repaired · 2025 Q4
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2015 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,011 owner complaints about the 2015 Kia Optima, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2015 Kia Optima has problems
1,011 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
624Engine56 crash/fire/injury
135Electrical system29 crash/fire/injury
76Structure10 crash/fire/injury
69Steering
49Service brakes
49Power train
46Fuel/propulsion system
41Service brakes, hydraulic
36Vehicle speed control
14116 other systems29 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 624 | 56 |
| Electrical system | 135 | 29 |
| Structure | 76 | 10 |
| Steering | 69 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 49 | 9 |
| Power train | 49 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 46 | 11 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 41 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 36 | 3 |
| 16 other systems | 141 | 29 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2015 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
87kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 316 engine complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 49% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
22under 30k miles198under 100k miles118100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
29 owners mentioned a cost$5,800median
Middle half: $2,000 – $7,008
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2015 vs. every other Optima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2015 Kia Optima safety ratings
2015 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2015 Kia Optima, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
In owners' words
What Optima owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I was driving to work when all of the sudden I was pressing my gas, but I wasn't accelerating. I noticed my brakes and steering wheel were hard to push and turn. My car stopped in the middle of the road. I turned off my car and tried to turn the ignition and all I got was a single click. My engine,…
There is a known issue with this vehicle and the fix by KIA is not safe nor fair to the consumer. Kia's knock sensor recall centers on the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update for Theta II GDI engines. The update listens for rod bearing wear, triggers a check engine light and limp…
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
Own a 2015 Optima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.