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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Optima 2015 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2015 Kia Optima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,010Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
174Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine654 complaints

654 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V907000.

Unknown Or Other140 complaints

140 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System135 complaints

135 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes90 complaints

90 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 20V519000, 21V331000, 23V652000.

Vehicle Structure76 complaints

76 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

18V907000Reported December 19, 2018 - 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 19, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 71,653 vehicles across all affected models.

20V519000Reported August 27, 2020 - 440,370 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on August 27, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 440,370 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory
21V331000Reported May 10, 2021 - 440,370 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on May 10, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 440,370 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory
23V652000Reported September 25, 2023 - 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 1,730,192 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ23002Opened November 17, 2023 - Open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP21003Opened November 12, 2021 - Closed June 20, 2023

Throttle control system vulnerabilities. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22003Opened September 12, 2022 - Closed December 12, 2023

Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA19001Opened April 19, 2019 - Closed September 19, 2024

Electrical overstress. Resulted in recall campaign 20V024.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20142
201516
201622
201741
201864
2019108
202099
202183
2022136
2023159
2024118
2025111
202651
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.