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

Engine lost power and when restart was attempted, it could torn turn over. Tried restarting 3 times with no success. After this, smoke started coming from the hood. I opened the hood and noticed a small flame at the driver side bottom of the engine compartment. Flame intensified and grew and eventually I extinguished with a fire extinguisher. I had just replaced the starter that same week and replaced some wiring at a local car repair facility.

NHTSA ODI 11552409

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

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON THE 57 FREEWAY AND MY CAR STOP RUNNING AND I PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE. EVERYTHING STARTED IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED KIA AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME.

NHTSA ODI 11541660

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

I driving my vehicle is just started powering down and didn’t want to turn on again. We jumped started it thinking it was the battery but it checked out fine. The vehicle doesn’t want to start anymore and the mobile mechanic said the engine had ti be replaced since it was off the timing loop. No engine or vehicle lights were in and no prior issues were appearing.

NHTSA ODI 11533417

Car was stolen because of kia issue

NHTSA ODI 11529972

My air and heat stopped blowing air on 4 (high speed) I took to mechanic who couldn’t find a issue with the resistor, motor, or any components related to it so he took the dash off to check the climate control. The connector going into the back of the switch control to control the temperature speed was burnt and so was the unit. He said it was a wonder my car hadn’t caught on fire and it should have blown a fuse before burning that bad. I did get pics of the connector but didn’t of the control panel. I am now afraid to drive my vehicle as this is a expensive repair and their seems to be a lot of electrical issues with Kia from what I am finding and I don’t even have this vehicle paid for yet. They replaced a motor in December due to failed components on their end

NHTSA ODI 11526071

The vehicle had electrical fire. While driving smoke and electric fire smell started to fill the cabin. Pull off the road and exited the vehicle. All vehicle caution indicators were lit up on the dashboard, engine, battery, temp, etc indicators. Shut off car called roadside assistance. Car smelled or charred electric components. Had it towed to the manufacturer dealership. Waiting on response from KIA to determine cause of electrical fire.

NHTSA ODI 11520888

Driving on highway at 65 mph and engine just died with no warning. Almost got hit trying to get off the expressway to the side of road. Had car towed home and checked engine. Engine is seized up completely.

NHTSA ODI 11520995

The vehicle caught fire

NHTSA ODI 11518984

1.Since 1/17/23 I've had 5 occurrences of the car yanking me to the left as I am turning right. The steering wheel gets stiffed, the dashboard lights come one, car slows down and I have to park the car and turn it off and back on. When I turn it back on, no dashboard lights are on and the everything is back to normal as if nothing ever happened. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 3 times for a diagnostics and nothing comes up. The vehicles computer is not even tracing the times the dashboard lights have turned on as it shows zero history and that is not the case. I have taken pictures and video of the dashboard lights and have showed the guys at the dealership but since there's no record on the dashboard computer/history, they're not able to determine the problem. 2.My safety has been put at risk as I can get involved in a car accident and involve others safety at risk as well. The vehicle doesn't give any prior signs when it's going to act up when turning to the right, therefore it can happen at any given time. The first time I was leaving a parking lot and it happened on the freeway feeder. I towed my vehicle to the dealership the first time as I was in fear of driving it only to be told they can't find the issue. 3.The dealership has ran 3 different diagnostics on 3 different occasions and nothing comes up. It is still unresolved. 4. Kia service department has inspected in on 3 different occasions since the first incident. 5. No warning lamps or warnings of any sort before the first incident.

NHTSA ODI 11514402

Knock sensor replaced due to engine knocking did not fix the problem the cars engine does not work it julks and pulls really hard engine noise check engine flashing left me stalled on the main highway with my 2 children with no warning the car has engine oil to adequate levels maintenance was up to date

NHTSA ODI 11514294

Rear outer TAIL LAMP combination assemblies (NOT the inner lights on the trunk lid) have failed Virginia State SAFETY Inspection due to accumulation of moisture and standing water in BOTH left and right outer tail lamps, causing LEDs in the tail lamp assembly to burn out and not illuminate. There have already been multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) on the matter (i.e. KIA TSB PS364, KIA TSB BOD143, KIA TSB BOD172), and the cause outlined in these TSBs has been a DEFECT in design leading to a gap between the tail lamp housing gasket and the vehicle body allowing WATER INTRUSION. KIA has neglected to inspect, fix, or add additional gaskets per their instructions during eligible warranty periods, and extended warranties refuse to fix the issue as they classify it as water intrusion. This pins the financial burden to fix the safety issue on the customer/driver, as KIA dealers have quoted $1,232.46 for replacement of these tail lamps. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Components: Rear outer tail lamp combination assemblies (both left and right) (NOT the lamps on the trunk lid). Inspection availability: LIMITED due to significant time pressure and inconvenience (since the tail lamps have caused the vehicle to fail Virginia State Safety Inspection, the car needs to be fixed ASAP to resume commute to work, etc.) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Lower visibility for others, may result in incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Confirmed by KIA dealer themselves. Also, multiple customer complaints on internet, as well as TSBs. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? KIA dealer did not inspect during warranty. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No and UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11510754

The driver side brake light and tail light is out. I have noticed this same problem on a few other Optimas' in my neighborhood about the same year as mine. There is a YouTube video saying it's because of the tail light connector.

NHTSA ODI 11508125

Car has been broken in twice. First they stole all my belongings. The second time they took my car and got a ticket and destroyed the inside of it. The car can easily be stolen again. Only option I have is use the steering wheel lock that I purchased at autozone

NHTSA ODI 11507714

On 1 30-30 2023 my vehicle spun a rod bearing no engine light came on no oil light alert. I have a lifetime warranty & I'm just learning of a recall NHTSA SAFETY ID# 21V331000, to which I did not receive any notifications or recall notices

NHTSA ODI 11506490

The lack of an ignition immobilizer facilitated an easy car theft and unauthorized use of the vehicle. A mechanic has confirmed that due to the lack of an immobilizer, anti-theft features were overridden, leading to a car theft. Insurance, police, and mechanics have all inspected the vehicle and state the cars theft was a result of the known fact that KIA ignitions can be started with a USB. The manufacturer, KIA, failed to keep up with industry standards to protect their customer's cars from theft, and now that the problem has intensified, they have not taken action to help consumers affected.

NHTSA ODI 11505266

Anti Theft Security system is non-existent. There is a current known issue on the internet on the ease of theft of any Kia or Hyundai to certain years of manufacture. I am currently a single disabled person that could be a victim of vehicle theft because of a lack of this security software that Kia did not include on my 2015 vehicle. This Kia/Hyundai known issue could potentially leave anyone stranded in a dangerous situation. All other prior and current vehicles are equipped with the security software. Currently Kia & Hyundai has provided Lock bars for certain police departments to hand out, however .. not in my area. I am receiving warning letters from my Insurance company and have heard of some totally dropping coverages on all vehicles manufactured without the security software. This is a very dangerous situation and I believe that ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED SHOULD BE ISSUED AN IMMEDIATE RECALL AND SOFTWARE UPDATE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS AT NO COST TO CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. A proposed class action lawsuit was started in September 2022. In the meantime.. what happens to innocent people who go to a grocery store or doctors office only to find that their car had been stolen while they were inside? Or what happens when they can no longer receive insurance coverage because of the ease of this known lack of security originally promised from the manufacturer? These particular Kia/Hyundai's are missing a "key" anti-theft device..their keys lack computer chips for theft "immobilizer" systems that other car manufacturers have as a standard theft deterrant during those same years of manufacture & currently have on all new vehicles. A MANDATORY RECALL FOR REPAIR SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSE TO INSURE THESE VEHICLES! Anti-Theft technology was included on the sticker price but not installed! I am afraid to go to the grocery store!!

NHTSA ODI 11504564

As I was driving on the Interstate, my car lost power and I was unable to push on my gas or use my brakes to slow down to pull off the interstate. Lights begin flashing with a warning that read “ Check Hybrid system. Stop vehicle and turn off engine. This is the second time this has happened but before my car shut off and didn’t turn back on. I was going to be hit by a semi truck had he not swerved around. Also, this the 5th time this week it has happened.

NHTSA ODI 11489898

2015 Kia Optima Hybrid HEV system. Months after purchasing the vehicle two different lights would come on the engine. One is the HEV warning light and the other is a flashing “Turn off engine and check HEV system”. The first time it happened the vehicle turned off. It was towed to Kia, 02/2020. They change some sensor and sent me on my way. 3 weeks later the HEV warning light came on again so it was towed to Kia for the 2nd time, 03/2020. This time they said they could not recreate the issue. A month later the light came on again and again but since the light never stayed on, I kept getting told by Kia that I’d have to take it in when the light stayed on. 01/2021 the light came on again, with the flashing warning and the vehicle turned off, mid-drive. It was towed to a mechanic shop near me, where they replaced the wiring harness completely, but a month later the same light came on again. Over the course of the year, the warnings kept turning up and time and time I kept getting told they needed the light on at the dealer so they could determine with the codes, what is wrong. 07/2022, light came on as I was merging on to the freeway and the car shut off. I was able to make it turn on and make it home safe. The next day I towed it to the shop where they replaced the wiring harness and they stated they could not touch it further since the codes they got where “High voltage battery” codes and a specific tech is the only one when could work on it. I took it to Kia where it stayed 33 days. They changed a part. Two days later the HEV light came on again, so I took it back. They kept it one day, drove it 60 miles and they could not recreate the issue. I got it back on Saturday, 5 miles out the light came back again and again. I took video. Called Kia and now the car is back at the dealer while they try and figure out the issue. I’m scared for my life. The car gives no warning when it decides to shut off. Wheel locks on the times it does turn off. HEV system is no good.

NHTSA ODI 11484326

I BEEN REPORTED THE RECALL ABOUT MY CAR ENGINE AND OTHER PROBLEMS THATS GOING ON WITH IT BUT THE MANUFACTURER WON’T FIX IT SO WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HAVE ALL THESE RECALLS FIXED

NHTSA ODI 11479941

Brake Failure, Having to pump brakes in order to stop vehicle, driver rear tail light burning, causing short in wiring

NHTSA ODI 11479707

For one my car is very sluggish when taking off and shifting gears Jerks badly. MY electrical is messing up on my radio and camera. Sometimes I smell rubber burning. When I have my cruise on it will speed up on its on and jerk when it does and when i press my brakesbto slow down it doesn'twant to slow down unless iash really hard. When taking off from a hill or a dead stop it doesn't want to shift and slags and rattles when it shifts. Bluetooth works sometimes and sometimes it doest it depends on when my backup camera works or not. I bought this car used in June of 2021 with a little over 92000 miles. I know when something doesn't sound right and when something is messed up, there is something wrong with my car. So far I haven't been in an accident but I don't want to be either.

NHTSA ODI 11479674

Engine Failure due to rod bearing issues-faulty manufacturing parts appears to have gotten into engine preventing or binding the engine so that it will not start.

NHTSA ODI 11477868

Just bought the car. Drove it off lot & engine quit on me. Wont go over 25 mph. They won’t refund my money. So I’m on phone with Kia consumer affairs. If they don’t get it fixed/replaced/or buy the car back then I am contacting the lawyers who have the lawsuits against Kia & add my case to their lawsuit. This is ridiculous how many people on here that I see Kia is denying them for replacement of motor due to their company!! They need to get it together or just quit making cars! They suck! I bought it in good faith hoping it was a reliable car. Now I’m $9k out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11473971