general problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Optima - part 1

12-01-2025 driving to work in the morning approx 7:00a. M. And turned on the heater and had a very strong smell like fuel so immediately turned it off. Cracked my windows to air it out and then was super cold again and had turned on the heater to try again. Immediately had to turn it off and rolled windows down to air it out because the smell was intense and had started to feel nauseas. Later in the day, about to head to lunch and had started the vehicle and smelt a lot like gas and turned it off and had someone come out to double check the smell. Co worker had strong smell from the hood area and looked underneath the car and can see a little drop puddle. Opened the hood and lifted the cover to engine where you can see the leakage coming from the center hose and spill puddle. Service tech came to take a look and advised its the fuel feed to the high pressure pump. This is a safety concern because fuel is extremely flammable and can put myself in dangerous situation of firing igniting in the car or hurt others around. No check engine light and prior the vehicle incident car has been consuming oil putting in about 1- quart a week or so with commute miles about 270 weekly.

While driving my 2015 kia Optima (VIN: [xxx] ) at highway speed, the engine suddenly shut off without any warning lights, alerts, noises, or check-engine indicators. This created a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had passed state inspection only 3 months earlier with no issues. The sudden shutdown is consistent with the known theta ii engine defect investigated by NHTSA. The car is now completely undrivable. Two kia dealerships refused to assist, claiming that they cannot perform ksds because the engine is already dead. These reasons directly contradict the kia theta ii engine settlement terms. This sudden stall is a safety hazard and could have caused a severe crash. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential recurrence of the engine-stall defect already documented in Hyundai/kia vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving my 2015 kia Optima I was getting ready to turn in to my residence. My car completely shut off but my lights had got dimmed. So I had it towed to the kia dealership then proceeded to tell me it has three recalls on it. Then a customer service representative said that I would have to pay $200,and something dollars to have my car diagnostic done. Whoever I replied even with these recalls I have to pay for diagnostic test to be done she replies yes,but I’m thinking they are just trying to make money off customers.

The car makes a raddled noise when turn on and the car turns off when I press the brakes.

My 2015 kia Optima hybrid poses a serious safety risk. While driving at highway speeds, the car has randomly shut off multiple times. A "check hybrid system" or hybrid battery warning appears on the dashboard, and the vehicle either loses power entirely or switches to electric-only mode and coasts to a stop. This happens without warning, putting my life and the lives of others at risk. I already had the relevant hybrid system recall work completed by a kia dealer, but the issue persists and the car remains unreliable and unsafe. This appears to be a known issue affecting many 2011–2016 Optima hybrid vehicles. Kia needs to be held accountable for continuing hybrid system failures that occur post-recall and outside of warranty. This is a dangerous, recurring defect.

For the past month or two my vehicle hesitates to start on the first try. I can smell an odor at times when this occurs. Most recently it seems to occur more frequently when the outside temperature is warmer.

During covid 19 pandemic grieviance depresion homelessness racism criticism hate cyberbully attack I live in my 2015 kia Optima I had [xxx] I had tbone accident iam not fault for I have all state insurance I never get helped compensated they closed my claims I had multple citations 13 in el cajon 4 in san diego 4 3 hollywood 1 riverside that I wasnt aware of as I went to dmv to renew my car registration I was billed for $1522 paid $2200 for renewal theres people who crossed my life who damaged my vehicle it wasnt driveable for one year parked at [xxx] then April 2022 thieves intended to steal my personal belongings they broke my window all my personal items was gone it was towed by agency had to pay $1000 with busted windows missing personal items dent tbone accident I suffered burden pain depression emotional distress while I was being mocked criticized unlawfully I had trauma there is no relief recovery it didnt stop there after I picked up from road one towing agency I have it towed moved parked in [xxx] then my engine seized up wont start ignition then brought kia kearny mesa service dealership Jan 1, 2023 then it gotten worst more repairs replacement parts when I have lifetime warranty on my engine they installed bad engine replaced defects on it I was [xxx] multple times no peace of mind until present Dec 09, 2024 all the repair orders wasnt being done properly. They put damages on me I got stranded multiple times in highway freeway interstate side streets for all issues engine problems that happened to me I couldnt get recovery justice then [xxx] I had traffic collision accident iam notat fault I was being interogated by kemper insurance investigators trying to access my vehicle imformation data when their client hit my car from behind I was with mother we bought had whiplashed backpain went straight to e. R until now they wont give me peace of mind I suffered the worst pain information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Drove this 15 kia Optima on the highway when all of a sudden it lost power and died. There was no lights or symptoms prior to this happening. The vehicle ran as it should up until the other day, the engine had no codes or lights on in the vehicle. . Then without any signs at all the vehicle stalled and almost caused an accident on the highway and the would not start. Barely made it to the breakdown lane. We had it towed to a shop and we spent some time checking the kia over to find out the starter had melted. We installed a new starter and now the engine has a very loud knocking sound that was never there before. Based on reading the safety recalls and bulletins on this kia and issues surrounding this vehicle online, we should meet the criteria for a claim. Can you help me please!!!!.

Engine lost power and when restart was attempted, it could torn turn over. Tried restarting 3 times with no success. After this, smoke started coming from the hood. I opened the hood and noticed a small flame at the driver side bottom of the engine compartment. Flame intensified and grew and eventually I extinguished with a fire extinguisher. I had just replaced the starter that same week and replaced some wiring at a local car repair facility.

Engine failure & fuel leak. Also oil was burning extremely fast . I had taking it to the dealership while back ago for a recall and said it was fixed. Few months later gas started running out fast. A check light engine came on saying there was an evaporation leak. I did call the dealership to see what exactly they fixed, emailed them. They kept telling me they would call me back and never did. Wouldn’t get any emails back. I took it upon headquarters to let them know about the oil burning fast and emailed. And called them. Apparently there was nothing they can do and told me I have to call the dealership. I took the car to my mechanic because I trust him more than the actual dealership at this point. And I brought up concerns about my safety being in that car. No one heard me out or seemed to care. And now forward months later after check light engines on and the pcv valve getting changed, purge valve. The light stopped coming on after changing the purge valve got change which linked to the code that showed up. I started seeing online that kia Optima’s have so many engine problems , misfires etc. And now my kia has an engine failure. I tried to contact kia again by entering the info for a settlement and I was told there is nothing they can do about it. So now I’m left with $5,500 to finish paying off my loan for the car and can’t even drive the car anymore. I havnt felt safe in my car for months and no one would hear me out.

Excessive shaking of engine, stalled out while driving on highway, knocking in the engine.

1st problem happened when I was at a complete stop, at a traffic light, in rush hour traffic. All the sudden steam started coming out from underneath my hood. I instantly looked at my temperature gauge and it did not show anything however I knew something was wrong when the light turned green I immediately pulled over, out of the street as far as I can get without being hit by other cars. I put on my hazard lights. Pop the hood. I had a gallon jug in my trunk. And I walked to a store to fill it up with water. Came back, poured the entire gallon into the radiator. Waited for at least 30 minutes. Started the car and made it home. After that incident, the problems with this 2015 kia Optima has snowballed. It just amazes me that it has started happening 2000 miles after my extended warranty expired. I had to purchase and replace spark plugs, the coil packs, two other sensor things, which I do have the receipts for and now the car reeks a gasoline and it automatically kicks into overdrive and I lose my reading on my tachometer, this puts it into a disabled mode, I'm on the freeway in russia traffic, trying to pull over without getting into an accident. Do I believe this is a safety concern? you're damn right I do am I mad yes. I am taking my k I a into the dealership. After doing my research on this make and model, is the dealership doesn't honor what the claims department and the media response to this problem. Will then I will leave the car with kia because I cannot afford a new engine. I will have to call to finance company and let them know that I voluntary I'm letting them come repo this car, good luck selling it.

I was driving north on the 57 freeway and my car stop running and I pulled on the side of the freeway and my car catch on fire. Everything started in the engine. I called kia and made a complaint and they told me it was not under warranty and they could not help me.

I driving my vehicle is just started powering down and didn’t want to turn on again. We jumped started it thinking it was the battery but it checked out fine. The vehicle doesn’t want to start anymore and the mobile mechanic said the engine had ti be replaced since it was off the timing loop. No engine or vehicle lights were in and no prior issues were appearing.

My 2015 kia is burning 1. A lot of oil and 2. The second is the car smells of gas scared it is one that will catch fire.

I have my car only for a year and my map sensor has gone out but is not showing a indication or a light inside the vehicle until the vehicle cut off as I’m driving.

My car has been consuming lots of oil. I took it in for an oil change and while test driving two of the mechanics stated the oil light came on and it ran out of oil on the test drive. Instead of saying anything about a possible issue with the engine, they went ahead and put oil in it and sent me on my way. Since, my car is still consuming loads of oil. I've taken it into the dealership several times for the same issue and each time they told me they can't do anything about it until it runs out of oil. One person advised to not put oil in it. Now the engine light came on, so I took it in again and this time I was told the cylinders have gone bad and one person that worked there said to let it run out of oil, but you didn't hear that from me, and they will replace the engine for free. I said, so I'm supposed to let the car die while I'm driving it, what happens if the car quits running in the middle of a turn and I get hit, the guy looked at me and said nothing. In addition, he asked if I had an extended warranty as its covered under an extended warranty. I'm pretty sure I did buy one, but I couldn't remember, so I called up the dealership I purchased it from and they said they couldn't tell me either since, they don't keep any paperwork after 7 years, and its been 8 years. They also said it wouldn't matter as it wouldn't be covered because of mileage. I have been complaining about the oil way before my mileage was over and I'm pretty sure I read something about mileage ext on kia for this same issue. The last time I drove it, I was sitting idle in my car and the oil light came on, so I called the dealership, they asked if it started back up and I wasn't sure, so I tried and it started back up and the oil light went back off again, so I didn't have it towed down there. Now my understanding there is a new recall on the car with the fuel and it could catch fire and was stated to park it, so its been sitting for three months with nothing fixed. The car needs a new engine.

Recently has a new engine installed at pitre kia , due to a recall malfunction, they installed a new engine but didn’t fix the recall problem, now that I have my car back. My engine moves when I hit the brakes, my brakes go all the way down sometimes, doesn’t stop the car at all, I am in danger everyday I drive my car, I never know if my brakes will fail on me. Or my car will burst out into flames, and I can smell fuel in the cabin of the car really strong, I have really bad gas mileage and my steering wheel is a lot stiffer than normal.

1. The O2 sensor malfunctioned causing check engine light to come on. The catalytic converter failed or malfunctioned, an it is available for inspection upon request. 1wk after replacement of O2 sensor installment, check engine light illuminated once again. [official diagnosis was the catalytic converter was faulty but no mention of replacing 02 once catalytic converter was fixed]. 2. My safety as well as my children's safety was put at risk because there was and still is (even after repairs made from dealership where car was purchased) an issue with broken exhaust system and leak. A broken exhaust system poses extreme danger because it releases carbon monoxide (CO)- an odorless ,tasteless, highly toxic gas, which can travel in passenger area and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Overexposure to this odorless and colorless gas can cause death. Even in mild cases of exposure to CO can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. I need not mention that the extreme or excessive temperatures caused severe discoloration where the three- way catalyst is located. The pistons could have melted as well could have caught the car on fire . My safety as well as every occupant that ever traveled in the vehicle thus far, was at risk. The exhaust leak was big enough to affect the oxygen levels, to spring that code. Another safety risk was when owner of car was falling asleep at wheel of car while driving, not knowing there's a leak. This put the owner and the vehicles occupants at risk which is the greatest threat by far. 3. The problem has been confirmed by rivard Buick GMC. 4. The vehicle has not been physically inspected by the manufacturer or police but has been insoected by insurance representatives. Yes there warning lampsthat appeared as the check engine light came on each time the exhaust system was malfunctioning. There was/ are other symptoms prior to the failure 1st appeared 11/01/21 O2 sensor, 11/15/21 catalytic converter, 01/28/21 symptoms wo.

The fuel rail seals keep leaking and spraying fuel all over . Fuel rail needs replaced.

My check engine light came on Sunday January 23rd. Upon contacting my local kia dealership, I was told that my vehicle has recall # sc212 at which time was advised to bring my vehicle into the kia dealership for diagnosis. On Friday, January 28th I dropped my vehicle off at my local kia dealership and within 3 hours received a call from my service advisor who stated the following issues were found: 1. Oil leak; replaced: valve cover gasket, high pressure fuel line, and high-pressurese fuel pump bolts. 2. Recall sc212; replaced: multi-fuse and fuse box cover per campaign instructions. 3. Serpentine belt; replaced: drive belt 4. Brake pads; replaced: front brake pads and machined rotors. 5. Brake pads; replaced: rear brake pads, in addition to replacing both rear rotors. 6. Replaced: cabin air filter 7. Replaced: engine air filter 8. Oil and filter change; performed lof, set tire pressures, and topped off all fluids. Less than 72 hours after the above repairs were complete, and a hefty $1,500. 00 repair bill, my check engine light is back on! my vehicle lacks acceleration when depressing the gas pedal and I am fearful my vehicle may have the defective theta ii engine in it. I am a single parent with a 7 year old child and this has caused us to not feel safe driving our vehicle, not to mention I have had to miss multiple days of work and my daughter has missed several days of school now because we do not have a safe vehicle to commute to school and work in. Also, when searching my vehicles VIN number, it says the recall was not fulfilled? very concering! I have the vehicle diagnostic data in my uvo services account, in addition to itemized repair bill from kia.

This car have problem engine and knock sensor p1326. Fuel propusion. System. I lost days of work . . And money too. I lost my job.

I have 2015 kia Optima grey or platinum graphite exterior color since Aug 2019 I had an tbone accident last Dec 26 2021 which iam not at fault for never received any type of comfort care claim it was during covid pandemic I was in the process of grieviance being hate left in despair also job loss with no income unstable living situation which I was living on my personal vehicle been going through financial hardship until present I havent been driven until I brought to kia dealership Jan 1st of 2023 due to my personal injury and car accident it was left parked got towed with busted windows had my personal belongings being gone missing. . . . I have rough years. . . It was difficult for me to get back up in my feet my car has recalls arent being repaired fairly. This will be my first time to adhere my concerns I would like to get some assistance if possible. . . I thank you in advance.

I was driving home from work and I noticed my vehicle having a hard time picking up speed and soon after it was a noticeable knocking noise coming from the engine. The rpm and dashboard gauges were very sporadic. I parked the car and popped the hood to find that there was somehow absolutely no oil, but no current sign of leaking from underneath. The car continues to knock when I start it up and am afraid of it overheating and it is currently parked. It smells definitely like burntness and when shifting into d3 and d it seems to be the most apparent that the engine could be having touble. Speeds and rpm gauge are most sporadic at high speeds and the exhaust pipe seems to have residue of some sort that isn't normal.

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.

I was driving down the street came to a red light and when I tried to press the gas my wheels locked and the car wouldn't go. I had to push it down a hill and use neutral to get at least get the car off the main street and towed. The next day it was taken to kia and now they are telling me they can't help because I couldn't provide receipts of any maintenance that was done on the car over time.

When you accelerate, for example to pass another vehicle, the vehicle will completely shut off, all lights illuminating on the panel the vehicle. The vehicle must be placed in park and restarted. Sometimes it starts right away, sometimes it takes a few minutes.

I purchased a kia turbo Optima from bob's lamphere's beaverton oregon kia dealership 9 days later I felt the acceleration awkwardly bi wanted to return it or exchange but was told no contract was only within 5 days. I took it to kia dealership for diagnostic 3 times I had it for 9 months the last 6 weeks was the 3rd time until Feb 28th it was totaled by a uninsured motorist memes william benton penny lll or. Driver lic# 1289466 of 1633 n. E. 76th portland oregon 97213 he was speeding illegally bypassing on a bridge into on coming traffic which was me he ending totally the back end of my kia. No air bags deployed I had no airbag warning light on I suffer injuries whiplash in my neck shoulder and back to this day wild willy seemed to have injured his leg to the point of amputation . . . Portland police report# 21-54465 which is the report that wild willy gave a false identity. Later the officer text giving his real identity. To this day I haven't been compensated for bodily or auto damageby wild willy or geico my insurance. And lost my kia in a junk yard with a remaining of a bill of 12,000 of 25,500.

I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden the check engine and all lights came on. I could not accelerate or stop the vehicle the brakes did not work I coasted off to the side of the freeway and hit the guard rail because I had no breaks. Then I had a tow truck come and pull me off the freeway to see if I could start my vehicle however it did not start all the lights were on the dash on and the car was smoking and smell like fire I had the car towed to the mechanic to find out what is wrong. The mechanic said the engine is fried because the oil pump was not being pumped into the motor therefore it locked up he said I believe there is a recall on this vehicle for the same reason I checked the recall and there is nothing in the system that a 2015 kia Optima is up for recall. I believe kia needs to refund this vehicle that has only 88,000 miles in the engine needs to be replaced kia needs to call me.

My kia started out making a strange squealing noise, then it started loosing power. When I stop at a light or stop sign I push the gas peddle and it takes awhile to get up to even 35 mph. I was told the turbo manifold was bad so I had one put on. The next day it started making a cha cha cha noise. I took it back and had to get another turbo, once again same thing. Kia dealers said turbo again. So I'm out labor and turbo cost once again. I have to work I need my car, I need it fixed now. I love the car but I am so sick of stressing over expenses, and loosing my job not able to get there. I just want it fixed correctly, or money to get a dependable vehicle. I've never had problems with my GMC,chevy and pontiac vehicles. I do love my kia but I will go back to the most reliable car. No power is dangerous when you need to take off but the car bogs down. So I you will I really need to find a mechanic that can tell me what exactly is wrong and fix it. Five mechanics apparently don't know either. I don't need my car to catch on fire. So please tell me some good news that I will have a dependable car soon.

Engine light just started flashing and no acceleration whatsoever. Takes forever just to get up to 30 mph. Called kia and was told they don't know if there's a recall or not on that year. Not helpful at all. I'm afraid for my daughter to even drive it now and it's her only form of transportation to work.

The car sped is faster than what the speedometer day. The car jerks when you are sitting idle. The oil light keep coming on when the oil stick show that's its oil in there. Car don't pick up speed fast enough check engine light came on.

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Ford- f-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 mph the transmission down shifted to the first gear without warning. The contact stated the back tires screeched while he continued to drive home. The contact is associating the failure to the manufacturer recall 19s07. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a local mechanic for a diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000 tp.

My vehicle is among the vehicles registered/qualifying for a recall. My dealer was to have replaced my entire engine during the first recall my vehicle received. Within a week/some 5 days or so my check engine light was back on. Taking the car back to my dealer, it was suggested that I pay $145 just for them to do a diagnostic on the/my vehicle they had just serviced. My car is currently registered/qualifies for a recall that stems and or is related to the previous recall that my car had. . . As recently as a few days ago (1/8/2020), the same dealer supposedly �fixed� the recent recall. I'd went by the dealership, they serviced the vehicle - check engine light went/was off. I'd say what was an hour or so having the car back in my possession from the dealer, the check engine light was back on. I'm appalled at the fact that I'm currently experiencing a issue that has been on going over a year. In my research on recalls I'm not to be charged anything by law surrounding rectifying a recall. On more than one occasion my dealer has suggested that I pay after feeling that they've rectified the problem concerning my vehicles recall. I have valid third party diagnostics that interestingly enough were free, unlike the diagnostics my dealer would suggest I pay for on a car that is surrounded by a serious recall issue. And more interesting is my having received a diagnostic that rendered the results that are the same codes surrounding the recall, and this after/on a day/ the last day - my car was serviced/supposedly �fixed. � I'm appalled at the suggestion that I �upgrade,� into a new car, pay anything, how any car having received a �new engine,� though 5 days later the check engine light is back on - that's �scary. � I have necessary documentation that can show my dealer is oblivious to public safety laws surrounding recalls due to remedies they suggested on �fixing,� my vehicle.

I was driving the car on a two lane street at a normal rate of speed when the motor cut off. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to restart the engine. When I glanced up I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I opened the hood and the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and the car is a total loss.