2015 Kia Optima — Known Issues & Recalls

Your engine suddenly shut off while driving, and when you tried to restart it, smoke came from under the hood. The engine appears to be locked up and won't turn over. Your engine may have suffered internal damage that requires a complete engine rebuild or replacement.

The vehicle started making a loud knocking/tapping noise while driving. The vehicle has randomly acted as if it was going to stall while driving prior to the knocking. Instantly the car was brought home and parked.

Valve cover leaking and oil dripping oil on exhaust at 114k miles. Risk of engine fire.

On Friday, February 27, 2026. This vehicle is being driven and vehicle seized and disabled on the road. In the middle of rush hour, traffic in a dangerous spot, local police had to be called out to assist, as no location was identified for a tow truck to be able to pick it up...

Engine failure while driving on freeway. Almost hit by semi truck. Towed to Dealership.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road.

Engine seized and won’t turn at all

I've had car for not very long and rid bearings now all of a sudden went out and engine is bad at this point and don't understand why my vehicle wouldn't be included in all the different recalls for 2015 optima because it's one of the years of theta 2 engine being recalled and mine says 0 recalls why is that?

The contact is calling on behalf of her grandson for a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while he was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and stalled. The contact stated he restarted the vehicle and was able to shift to drive (D), but the vehicle again stalled.

Your ABS warning light came on while driving, and your car suddenly went into limp mode, slowing down to 5 MPH and jerking abnormally. This happened at 158,872 miles, and your car wasn't properly repaired even after you took it to the dealer. While there are active recalls for this brake system issue on your model year, your specific vehicle wasn't included in them.

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

**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.

While driving at 60 MPH, your 2015 Kia Optima began vibrating, and you noticed smoke coming from underneath the vehicle and hood. The vehicle caught fire and the engine caught fire before the fire department arrived. State troopers suspected an electrical short caused the fire. Before the fire, you had noticed the vehicle vibrating when idling, but no warning lights appeared on the dashboard.

On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, power loss, and failure while driving at 65 MPH on a highway. The vehicle dropped into limp mode and I had to pull off the highway. The car required towing to the dealership as it would not drive safely.

Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise and metal fell from under the hood. After pulling over, popping the hood on the passenger side and under the engine a fire had started.

Your airbag warning light is illuminated on your dashboard. This indicates a potential issue with your airbag system that needs to be diagnosed by a technician. The problem could range from a sensor malfunction to a wiring issue. A diagnostic scan will be needed to identify the specific cause and determine what repair is necessary.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood, and the engine overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle received an undisclosed engine repair.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side and passenger's side doors' exterior trims separated from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure.

Nothing