10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 17,267 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My 2015 Kia Optima has shown signs of paint chipping for the past year in the half. At first a minor inconvenience, now is becoming a major problem with parts of the body starting to rust and larger sections beginning to peel as well. While paint deterioration is expected on a car, it shouldn't happen as early as 5 years in or less than 80,000 miles. I am worried that paint will continue to peel off and the body work will continue to rust. The car has not been looked at by the manufacturer and various site across the internet have shown that the Pearl White Paint color is the sole color that has experienced this problem. The Hood, A Pillar, and rood railings are all experiencing this problem.
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
My 2015 kia optima with snow white pearl paint is peeling and delaminating without any prior damage. An independent shop reviewed the paint and agreed that it was a factory paint failure. They started to appear a few years after I bought it but I passed it off as regular stone chipping.
- Santa Paula , CA, USA
My Pearl White paint is chipping off
- Easley , SC, USA
Extreme paint chipping
- Lake Wales, FL, USA
2015 Kia Optima, Snow White Pearl paint is peeling off hood, and rails around windshield.
- Port St Lucie, FL, USA
On 3-14-2021 about 225pm I was attempting to merge onto the I10 freeway in Ontario California, while merging all the lights on the dash lit up and the car proceeded to shut off and my speed was going down. I attempted to pull over off the shoulder of the freeway, once I was stopped I turned the car off. The car than was engulfed with smoke and flames I jumped out the car and the car lit up in flames. I called Ontario police and fire department.
- Corona, CA, USA
Was driving down main road approaching redlighy and brake pedal went to stiff and car shut off while rolling. Could not get to start again and smelt electrical burning somewhere. Had to beg car towed home. Tried jumping with a jump box to eliminate battery and it was not issue. Almost rear ended vehicle infront and was stranded on side of main road.
- Oakdale, PA, USA
Peeling paint on hood and side pillars. Seems like there is an issue with Kia and swp white pearl paint.
- Garland, TX, USA
The paint is seriously peeling "delaminating" in "snow white pearl" and that needs to be addressed!! it occurs driving or just washing the car. Searching online I see this is a common issue.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden the check engine and all lights came on. I could not accelerate or stop the vehicle the brakes did not work I coasted off to the side of the freeway and hit the guard rail because I had no breaks. Then I had a tow truck come and pull me off the freeway to see if I could start my vehicle however it did not start all the lights were on the dash on and the car was smoking and smell like fire I had the car towed to the mechanic to find out what is wrong. The mechanic said the engine is fried because the oil pump was not being pumped into the motor therefore it locked up he said I believe there is a recall on this vehicle for the same reason I checked the recall and there is nothing in the system that a 2015 Kia Optima is up for recall. I believe Kia needs to refund this vehicle that has only 88,000 miles in the engine needs to be replaced Kia needs to call
- Houston, TX, USA
Engine caught fire! had picked the Kia Optima up the day before from the dealership, where they had installed a new engine, belts, and hoses. Had driven 40 minutes for a doctor appt. Got off the freeway. As I was approaching the light (about 3 blocks from freeway), noticed gray smoke coming from under hood on passenger side. With a broken left arm, had to get out and across traffic. Saw the flames as I was crossing the street. In under a minute, the front of car was engulfed in flames.
- Hesperia, CA, USA
While driving at speeds higher than 45 mph, the steering wheel locks for a brief moment. This does not allow for a smooth way to keep the vehicle straight on the highway. Very scary. Antenna cover on top of car flew off on the highway. Read that it has happened to several other 2015 Optima models. Back up camera is foggy and I can no longer use it when reversing. Back taillights have condensation in them. I have already had one of them replaced early on.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicle burst into flames without provocation. Vehicle was in perfect, pristine condition. Was in vehicle 5 minutes on way to work in am. Vehicle was being driven approx 5 miles per hour on a busy main road. Slowed down to stop at red light and the car died, instrument panel started flashing and engine burst into flames.
- North Palm Beach, FL, USA
As I was driving on the interstate 3 vehicles passed waving frantically before speeding by. I noticed a reflective orange flicker along the base each vehicle. This was followed up by a loud knocking sound before I lost all accelerating power but retained RPM revs as I pressed the pedal. I allowed the momentum to get me as far up the exit ramp as possible prior to pulling over onto the grass. I placed the car in park and turned it off to be met with an instant roll of smoke up the front windshield, out of the front grill, and from the passenger side tire area. I exited the vehicle to the sound of liquid hitting a hot surface and hissing. I stepped away from the vehicle and looked underneath to be met with rolls of fire dripping to the ground from beneath the engine and along the bottom center of the undercarriage of the car. I immediately cleared the area and my vehicle was complete engulfed in flames in less than 4 minutes. No sensors or alarms notified me of any type of malfunction.
- Vienna, GA, USA
The antenna fin on my vehicle flew off at freeway speeds. Kia states it is not covered by the extended warranty. I have done research and have found 2014, some of 2015, and 2016 Kia Optima have been recalled for this reason. I have contacted Kia and they told me my vehicle was not part of the recall. The antenna fin on my vehicle has come off in the same manor as my of the vehicles reported and are a part of the recalls. I have attached a picture that shows the screws had been sheared off which you can see in the photo. This could have and may still cause a serious safety hazard to other drivers on the road.
- California City, CA, USA
The antenna shark cover blew off while driving. These screws look cheap and unsafe it flew off on highway..
- Hebron, KY, USA
I have lost 2 of the trim panels above the doors on the exterior of the car. The brackets are not secure enough and the glue holding the brackets are no longer sticking. I cant drive long distances without the trim coming loose.
- Madera, CA, USA
I was traveling East on a 4 lane road at 45 mph. As I was passing thru a green light, a westbound vehicle made an illegal left turn in front of me, causing me to "T-bone" his vehicle. All of his airbags deployed.....none of mine did. The car was repaired, surprisingly; yet I do not feel safe driving it. I sustained cervical and lumbar spine injuries, as well as a severe whiplash and concussion. I am unable to work, due to surgery that was necessary. I just need to know if this car is safe?? I was also in a side collision that was not my fault; two years ago, where someone hit me, and no airbags deployed. At that particular accident, I was stationary; at a stop light.
- Naperville, IL, USA
Paint is chipping off every time car is washed and Kia refuses to do anything about
- Sulligent, AL, USA
- Uxbridge, MA, USA