2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
17
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
27
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
The 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID has received a total of 17 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (5 complaints), Engine (5 complaints), and Steering (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she was able to continue to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD BETWEEN 20 - 25MPH THE HYBRID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH OVERHEAD VOICE STATING TO PULL OVER AND NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING OVER THE CAR PROCEEDED TO LOSE ALL POWER. ELECTRICAL WITHIN CAR (LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC.) REMAINED ON BUT CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS IS STILL UNKNOWN, HOWEVER, WE WERE RUNNING ON HYBRID POWER AT THE TIME. THIS, WITH THE HYBRID MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM.
* OCTOBER 2017 WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY CAR SLOWED DOWN. GOT OFF FREEWAY AND TURNED OFF CAR. CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. KIA REPLACED HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE, HYBRID BATTERY, POWER RELAY. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS RETURNED AFTER TRANSMISSION CHANGE AND 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING CAR GAVE HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. KIA SAID IT WAS A "LOOSE WIRE" FROM TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR GAVE HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN (2ND TIME IN 1 MONTH). * APRIL 2018 CHECK ENGINE AND HEV CODE CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE COMPUTER FROM ENGINE. *MARCH 2019 HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON KIA REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS.
* OCTOBER 2017 WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY CAR SLOWED DOWN. GOT OFF FREEWAY AND TURNED OFF CAR. CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. KIA REPLACED HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE, HYBRID BATTERY, POWER RELAY. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS RETURNED AFTER TRANSMISSION CHANGE AND 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING CAR GAVE HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. KIA SAID IT WAS A "LOOSE WIRE" FROM TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR GAVE HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN (2ND TIME IN 1 MONTH). * APRIL 2018 CHECK ENGINE AND HEV CODE CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE COMPUTER FROM ENGINE. *MARCH 2019 HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON KIA REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS.
* OCTOBER 2017 WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY CAR SLOWED DOWN. GOT OFF FREEWAY AND TURNED OFF CAR. CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE. KIA REPLACED HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE, HYBRID BATTERY, POWER RELAY. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR WAS RETURNED AFTER TRANSMISSION CHANGE AND 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING CAR GAVE HEV AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. KIA SAID IT WAS A "LOOSE WIRE" FROM TRANSMISSION. * MARCH 2018 CAR GAVE HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN (2ND TIME IN 1 MONTH). * APRIL 2018 CHECK ENGINE AND HEV CODE CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND KIA REPLACED THE COMPUTER FROM ENGINE. *MARCH 2019 HEV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON KIA REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS.
Safety Rating for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
The 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
Kia America, Inc. has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PI2104_OWNR_401 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update...
PI2104_OWNR_301 — ENGINE
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The...
SC269_OWNR — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to ensure that the proper high-voltage fuse is installed on 2013-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles manufactured from September 27, 2012 through July 22, 2015.
SC269_TSB — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY SAFETY PLUG FUSE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SC269) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the High Voltage Battery (HVB) Safety Plug Fuse Assembly or Main Fuse on 2013-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles produced from September 27, 2012 through July 22,...
SC269_DPSM — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to ensure that the proper high-voltage fuse is installed on 2013-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles manufactured from September 27, 2012...
TSB_ELE273 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY SAFETY PLUG FUSE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the "Hybrid System Warranty Extension Program" (WTY029) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the High Voltage Battery (HVB) Safety Plug Fuse Assembly or Main Fuse on 2013-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles...
TSB_ELE044_R2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin outlines the ordering and return procedure for high-voltage Lithium-ion batteries equipped on EV/hybrid vehicles...
SC208_OWNR — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
SC208_OWNR: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to install an auxiliary evaporative canister in their vehicle to ensure the evaporative canister is not releasing excessive pollutants into the air on some 2011-2016 MY Kia Optima Hybrid vehicles.
SC208_DPSM — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
SC208_DPSM: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to install an Auxiliary Canister Kit to improve evaporative system performance on certain 2011-2016 MY Kia Optima Hybrid vehicles...
SC208_STKR — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SC208_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION STICKER
Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
- 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 47 complaints
- 2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 151 complaints
- 2013 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 80 complaints
- 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 51 complaints
- 2015 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID (current)
- 2016 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 6 complaints
- 2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 37 complaints
- 2018 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 7 complaints
- 2019 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 0 complaints
- 2020 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — 3 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints