Kia Optima Complaints (2015)

1,022 consumer complaints on file.

#11456800March 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2015 KIA Optima EX with snow white pearl paint delamination on the trunk and roof similar to several other reports on the KIA forum website.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456858March 15, 2022
ENGINE
DEAN MCCRARY OF MOBILE AGREED TO FIX ALL ACTIVE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE ON 11/3/2021. THEY KEPT MY CAR UNTIL 12/4/2021 CAUSING HUNDREDS IN RENTAL FEES. MY CAR STILL HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL WHICH WAS ISSUED IN MAY, 2021. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME ALL RECALLS WOULD BE REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455460March 7, 2022
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Kia said they fixed recall on my car and lights are still on and I hydroplane and totaled my car
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11455434March 6, 2022
ENGINE
The morning of 3-1-2022, after driving for approximately 5 minutes, I noticed a ticking/knocking coming from the engine area. 10 minutes later, I stopped and opened the hood and it was definitely coming from the engine. This continued that evening when I went home. Sometimes it was quiet, but others times loud. I dropped it off at my mechanic the next morning, they later called saying it was an internal engine knock and they couldn't do anything with it. The next day I took it to another auto repair mechanic and was told the same thing, but they also said it needed a new motor, but to contact kia for any recalls. There are none for my 2015, but 2011-2014 DID have recalls and they were for the same problem I was having. I was given an appt for the following Tuesday, but by Friday afternoon the engine completely shut off while I was driving. Luckily, I was able to coast to a safe location. My check engine light NEVER came on for the 4 days I was having problems with it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455290March 5, 2022
ENGINE
While driving on the highway, car suddenly lost power which was dangerous because there was no shoulder to pull over out of the way of other vehicles, & another car could have slammed into the back of mine, luckily was able to coast far enough exit highway. Had car towed to shop was told the engine had seized up. With no warning at all. Then I learned about the recall for this car, unfortunately a little too late in my case.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455154March 4, 2022
ENGINE
While driving the vehicle the engine shut off with no warning in heavy traffic. 10 seconds before the check engine light came on and then just seized. 3 police officers came to push the vehicle to the roadside out of traffic. I never Knew of a KSDS install on this vehicle and Kia admits that there is a defective engine but will not fix the car since this install was not complete. The police officers told us that we were extremely lucky to have not been injured in an accident as we sat in the middle of the highway. So we now have a vehicle that we are paying for with a seized motor that kia admittedly knows was defective but they refuse to fix. We never got a notice to have this installed. When I look on your site, there is a recall but for something completely different. How are we to know anything needs to be installed if we are not notified and it’s not listed under the VIN? Please help! There are thousands of us with this same issue!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455270March 4, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost power brake assist and power steering assist however, the vehicle was able to safely pull off the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a non-affiliated dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454999March 3, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately, causing the vehicle to crash into a curve that fractured the lower control arm and damaged the tire rims, fender, and bumper. Additionally, the vehicle later failed to start. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that either the alternator or battery was faulty. The mechanic replaced the lower control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,403. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454853March 2, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving my 2015 Kia Optima hybrid with around 77,000 miles on the interstate at 70 mph when the HCS, battery management system and other hybrid battery warnings flashed on the screen. The display said to pullover over immediately and turn off the engine. The hybrid battery charge display went from mid charge to zero charge. The car went into limp mode with very limited power. Fortunately, I was able to get off the highway as there was an exit ramp close by. After turning off the car, it would not start again. I disconnected the 12V battery hoping it would clear it out but that didn't work. Had to get car towed to the Kia dealership. They replaced the hybrid battery's high voltage 125 Amp fuse with a 150 Amp fuse and the problem was fixed (cost of $370). A search on the internet revealed that this is a common occurrence on 2011 to 2016 Kia hybrids and Kia knows about this faulty/inadequate fuse problem but refuses to issue a recall. Kia issued a TSB #PS-515 DTC P1B25/P1B77 – 125 AMP HV FUSE INSPECTION that states to inspect the resistance on the factory 125 A fuse and replace if less than 1 Ohm resistance with new 150 A fuse. This is a relatively simple fix for Kia that could prevent a dangerous situation if the car were to lose power on a crowded interstate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454654March 1, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have my driver side tail light out, when I bought the car in 2019, they said I have 30 days to bring in my car so they can replace what needs fixing, well I hit day 32 and I’ve had to replace my tires, brakes, headlights and tail lights because they all went out on my own dime, now my brakes are making me nervous because sometimes it feels like my car isn’t slowing down to a stop and I have to slam them to stop sometimes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454404February 28, 2022
ENGINE
Every morning when I start the car and try to accelerate the car has no power, I have to stop turn the car off and restart the car again for their to be power. This simple restart works for a couple months before the check engine light comes on. When I take the car to Kia they tell me that because the diagnostics machine isn’t giving them a code they don’t know what to fix, however the diagnostics machine resets the check engine light and the process starts all over. This all started right before Kia replaced the motor on a recall. The car is doing the same thing as it was when I had it towed to them and they said the motor was seized up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453004February 19, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle lots brakes while driving, smell of gas and caught fire under hood. Engine had been completely replaced due to recall in January 2022 Vehicle was a complete loss, luckily son was able to get out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452234February 16, 2022
ENGINE
Battery, Fluid and Engine light came on and all the sudden car stop and died in the middle of the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451784February 13, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Window regulator failed. Broke while it was 4 degrees outside and middle of snow storm. Seen this is a common problem that should be recalled . As repairs will cost me $600 that i dont have . !!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451446February 10, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2015 Kia optima that started experiencing problems the week of January 26th. I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs and was advised to have my car towed to Van Guard Kia of Arlington TX since there were 2-3 recalls on the car that I was not aware of. I was told by Kia Consumer Affairs that if the problem with my car was related to a recall, that Kia would be responsible for the repair. I spoke with George (service manager at dealership) today and he informed me that my car would need a new motor and this is due to the recalls on the car. George also stated that I would be responsible for the cost of the repair. I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs again this morning and was told they would have to call dealership and get more information. I've never had any problems with my car besides regular maintenance. The problem with my car started within 1 week. I find it highly offensive for Kia to ask for me to pay for repairs for a issue with my car that I didn't cause. I owe less than $2,000 on my car and I have never been late on my payments. The cost of a new motor is $5800 plus tax. I shouldn't be responsible for any repairs that are due to a recall on the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451153February 9, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer who also stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,123.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451035February 8, 2022
ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED, CHECK OIL LIGHT OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. HAD TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN THE CAR AND KIA WOULD NOT FIX. PRODUCT UPDATE CAME ON THE CAR PRIOR TO US BUYING IT, SO WE HAD NO IDEA. CAR STOPPED ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING, LUCKILY NOONE WAS INJURED. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER IT WAS ALREADY CLOSED SO NOTHING WE CAN DO. KIA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE THEY SHOULD BE RESPONISBLE FOR FIXING IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451042February 8, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer also informed him that the knock sensor repair was not previously completed on the vehicle; however, the contact never received a notification from the manufacturer regarding the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451078February 8, 2022
ENGINE
My engine blew while driving home from work. I was driving 60 mph and the rod went through the bottom of my engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450582February 5, 2022
ENGINE
Without warning, my car died while I was driving it. The engine locked up. The engine is toast. No reason for this to have had happened. I'm now without a vehicle as a single mom. Thank God I wasn't turning in front of a semi when it just randomly died!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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