10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,042 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Kia Optima brakes problems

brakes problem

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2015 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Sep 032024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine fire

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #43

May 112024

Optima

  • miles
On May 11, 2024, we took our 2015 Kia Optima to Hutchinson Kia Service Center 3931 River Pl, Macon, Ga. due to brakes not working. When you apply brakes the vehicle would not stopped you would have to apply the emergency brakes for a complete stop. On that day, I was told no one was there to check my brakes due it was a Saturday and would need to schedule another appointment when they could do a brake diagnostic. The next appointment was June 4,2024, on that day we had the vehicle towed due to brakes. Today is September 2, 2024 and our vehicle is still there. On July 12, 2024, we were contacted staying vehicle was repaired and the problem wa a pin hole in the right brake line. We picked up the vehicle proceeded home at the first traffic stop same problem happen with the brakes.We returned immediately back to Kia Service center, explaining the same problem still exists. After vehicle being there for 2 more weeks, Nick with Kia Hutchinson Kia called stated there was a problem with ABS system and vehicle would be ready on August 21,2024. Well the still have my vehicle and no updates. When you call they put on hold and never comeback. If you go over the Service Manager is always out and no one can give you and update

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #42

May 232024

Optima

  • miles
While driving on freeway lights, flicker and car just dies. Steering goes out and lose control of vehicle. Then will randomly start up again

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #41

Jul 142024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down highway car engine shut off. Brakes are vacuum assist so brake pedal was hard and not very responsive while trying to stop car. Engine would not restart having to be towed. No warning lights, no strange noises. Just shut off. Engine possibly siezed. Looking in a kia forum this seems to be a recurring problem. I know there were Engine recalls in previous model years may need to be included for this year as well. Engine oil good, coolant level good.

- Saline, LA, USA

problem #40

Jun 282024

Optima

  • miles
The check oil and my fans stopped working and also my fuel pump and also my battery light went

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #39

Jun 182024

Optima

  • miles
has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall It smells like burning

- Garnerville, NY, USA

problem #38

Apr 302024

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- The issue occurred for the first time 4/30/2024 - The following 3 warning lights appeared while I was driving: ABS, Traction Control, and Brake - I took the vehicle immediately to a facility to have the warning codes read. The printout showed: C2402 & C2380 - The warning lights remain illuminated every time the vehicle is turned on - I believe there is a safety concern of a potential fire or brake failure

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #37

Apr 032024

Optima

  • miles
I've been having an issue with my car just out of the blue breaking while I'm going into it seems to be only a left turn I had let Kia know about this when I took it in for the other recalls just recently nobody seemed to have any idea of what was going on or look at me like I was crazy I guess and now I see this recall that explains everything to a tee of what my car is doing I need somebody to contact me please. This has almost gotten me into serious accidents on more than one occasion

- Homosassa, FL, USA

problem #36

Mar 232024

Optima

  • miles
Car stalled. Received check Brakes warning. ABS pump motor voltage fault message.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #35

Mar 192024

Optima

  • miles
Coming to a stop and breaks go to floor u will freak out this happens in 2 different times

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #34

Dec 012022

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. While stepping on the brakes my car has revved up as if I was pressing the gas. So I let my foot off the pedal and pressed the brakes again. This happened 2 times that week. And another time while I was coming to a stop light as I pressed the brakes, my car revved up but didn-??t actually make my car speed up. I had to press the brakes again for it to stop. 2. My battery was smoking and I replaced it. 3. My car is consuming oil. The dealership did a series of oil consumption testing due to the exhaust leaving extra carbon residue on my car. They said it was fine but I don-??t think they solved the issue.

- Burien, WA, USA

problem #33

Apr 122023

Optima

  • miles
My car started smoking while parked at work for no reason and I had to call the fire department. It stop smoking by the time the fire department came. I had it towed to the Dealer. My brakes are a mess but especially on a wet road you have to pump them to try to stop. I have taken it to the Dealer and of course they find nothing wrong. I told them to test drive it on a wet raining day and try to stop hard. Supposedly they could not but I have almost been it several accidents and had to run through a red light because I could not stop. So, I try to drive this car on a rainy day or drive slowly. This car has been trouble since I got it and the dealer will not listen.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #32

Sep 162023

Optima

  • miles
My vehicle has 82000 miles and was due for new brakes. I an a retired former dealership technician so I decided to replace the brakes myself. When I removed the front brake calipers, I saw an unusual amount of rust of the steel caliper pistons. I've done thousands of "brake jobs" in my 30 years and I've never seen a caliper piston this bad. I plan on buying and replacing them soon. My concern is that these pistons look like they would rust completely through causing a failure of the brakes. This shouldn't happen on a 2015 MY vehicle or any vehicle.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #31

Sep 022023

Optima

  • 94,700 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes and the steering column were inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull off to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the engine started smoking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in December 2020 and March 2023, recall repairs were completed on the ABS and TCU modules. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 94,700.

- Ocean Isle Beach, NC, USA

problem #30

Aug 132023

Optima

  • miles
Warning message appeared on the dashboard regarding HECU malfunction. Kia was contacted and stated the car is not covered under a recall.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #29

Jan 092023

Optima

  • miles
The vehicle caught fire

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #28

Oct 172022

Optima

  • miles
As I was driving on the Interstate, my car lost power and I was unable to push on my gas or use my brakes to slow down to pull off the interstate. Lights begin flashing with a warning that read -?? Check Hybrid system. Stop vehicle and turn off engine. This is the second time this has happened but before my car shut off and didn-??t turn back on. I was going to be hit by a semi truck had he not swerved around. Also, this the 5th time this week it has happened.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #27

Aug 102022

Optima

  • miles
Brake Failure, Having to pump brakes in order to stop vehicle, driver rear tail light burning, causing short in wiring

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #26

Dec 042021

Optima

  • miles
For one my car is very sluggish when taking off and shifting gears Jerks badly. MY electrical is messing up on my radio and camera. Sometimes I smell rubber burning. When I have my cruise on it will speed up on its on and jerk when it does and when i press my brakesbto slow down it doesn'twant to slow down unless iash really hard. When taking off from a hill or a dead stop it doesn't want to shift and slags and rattles when it shifts. Bluetooth works sometimes and sometimes it doest it depends on when my backup camera works or not. I bought this car used in June of 2021 with a little over 92000 miles. I know when something doesn't sound right and when something is messed up, there is something wrong with my car. So far I haven't been in an accident but I don't want to be either.

- Laurel , MS, USA

problem #25

Jul 312022

Optima

  • miles
Recently has a new engine installed at pitre Kia, due to a recall malfunction, they installed a new engine but didn-??t fix the recall problem, now that I have my car back. My engine moves when I hit the brakes, my brakes go all the way down sometimes, doesn-??t stop the car at all, I am in danger everyday I drive my car, I never know if my brakes will fail on me. Or my car will burst out into flames, and I can smell fuel in the cabin of the car really strong, I have really bad gas mileage and my steering wheel is a lot stiffer than normal

- Santa Fe , NM, USA

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