2015 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

Factory Paint Defect Inherent, known to KIA models 2015 Optima Snow White Pearl Paint SWP. (including 2013 thru 2017 all share the same identical paint code). Citrus KIA in California inspected my vehicle and confirmed the paint damages are a known inherent factory paint defect. This is a nation wide issue, thousands of owners continue reporting this inherent paint defect on their Optima SWP. Basically this is an issue with all car manuacture's with white paint. Toyota and Hyundai accepted responsibility for this same factory paint defect and is repairing their customers vehicles. Class Actions Lawsuits have been filed against KIA and Hyandai for this known factory paint defect with severe safety concerns. This paint defect expanded into the layered glass of the windshield causing the adhesive to bubble. Insufficient adhesive could detach it during a crash or break while driving. The large chunks of paint continuing to fall off even while driving could impair visability to myself and other drivers. Citrus KIA inspected my vehicle and confirmed the damages to my vehicle are caused by this known factory paint defect. Wrote me an estimate reopened my case originally report 6/2024. Corporate KIA closed my case with the explanation 3/36k paint warrant expired. This is not a paint warranty issue. This is damages caused to my vehicle and thousands of others with this same inherent factory paint defect known to KIA. It is the manufactures responsibility to make this right. This inherent defect continues to rapidly spread through out our vehicles, causing further damages. These untreated areas now have rust subject to corrision which will lead to integrity of the body structure. Please recall this inherent factory paint defect. It's over whelming how many owners continue reporting this to their dealers, posting pictures of their ruined vehicles. We need help. Please recall SWP of Optima 2013 thru 17 with no limitations how old or amount of miles. Thank you

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

My car caught on fire just sitting under the carport. The investigator said that it was electrical. Our neighbor seen it and told us to get out the house and started popping. I tried to get in for the brake line but no one would call me back to see about it. When I go thru water and get on the brake it jerk like.

Paint flakes and chips while driving or during car washes. Paint is "Snow White Peral". Numerous complaints have been filed about this paint to Kia as well. Kia needs to make this right.

Paint has been chipping on this SNOW white pearl has gotten progressively worse. Cannot wash the vehicle without more paint chipping.

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.

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

This is about paint damage on my Optima is a known factory paint defect.This factory paint defect, specifically paint delamination causes bubbling, peeling then flaking off in large chunks while driving, has been reported on 2015 KIA Optima with white pearl paint. The damages ares are exposed to the metal, subject to rust and corrosion. On 5/30/35 KIA in Ontario, Ca. Body Shop Manager Yvonne Ramirez inspected my vehicle and immediately confirmed the paint damages to the exterior of my vehicle is a known factory paint defect on 2015 Optima with white paint. Yvonne instructed me to contact Corporate KIA, report the case, receive a claim # then contact her to schedule an appointment for the repair. On June 3, 2025 KIA reopened case number [XXX] originally reported on June 11, 2024. No claim # issues, no repairs made. Safety Concern: The paint damage has affected both sides of the adhesive inside the glass securing the windshield. This is a nation wide problem. Owners have documented and continue to keep reporting this problem to KIA, NHTSA, AutoLine and BBB. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed against KIA in USA and Canada. This is also happening to Toyota, Honda & Subaru. It’s basically all the car manufacturers who are using this pearl white paint. The amount of Optima owners dealing with the massive rapidly spreading paint defect to their vehicle is over whelming. December 2023 my 2015 KIA Optima SXT Pearl White beautiful exterior paint began to bubble, peel, flake followed by large chunks of paint falling off even while driving. This started on the roof top right and left of the rear window. February 2024 - the same paint damages started on the right and left sails/pillars next to the front wind shield and is causing damage, bubbling and spreading through out the left and right side of the glass. It is a safety concern. March 2025 - the same paint damage started on the top right truck with huge chunks of paint falling off while driving.HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

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.

As I was driving going at a rate of 40 MPH my engine shut off. I was able to pull to the side of the road without an accident thankfully. Cranked the vehicle back up and then the same thing it happened again. No check engine light came on either time. Drove for another 200 miles no issues. Going apx. 75 MPH it went into limp mode and check engine light came on and the P1326 code appeared. There is a recall on this vehicle for this code. However the dealership states it’s a knock sensor needing to be replaced and I will have to cover that. The same knock sensor they had me update in 2018 under there advisory. The motor burns apx. 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. Requires oil to be added to maintain oil level in between oil changes. Irregular mechanical noise (rattle) during cold start ups. I am scared to drive this vehicle and do not feel I am being treated fairly due to the recalls on this engine.