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

They were speeding with their phone in a phone stand watching a show while on the freeway

NHTSA ODI 11738230

When driving on the highway my car suddenly started to stall with me on the highway. It went from 80 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour and then completely shut off in the lane of the highway. Thankfully I was able to pull over to safety. I attempted to start again, and the engine started with a weird noise coming from it. I had it towed to my local Mechanic who told me that my engine is part of a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11650475

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the steering seized. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.

NHTSA ODI 11615440

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.

NHTSA ODI 11612591

Car would not drive faster than 25 mph. Check engine light on codes p1326 and p0014. Not eligible for ki engine settlement but have the same issue..

NHTSA ODI 11597364

I was driving in downtown Gilbert when I pulled up to a red light. My car would not inch forward when taking foot off brake. I then had to put my foot all the way down to get my car to drive. When taking a turn my car would run perfectly until I stopped. Then we pull up to parking garage and the car just stops without while in drive so I put it in park and then turn it off and then back on and it works again. I had the alternator, battery and starter checked and they were all good no issues so why am I having electrical problems with my vehicle Kia needs to fix this.

NHTSA ODI 11580918

The last recall that was fixed is occuring again . Car loosing power warning signal popping up Sometimes smells like matches after parked.

NHTSA ODI 11575868

3 months prior to my car going into limp mode I had an incident where I was on the highway and had to come to a stop of major traffic and suddenly my car cut off out of nowhere. I got it to crank after putting it in park, but it was very scary being on the highway thank God it was traffic to where cars wasn't going so fast. Fast-forward to my recent incident to now my car's now in limp mode (MIL) same situation different times was getting on the highway and started to pick up speed to accelerate to 60mph my engine light started to blink Non-Stop and here I am again in a terrifying situation to where I have to get back off of the freeway and I also was on my way to work now having to call in and praying and hoping nothing happens to me while trying to get my car home now I've called I'm certain dealerships decided to go with a dealership to get my recalls done and the dealer basically told me he told his mechanics to hurry up and do my recalls that he could do and get my car out of their shop and also told me to get rid of my car basically refusing to do what he's supposed to do regardless but I truly believe I need a new engine and that's why the dealer rushed me out I just want to know how can I get my vehicle fixed with no problems and also without dealerships denying me. I would love to hear back from you all to know my next step in getting my vehicle recall done please and thank you

NHTSA ODI 11570912

1st problem happened when I was at a complete stop, at a traffic light, in rush hour traffic. All the sudden steam started coming out from underneath my hood. I instantly looked at my temperature gauge and it did not show anything however I knew something was wrong when the light turned green I immediately pulled over, out of the street as far as I can get without being hit by other cars. I put on my hazard lights. Pop the hood. I had a gallon jug in my trunk. And I walked to a store to fill it up with water. Came back, poured the entire gallon into the radiator. Waited for at least 30 minutes. Started the car and made it home. After that incident, the problems with this 2015 Kia Optima has snowballed. It just amazes me that it has started happening 2000 miles after my extended warranty expired. I had to purchase and replace spark plugs, the coil packs, two other sensor things, which I do have the receipts for and now the car reeks a gasoline and it automatically kicks into overdrive and I lose my reading on my tachometer, this puts it into a disabled mode, I'm on the freeway in Russia traffic, trying to pull over without getting into an accident. Do I believe this is a safety concern? You're damn right I do am I mad yes. I am taking my k i a into the dealership. After doing my research on this make and model, is the dealership doesn't honor what the claims department and the media response to this problem. Will then I will leave the car with Kia because I cannot afford a new engine. I will have to call to finance company and let them know that I voluntary I'm letting them come repo this car, good luck selling it

NHTSA ODI 11548919

Excessive shaking of engine, stalled out while driving on highway, knocking in the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11545569

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 60 MPH. The vehicle began to shudder and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514644

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.

NHTSA ODI 11511467

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.

NHTSA ODI 11511227

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that he had failed to complete the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) repair and provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493608

My car had started acting weird about 5 months after I got it, I believe Jan 2020. Only had it till Jan 2021 and they said my engine Barrings broke and it was going to cost me 10000. I didn’t have it. I was never informed about the recall. It messed up my whole credit and I still have not been able to get a car since. I moved and I was just now able to get the mail!

NHTSA ODI 11474718

My check engine light came on Sunday January 23rd. Upon Contacting my local Kia Dealership, I was told that my vehicle has recall # SC212 at which time was advised to bring my vehicle into the Kia dealership for diagnosis. On Friday, January 28th I dropped my vehicle off at my local Kia dealership and within 3 hours received a call from my Service Advisor who stated the following issues were found: 1. Oil leak; REPLACED: Valve cover gasket, high pressure fuel line, and high-pressureSe fuel pump bolts. 2. Recall SC212; REPLACED: Multi-Fuse and Fuse Box Cover per campaign instructions. 3. Serpentine Belt; REPLACED: Drive Belt 4. Brake Pads; REPLACED: Front Brake Pads and Machined Rotors. 5. Brake Pads; REPLACED: Rear Brake Pads, in addition to Replacing both rear rotors. 6. REPLACED: Cabin Air Filter 7. REPLACED: Engine air filter 8. Oil and Filter Change; Performed LOF, set tire pressures, and topped off all fluids. Less than 72 hours after the above repairs were complete, and a hefty $1,500.00 repair bill, my check engine light is BACK ON! My vehicle lacks acceleration when depressing the gas pedal and I am fearful my vehicle may have the defective Theta II Engine in it. I am a single parent with a 7 year old child and this has caused us to not feel safe driving our vehicle, not to mention I have had to miss multiple days of work and my daughter has missed several days of school now because we do not have a safe vehicle to commute to school and work in. Also, when searching my vehicles VIN number, it says the recall was not fulfilled? VERY CONCERING! I have the vehicle diagnostic data in my UVO Services account, in addition to itemized repair bill from Kia.

NHTSA ODI 11449827

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed while at a fuel station, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration while the brake pedal was being pressed. During the failure, the RPM's suddenly increased although the accelerator pedal was not being depressed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted four times before the vehicle operated as normal. On a second occasion, the failure had reoccurred while driving approximately 35 MPH while slowing to approach a stoplight. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but no information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 46,900

NHTSA ODI 11445295

I was on the freeway and out of no where I couldn’t accelerate and immediately my car slowed down and I had to get over the car behind me had to slam on breaks and I was almost hit twice car then flashed to pull over and charge battery but it’s a brand new battery everything still turned on just couldn’t accelerate so it’s now towed to Kia dealership to get diagnostics done scariest driving moment ever

NHTSA ODI 11440841

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAVING A HARD TIME PICKING UP SPEED AND SOON AFTER IT WAS A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE RPM AND DASHBOARD GAUGES WERE VERY SPORADIC. I PARKED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THERE WAS SOMEHOW ABSOLUTELY NO OIL, BUT NO CURRENT SIGN OF LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE CAR CONTINUES TO KNOCK WHEN I START IT UP AND AM AFRAID OF IT OVERHEATING AND IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. IT SMELLS DEFINITELY LIKE BURNTNESS AND WHEN SHIFTING INTO D3 AND D IT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE COULD BE HAVING TOUBLE. SPEEDS AND RPM GAUGE ARE MOST SPORADIC AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE EXHAUST PIPE SEEMS TO HAVE RESIDUE OF SOME SORT THAT ISN'T NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI 11413136

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS MY WHEELS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO. I HAD TO PUSH IT DOWN A HILL AND USE NEUTRAL TO GET AT LEAST GET THE CAR OFF THE MAIN STREET AND TOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CAN'T HELP BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROVIDE RECEIPTS OF ANY MAINTENANCE THAT WAS DONE ON THE CAR OVER TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11406196

MY KIA STARTED OUT MAKING A STRANGE SQUEALING NOISE, THEN IT STARTED LOOSING POWER. WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN I PUSH THE GAS PEDDLE AND IT TAKES AWHILE TO GET UP TO EVEN 35 MPH. I WAS TOLD THE TURBO MANIFOLD WAS BAD SO I HAD ONE PUT ON. THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED MAKING A CHA CHA CHA NOISE. I TOOK IT BACK AND HAD TO GET ANOTHER TURBO, ONCE AGAIN SAME THING. KIA DEALERS SAID TURBO AGAIN. SO I'M OUT LABOR AND TURBO COST ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE TO WORK I NEED MY CAR, I NEED IT FIXED NOW. I LOVE THE CAR BUT I AM SO SICK OF STRESSING OVER EXPENSES, AND LOOSING MY JOB NOT ABLE TO GET THERE. I JUST WANT IT FIXED CORRECTLY, OR MONEY TO GET A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. I'VE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY GMC,CHEVY AND PONTIAC VEHICLES. I DO LOVE MY KIA BUT I WILL GO BACK TO THE MOST RELIABLE CAR. NO POWER IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF BUT THE CAR BOGS DOWN. SO I YOU WILL I REALLY NEED TO FIND A MECHANIC THAT CAN TELL ME WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG AND FIX IT. FIVE MECHANICS APPARENTLY DON'T KNOW EITHER. I DON'T NEED MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. SO PLEASE TELL ME SOME GOOD NEWS THAT I WILL HAVE A DEPENDABLE CAR SOON.

NHTSA ODI 11362621

THE CAR SPED IS FASTER THAN WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER DAY. THE CAR JERKS WHEN YOU ARE SITTING IDLE. THE OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WHEN THE OIL STICK SHOW THAT'S ITS OIL IN THERE. CAR DON'T PICK UP SPEED FAST ENOUGH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330679

I WAS HEADED FROM OHIO TO MICHIGAN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND I GET THIS BURNING SMELL AND THEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS START FLASHING AND THEN THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY STOPS I POP THE HOOD OPEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT'S LEAKING OIL WHICH IS NOT MY FAULT CAUSE I JUST GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND THEN THE CAR JUST REFUSES TO START NOW I CAN GET THE LIGHTS ON AND STUFF BUT AS FOR THE ENGINE TURNING OVER IT'S JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN AND I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON ANYTHING AT ALL FOR THESE ENGINES CAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM

NHTSA ODI 11317959

VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOCKED THE STEERING CAPABILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11309990

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL OF THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED HAVING WHIPLASH; THE RIGHT ARM, CHEST AREA, AND RIGHT SHOULDER WERE ALL BRUISED BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A SECURITY OFFICER FROM THE PROPERTY TOOK A REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241824