2015 Kia Optima Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,010 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,010miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the fuel system of the 2015 Kia Optima, 6% of the 1,010 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,010 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving the car on a two lane street at a normal rate of speed when the motor cut off. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to restart the engine. When I glanced up I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I opened the hood and the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and the car is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #11288199, filed 2019-12, 92,000 miles“I was driving down the street came to a red light and when I tried to press the gas my wheels locked and the car wouldn't go. I had to push it down a hill and use neutral to get at least get the car off the main street and towed. The next day it was taken to Kia and now they are telling me they can't help because I couldn't provide receipts of any maintenance that was done on the car over time.”
NHTSA complaint #11406196, filed 2021-04, 86,000 miles“The following happens anytime while driving the electronic control unit and software, sensors, actuators, warning lights, fault codes, and performance related concerns of the electronic stability control system. My passenger window won't go up once you put it down without a fight. I been to the dealer 4 times and it's not fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11232251, filed 2019-07, 85,000 miles“Engine light just started flashing and no acceleration whatsoever. Takes forever just to get up to 30 MPH. Called Kia and was told they don't know if there's a recall or not on that year. Not helpful at all. I'm afraid for my daughter to even drive it now and it's her only form of transportation to work.”
NHTSA complaint #11327534, filed 2020-06, 87,992 miles“I had just reached my destination. After being parked for approximately 30 - 45 minutes when I tried to crank up to leave. I put it in the drive gear and it would not move forward or backward when put in the reverse gear; then I had it towed. Then when attempted to crank it; it caught a fire and destroyed all of the motor, and most of the car before the fire could be extinguished”
NHTSA complaint #11219237, filed 2019-06, 100,009 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10230486Jan 13, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY SAFETY PLUG FUSE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the "Hybrid System Warranty…
- 10186044Jan 12, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: AIR FILTER AND NVLD REPLACEMENT (SA447) - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an evaporative leak test…
- 10152915Jan 18, 2019TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides…
- 10127029Dec 13, 2017TSB - SERVICE ACTION: TURBO OIL FEED LINE REPLACEMENT (SA300) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the turbo oil feed line on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), produced…
- 10109655May 19, 2014PIT STOP: GDI INJECTOR SPRAY TIP DEPOSITS - A design feature of vehicles equipped with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system is the placement of each fuel injector directly…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | 9% |
| 2019 | 18 | 8% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 22 | 9% |
| 2016 | 62 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 123 | 9% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% |
| 2003 | 12 | 9% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2015 Kia Optima
623 complaintsOther or unknown
140 complaintsElectrical system
135 complaintsBrakes
90 complaintsBody and structure
76 complaintsSteering
69 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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