Model year record

2015 Kia Optima

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,620 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-25
Owners notified
2024-03-29

Defect description

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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V331000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-10
Owners notified
2021-07-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V519000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2020-08-27
Owners notified
2020-10-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V907000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
71,653
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-17

Defect description

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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine71288,000 mi
Unknown or other15860,000 mi
Electrical system14878,500 mi
Structure: body9155,388 mi
Steering7839,125 mi
Power train5482,000 mi
Service brakes5433,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5388,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic50108,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling38106,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3561,000 mi
Air bags3265,000 mi
Exterior lighting2440,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline12112,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1052,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8
Visibility/wiper774,620 mi
Suspension61,200 mi
Wheels545,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: immobilizer/proximity: key/sender4
Lane departure: blind spot detection4
Seat belts462,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3
Lane departure: warning2
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler2127,000 mi
Structure2120,000 mi
Tires26,200 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal246,900 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2127,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette172,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel174,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1160,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1129,403 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (BMS/BECM)1152,451 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ECU/ECM)1200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe130,168 mi
Equipment180,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: daytime running lights: bulbs1
Exterior lighting: tail lights: bulbs1
Firerelated1160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister1160,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: bearings/bushings1120,000 mi
Seats143,101 mi
Tires: sidewall122,000 mi
Visibility1100 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2016 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.