2015 Kia Optima problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2015 Kia Optima include 1 fatality report, 31 crashes and 74 fires across 1,007 filings.

1,007
Complaints
4
Recalls
31
Crash reports
74
Fire reports
23
Injuries
77.1
Severity index

Severity index 77.1 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 77.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 52 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 64% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 621 complaints (61.7%)621 62%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 139 complaints (13.8%)139 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 135 complaints (13.4%)135 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 89 complaints (8.8%)89 9%StructureStructure: 76 complaints (7.5%)76 8%SteeringSteering: 69 complaints (6.9%)69 7%Power TrainPower Train: 49 complaints (4.9%)49 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 46 complaints (4.6%)46 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE62161.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13913.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13513.4%
SERVICE BRAKES898.8%
STRUCTURE767.5%
STEERING696.9%
POWER TRAIN494.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM464.6%

Complaints filed per year

0801602014: 22015: 162016: 222017: 412018: 642019: 1082020: 992021: 832022: 1362023: 1592024: 1182025: 1112026: 48 (partial year)14151617181920212223159242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20142
201516
201622
201741
201864
2019108
202099
202183
2022136
2023159
2024118
2025111
2026 (year to date)48
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (388 against 318).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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 h
20V51900027/08/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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.
21V33100010/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Optima model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.