Model year
2015 Kia Optima
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 1,009 complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 12 complaints under OPTIMA HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 3 recalls marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (622), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (139), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (128). NHTSA lists 4 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 24–37 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,800–$2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 143 complaints
- 2002 107 complaints
- 2003 141 complaints
- 2004 225 complaints
- 2005 144 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 167 complaints
- 2008 144 complaints
- 2009 116 complaints
- 2010 75 complaints
- 2011 594 complaints
- 2012 920 complaints
- 2013 1,386 complaints
- 2014 590 complaints
- 2015 1,009 complaints
- 2016 759 complaints
- 2017 257 complaints
- 2018 233 complaints
- 2019 212 complaints
- 2020 151 complaints
Recalls
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic…
21V331000 · May 10, 2021
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
20V519000 · Aug 27, 2020
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The…
Complaints
1,009 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 31, fire flag on 74, injury field 23, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| OPTIMA HYBRID | 0 | 12 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA19001 | Electrical overstress · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | Apr 19, 2019 | Sep 19, 2024 |
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.096 | NHTSA photo |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.096 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Optima · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 33 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Optima Hybrid · 2.4L · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 38 | 37 | — | — | $1,800 |
| Optima Hybrid EX · 2.4L · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 38 | 36 | — | — | $1,850 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2015 Kia Optima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.