general problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Optima

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.

I purchased my car in 2015 at 23k miles, now we're at 86k miles and I'm experiencing issues. How is there a recall for this car but no remedy yet when there is a high risk of fire? shouldn't there be a resolution for this safety concern? I noticed my car in 2022 would smoke here and there when driving, and I would smell burning. I took it to my mechanic and he changed the head gasket, and the smoking stopped. There is residue on my engine from a leak from the oil. My mechanic at the time told me I might still smell burning oil just due to that. As time went on things were fine but a year later, the oil smell came back stronger. I notice it only on longer drives, so I do believe my car is leaking oil. Also, the amount of time I've changed my break lights this year and head lights. They dim so fast over time and eventually go out to where I have to replace them. There is 100% an electrical issue going on.

Motor failed and kia replaced the motor. Now my dim lights and fog lights will not work. All fuse, relay, etc. . Has been tested along with bulb replacement….

When I drive at night the low beams are so dim I have to use high beams or fog lights to see.

Low beam head lights visibility maybe reaches 3-4 feet infront of car at max. Have upgraded bulbs twice to higher lumens but still must run hibeams at night. I drive mountain passes daily and must use hi beams, not safe for oncoming traffic.

Rear outer tail lamp combination assemblies (not the inner lights on the trunk lid) have failed virginia state safety inspection due to accumulation of moisture and standing water in both left and right outer tail lamps, causing leds in the tail lamp assembly to burn out and not illuminate. There have already been multiple technical service bulletins (tsbs) on the matter (I. E. Kia TSB ps364, kia TSB bod143, kia TSB bod172), and the cause outlined in these tsbs has been a defect in design leading to a gap between the tail lamp housing gasket and the vehicle body allowing water intrusion. Kia has neglected to inspect, fix, or add additional gaskets per their instructions during eligible warranty periods, and extended warranties refuse to fix the issue as they classify it as water intrusion. This pins the financial burden to fix the safety issue on the customer/driver, as kia dealers have quoted $1,232. 46 for replacement of these tail lamps. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? components: rear outer tail lamp combination assemblies (both left and right) (not the lamps on the trunk lid). Inspection availability: limited due to significant time pressure and inconvenience (since the tail lamps have caused the vehicle to fail virginia state safety inspection, the car needs to be fixed ASAP to resume commute to work, etc. ) how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? lower visibility for others, may result in incident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? confirmed by kia dealer themselves. Also, multiple customer complaints on internet, as well as tsbs. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? kia dealer did not inspect during warranty. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no and unknown.

Front low beams continue to be very dim. Cannot see a few feet in front of the car at night. Have replaced bulbs but nothing seems to work. Is consistent with other complaints of the same, noted with NHTSA.

Malfunctions: hazard lights severe malfunction. All steering wheel control buttons stopped working. Center control buttons stopped working. Usb charging port/auxiliary media port/ right side auxiliary power port lost power. Battery alternator and starter had acceptable readings via multimeter. Suspect ecm failure? symptoms similar to misfires when a/c is running. Parking break doesn’t always engage despite proper method. Inconsistent gas consumption drastic fluctuations.

Engine lights keep coming on and off. But doesn't give a code when I take it to get serviced. Took it up to kia to tell them that on my way home from the dealership, that my wall caught on fire in the trunk from the socket that holds the bulbs. Back lights go out constantly after the bulbs are changed or the socket has been changed.

While driving at speeds higher than 45 mph, the steering wheel locks for a brief moment. This does not allow for a smooth way to keep the vehicle straight on the highway. Very scary. Antenna cover on top of car flew off on the highway. Read that it has happened to several other 2015 Optima models. Back up camera is foggy and I can no longer use it when reversing. Back taillights have condensation in them. I have already had one of them replaced early on.

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.

I was traveling east on a 4 lane road at 45 mph. As I was passing thru a green light, a westbound vehicle made an illegal left turn in front of me, causing me to "t-bone" his vehicle. All of his airbags deployed. . . . . None of mine did. The car was repaired, surprisingly; yet I do not feel safe driving it. I sustained cervical and lumbar spine injuries, as well as a severe whiplash and concussion. I am unable to work, due to surgery that was necessary. I just need to know if this car is safe?? I was also in a side collision that was not my fault; two years ago,where someone hit me, and no airbags deployed. At that particular accident,I was stationary; at a stop light.

Front head lamps keeps going out, per auto shop shortage in wiring for right and left front head lamps(lights) has to replace evry three weeks.

When I'm out driving I have noticed that all kia Optimas have same problem as mine. The back lights stopped working. Half of the back lights went off.