2015 Kia Optima Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 56,200miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 37 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 35 city / 38 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by engine (5) and steering (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,200 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 126 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 57 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 42%
- Engine5 42%
- Steering2 17%
- Exterior lighting1 8.3%
- Other or unknown1 8.3%
- Body and structure1 8.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On december 5, 2018 my car suddenly stalled while driving in an intersection. I immediately tried to restart it but was unsuccessful I had battery power, all of the ga restart it but was unsuccessful I had battery power, all of the gauges would a cycle back-and-forth whenever pushing the start button,however it was just like the gas motor would not fire. It is still under warranty, so I had it towed to a dealership. The next morning I was called and told that it showed a lot of codes, and they would need some time to decipher them and would notify me with results later. …”
NHTSA complaint #11163271, filed 2018-12, 50,000 milesEngine: “* october 2017 while driving in the freeway car slowed down. Got off freeway and turned off car. Car would not start anymore. Kia replaced high voltage fuse, hybrid battery, power relay. * march 2018 car was taken in due to hev and engine light on while driving. Car did not accelerate. Kia replaced the transmission. * march 2018 car was returned after transmission change and 2 days later while driving car gave hev and engine light on. Kia said it was a loose wire from transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11197210, filed 2019-04, 62,000 milesSteering: “I noticed that while driving pass 35 MPH the steering wheel gets kinda stuck in the 12 o'clock position. If I try to steer either to the right or left it gets stuck litely, now it will not do it if I'm making a complete turn! It's hard driving down the highway because you can't keep the vehicle straight in the lane because of the steering wheel sticking. Just wanted to note that it does it not only on the highway but also on city streets. It's only happening after I go over approximately after 35 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11091290, filed 2018-05, 25 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,021 and 62,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Hybrid · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.6% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating; 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Hybrid FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid | 6-speed automatic | 35 | 38 | 37 | $1,800 |
| Optima Hybrid EX FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid | 6-speed automatic | 35 | 38 | 36 | $1,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 126 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11036628Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR – ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a…
- 11035124Jul 15, 2026Fuel system, Electrical system. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC269 FLIGHT #401) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if…
- 11030342Mar 18, 2026Electrical system, Engine. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a…
- 11026698Dec 9, 2025Back-over prevention (rear camera). PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The…
- 11020817Jul 15, 2025Engine, Electrical system. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on…
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black…
- 11015971Mar 25, 2025Fuel system, Electrical system. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC269) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace…
- 11010705Nov 20, 2024Engine. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a…
- 11010513Nov 7, 2024Engine. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2104Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11006367Aug 19, 2024Electrical system. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC269) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary…
Other model years of the Kia Optima Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 26 | 23,000 | 2 | 5 | 42 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 12 | 56,200 | 0 | 5 | 37 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 31 | 45,000 | 0 | 5 | 37 | 18 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 56 | 68,000 | 2 | 5 | 37 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2012 | 109 | 87,200 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 74 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 34 | 80,500 | 3 | — | 36 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
All Kia Optima Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid (Optima Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 37 mpg combined, 35 city and 38 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,200 miles and the middle half falls between 42,021 and 62,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.