Vehicle Data Hub

2015 Kia Optima engine problems

653 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2015 Kia Optima, which is 46% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
653 46% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
88,000 miles 340 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
11 and 53
Injuries and deaths
9 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2015 Kia Optima Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 88,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 12 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 23 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 34 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 74 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 67 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 62 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 38 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 14 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 7 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 6 complaints 200k+ miles: 3 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 88,000 miles
Based on 340 complaints that include mileage. 20% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles12
20k to 40k miles23
40k to 60k miles34
60k to 80k miles74
80k to 100k miles67
100k to 120k miles62
120k to 140k miles38
140k to 160k miles14
160k to 180k miles7
180k to 200k miles6
200k+ miles3

What the data shows

Of the 340 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 88,000 miles, and 20% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 11 crashes, 53 fires, 9 injuries.

What owners wrote

As I was driving on the interstate 3 vehicles passed waving frantically before speeding by. I noticed a reflective orange flicker along the base each vehicle. This was followed up by a loud knocking sound before I lost all accelerating power but retained RPM revs as I pressed the pedal. I allowed the momentum to get me as far up the exit ramp as possible prior to pulling over onto the grass.

Reported at 19,524 miles, November 2019 FireInjury

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving after a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that an unstated hose had failed, causing the engine to seize. The contact called an unknown local dealer and was informed that the warranty on the vehicle was under another person's name.

Reported at 74,000 miles, September 2023

Other problems reported for the 2015 Kia Optima

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Kia models