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

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the electric parking brake light illuminated indicating that the parking brake was engaged. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) had experienced an internal electrical short. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11586434

- The issue occurred for the first time 4/30/2024 - The following 3 warning lights appeared while I was driving: ABS, Traction Control, and Brake - I took the vehicle immediately to a facility to have the warning codes read. The printout showed: C2402 & C2380 - The warning lights remain illuminated every time the vehicle is turned on - I believe there is a safety concern of a potential fire or brake failure

NHTSA ODI 11586221

I've been having an issue with my car just out of the blue breaking while I'm going into it seems to be only a left turn I had let Kia know about this when I took it in for the other recalls just recently nobody seemed to have any idea of what was going on or look at me like I was crazy I guess and now I see this recall that explains everything to a tee of what my car is doing I need somebody to contact me please. This has almost gotten me into serious accidents on more than one occasion

NHTSA ODI 11584407

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the check engine and several other warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating, and the contact was concerned about a possible fire. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that she waited about 30 minutes and restarted the vehicle and drove back to her residence. The manufacturer was not made aware. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11580595

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11579372

Car stalled. Received check Brakes warning. ABS pump motor voltage fault message.

NHTSA ODI 11579134

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11578973

Coming to a stop and breaks go to floor u will freak out this happens in 2 different times

NHTSA ODI 11578289

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11577539

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576933

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor detected inside the vehicle. There was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over and checked the oil, antifreeze, and other fluids. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and changed the 02 sensor and informed the contact to keep the vents closed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11576233

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11575350

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed the vehicle was smoking and on fire. The contact stated the vehicle was equipped with tinted windows, and when he opened the driver's front door, the contact noticed smoke and fire in the interior of the vehicle. The contact called the fire department. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact was treated for smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer inspected the vehicle but did not provide the contact with a report. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11569464

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11567782

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11565219

The contact owed a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact started the vehicle to warm it up and went back into the house while the vehicle warmed up. The contact stated that when she returned from the house to enter the vehicle, the vehicle had independently turned off. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle, however the contact noticed smoke exiting from under the vehicle hood. The contact stated the vehicle was turned off and a family member attempted to raise the engine hood when he noticed the hood was too hot to touch. The contact stated smoke and fire exited from under the engine hood. The contact called the fire department. The local fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact stated that her younger brother suffered a panic attack. The contact stated that the burned vehicle remained in the residential driveway. The dealer was unaware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11559917

1. While stepping on the brakes my car has revved up as if I was pressing the gas. So I let my foot off the pedal and pressed the brakes again. This happened 2 times that week. And another time while I was coming to a stop light as I pressed the brakes, my car revved up but didn’t actually make my car speed up. I had to press the brakes again for it to stop. 2. My battery was smoking and I replaced it. 3. My car is consuming oil. The dealership did a series of oil consumption testing due to the exhaust leaving extra carbon residue on my car. They said it was fine but I don’t think they solved the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11559073

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11559204

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, she observed a burning odor inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557214

My car started smoking while parked at work for no reason and I had to call the fire department. It stop smoking by the time the fire department came. I had it towed to the Dealer. My brakes are a mess but especially on a wet road you have to pump them to try to stop. I have taken it to the Dealer and of course they find nothing wrong. I told them to test drive it on a wet raining day and try to stop hard. Supposedly they could not but I have almost been it several accidents and had to run through a red light because I could not stop. So, I try to drive this car on a rainy day or drive slowly. This car has been trouble since I got it and the dealer will not listen.

NHTSA ODI 11550399

My vehicle has 82000 miles and was due for new brakes. I an a retired former dealership technician so I decided to replace the brakes myself. When I removed the front brake calipers, I saw an unusual amount of rust of the steel caliper pistons. I've done thousands of "brake jobs" in my 30 years and I've never seen a caliper piston this bad. I plan on buying and replacing them soon. My concern is that these pistons look like they would rust completely through causing a failure of the brakes. This shouldn't happen on a 2015 MY vehicle or any vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11547580

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving after a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that an unstated hose had failed, causing the engine to seize. The contact called an unknown local dealer and was informed that the warranty on the vehicle was under another person's name. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547143

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes and the steering column were inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull off to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the engine started smoking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in December 2020 and March 2023, recall repairs were completed on the ABS and TCU modules. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 94,700.

NHTSA ODI 11543474

Warning message appeared on the dashboard regarding HECU malfunction. Kia was contacted and stated the car is not covered under a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11538311