2015 Hyundai Elantra vs 2015 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2015 Hyundai Elantra | 2015 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 259 | 1,003 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 144 | 200 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 27 | 31 |
| Fire reports | 8 | 73 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 27–31 | 24–37 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 55,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Hyundai Elantra | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 90 | 618 |
| Electrical System | 23 | 135 |
| Steering | 25 | 68 |
| Structure | 14 | 76 |
| Service Brakes | 29 | 49 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 | 40 |
| Power Train | 17 | 49 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 44 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 39 | 155 |
| Check engine light | 19 | 102 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 70 |
| Vibration / shaking | 8 | 22 |
| Loss of power | 5 | 60 |
| Oil consumption | 5 | 31 |
| Rust / corrosion | 5 | 27 |
2015 Hyundai Elantra
2015 Kia Optima
Compare all Hyundai Elantra vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.