2015 Kia Optima engine problems
621 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2015 Kia Optima — 62% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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. I couldn't…”
filed Aug 24, 2026
“The engine in my vehicle failed while putting the car into reverse to back into my garage. I thank God I wasn't on the road when this happened. I took the car into a mechanic who confirmed that the engine was locked and that the car was very low on oil(even though I had my oil changed by him a few…”
filed Aug 19, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- High pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged…Campaign 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar…
TSB_ENG222_R8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 3, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar…
TSB_ENG222_R7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 28, 2025
Engine problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 98 | 68% |
| 2019 Optima | 88 | 43% |
| 2018 Optima | 131 | 56% |
| 2017 Optima | 164 | 64% |
| 2016 Optima | 424 | 56% |
| 2014 Optima | 283 | 48% |
| 2013 Optima | 612 | 44% |
| 2012 Optima | 398 | 43% |
| 2011 Optima | 256 | 43% |
| 2010 Optima | 9 | 12% |
| 2009 Optima | 14 | 12% |
| 2008 Optima | 19 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2015 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.