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 1 of 27)

problem #533

Jan 202024

Optima

  • miles

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

I am writing to file a complaint regarding a 2015 Kia Optima I purchased from Synergy Auto Deals LLC (formerly located at 1001 S State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023). The dealership failed to disclose a critical open safety recall on the vehicle at the time of sale, which I believe violates consumer safety standards and puts me at significant risk. Details of the Complaint ????1.????Undisclosed Safety Recall: ????-??????The vehicle has an open safety recall that was never disclosed during the purchase process. I only became aware of the recall after the sale, which has caused significant inconvenience and concern about my safety. ????2.????Dealer Misrepresentation: ????-??????In addition to failing to disclose the safety recall, the dealership misrepresented other aspects of the sale, including the price and fees, and employed deceptive practices during the loan approval process. ????3.????Expenses Incurred: ????-??????As a result of these issues, I have incurred additional costs, including: ????-??????Gas mileage to address the recall issue ????-??????New tires ????-??????Monthly payments for a vehicle that was sold under false pretenses ????-??????Insurance payments ????-??????Costs for repairs related to the recall Vehicle Information ????-??????Year: 2015 ????-??????Make: Kia ????-??????Model: Optima ???? Desired Resolution I am requesting the NHTSA to: ????-??????Investigate this dealership-??s practices, particularly regarding the failure to disclose safety recalls. ????-??????Assess whether this case is part of a broader pattern that may require additional enforcement actions. ????-??????Provide guidance on any potential remedies or reimbursements available for these safety-related violations. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

- Pompano, FL, USA

problem #532

Aug 152024

Optima

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was repaired for excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the local dealer under an unidentified NHTSA recall; however, the repair failed to prevent a failure from occurring. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the maintenance records not being available. The vehicle was left at the local dealer for further investigation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Evington, VA, USA

problem #531

Dec 312024

Optima

  • miles
Engine seized

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #530

Dec 262024

Optima

  • miles

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

As I was driving in the fwy I hear noise and exit to check what was wrong. No lights or warning of what the issue might be. Turned off the car open the hood of the car and saw nothing wrong with it I turned it back on and the noise went away. About 2 week after I was exiting the fwy and the engine light turned on. Engine start making noises

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #529

Nov 192024

Optima

  • miles
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:Mcates@battlegroundkia.com

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #528

Oct 192024

Optima

  • miles
I was driving on the interstate, going 80mph in the passing lane passing a semi. (speed limit in SD) my car died. No noises, no warning lights NOTHING. Just lost ALL power. I was able to coast to the side of the road. I towed it to Kia to find out my engine seized. It IS part of a Class Action Lawsuit but they should be recalling these engines BEFORE they go out. Imagine if an unexperienced driver was driving and lost all power, or if it was icy, or someone was behind me? This is unacceptable these engines are failing and putting lives in danger

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #527

Dec 092024

Optima

  • miles

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

During covid 19 pandemic grieviance depresion homelessness racism criticism hate cyberbully attack I live in my 2015 Kia Optima I had [xxx] I had tbone accident iam not fault for I have all state insurance I never get helped compensated they closed my claims I had multple citations 13 in el cajon 4 in san diego 4 3 hollywood 1 riverside that I wasnt aware of as I went to dmv to renew my car registration I was billed for $1522 paid $2200 for renewal theres people who crossed my life who damaged my vehicle it wasnt driveable for one year parked at [xxx] then April 2022 thieves intended to steal my personal belongings they broke my window all my personal items was gone it was towed by Agency had to pay $1000 with busted windows missing personal items dent tbone accident I suffered burden pain depression emotional distress while I was being mocked criticized unlawfully I had trauma there is no relief recovery it didnt stop there after I picked up F dr om road one towing Agency I have it towed moved parked in [xxx] then my engine seized up wont start ignition then brought Kia kearny mesa service dealership Jan 1, 2023 then it gotten worst more repairs replacement parts when I have lifetime warranty on my engine they installed bad engine replaced defects on it I was [xxx] multple times no peace of mind until present Dec 09, 2024 all the repair orders wasnt being done properly. They put damages on me I got stranded multiple times in highway freeway interstate side streets for all issues engine problems that happened to me I couldnt get recovery justice then July 17 2024 I had traffic collision accident iam notat fault I was being interogated by kemper insurance investigators trying to access my vehicle imformation data when their client hit my car from behind I was with mother we bought had whiplashed backpain went straight to E.R until now they wont give me peace of mind I suffered the worst pain information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #526

Jul 172024

Optima

  • 201,746 miles
During covid 19 pandemic grieviance depresion homelessness racism criticism hate cyberbully attack I live in my 2015 Kia Optima I had [xxx] I had tbone accident iam not fault for I have all state insurance I never get helped compensated they closed my claims I had multple citations 13 in el cajon 4 in san diego 4 3 hollywood 1 riverside that I wasnt aware of as I went to dmv to renew my car registration I was billed for $1522 paid $2200 for renewal theres people who crossed my life who damaged my vehicle it wasnt driveable for one year parked at [xxx] then April 2022 thieves intended to steal my personal belongings they broke my window all my personal items was gone it was towed by Agency had to pay $1000 with busted windows missing personal items dent tbone accident I suffered burden pain depression emotional distress while I was being mocked criticized unlawfully I had trauma there is no relief recovery it didnt stop there after I picked up from road one towing Agency I have it towed moved parked in [xxx] then my engine seized up wont start ignition then brought Kia kearny mesa service dealership Jan 1, 2023 then it gotten worst more repairs replacement parts when I have lifetime warranty on my engine they installed bad engine replaced defects on it I was [xxx] multple times no peace of mind until present Dec 09, 2024 all the repair orders wasnt being done properly. They put damages on me I got stranded multiple times in highway freeway interstate side streets for all issues engine problems that happened to me I couldnt get recovery justice then [xxx] I had traffic collision accident iam notat fault I was being interogated by kemper insurance investigators trying to access my vehicle imformation data when their client hit my car from behind I was with mother we bought had whiplashed backpain went straight to E.R until now they wont give me peace of mind I suffered the worst pain information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #525

Nov 272024

Optima

  • miles
Engine keeps shutting off

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #524

Nov 062024

Optima

  • 126,800 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from under the hood before the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was repaired for several oil leaks, timing chain, timing chain cover, and fuel gaskets failures. The vehicle was later towed to another local dealer, Visalia Kia (825 S Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93292); for a second opinion where the vehicle was diagnosed with a rod bearing failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under an engine warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,800.

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #523

Oct 092024

Optima

  • 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 while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle started smoking independently from the front of the vehicle and the accelerator pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was restarted and the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Box Springs, GA, USA

problem #522

Sep 032024

Optima

  • miles
Engine fire

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #521

Sep 192024

Optima

  • 102,500 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also heard a loud knocking sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,500.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #520

Sep 182024

Optima

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #519

May 172024

Optima

  • miles
On or about 13 May 2024 my family and I traveling. During the travel the vehicle displayed -??Hybrid System Stop and Do Not Drive-??. We took it in to Kia during the time that they had the vehicle, they informed us that it needed an ECU update (recall). When services were finished, we picked up the vehicle and was made to pay for services that were part of the recall. When we left the dealership, the lights on the dashboard appeared 1. Engine, 2. HEV. We called the dealership back and informed them what happened. They told us to take the vehicle back to them. After checking it, they informed us that due to the update that was done to the vehicle it triggered faults in the battery. They informed us we would have to replace the Hybrid Battery that would cost us about $13,000. We stated to them our vehicle wasn-??t having battery issues when we initially turned the vehicle in for service. They refused to assist and stated it wasn-??t there responsibility even though it was given to us with these faults. We left the dealership and after driving for a few minutes, the warning sign came on and the car began to smell like smoke. I contacted KIA Corporate and informed them that the vehicle displayed a message on the dashboard and smoke. The gentleman I spoke to informed me not to drive the vehicle and park it away from other vehicles and to get the vehicle to KIA to check services. We took it to a different KIA for services. They informed us that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced and the cost. I explained to them the recall issue and that the vehicle was given to us with the issues that started to occur after the update. They said it wasn-??t their responsibility and that they weren-??t going to fix the damages or issues that were caused by another dealership. I called KIA Corporate and informed them of the situation and how the dealership refused to make repairs although they knew the hybrid battery issues were triggered from the recall updates/repairs.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #518

Sep 052024

Optima

  • miles
Engine may be blown not sure what all is affected. Engine died while driving. Trying to start makes a loud knocking in engine compartment.

- Shasta Lake, CA, USA

problem #517

Aug 312024

Optima

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving uphill at 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #516

Jul 192024

Optima

  • miles
For the past month or two my vehicle hesitates to start on the first try. I can smell an odor at times when this occurs. Most recently it seems to occur more frequently when the outside temperature is warmer.

- West Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #515

Aug 212024

Optima

  • miles
Hi I have a 2015 Kia optima white(pearl). Like many other white Kia-??s on the road, my paint is continuously simply flaking off. This problem is being ignored by Kia which is very frustrating. How is it that Kia is able to avoid this problem when several Kia-??s are having the same problem but because our cars are -?? out of warranty-?? for the useless first 3 years paint warranty they claim to have it-??s ok. It-??s outrageous a 2015 shouldn-??t be having paint problems that insane to even think about.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #514

Aug 022024

Optima

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure and the vehicle was repaired by the dealer under Warranty. The contact stated that several months after the repair was performed, the contact noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle after a visit to the gas station. The next day upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact's husband discovered a puddle of fuel underneath the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and requested that the vehicle be towed to the dealer for an inspection. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine) which the contact linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

- Luckey, OH, USA

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