Ive had a recall once before got it fix. Few months later it started smoking from exhaust pipes smoke was white. Took it to kia shop they had told me it was a gasket. Ever since then it has been sitting and ive been paying payments for something i can not drive and for a car i keep having recalls and problems with and I need fix. Kia should have a recall on all motors for 2015 as well. But something needs to be done. Been nothing but issue after issue.

- Louisburg, NC, USA

The car just shut off

- Mccomb , MS, USA

The component that failed was the engine of my Kia vehicle. The vehicle was purchased in 2020. In Q4 2022, I received a recall notice by mail regarding the engine. I immediately took the vehicle to Kia of McKinney, TX, and requested that the recall repair be performed. I was informed at that time that the engine could not be replaced until it actually failed. This forced me to continue driving a defective vehicle for several years. The engine ultimately failed in the second week of June 2025, when the car would not start. It was towed to Southwest Kia in Texas, where it remains available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because I was instructed to continue driving a vehicle with a known defective engine. Kia-??s refusal to remedy the recall in advance increased the risk of sudden stalling, engine seizure, or loss of power while driving -?" all of which pose serious hazards on the roadway. The problem has been confirmed by Kia-??s own service centers. Southwest Kia acknowledged the engine failure but denied coverage, citing a supposed -??gap-?? in maintenance records. However, Kia never informed me that there were specific maintenance requirements tied to recall eligibility, and I was never given a clear diagnosis of if the failure aligned with that of the recall. Kia corporate has denied responsibility for replacing the engine despite the active recall. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the engine failure. The car simply failed to start in June 2025. At no earlier point was I warned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive, nor was I given any proactive remedy other than waiting for failure. I am requesting that Kia be compelled to honor the recall and replace the engine, as their refusal has left me with a significant financial loss and ongoing safety concerns.

- Richardson, TX, USA

I have repeatedly been denied service by KIA Customer Service and KIA Dealerships regarding my safety recall. This ongoing issue has caused significant stress and inconvenience. I am simply requesting that my recall be completed so I can safely operate my vehicle. Despite my efforts, I continue to receive invoices for repairs while being denied the necessary service. I am frustrated by the lack of support and resolution.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

The vehicle unexpectedly stalled while idling at a complete stop, posing a serious safety concern. Shortly afterward, the check engine light illuminated. These events occurred around 78,000 miles. Prior to the stall, the engine had been making occasional knocking or tapping noises, particularly at idle. The vehicle was immediately taken to a certified Kia dealership, where a technician diagnosed the issue as engine failure consistent with a known manufacturer recall affecting this vehicle model and year. A recall claim was submitted to the manufacturer, but the repair has been delayed for over a month with no authorization to proceed. No loaner vehicle has been provided. The engine failure puts the driver and others at risk, especially if the vehicle were to stall during active traffic conditions. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership but has not yet been resolved by the manufacturer. Inspection by the manufacturer is still pending. Warning symptoms included the engine light and knocking sounds, which began shortly before the stall occurred.

- Rialto, CA, USA

My 2015 Kia Optima (VIN [XXX] ) case # [XXX] is covered under Kia-??s engine recall for potential engine failure/fire. However, Kia and Ray Skillman Northeast Kia, Indianapolis refused to perform the recall repair because I do not have the last two years of oil change records. This is a safety recall, not a warranty claim, and denial of repair violates recall obligations. I am requesting NHTSA-??s assistance to ensure Kia complies with the law and replaces the defective engine. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

My motor bearing is knocking very loud I was refused service upon arrival dealer was making my service very complicated asking me to go dig up old receipts and various other things that was not actually caused for and I was at risk by driving the car there until it shut off due to engine failures when the car has fire risk and could possibly explode and they have confirmed it-??s the engine but have not done any maintenance to my engine the check engine light flashes heavy non stop as well was even denied a loaner car still until today

- Cahokia Heights , IL, USA

Purchased 2015 Kia optima LX 4 cylinder. Had the car for 7 months. Driving home car stalled driving into our driveway. When restarted the engine there was a loud noise tapping. Oil light came on. Checked oil it was on empty. No oil light has come on ever before the car stalled. Regular oil changes. Researched the over 900 complaints. Same thing that has happened to everyone else. Thankfully this didn't happen on the drive home in traffic.

- Mayesville, GA, USA

Driving towards town on freeway car suddenly die at high rate of speed and lost power at the wheel had to sway to side of road opened up hood of the car and smoke came out had recker pick me up and drove it to the house and started to find the issue and the starter module burn up. the gas line was near started. replace starter and now the car doesn-??t crank so is used wrench to trunk motor and now more seized up remove spark plugs and tried manually turn motor nothing lookup recalls on the matter and it said it was recall on the main bearing of the car are premature and Kia won-??t honor the recall due to no oil change records I have all items bought and tow truck expense

- Austin , TX, USA

While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. The car coasted to a stop and would not restart. When attempting to start it again, the starter smoked, and the engine would not crank or turn over. This is a serious safety hazard as the engine failure occurred with no warning and matches the symptoms of the known Kia Theta II engine recall for bearing and seizure issues. My VIN is not currently listed as part of the recall, but it experienced the exact same failure. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate and pressure Kia to include my VIN in the recall campaign, as this is a sudden engine seizure defect that could cause a crash if it happens at speed.

- Huttig, AR, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal ticking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the engine. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in an unknown related engine recall; however, the engine repair or replacement was not covered under warranty due to missing service documents. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Billings, MT, USA

While driving my 2015 Kia Optima, the engine suddenly failed without warning. I noticed a loss of power, and shortly after, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. Upon pulling over safely, I discovered that the engine had drained all of its oil, despite recent maintenance. There were no prior warning signs or leaks visible. This posed a serious safety risk as the failure occurred in the midst of traffic. The vehicle had approximately 75,885 miles at the time. A mechanic later confirmed catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation. This issue appears to be consistent with known engine defects in similar Kia models.

- Chicago Ridge, IL, USA

The engine seized and is out of commission on 7/16/25.

- Marion, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000. The VIN was not available.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

My car started having electrical issues, started smoking and stopped completely while driving, now it won-??t turn on / start

- Bloomington, IN, USA

I own a 2015 Kia Optima (VIN:[XXX]) with a 2.4L GDI engine. The engine has failed -?" a local repair shop diagnosed it as a -??jumped timing-?? issue, which matches the well-documented Theta II engine defect. I never received recall notice or notice of the required KSDS update. Kia has denied me coverage, stating the update was not done before failure. I now have a vehicle that is undriveable and potentially unsafe. Kia confirmed there is no extended warranty or coverage for rod bearing failure -?" despite widespread issues -?" and they ignored my open fire-risk recall (NHTSA 21V331000) in their denial. I am requesting that NHTSA review why my VIN is excluded despite the same failure symptoms, and ask that Kia be required to expand recall eligibility or offer a goodwill resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Grady, AL, USA

The car makes a raddled noise when turn on and the car turns off when I press the brakes

- San Diego, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle lost power. The contact exited the vehicle and pushed the vehicle to the right side of the roadway while awaiting Roadside Assistance. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Norwich, NY, USA

My engine went out at 100,000 miles I bought the car with 118,000 mi on it I drove it for 3 years and the engine went out need help

- Athol, ID, USA

Car was purchased April 2025, I-??ve had it less then 2 months and check engine light came on and then flashing. I had it scanned at Auto Zone and was told the code is VVT Solenoid. I had it replaced 6/12/25. I was told by the mechanic that it didn-??t solve the issue and metal shavings were on the old one. The car is still constantly going in to limp mode and there-??s a knocking noise now. The Auto zone scan listed the mileage as 150,000 yet the car dealership listed and sold it as 101,000. I have a 2015 Kia Optima Ex. The title does not list it as a rebuilt and appeared to be fairly clean and maintained. The mechanic told me the engine needs replaced.

- Horse Branch, KY, USA