NHTSA Complaint #11692042 — 2015 KIA OPTIMA

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	11692042
Vehicle	2015 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	September 25, 2025
Date Filed	October 8, 2025
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	SC

Consumer Description

9/25/2025 - our vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of a busy roadway creating a hazard. We had it towed to [XXX] Kia of Greenville. 9/26/2025 we were advised that the engine had seized with no symptoms and no warning lights. The technician said that it would be covered under the vehicles extended warranty due to the known defect/class action on the Theta II GDI engine documented here: [XXX] 10/2/2025 we were advised the car would NOT be covered under the warranty due to some conflict on a CarFax report. according to CarFax, the vehicle has 82k with 15 maintenance records. This was not a case of neglect by the owner, it is a known defect that Kia is not willing to fix. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Related Complaints for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA

Other ENGINE Complaints

#11719695 — February 22, 2026 — Engine failure while driving on freeway. Almost hit by semi truck. Towed to Dealership. Engine check light flashing c...

#11719754 — February 22, 2026 — Engine seized and won’t turn at all

#11717931 — February 13, 2026 — On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, p...

#11716870 — February 9, 2026 — Valve cover leaking and oil dripping oil on exhaust at 114k miles. Risk of engine fire.

#11714265 — January 29, 2026 — The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized,...

Recent Complaints for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA

#11718562 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — February 17, 2026 — Paint is peeling off all over my car. I see this is a known issue with the white paint and nothing is being done abou...

#11717931 — POWER TRAIN — February 13, 2026 — On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, p...

#11717265 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — February 11, 2026 — The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving at...

#11715114 — STRUCTURE — February 2, 2026 — The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side and pa...

#11713230 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — January 25, 2026 — Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise ...