10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,735 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2015 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #79

Oct 272023

Optima

  • miles

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

Engine lost power and when restart was attempted, it could torn turn over. Tried restarting 3 times with no success. After this, smoke started coming from the hood. I opened the hood and noticed a small flame at the driver side bottom of the engine compartment. Flame intensified and grew and eventually I extinguished with a fire extinguisher. I had just replaced the starter that same week and replaced some wiring at a local car repair facility.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #78

Aug 052023

Optima

  • miles
I was driving North on the 57 freeway and my car stop running and I pulled on the side of the freeway and my car catch on fire. Everything started in the engine. I called Kia and made a complaint and they told me it was not under warranty and they could not help me.

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #77

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 #76

May 202023

Optima

  • miles

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

I driving my vehicle is just started powering down and didn-??t want to turn on again. We jumped started it thinking it was the battery but it checked out fine. The vehicle doesn-??t want to start anymore and the mobile mechanic said the engine had ti be replaced since it was off the timing loop. No engine or vehicle lights were in and no prior issues were appearing.

- Lewisville , TX, USA

problem #75

Jun 082023

Optima

  • miles
My air and heat stopped blowing air on 4 (high speed) I took to mechanic who couldn-??t find a issue with the resistor, motor, or any components related to it so he took the dash off to check the climate control. The connector going into the back of the switch control to control the temperature speed was burnt and so was the unit. He said it was a wonder my car hadn-??t caught on fire and it should have blown a fuse before burning that bad. I did get pics of the connector but didn-??t of the control panel. I am now afraid to drive my vehicle as this is a expensive repair and their seems to be a lot of electrical issues with Kia from what I am finding and I don-??t even have this vehicle paid for yet. They replaced a motor in December due to failed components on their end

- Booneville , KY, USA

problem #74

Apr 032023

Optima

  • miles
Driving on highway at 65 mph and engine just died with no warning. Almost got hit trying to get off the expressway to the side of road. Had car towed home and checked engine. Engine is seized up completely.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #73

May 052023

Optima

  • miles

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

The vehicle had electrical fire. While driving smoke and electric fire smell started to fill the cabin. Pull off the road and exited the vehicle. All vehicle caution indicators were lit up on the dashboard, engine, battery, temp, etc indicators. Shut off car called roadside assistance. Car smelled or charred electric components. Had it towed to the manufacturer dealership. Waiting on response from KIA to determine cause of electrical fire.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #72

Jan 092023

Optima

  • miles
The vehicle caught fire

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #71

Jan 172023

Optima

  • miles
1.Since 1/17/23 I've had 5 occurrences of the car yanking me to the left as I am turning right. The steering wheel gets stiffed, the dashboard lights come one, car slows down and I have to park the car and turn it off and back on. When I turn it back on, no dashboard lights are on and the everything is back to normal as if nothing ever happened. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 3 times for a diagnostics and nothing comes up. The vehicles computer is not even tracing the times the dashboard lights have turned on as it shows zero history and that is not the case. I have taken pictures and video of the dashboard lights and have showed the guys at the dealership but since there's no record on the dashboard computer/history, they're not able to determine the problem. 2.My safety has been put at risk as I can get involved in a car accident and involve others safety at risk as well. The vehicle doesn't give any prior signs when it's going to act up when turning to the right, therefore it can happen at any given time. The first time I was leaving a parking lot and it happened on the freeway feeder. I towed my vehicle to the dealership the first time as I was in fear of driving it only to be told they can't find the issue. 3.The dealership has ran 3 different diagnostics on 3 different occasions and nothing comes up. It is still unresolved. 4. Kia service department has inspected in on 3 different occasions since the first incident. 5. No warning lamps or warnings of any sort before the first incident.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #70

Mar 182023

Optima

  • miles
Knock sensor replaced due to engine knocking did not fix the problem the cars engine does not work it julks and pulls really hard engine noise check engine flashing left me stalled on the main highway with my 2 children with no warning the car has engine oil to adequate levels maintenance was up to date

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #69

Jan 302023

Optima

  • miles

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

Rear outer TAIL LAMP combination assemblies (NOT the inner lights on the trunk lid) have failed Virginia State SAFETY Inspection due to accumulation of moisture and standing water in BOTH left and right outer tail lamps, causing LEDs in the tail lamp assembly to burn out and not illuminate. There have already been multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) on the matter (i.e. KIA TSB PS364, KIA TSB BOD143, KIA TSB BOD172), and the cause outlined in these TSBs has been a DEFECT in design leading to a gap between the tail lamp housing gasket and the vehicle body allowing WATER INTRUSION. KIA has neglected to inspect, fix, or add additional gaskets per their instructions during eligible warranty periods, and extended warranties refuse to fix the issue as they classify it as water intrusion. This pins the financial burden to fix the safety issue on the customer/driver, as KIA dealers have quoted $1,232.46 for replacement of these tail lamps. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Components: Rear outer tail lamp combination assemblies (both left and right) (NOT the lamps on the trunk lid). Inspection availability: LIMITED due to significant time pressure and inconvenience (since the tail lamps have caused the vehicle to fail Virginia State Safety Inspection, the car needs to be fixed ASAP to resume commute to work, etc.) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" Lower visibility for others, may result in incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Confirmed by KIA dealer themselves. Also, multiple customer complaints on internet, as well as TSBs. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? KIA dealer did not inspect during warranty. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No and UNKNOWN.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #68

Dec 032022

Optima

  • miles
The driver side brake light and tail light is out. I have noticed this same problem on a few other Optimas' in my neighborhood about the same year as mine. There is a YouTube video saying it's because of the tail light connector.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #67

Jan 302023

Optima

  • 63,523 miles
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

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #66

Sep 012022

Optima

  • miles
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!!

- Sebring, FL, USA

problem #65

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 #64

Jul 312022

Optima

  • miles
2015 Kia Optima Hybrid HEV system. Months after purchasing the vehicle two different lights would come on the engine. One is the HEV warning light and the other is a flashing -??Turn off engine and check HEV system-??. The first time it happened the vehicle turned off. It was towed to Kia, 02/2020. They change some sensor and sent me on my way. 3 weeks later the HEV warning light came on again so it was towed to Kia for the 2nd time, 03/2020. This time they said they could not recreate the issue. A month later the light came on again and again but since the light never stayed on, I kept getting told by Kia that I-??d have to take it in when the light stayed on. 01/2021 the light came on again, with the flashing warning and the vehicle turned off, mid-drive. It was towed to a mechanic shop near me, where they replaced the wiring harness completely, but a month later the same light came on again. Over the course of the year, the warnings kept turning up and time and time I kept getting told they needed the light on at the dealer so they could determine with the codes, what is wrong. 07/2022, light came on as I was merging on to the freeway and the car shut off. I was able to make it turn on and make it home safe. The next day I towed it to the shop where they replaced the wiring harness and they stated they could not touch it further since the codes they got where -??High voltage battery-?? codes and a specific tech is the only one when could work on it. I took it to Kia where it stayed 33 days. They changed a part. Two days later the HEV light came on again, so I took it back. They kept it one day, drove it 60 miles and they could not recreate the issue. I got it back on Saturday, 5 miles out the light came back again and again. I took video. Called Kia and now the car is back at the dealer while they try and figure out the issue. I-??m scared for my life. The car gives no warning when it decides to shut off. Wheel locks on the times it does turn off. HEV system is no good.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #63

Aug 182022

Optima

  • miles
I been reported the recall about my car engine and other problems thats going on with it but the manufacturer won-??T fix it so what else can I do to have all these recalls fixed

- Talladega , AL, USA

problem #62

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 #61

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 #60

Jul 152022

Optima

  • miles
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.

- Rising Sun, MD, USA

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