What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2015 KIA Optima

Typical pattern

1.4% of complaints about the 2015 KIA Optima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2015 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (621 complaints), typically at 7.4 yr or about 87,992 miles.

Complaints
1,398
Median age at failure
7.5 yr
Median mileage
80,000 n=665
Crash / fire / tow
20.9% of reports
Safety recalls
4 3 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
621 reports · 87,992 mi
7.4 yr
21.3%
Other
138 reports · 62,555 mi
7.6 yr
7.2%
Electrical system
136 reports · 84,000 mi
8.0 yr
28.7%
Structure
75 reports · 56,000 mi
7.7 yr
13.3%
Steering
67 reports · 44,000 mi
5.1 yr
11.9%
Service brakes
49 reports · 35,000 mi
7.4 yr
22.4%
Power train
49 reports · 82,794 mi
7.5 yr
6.1%
Fuel / propulsion
46 reports · 92,000 mi
7.3 yr
23.9%
Service brakes, hydraulic
40 reports · 108,000 mi
9.3 yr
40%
Speed control
34 reports · 61,000 mi
7.2 yr
14.7%
Engine cooling
31 reports · 102,589 mi
9.3 yr
61.3%
Air bags
26 reports · 66,000 mi
7.5 yr
50%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V652000 2023-09-25 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

21V331000 2021-05-10 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

20V519000 2020-08-27 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Steering 100 mi 0 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 01/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
Steering 300 mi 6 mo in service
THE CAR IS UNABLE TO KEEP A STRAIGHT COURSE WITHOUT CONSTANTLY STEERING CORRECTIONS. EYES CAN'T BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD EVEN TO LOOK AT THE REARVIEW MIRROR. IT WILL GO FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER WITH ANY MINOR BUMP OR EVEN ON A VERY FLAT SURFACE. WIGGLING OF THE STEERING IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP IT ON A STRAIGHT LINE BUT EYES HAVE TO BE ON THE ROAD 100%. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON ANY ROAD BUT SPECIALLY ON A TWO-LANE ROAD. ACCIDENTS INCLUDING HEAD-ON COLLISION ARE SURE TO HAPPEN. KIA IS NOT DOING MUCH/ANYTHING ABOUT IT. CAR IS ONLY 1500 MILES NOW. *TR
Steering 6,000 mi 6 mo in service
CANNOT CONTROL THE CAR STEERING. UNSAFE AT HIGH SPEEDS. WIND IS ALSO A FACTOR, MOVING THE CAR FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. CANNOT CHANGE LANES WITHOUT LOOSING CONTROL. VERY UNSAFE AND STRESSFUL TO DRIVE. *TR
Other 121 mi 0 mo in service
PAINT ON HOOD ROOF TRUNK HAD SPOTS IN PAINT ORANGE PEEL IN PAINT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR

Other Optima model years

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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