138 of the
1,400 complaints about the 2015 KIA Optima are about the
other systems — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
61,277 miles.
I was driving on the freeway and a system warning came up “check hybrid system” and the car went limp. Thankfully I was able to get off safely from the momentum this time, but it has stopped in the middle of the street before. This is the second time it’s shut down this year. I took it in last year for the same problem. I took it to the Kia dealership and they stated there’s nothing no wrong with it.
NHTSA complaint #11736681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nothing
NHTSA complaint #11719898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleves, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is peeling off all over my car. I see this is a known issue with the white paint and nothing is being done about it. I have touched up a few spots but it is only getting worse
NHTSA complaint #11718562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
**This complaint isn't directly related to the safety of the car** However, due to outstanding number of similar cases i've witness online. I would like to formally make a complaint for the defective White paint on my Kia vehicle. Like many other "white" Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the white paint is bubbling and peeling from multiple areas of my vehicle all at once. I have always taken care of and hand washed my car, so i know the paint isn't peeling because of user/owner damage. Road debris would also only cause paint damage on the front bumper and/or hood, which doesn't explain the bubbling and peeling happening on all the other parts of my car.
NHTSA complaint #11712126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I’ve gotten my vehicle fixed four times now thinking it was an electrical issue, not aware of the recall. Did my research this fifth time when my brake lights completely went out and smoke at some point in times come through my air-conditioning. I’ve spent more money trying to fix the vehicle with no idea that there were issues already about it.
NHTSA complaint #11711673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Las Vegas, NVFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Kia OptimaLX had no check engine light not running any different no warning or light indicators turned on but car caught on fire while parked after only driving less than 5mins less than 1 mile from home. Entire front dash burned all the way to the gear shift. Every recall notice recieved was taken care of as soon as I was notified that there was a recall and they had the part to change it out. The engine was part of the recall and was replaced and a fuse module box was replaced 1 month or less from the time of the fire. Car is considered a total loss from insurance company.
NHTSA complaint #11709571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car is experiencing the same problem reported on technical service bulletin SA187 (Blind spot detection (BSD) system logic improvement (SA 187)) BUT KIA states my VIN number is not listed under the service bulletin and therefore I have to pay $189 to get a software upgrade done. The "Check BSD system" illuminated in the instrument cluster has been cleared twice by my mechanic and still comes back after a few days. To me this issue should have been made a recall because of its criticality... the BSD system is a core safety feature of cars and reduces accidents substantially. There was no way for me to know my car has this problem unless it is made a recall. I have NOT had any accident related to this issue but i had to pick an incident date to complete this complaint. I have called KIA customer service at 1-800-333-4542 twice to find out whether the VIN number should be included in the service bulletin and the answer was no and whether i should report this to NHTSA with the possibility that certain VIN numbers were left out of the service bulletin in error. No answer as to what to do to investigate this was given by KIA. That's why i'm reporting this on here. The service bulletin has been attached to this complaint. My question to NHTSA is whether certain vehicles were left out of the service bulletin in error and whether the manufacturer is liable for the repair at no cost to the consumer. If NHTSA finds out the manufacturer is liable will you notify them to pay on a case per case basis or will you make this service bulletin a recall? Again this is SAFETY HAZARD that can cause crashes and accidents. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11707481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheyenne, WY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is cracking and peeling off by the back window on the roof creating rust areas.
NHTSA complaint #11699630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mccomb, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car just shut off
NHTSA complaint #11687022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint peeling
NHTSA complaint #11681111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thornton, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Well my paint is peeling everywhere I only had car 4 years, I can barely wash it because the car wash takes more paint off, I seen Hyundai do a paint recall or something like that so I'm wondering if it's the same for Kia.
NHTSA complaint #11680291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car makes a raddled noise when turn on and the car turns off when I press the brakes
NHTSA complaint #11671879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buena Park, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint flakes and chips while driving or during car washes. Paint is "Snow White Peral". Numerous complaints have been filed about this paint to Kia as well. Kia needs to make this right.
NHTSA complaint #11669580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought the car odometer and title both said 98xxx on the car. 3 days after I purchased the car the motor started knocking. Come to find out the actual miles are over 240,xxx. The mileage has been rolled back on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11656353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Saint Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
on 1/18/2025 my teenage daughter was driving down the highway at a speed of around 70 MPH when she heard a loud boom and her sunroof front panel blew broken glass into her car and all over her. She did not run into anything or see any items fly in the air at her car
NHTSA complaint #11639710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to file a complaint regarding a 2015 Kia Optima I purchased from Synergy Auto Deals LLC (formerly located at 1001 S State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023). The dealership failed to disclose a critical open safety recall on the vehicle at the time of sale, which I believe violates consumer safety standards and puts me at significant risk. Details of the Complaint 1. Undisclosed Safety Recall: • The vehicle has an open safety recall that was never disclosed during the purchase process. I only became aware of the recall after the sale, which has caused significant inconvenience and concern about my safety. 2. Dealer Misrepresentation: • In addition to failing to disclose the safety recall, the dealership misrepresented other aspects of the sale, including the price and fees, and employed deceptive practices during the loan approval process. 3. Expenses Incurred: • As a result of these issues, I have incurred additional costs, including: • Gas mileage to address the recall issue • New tires • Monthly payments for a vehicle that was sold under false pretenses • Insurance payments • Costs for repairs related to the recall Vehicle Information • Year: 2015 • Make: Kia • Model: Optima Desired Resolution I am requesting the NHTSA to: • Investigate this dealership’s practices, particularly regarding the failure to disclose safety recalls. • Assess whether this case is part of a broader pattern that may require additional enforcement actions. • Provide guidance on any potential remedies or reimbursements available for these safety-related violations. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
NHTSA complaint #11636977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lovington, NM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is serious peeling/delamination of the paint off of my car.
NHTSA complaint #11636048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adairsville, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle is painted in the Snow White Pearl. The paint started out looking almost "bubbled" but definitely showed serious signs of delamination, quickly after noticing the delamination, the paint flaked off in relatively large pieces all over my vehicle. There is paint missing from the hood, the roof, the back passenger side door, the quarter back panel of the passenger side, and one chip on the driver side door. I reached out to KIA regarding the issue and was told that there is nothing that can be done. I have gotten to the point that i cannot stand to look at the car I once loved so much, it is a shame. KIA is a company that I have been loyal to when it comes to vehicles and I have only owned KIA's since 2008 but after this issue I am almost embarrassed to show up anywhere driving this car.. and even more so I am upset that KIA will not do what it takes to remedy this issue for myself and so many others.
NHTSA complaint #11633925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shasta Lake, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine may be blown not sure what all is affected. Engine died while driving. Trying to start makes a loud knocking in engine compartment.
NHTSA complaint #11613317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lufkin, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hi I have a 2015 Kia optima white(pearl). Like many other white Kia’s on the road, my paint is continuously simply flaking off. This problem is being ignored by Kia which is very frustrating. How is it that Kia is able to avoid this problem when several Kia’s are having the same problem but because our cars are “ out of warranty” for the useless first 3 years paint warranty they claim to have it’s ok. It’s outrageous a 2015 shouldn’t be having paint problems that insane to even think about.
NHTSA complaint #11609866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the expressway onto the exit ramp going about 75 mph when my car suddenly slowed down even though my foot was on the pedal as i kept trying to drive, it was slowing down. The temp gauge was exactly in the middle and the rpm was at 0. The mph was at 60 mph even though it was slowing down it didnt change on the reader. When i realized the mph on the reader was not changing all the service lights came out on the dash. So I idled to a stop on the side of the road when I got out of the car I realized there was smoke coming from the hood and it had a really awful smell of something burning. I know the engine didnt over heat because the coolant reservoir is full and the upper radiator hose had pressure. Ive been having an issue with burning oil so I topped it off with a qt of oil. I left the car off for about 2 hours and then tried to start it and the engine would not start , the break pedal became hard to push down but the burning smell got worse. So i decided to turn the car off again. Meanwhile im still stuck on the side of the road. I watched a couple of youtube videos and there are many people having the same issue with the radiator fan, or a leak in a pipe or hose, or some sort of sensor.
NHTSA complaint #11603933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bullock, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Window regular has been replaced 2 times in 2 years.Having problems again with the same drivers side window. Costing over $600.Window keep getting off track want go up and or down. COULDN'T drve rain pouring in .Regulator replaced year 2022, 2023 now awaiting a appointment for another replacement
NHTSA complaint #11600737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stolen using a usb cord and they tore my steering column, key ignition and brok my driver side passenger window.
NHTSA complaint #11600818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oroville, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The back passenger door wont close, the door latch is broken making it to where it will fly open at any time driving down the road.
NHTSA complaint #11597965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garnerville, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall It smells like burning
NHTSA complaint #11594977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairview, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a leak in my truck after it rains.
NHTSA complaint #11588710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hybrid system malfunction
NHTSA complaint #11587630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My paint is delaminating all over my vehicle and is flying off in large sheets. My car now has metal exposed which is susceptible to rust which poses a risk to the structure of my vehicle and the potential of my windshield flying off as a result. This first started occurring about a year ago. KIA fails to recognize this manufacturer defect and it continues to delaminate at an alarming rate.
NHTSA complaint #11587403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henrico, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Not sure what the exact problem is and my mechanic cannot figure out either, I had the car a little over a year purchased from carvana! First few months the brakes started messing up got caught in the rain ran into a trash can left minor scartches but nothing was wrong internally. September got side swiped on the highway not a reportable accident but I had to change whatever held the wheel literally everything that holds the right wheel had to be changed and after that incident a sensor came off, traction with wheels off but still drivable, about 3 days ago the engine just started making a cracking sound mechanic said it was some sensors he changed both and still making the weird noise, only had the car for a year and my mechanic cannot pinpoint the problem and suspects some type of engine issue which idk if it’s a recall on Kia optima’s or not because I don’t drive crazy!
NHTSA complaint #11585700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Dimas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I received a safety recall notice in November 2023 stating that there is defect with Hydraulic Electrical Control Unit (HECU) in my car that can result in an engine compartment fire either while I am driving my car or when it is parked. As of April 2024, I am still waiting to be notified that the part to fix this issue is available. This delay is putting my life and my children's lives at risk every time we drive in our only car, as well as the drivers around me if my car catches on fire when I am near them. In addition, this issue puts our home, as well as our neighbors' homes, at risk of catching on fire since I am not able to park outdoors away from other cars and structures as was recommended. In the past few days, I have felt a difference in my car's performance and today 04/19/24, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warning light turned on. According to the notice I received, I am supposed to stop driving my car and have it taken to a dealership immediately if this happens. However, I called my local dealership, and the earliest appointment available is on 05/13/24. I have no other car and cannot afford to drive a rental car for almost 30 days. I have been placed into a horrible situation because of this major issue. I have to risk my safety every time I am in car and even when it is simply parked because of this. This is completely unacceptable, and Kia should be held responsible immediately as I have no other means to remedy this problem.
NHTSA complaint #11584168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.