Recalls · problems · safety

2015 Kia Optima: recalls and problems

4 recalls and 1,020 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine.

4recalls
1,020complaints
31crashes reported
76fires reported
23injuries reported
3 recalls with a “do not drive” or “park outside” warning

Check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA straight away and follow the instructions in the notice.

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Engine627 · 61%
  • Unknown Or Other140 · 14%
  • Electrical System138 · 14%
  • Structure77 · 8%
  • Steering69 · 7%
  • Power Train50 · 5%
  • Service Brakes49 · 5%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System46 · 5%
  • Service Brakes (Hydraulic)40 · 4%
  • Vehicle Speed Control36 · 4%

What owners report

Vehicle Speed Control,Engine

My energy in my car started messing up with only 150,000 miles it had a long knocking sound and it would not got over 20 miles while driving

Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System Fire

My 2015 kia optima experienced a catastrophic engine fire while i was driving. there was no warning, i just heard a boom in the engine bay the breaks stopped working and all electrical cut out. as i'm coasting, because i'm unable to stop, flames started to come in through under the dash. i couldn't turn the car off, nor put it in park so the doors stayed locked. the driver window was opened just enough for me to grab

Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2015 kia optima. the contact stated that for over 8 years, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact became aware that there was an oil leak on the ground underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for the oil consumption failure; however, the dealer was unable to find a fault with the vehicle. t

Engine

The engine in my vehicle failed while putting the car into reverse to back into my garage. i thank god i wasn't on the road when this happened. i took the car into a mechanic who confirmed that the engine was locked and that the car was very low on oil(even though i had my oil changed by him a few months prior). there was an undetected oil leak that led to the engine failure. the warning indicators didn't appear on m

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2015 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering OPTIMA HYBRID, OPTIMA. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.