Every 2015 Kia Optima recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- Kia 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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 21V331000
Oct 5, 2021Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Full recall details for 21V331000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20V519000
Aug 27, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- Kia 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.
- Risk
- If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Full recall details for 20V519000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V907000
Dec 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Full recall details for 18V907000 →
2015 Kia Optima complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 1,021 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima, reporting 31 crashes, 76 fires, 23 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 200 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine627
- Electrical System141
- Unknown Or Other140
- Structure77
- Steering71
- Power Train50
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (131)
- Equipment (85)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (83)
- Engine (36)
- Steering (27)
- Power Train (26)
Read Kia Optima owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2015 Kia Optima
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 5 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Throttle control system vulnerabilities
DP21003Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023
- Electrical overstress
EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024
What people reported
Owners have filed 1,021 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“My 2015 KIA optima experienced a catastrophic engine fire while I was driving. There was no warning, I just heard a boom in the engine bay the breaks stopped working and all electrical cut out. As I'm coasting, because I'm unable to stop, flames started to come in through under the dash.”
2015 KIA OPTIMAAug 24, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11759158
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.”
2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRIDNov 9, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11150361
Fire
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel and there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle.”
2015 KIA OPTIMAJul 23, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11752336
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.”
2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRIDAug 2, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11115359
Fire
“The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly shut off.”
2015 KIA OPTIMAJul 14, 2026 · MD
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11750336
Check your Optima by VIN
Not every 2015 Kia Optima is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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