Kia Optima Complaints (2015)

1,022 consumer complaints on file.

#11445039December 27, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for several weeks. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and approaching a traffic light, after depressing the brake pedal the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,115.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11445123December 27, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car caught on fire under the hood about 15 minutes after I drove and parked it. It was not running at the time the fire started. We tried to put it out with 2 fire extinguishers but were not able to. By the time the fire department arrived my car was completely engulfed in flames. It burnt to the ground and was a total loss!
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443032December 8, 2021
ENGINE
The engine failed and started smoking as I was pulling out into traffic. Thankfully I was able to pull to the side of the road to avoid a collision from cars behind me. The car was towed to Kia and the service department confirmed the engine seized and would need to be replaced but Kia will not replace the defective engine even with the class action lawsuits. It has not been 8 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442400December 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS:BULBS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:BULBS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that both front headlight bulbs, as well as the rear taillight bulbs, had repeatedly stopped working while driving, without warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that she had to replace the bulbs several times during the year. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers who were unable to determine the cause for the failures. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442242December 1, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Bluetooth Ring volume is ear piercing loud. When a call comes in on a paired phone it startles the driver and may be loud enough to damage hearing. If adjusted to a lower setting the call volume can’t be heard. When adjusting call volume to a usable level it increases the ring volume again so the next call has the load ring alert. Kia has a TSB# ELE 100 (REV4) on the issue but expects the customer to pay for diagnosis and software update to an out of warranty radio. Instructions in the TSB indicate this could be corrected with a USB software update. Most customers could install themselves from a software download if provided. In my opinion it is a safety issue and a recall should be issued.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442165November 30, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle made rattling sounds and was shaking and jerking. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for weekly oil consumption tests. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed carbon to cleanse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,516.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442168November 30, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while parked the vehicle would make a clicking noise coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441805November 27, 2021
ENGINE
Our car began making noise Wednesday, we took it to mechanic who says there's internal engine knock, and engine may need to be rebuilt or replaced. The issue is consistent with Kia's recent billion-dollar class action settlement, where engines were prone to failure fire. The class action claims window is closed. I don't want money, I just want the car fixed. I cannot afford this repair, nor should I have to for a car with under 60k miles. (Kia says it's not under warranty as we're the 2nd owner) I'm looking for any help or guidance for Kia to honor their obligation to repair dangerous vehicles. Please call or email with any feedback if possible - [XXX], [XXX]. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441080November 19, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident previously reported by telephone to NHTSA agent. On 11/19 while writing report online, [XXX] was accidentally disconnected from Internet at approximately 4:40PM CST. Lengthy comments with details. Can you retrieve? If not and again more briefly, an incident of dangerous unexpected engine shut down and engagement of limp mode occurred on 9/17/21 while [XXX], son, was traveling at 70-75mph in busy traffic on I-43 just north of Milwaukee. Engine eventually restarted but NO check engine light. Oil level okay. Fuel okay. Still precautionary check by [XXX] for possible engine error codes same day immediately after engine failure (limp mode) at Advance Auto in Manitowoc, WI and NO CODES FOUND. Subsequently NO CODES FOUND by dealer on 10/22/21 I have re-uploaded documents indicating Kia Tech Support states "Do not perform any repairs if the concern cannot be duplicated" and also "see if the customer can duplicate it for you." That is absurd and completely irresponsible nonsense! Customer or other driver should drive at high speeds hoping for engine shut-down? Personal injury? Property damage? Death? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer stated 2015 Kia Optima engine replacement per Kia lifetime warranty on 2/16/22. Vehicle has been diagnoised.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440841November 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440443November 15, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was in limp mode. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle with the PUSH TO START button however, the vehicle failed to operate. The contact mentioned that there was a waiting period before being able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. Engine has been replaced. At time of the incident on 9/17/21, no DTC code was registered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440224November 12, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road after the failure. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact was then informed by the dealer that the engine had locked up and needed to be replaced. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and she was informed that since an engine software update was not performed on the vehicle, they would not assist with the repair of the vehicle. The contact spoke directly to the manufacturer and the manufacturer again declined to assist. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 90,423.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440061November 10, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2015 White Kia Optima and the paint started chipping a few months ago in just one area on the passenger side back door. I took it to a Kia dealer in Irvine, CA and they said it was not a covered item. I believe it should be a covered item and would like assistance getting it repaired please.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439823November 9, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
•A small spot the size of a half-dollar formed on the exterior paint (pearl white) on the passenger side rear door and has since expanded to the size of two fists. •I brought the vehicle to a reputable body repair shop that was recommended by my auto insurance provider to get the area repainted. •The body shop reports that the paint is “delaminating” and is not adhering to the primer. •There are countless related complaints online from vehicle owners with the same year, make and model – yet no recall has been issued by Kia. •There are no warnings to alert the driver to this problem. However, over time, the exposed metal will rust and the door will eventually corrode, putting the passenger at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439440November 4, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2015 Kia Optima has shown signs of paint chipping for the past year in the half. At first a minor inconvenience, now is becoming a major problem with parts of the body starting to rust and larger sections beginning to peel as well. While paint deterioration is expected on a car, it shouldn't happen as early as 5 years in or less than 80,000 miles. I am worried that paint will continue to peel off and the body work will continue to rust. The car has not been looked at by the manufacturer and various site across the internet have shown that the Pearl White Paint color is the sole color that has experienced this problem. The Hood, A Pillar, and rood railings are all experiencing this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438832November 1, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It just started losing power. I looked it up online and there is a recall on the knock sensor harness/glow plug. Will not go over 60 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438351October 27, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact’s dad stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the starter replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under a recall for the starter. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435565October 5, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she was able to continue to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435435October 4, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a complete stop at a stop sign and loss motive power. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence. The contact who works as an independent mechanic, self-diagnosed the failure as the engine seized and was not moving with the crankshaft. There was no metal found in the oil or oil filter. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435181October 1, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2015 kia optima with snow white pearl paint is peeling and delaminating without any prior damage. An independent shop reviewed the paint and agreed that it was a factory paint failure. They started to appear a few years after I bought it but I passed it off as regular stone chipping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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