2015 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

Paint is peeling off all over my car. I see this is a known issue with the white paint and nothing is being done about it. I have touched up a few spots but it is only getting worse

On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, power loss, and failure while driving at 65 mph on a highway. The vehicle dropped into limp mode and I had to pull off the highway. The car required towing to the dealership as it would not drive safely. Diagnostics revealed a knock sensor error (P1326 code) and failing connecting rod bearings via Bearing Clearance Test, consistent with the known Theta II engine defect (manufacturing debris causing oil starvation and premature bearing wear). This follows earlier symptoms: Intermittent 'Check Hybrid System' warnings in early December 2025 at 148,665 miles (dealership unable to reproduce, but historical codes noted). The Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update was performed in February 2022 during prior CHS warnings. Despite onset of issues under the 150,000-mile extended warranty limit per the Kia E2 Settlement, Kia denied coverage due to the minor mileage overage and directed me in a loop between Consumer Assistance and the Settlement Administrator. The defect poses a serious safety risk: potential for sudden engine seizure, stalling while driving, or engine compartment fire (as seen in related Theta II recalls and thousands of NHTSA complaints). No crash, injury, or fire occurred in my case, but the failure left the vehicle undrivable and unsafe on the road. I have service records and diagnostic reports to support this.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle after the vehicle was serviced by the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle received an undisclosed engine repair. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,323.

Valve cover leaking and oil dripping oil on exhaust at 114k miles. Risk of engine fire.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side and passenger's side doors' exterior trims separated from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in an unknown related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The check engine warning light and several other warning lights were illuminated. The contact raised the hood, and there was a burning odor coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the place of employment. A mobile mechanic arrived at the place of employment and used a handheld code reader to diagnose the vehicle, but no DTC was retrieved, and no cause for the failure was determined. The starter was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased six months prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise and metal fell from under the hood. After pulling over, popping the hood on the passenger side and under the engine a fire had started. My daughter was seated in the back passenger side her door had locked, thankfully the passenger door was left opened bc within minutes the entire car was filled with smoke and engulfed in flames. Prior to this the steering wheel would jerk even while at a red light. This car just did have 100,000 miles & no knowledge this prior. Thank god i was able to get my daughter out of this vehicle & this didnt end in a tragedy due to negligence if this was a prior known fact. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I've had car for not very long and rid bearings now all of a sudden went out and engine is bad at this point and don't understand why my vehicle wouldn't be included in all the different recalls for 2015 optima because it's one of the years of theta 2 engine being recalled and mine says 0 recalls why is that?

The contact is calling on behalf of her grandson for a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while he was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and stalled. The contact stated he restarted the vehicle and was able to shift to drive (D), but the vehicle again stalled. The contact stated that he observed that white smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact stated that he pulled over and stopped the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw that smoke and flames had formed under the engine. The contact stated that he called the fire department. The fire was extinguished using foam. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence. The contact had not called a dealer or the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that her grandson had not received a recall letter from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 158,006.

**This complaint isn't directly related to the safety of the car** However, due to outstanding number of similar cases i've witness online. I would like to formally make a complaint for the defective White paint on my Kia vehicle. Like many other "white" Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the white paint is bubbling and peeling from multiple areas of my vehicle all at once. I have always taken care of and hand washed my car, so i know the paint isn't peeling because of user/owner damage. Road debris would also only cause paint damage on the front bumper and/or hood, which doesn't explain the bubbling and peeling happening on all the other parts of my car.