2015 Kia Optima Hybrid Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 42%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid, 42% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“* 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 miles“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she was able to continue to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) because the VIN was not included in the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11435565, filed 2021-10, 98,000 miles“The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that ten minutes after parking the vehicle, it burst into flames without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed away by the insurance company. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and planned to investigate the matter. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 60,400. Consumer stated fire started at the hybrid battery.”
NHTSA complaint #11150361, filed 2018-11, 60,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11030342Mar 18, 2026PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign…
- 11020817Jul 15, 2025PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform…
- 11010705Nov 20, 2024PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2104) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign…
- 11010513Nov 7, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2104Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to…
- 10090972Sep 19, 2016Owner notification letter (sc135) - dear kia owner, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign / warranty extension program regarding the…
- 10090970Sep 15, 2016Dealer parts & service manager memo (sc135) - attention: all dealer parts and service managers, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign /…
- 10090969Sep 15, 2016Dealer principal memo (sc135) - attention: all dealer principals, kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign / warranty extension program to…
- 10090943Sep 15, 2016Tsb: voluntary emissions service campaign: evaporative canister inspection and/or replacement (sc135) - this bulletin provides information to inspect and/or replace the…
- 10089617Jul 1, 2015Tsb: data collection: extract california emissions data from ecu (dc1501) - this bulletin provides information related to extracting in use performance tracking emissions data…
- 10089987Apr 24, 2015Pitstop: smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems) functionality which monitors and prevents the simultaneous activation…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
5 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology