What 1,000 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima Phev

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After exiting the vehicle, the hood was opened, and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact called an independent mechanic and, within two minutes, became aware of the fire. The contact called 911 for the Emergency Services. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. There was no injury sustained. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was leaking with a blown head gasket. The engine was replaced. The vehicle was towed from the scene and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.

NHTSA ODI 11750336

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while accelerating at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal burning smell detected. While driving, she was alerted by another driver who informed her that the vehicle was on fire. The passengers were able to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic, who said the engine was bad. The engine was previously replaced at 147,000 miles. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11740785

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 60 MPH, the instrument panel was entirely illuminated, and he pulled over. There was smoke inside the cabin. The occupants were able to exit the vehicle. An independent mechanic opened the hood and noticed a fire. They were able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the drive belt had failed and had broken. There was friction from the drive belt, which caused the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a claim. The manufacturer had called the contact, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11689846

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the daughter was driving at approximately 80 MPH and attempting to pass a tractor-trailer in the left lane, the vehicle behind her aggressively merged into the same lane causing a crash to the passenger side of the vehicle. The other vehicle fled the scene. The contact's daughter merged to the shoulder of the road. There was damage to the front passenger side door, and front passenger wheel well, and tire. The vehicle failed to restart. The police were on the scene however no Police Report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a collision center for cosmetic repairs but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer mentioned a recall related to the engine, but it was not eligible for engine replacement because the vehicle had not had a software update performed for the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 11589024

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 60 MPH when numerous lights on the dashboard illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter said that the vehicle stalled, however, she was in the right-hand lane and pulled over. The daughter said that smoke was being emitted from the engine compartment. The contact stated her daughter was picked up by family and the vehicle was left at the side of the highway. The contact stated that the daughter's companion retrieved the vehicle. The contact stated that he opened the hood and checked the oil and observed that there was no oil showing on the dipstick. The contact filled the vehicle's oil reservoir and started the vehicle. The contact said that he also reported that all panel warnings illuminated and the vehicle had begun to emit smoke. The contact stated he pulled off the roadway, opened the hood, and observed smoke and flames being emitted from under the engine block. The contact stated he had immediately closed the hood and moved away from the vehicle. The contact stated that he reported that the vehicle continued to emit smoke but no more flames were observed. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526832

Driving on highway 54 all of a sudden vehicle seized up on me at 75 mph in the dead of night, steering was difficult to control and hit an object while trying to stop off the highway IN A BLIND CURVE! Was stranded for 6 hours until local shop towed vehicle and replaced condenser-radiator-fan ( object was debris on side of highway) could not get car going and a smell of electrical short coming from under hood. Have not been able to fix problem and have spent 11 days in Carrizozo NM trying with bewildered mechanics to get me back on the road. They replaced starter -fan-radiator-condenser-changed fluids (motor & transmission) to find out motor unable to reset. I’ve spent over 6,000.00 dollars in motel-tows-parts -labor -due to this vehicle. I found out of recall when I was told to buy an engine. This car almost took my life due to sudden engine failure on the highway in the AM hours.

NHTSA ODI 11459953