10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 39
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,380 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 8 of 27)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #393

Mar 202023

Optima

  • miles

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

My engine light all of a sudden just started blinking, engine started smoking, and making Very loud clanking noise.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #392

Mar 292022

Optima

  • 118,580 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle began to lose power and stalled. The contact stated that upon lifting the hood, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 118,580.

- Russellville, AR, USA

problem #391

Mar 082023

Optima

  • 102,561 miles
I own a 2015 Kia Optima Turbo SX. every time I park my vehicle in an enclosed garage. and only when the engine is cold does it makes a grinning noise for about 12 seconds or less. once I turn the engine off and turn it back on the noise it stops. also, there is a mild fuel odor coming from the engine compartment every time the motor is turned off. your response will be much appreciated thank you. Sincerely. Carl M. Velasquez

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #390

Jan 012023

Optima

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: ?21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) on Facebook. The contact called the local dealer and made an appointment for March 25, 2023. The contact stated on March 23, 2023, while driving 50 mph, depressing the accelerator pedal but the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and when exiting the vehicle she saw smoke but no fire/flames exiting the hood. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Ridgeland, SC, USA

problem #389

Mar 172023

Optima

  • 117,674 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, she observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and then the vehicle stalled. On the third attempt, the vehicle restarted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed it an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,674.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #388

Mar 112023

Optima

  • miles
The engine lost power taking off crossing a major roadway, resulting in a stall, vehicle had to be restarted in a panic. The knocking and loss of power put me and my passenger in danger of a side impact from cross traffic. The issue was reproduced by a dealer upon further inspection. The vehicle will be inspected by a service department at certified dealership. No warnings lights or fault warnings appeared related to this issue.

- Antioch, IL, USA

problem #387

Mar 012023

Optima

  • miles

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

On 3/1/23 on my way home from my which the site was in Perth Amboy, NJ. At the North Somerset rest stop, just exited the I-76 westbound. I lost power around 65 mph. I didn't get any response from my brakes at first and nothing from my accelerator. Upon drifting and praying that I'd make it to the lot out of the main exiting lane. Upon pulling into a spot at the very farthest spot from the building, I noticed my check engine light is flashing. Press my brakes were working. Accelerator was hardly responding. I've worked on my car and my families cars, and cars most of my life. I had my code reader with me. Plugged it in and got the code that I've heard and read about. P1326 knock sensor. Knowing about this about Kia and Hyuandi, I knew my engine was dead. Thank God it didn't catch fire like some others have. I had it towed to Smail Kia in Greensburg, PA. That was the closest and NOT the dealer I bought it from. We bought it from Century 3 Kia West Mifflin, PA. After their promises that the engine would get replaced, lack of communication, many of my calls, voicemail, emails and showing up in person, (had to move 2 things that would've been in the way of the swapping of the engine) and a week later Kia denied my replacement due to "power adders". None of which I have, use or cause any issues. NO TESTING WAS DONE ON WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS POWER ADDERS. HOWEVER, ALL OF THE TESTS THAT SHOW THEIR FAULTY ENGINE COMPONENTS AS PERR THE FEDERAL LAWSUITS AND RECALLS.....ALL FAILED! I can't drive the car. It's dangerous for myself and any other motorist. Could explode, catch fire or completely fail on ANY highway/roadway. I need my car for my career and above all, my life sustaining health and medical appointments Now I'm left with no vehicle. I still owe around a year- year and a half. As well as car insurance. Now what? Kia needs to do the right thing here, for myself and anyon else suffering from this horrific life changing nightmare.

- Cranberry Township , PA, USA

problem #386

Mar 112022

Optima

  • miles
I had brought a 2015 kia optima lx from a lot and i only had it 2 days i was on my way to work and it just cut off in the middle of the road i didnt know it had recalls until till after somebody told me so i took it to kia they said they couldn-??t fix it and told me my motor was locked and that i was gone have to pay $8,650 to get a new motor put in my car has been sitting since march 11 2022 and march 112023 will be a year that it has set and now since i have been getting recall notification about my car they not gone do nothing about it until i get my motor just like its a update needed on my car not gone be able to get

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #385

Mar 032023

Optima

  • miles
Oil Changed 02/18/23, No leaks reported. Highway driving, now the vehicle is burning oil and has leaks, engine not running properly at highway speeds.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #384

Feb 012023

Optima

  • 143,625 miles
lights in dashboard always on, something wrong with engine

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #383

Jan 022023

Optima

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a traffic light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and move to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) had not been completed and the warranty coverage for the engine replacement would not be honored. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #382

Sep 072022

Optima

  • miles
There is an open recall on the engine of my vehicle 2015 Kia Optima. The engine is giving problems and has been at the local dealership since December 1st, 2022. They stated they will not fix it because the vehicle has a salvage title. According to the information we have obtained this doesn't null the recall repairs on the vehicle. Please advise.

- Lake Charles , LA, USA

problem #381

Apr 292022

Optima

  • miles
At or around 66k miles my vehicle stalled then shut off in traffic. No warning or signals. My vehicle went into limp mode. KSDS Knock sensor campaign installed prior. Oil had been consuming at a abnormal rate causing me to do oil changes more frequently and in between changes adding oil. Towed it to dealership because I was told as long as I had the KSDS update and maintenance records of which I did myself because it became expensive and records show on Carfax. After dealer mechanic looked at vehicle said I needed a new engine and Kia Corporate denied my claim claiming it was neglect which is absolutely untrue! They didn't even accept my records although on Carfax. With only 66k miles and being denied my vehicle sits worthless because Kia won't honor its warranty or recall. I even purchased gap insurance originally totally lost of money. I'm afraid my vehicle will catch on fire as it's been sitting for several months in my driveway.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #380

Jan 102023

Optima

  • miles
after completing a routine oil change earlier in the day, the engine seized and the car had to be towed. When contacting Kia I was told their was a recall and if the knock sensor wasn't installed we are responsible. I communicated that we were unaware of a recall and were never notified of one as we are the 2nd owners of the vehicle. I later received in the mail a re-issue of what they claim to have sent out originally and was instructed to take the car to the nearest Kia dealer where they have since denied the repairs.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #379

Feb 132023

Optima

  • miles
Knocking noise coming from engine. Pulley is wobbly. Oil leak coming from timing cover. Knocking noise come from Connecting rod knocking. Engine will have to be replaced or rebuilt.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

problem #378

Feb 202023

Optima

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #377

Feb 212023

Optima

  • miles
2015 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure. The consumer stated the engine seized after four months of purchasing the vehicle. And there is an unaddressed/open recall that was never repaired.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #376

Jan 012023

Optima

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH and taking the off ramp, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to his fiancé's residence. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Brookhaven, GA, USA

problem #375

Dec 142022

Optima

  • miles
On December 14 2022 I had my oil changed at a service center. On December 14 2022 later in the day after the oil change service had been completed my vehicle vehicle began to sputter then stalled while driving down the road almost creating an accident. There were no warning lamps messages or other symptoms prior to stalling on the road. As the vehicle began sputtering and stalling the warning lamps then became illuminated. I coasted my vehicle to safety and parked it. I scheduled the first available appointment with a Kia dealership and had it towed in. They did an inspection completed a recall and said I needed a whole new engine and only the short block was covered. I have service records for regular maintenance. I have contact the dealership and manufacturer with a response that the engine replacement is not currently covered at this time. I believe that if the vehicle was at a higher speed or more traffic was present that the engine failure could have caused serious injury or fatalities. My vehicle is available for inspection if requested. My vehicle is still located at the Kia dealership. I currently do not have an invoice or paper receipt from them. I do have an email from the dealership stating a new engine cost before taxes. I am unable to upload the file on this page for some reason. I can make it available if needed.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #374

Jan 022023

Optima

  • 106,744 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a ticking noise was heard coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to restart. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred and that the "Service Engine Soon" warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer for the recall repair and was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 106,744.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

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