74 complaints reported

2015 Kia Optima UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
74
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Apr 2023

Pearl white paint is peeling and chipping. I have photos, paint Samples and Receipts from having to repair to prevent rust.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2022
Feb 2023

The paint on my pearl white 2015 Kia started chipping around windshield areas a few years ago. Front ,side and back. Now the whole trunk is coming off and an area around rear passenger side. It just keeps spreading and I am so embarrassed and frustrated. My car is in great condition. no dents , no accidents! I take good care of it and this is what it looks like? Not right and Kia needs to do something about it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Jan 2023

My paint is bubbling, chipping and is destroyed for no reason. I was my car by hand with a special car wash soap and dry it with a shammy. I took pictures and within 2 months of having my car sit the paint it boiling? I have seen claims ona facebook page this is happening to other Kia models. My friend just got his Prius painted due to the same issue *same color Pearl White~ !!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2023
Jan 2023

Paint is peeling off of vehicle for no apparent reason. Large size pieces on the trench hood.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2022
Dec 2022

I buy the car 2 week ago and star turn on light slow I just get afraid because I didn't know that the car need to go back to Kia for the recall and is a used car I will like to see how soon I can get to the dealer to get fix is the only thing that I have for work . And is give me some issues to with the gas cap

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Sep 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Aug 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2022
Aug 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,

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Jul 2022

Kia cars lack an engine mobilizer or something and thieves are able to break in and bypass the cars alarm and break the steering column down and start the car with a simple usb and steal the car. Kia’s are being targeted because of this issue and are being stolen . This is a major safety problem and should be fixed . It has been all over the news and police departments are warning Kia owners about it .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022

Heard noise, while driving, hitting car. Fin cover for antenna broke off. Pulled over and luckily found it. Looks like it broke loose at connecting screws. Thankful no one was behind me at time.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022

Paint is coming off vehicles has been since I purchased it

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2016
Jul 2022

Clear coat or paint is peeling on the back passenger panel over the tire and on the trunk lid under the kia medallion.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Jun 2022

Rapid delamination of paint including severe chipping and paint bubbles. Car was inspected at an auto body shop who provided the final determination of this issue as well as provided clarity that this is a known Kia issue. Kia is refusing to handle this.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022
Jun 2022

Passenger side window would go down, but not up. Was unable to get an appointment with Dutchess Kia to bring vehicle in. Went to Knuckle Busters Tire & Auto in Highland, NY. I explained to them what was going on and Knuckle Busters stated that my car was the 5th Kia optima to come in with that same problem, which was replacing the motor or regulator and from some both. Per the mechanic Steve when he unscrewed the motor from the door it fell apart.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost power brake assist and power steering assist however, the vehicle was able to safely pull off the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a non-affiliated dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2022
Mar 2022

2015 KIA Optima EX with snow white pearl paint delamination on the trunk and roof similar to several other reports on the KIA forum website.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2022
Feb 2022

Using more than normal oil amount

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Dec 2021 Fire

My car caught on fire under the hood about 15 minutes after I drove and parked it. It was not running at the time the fire started. We tried to put it out with 2 fire extinguishers but were not able to. By the time the fire department arrived my car was completely engulfed in flames. It burnt to the ground and was a total loss!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2021
Nov 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parked the vehicle would make a clicking noise coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Oct 2021

Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with NHTSA.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2021
Aug 2021

My vehicle pearl white paint started peeling on both sides of my front window and now is peeling on my hood. I have filed 2 complaints with my dealership that took pictures and the first one was expired they said cause of covid. It's been several months now and still haven't heard about my 2nd request. It's peeling really bad and it's ridiculous that Kia isn't trying to fix this problem. My hood is starting to get rust spots where the paint has peeled. I'm very upset and frustrated with this problem. I really need to get my car repainted.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Jul 2021 Fire

I started driving to work drove a mile went to accelerate to get on the highway, all my dash lights came on and and i pulled over, my break was stiff so i figured it died, it started to smoke, at first the door wouldn’t open for me to get out, i had to manually unlock it which is weird because if my car is put into park the door automatically unlock normally, when i got out i saw the smoke getting thicker, so i backed up within minutes the car was in flames. I called 911 right away. There was really no warning at all!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021

On Monday, August 02, 2021, I was driving home from work and suddenly, when I stepped on the gas pedal, the car didn’t move but the RPMs were reveving very high and all the lights, accessories continued to work. The car had to be pushed out of the street and into a parking lot, until it was towed the following morning to my local mechanic. Upon inspection, it was determined that the engine had seized. I was informed that this is a well-established problem of similar models, years of Kia and Hyundai vehicles that occurred as result of an issue during the manufacturing process and that Kia was aware of the problem but refused to issue a recall. Due to Kia’s reluctance to reimburse owners for the repairs, there is a class-action lawsuit against Kia. My vehicle was towed on August 5, 2021 to Bob Rohrman’s Kia dealership on Golf Rd, Schaumburg IL.As a result, I am without a vehicle that I am still making payments on until December 2021.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
Mar 2021

THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA COVER COMES OFF DURING HIGH SPEED AND MY IMPACT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Mar 2021

My Kia Optima needs/needed to have a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to installed. The Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) protects the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. There was/is nothing to detect the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear and alert the driver at an early stage of bearing wear before the occurrence of severe engine damage, including engine failure. There is no indicative code to alert the driver and minimize the risk of a more severe engine failure. My car has experienced this inadequacy and is need of a full engine replacement because of it. There has been recalls on other years of the Kia Optima but, not the 2015. This is an increasing problem amongst Kia Optima 2015 owners and should not be treated separately from the other years that have experienced the same problem. My car jerked suddenly in traffic and came to a sudden stop almost causing me and my granddaughter to be in a collision with oncoming traffic, with no warning. Kia did a safety recall campaign for other models with this problem SC200**1 (Rev 1, 03/25/2021) but did not include the Kia Optima 2015.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA OPTIMA, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2015 Kia Optima has 74 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.