2015 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 256owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $4,200median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
722 of the 1,006 complaints on this car are about the engine. 256 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 256 reports
Stalling on other Optima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (36 reports), the battery (23 reports) and the alternator (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Kia Optima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Optima
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
Transmission shift cable detachment. Closed apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V-153.
What owners paid
22 of the 256 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,522 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 59,000 and 116,000 miles, from the 156 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Was driving down the interstate and the engine lost some power and the engine blew and parts of the connecting rod was on the outside of motor which blew a hole in the block and oil went into the intake manifold and pieces of the piston ring was in there and engine shut off, and seen that this has been a problem with these cars”
Filed May 8, 2026
“Was driving then suddenly the engine shut off I was able to pull to the side Tried to restart it I saw smoke coming out from the hood I did tow it to my apartment looks like the engine is locked I contacted kia they said I have a branded title they canât do anything about it Even if the car title was branded to a rear ending collision And the engine had oil in it”
Filed Mar 20, 2026
“Driving down Highway at 72 mph when vehicle shut down wheel got tight then vehicle restarted itself. Taken to dealership ran multiple test and cannot find an issue with the vehicle. There are no warning lights there was no symptoms or anything else like that that would have let me know the vehicle was would shutdown/restart while driving.”
Filed Jun 21, 2022
“The motor in my vehicle failed. It put myself, passengers, and others traveling on the highway at risk because the car shut down immediately in the road. The problem was identified by an independent service center. The vehicle was inspected by police and state troopers. There werenât any warning lights prior to the failure.”
Filed May 11, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 256 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 319 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 108 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 89 reports
- Vehicle fire 70 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 56 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 49 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 37 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 30 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports