Kia Optima, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2015 Kia Optima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2015 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
4
Park-it warnings
3
Complaints
1,021
Latest campaign
Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsPark‑itLatestCampaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic33Sep 25, 2023
23V65200021V33100020V519000
Fuel system, gasoline1–Dec 19, 2018
18V907000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
3Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign
Sep 25, 202323V652000

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

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

Park outside, away from structures
DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
May 10, 202121V331000

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

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

Park outside, away from structures
DetailsHide details for campaign 21V331000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 21V331000 · May 10, 2021
Aug 27, 202020V519000

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

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

Park outside, away from structures
DetailsHide details for campaign 20V519000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 20V519000 · Aug 27, 2020
Dec 19, 201818V907000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 18V907000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 18V907000 · Dec 19, 2018
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2015 Kia Optima? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,021

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
1,021Complaints filed
31Involving a crash
76Involving a fire
23Injuries reported · 1 death
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Engine627619509
Unknown or other14014270
Electrical system140144255
Service brakes9095124
Structure778472
Steering717421
Power train505110
Fuel/propulsion system465485
Hydraulic414172
Vehicle speed control364302
Engine and engine cooling313250
Air bags2631208
Exterior lighting242111
Electronic stability control (ESC)111111
Fuel system101000

12 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Optima, Optima Hybrid.

Latest reports

  • Service brakes

    “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, the ABS warning light remained illuminated after the vehicle was powered off.”

    Filed 09/29/2026 · ODI 11767775
  • Vehicle speed control

    “My energy in my car started messing up with only 150,000 miles it had a long knocking sound and it would not got over 20 miles while driving”

    Filed 09/20/2026 · ODI 11765682
  • Unknown or other

    “My 2015 KIA optima experienced a catastrophic engine fire while I was driving. There was no warning, I just heard a boom in the engine bay the breaks stopped working and all electrical cut out.”

    Filed 08/24/2026 · ODI 11759158

Other Kia Optima model years

All years: 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001

Other Kia models

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2015 Kia Optima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2015 Kia Optima. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 3 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2015 Kia Optima recalls for?

The largest group is service brakes, hydraulic, with 3 campaigns. Others: fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Kia Optima?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 627 complaints out of 1,021 filed with NHTSA (61%). Across all complaints, owners reported 31 crashs and 76 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2015 Kia Optima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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