on all new vehicles. A MANDATORY RECALL FOR REPAIR SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSE TO INSURE THESE VEHICLES! Anti-Theft technology was included on the sticker price but not installed! I am afraid to go to the grocery store!!
Just bought the car. Drove it off lot & engine quit on me. Wont go over 25 mph. They won’t refund my money. So I’m on phone with Kia consumer affairs. If they don’t get it fixed/replaced/or buy the car back then I am contacting the lawyers who have the lawsuits against Kia & add my case to their lawsuit. This is ridiculous how many people on here that I see Kia is denying them for replacement of motor due to their company!! They need to get it together or just quit making cars! They suck! I bought it in good faith hoping it was a reliable car. Now I’m $9k out of pocket.
Engine Failure due to rod bearing issues-faulty manufacturing parts appears to have gotten into engine preventing or binding the engine so that it will not start.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER ALM KIA SOUTH (4310 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 261-8409) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS GAIN TAKEN TO ALM KIA SOUTH TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
When I drive my car it smells just like it is burning or melting in the motor, it comes thru the vents and smells awful. It has only smoked a couple of times when I have turned it off. I have had it looked at but at first they couldn't find the problem. The second time I had it checked out they said that the changed the HECU on my car but it still smells like it is burning. It has been doing it for about 3 months.
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
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.
CAR WON'T START WHEN YOU PUSH TO START WITH BRAKES
2015 KIA OPTIMA TURBO.. I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. IN DOING SO, I REALIZED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING AND WHEN I LOOKED DOWN, ALL OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER JUST MAKING IT OUT OF THE LANE OF APPROACHING TRAFFIC. ONCE ON THE SHOULDER, I PLACED MY CAR IN PARK TURNED EVERYTHING OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. I THEN SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. FRIGTHTENED THAT IT MIGHT CATCH FIRE, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. AGAIN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN CALLED FOR A WRECKER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP THAT SAME DAY. DID NOT FIND OUT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP AND THEY WERE WAITING TO SEE IF KIA WAS GOING TO APPROVE REPLACING THE ENGINE. WAS TOLD I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BY TOMORROW. STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK. DETAILS TO FOLLOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARAPAHOE KIA (9701 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, (720) 262-9111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS JUST SHUT OFF. THIS IS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, AND WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. STILL HAVE NO LUCK GETTING IT RESTARTED AFTER BEING TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE
KEEP HEARING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE IS MORE SO WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND EARLY MORNING. HAS GONE TO THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS ISSUES AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN PROVIDED A RECORDING OF THE SOUND. ALSO THE RADIO COMPLETE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES NOW. ONCE AGAIN HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT DUPLICATE IT'S SELF. THE PASSENGER WINDOW GETS STUCK AND HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KNOBS IN ORDER TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP. I GOT THIS CAR JULY 21. 2017. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOW TWICE. FIRST TIME FOR A WEEK. SECOND TIME 6 DAYS. STILL NO SOLUTION. WAS TOLD BY LEMON LAW TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THEM SERVICE IT AGAIN. HAS TO BE SEEN BY DEARER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL HELP.
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Quick Summary
The 2015 Kia Optima has 25 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.