CarBrief

Engine complaints make up 652 of the 1,021 on file with NHTSA[1][2]. The recalls on the list are free to fix at a dealer[3][4][5][6].

1,021owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
24–37MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 1,021 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Optima[1]. Of those, 31 mention a crash, 76 a fire and 23 an injury, and 1 death is reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components[1].

The engine stands out. 652 complaints name the engine group, far more than any other group[2]. 54 of them mention a fire, 11 a crash and 9 an injury, and the median mileage at failure is 88,000[2].

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 652
Unknown or other[10] 140
Electrical system[11] 140
Brakes[12] 90
Structure[13] 77
Steering[14] 71
Power train[15] 50
Fuel/propulsion system[16] 46

We read a small sample of complaint texts in each of the larger groups. It is not a count of all owners, so treat it as color, not as a measure.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe engine failure where the dealer blamed oil sludge, and 7 mention rattling, ticking or another unusual noise[2]. 5 say warranty coverage was refused or questioned because they could not show oil-change records[2]. 3 mention smoke from the engine or tailpipe[2]. Whether any given failure was caused by the car or by maintenance is not something these reports can settle.

Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 5 describe the car stalling, shutting off or losing power while driving, and 3 describe a fire[11]. The group has 25 fire mentions in total[11].

Structure. In a sample of 12, 3 describe the antenna cover (the "shark fin") coming off, and 2 describe peeling or chipping paint[13].

Brakes. The brake complaints we read were scattered. Owners describe warning lights, grinding or noise, brake lights and the parking brake, with no single theme[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2015 Optima, newest first. Three of them concern the same brake control part. Each one has a free dealer remedy, so check that yours was done.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the version. The annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[17].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6)[17] 20 / 30 / 24 $2,800
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[18] 23 / 33 / 26 $2,600
Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6)[8] 35 / 38 / 37 $1,800
Hybrid EX, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6)[19] 35 / 38 / 36 $1,850

All four are front-wheel drive and run on regular gas[17][18][8][19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Optima 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover[9]. Its rollover risk is listed as 9.6%[9]. The Optima Hybrid has the same ratings[20].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 274 hp[21]. The 2.4L 4-cylinder is rated 159 to 192 hp depending on version[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LX/EX/SX 4-door sedan[23] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,236 lb
SX Turbo 4-door sedan[24] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,468 lb
Hybrid LX/EX/EX Premium 4-door sedan[25] 191 in 72 in 57 in 110 in 3,497 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

2001: 143 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 107 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 141 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 225 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 144 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 155 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 167 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 144 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 116 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 628 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 1,029 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls20132014: 621 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls1,02120152016: 763 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 243 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 213 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 153 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Optima model year. The 2015 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011433
20021073
20031412
20042251
20051440
20061552
20071672
20081443
20091161
2010751
20116286
20121,0296
20131,44110
20146217
20151,0214
20167635
20173064
20182433
20192131
20201530

Among the Optima model years NHTSA lists (2001 to 2020), 2015 has the third-highest complaint count at 1,021[7]. Only 2013 (1,441) and 2012 (1,029) have more[7]. The neighbors are lower: 2014 has 621 complaints and 2016 has 763[7].

For recalls, 2015 has 4[7]. That is fewer than 2013 (10), 2014 (7), 2011 (6), 2012 (6) and 2016 (5)[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so use them to compare Optima years only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Optima?

The record is mixed. The 2015 Optima earns 5 NHTSA stars[9], and the hybrid versions list 36 to 37 combined MPG[8][19]. But the engine draws 652 of the 1,021 complaints[1][2], and owners in the sample we read describe engine failures and warranty disputes[2]. Before buying, ask for full oil-change and service records, and ask whether the engine was ever replaced, since recall 18V907 applies to those cars[6]. Check that the brake control unit recalls were done, because the remedies are free[3][4][5]. Merge the first two sentences, for example: "The record is mixed: the 2015 Optima earns 5 NHTSA stars[9], and the hybrid versions list 36 to 37 combined MPG[8][19]." Keep the rest as is.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Optima?
Engine complaints lead with 652 of 1,021 on file with NHTSA[1][2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe failures the dealer blamed on oil sludge[2].
Has the 2015 Kia Optima been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists four recalls, 23V652, 21V331, 20V519 and 18V907[3][4][5][6]. The first three involve the brake control unit and a fire risk, and dealers fix them for free[3][4][5].
What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2.4L at 23 city, 33 highway and 26 combined MPG[18]. The 2.0L turbo is rated 24 combined[17], and the hybrid 37 combined[8].
How safe is the 2015 Kia Optima?
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Optima 5 stars overall[9]. The Optima Hybrid has the same overall rating[20].
Is 2015 a bad year for the Kia Optima?
It has the third-highest complaint count of the model years listed, 1,021, behind 2013 and 2012[7]. Counts are not adjusted for sales[7].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,021 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Optima (31 mention a crash, 76 a fire, 23 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 652 complaints name the engine component group (11 crashes, 54 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V331, filed May 10, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 20V519, filed August 27, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 18V907, filed December 19, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Optima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 140 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 140 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 25 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 90 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 12 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 77 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,694). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 71 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 50 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,397). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 46 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (4 crashes, 8 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Optima, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Optima, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Optima Hybrid EX, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 38 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Kia Optima with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Kia Optima with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 159 to 192 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA LX/EX/SX 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,236 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA SX TURBO 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,468 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OPTIMA HYBRID LX/EX/EX PREMIUM 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,497 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.