2015 Kia Optima Transmission Problems

On December 27, 2025, at approximately 150,556 miles, my 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid experienced sudden engine knocking, power loss, and failure while driving at 65 MPH on a highway. The vehicle dropped into limp mode and I had to pull off the highway. The car required towing to the dealership as it would not drive safely.

While driving my 2015 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX] ) at highway speed, the engine suddenly shut off without any warning lights, alerts, noises, or check-engine indicators. This created a dangerous situation for me and surrounding drivers. The vehicle had passed state inspection only 3 months earlier with no issues.

I have 2015 kia optima grey or platinum graphite exterior color since aug 2019 I had an tbone accident last dec 26 2021 which iam not at fault for never received any type of comfort care claim it was during covid pandemic I was in the process of grieviance being hate left in despair also job loss with no income unstable living situation which I was living on my personal vehicle been going through financial hardship until present I havent been driven until I brought to kia dealership jan 1st of 2023 due to my personal injury and car accident it was left parked got towed with busted windows had my personal belongings being gone missing....

1.Since 1/17/23 I've had 5 occurrences of the car yanking me to the left as I am turning right. The steering wheel gets stiffed, the dashboard lights come one, car slows down and I have to park the car and turn it off and back on. When I turn it back on, no dashboard lights are on and the everything is back to normal as if nothing ever happened.

On 3/1/23 on my way home from my which the site was in Perth Amboy, NJ. At the North Somerset rest stop, just exited the I-76 westbound. I lost power around 65 MPH.

For one my car is very sluggish when taking off and shifting gears Jerks badly. MY electrical is messing up on my radio and camera. Sometimes I smell rubber burning.

The O2 Sensor malfunctioned causing check engine light to come on. The Catalytic Converter failed or malfunctioned, an it is available for inspection upon request. 1wk after replacement of O2 Sensor installment, check engine light illuminated once again.

Driving north bound on the 405 at freeway speeds, the vehicle showed several warning lights on the dash. Check engine light, oil light and 2 others, the vehicle lost engine power and only had brakes. I was able to shuffle off the main freeway to an off ramp where I pulled over to attempt to power the car back on.

Engine seized while driving and wouldnt start.I bought a new battery and tried to start it and it almost caught on fire.I had it towed to a kia dealer and they replaced the engine and the turbo system which had a recall on it in 2016that was for the knock sensorsystem on 2018/

Took my car into the dealership ( atlanta west kia, douglasville, ga) for an oil change, tire rotation, etc. I was notified when I checked in that there was a computer recall for an upgrade of the computer/electronic system. They informed me that they would do that while performing the other service work.

2015 kia optima with approx 68,000 miles. Going up hill up a ramp to merge onto highway around 40 MPH when the check engine light illuminated and would no longer accelerate. Shortly after, the oil and battery lights illuminated and car coasted as far as possible into shoulder as I could.

Engine locked in while driving on road No power an won’t start

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes and the steering column were inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated.

Driving on highway at 65 MPH and engine just died with no warning. Almost got hit trying to get off the expressway to the side of road. Had car towed home and checked engine.

Was driving down the interstate and engine cut off suddenly. Had to coast across several lane to pull over out of traffic. This was very dangerous.

Knock sensor replaced due to engine knocking did not fix the problem the cars engine does not work it julks and pulls really hard engine noise check engine flashing left me stalled on the main highway with my 2 children with no warning the car has engine oil to adequate levels maintenance was up to date

The engine lost power taking off crossing a major roadway, resulting in a stall, vehicle had to be restarted in a panic. The knocking and loss of power put me and my passenger in danger of a side impact from cross traffic. The issue was reproduced by a dealer upon further inspection.

2015 Kia Optima Hybrid HEV system. Months after purchasing the vehicle two different lights would come on the engine. One is the HEV warning light and the other is a flashing “Turn off engine and check HEV system”.

Engine/motor failed which disabled the car on highway. Traveling on 3/4 lane highway with heavy traffic. Safety was risked due to almost being hit from behind and cars swerving out the way.

Vehicle had service light on for engine. I took it to the dealership and they said it's ok to drive today until they service in the morning. They had a sensor show for the heuc.

My 16 year old son saved his money (since 13 years old) and purchased back in october 2019 the car used from a dealer with 79546 miles on the car. On february 18, 2020 on his drive home from school he noticed a loud knocking noise. He was not sure where it was coming from, no warning lights came on whatsoever.

When taking off at a stop light or getting onto the interstate (basically when accelerating) the car feels like it has no power. You can hear a weird noise and sometimes you will smell burnt oil or something burnt. Also, I had a recent oil change and within the month I had to add oil again.

I have never had any problems with my vehicle since the day I bought it brand new. I make sure to get regular maintenance and I am not a harsh driver. I was driving about 50 MPH on a 2 lane road.

Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power while driving when cylinder 3 completely failed (0 PSI compression). Metal particles found in oil and excessive oil consumption (1 pint/100 miles). KIA dealer diagnosed as piston rings but ignored metal in oil that suggests bearing failure covered under recall campaign.

My 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid poses a serious safety risk. While driving at highway speeds, the car has randomly shut off multiple times. A "Check Hybrid System" or hybrid battery warning appears on the dashboard, and the vehicle either loses power entirely or switches to electric-only mode and coasts to a stop.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, or while at a complete stop, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The vehicle would resume normal operation upon restart of the engine.

Driving one day in Dec 2021, and there was a hybrid system warning and vehicle suddenly stopped on the road. Called tow truck. We were unable to put the car in neutral to tow.

I need remedy compensation in regards of my recalls my engine warranty was gone after being replaced due to engine seized 01/01/2023 I had engine warranty since 2020 and now my car was being rejected refused rejected excluded iam being discredited I own my 2015 kia optima I lived sleep in my car iam hoing through financial hardship since 2021 I need legal advice help assistance please

The vehicle has a seized motor within the manufacturers powertrain warranty. They are denying to repair/ replace the motor because they claim a recall was not performed. The NHTSA does not currently show the recall that needed to be performed.

While stepping on the brakes my car has revved up as if I was pressing the gas. So I let my foot off the pedal and pressed the brakes again. This happened 2 times that week.

My car is dragging/hesitant to pick up speed. While on the highway, it takes a while to reach minimal speed. No warning lights are on, but one mechanic advised code, under turbo boost.

My 2015 Kia Optima EX with 56,462 miles which I am the original owner. On 09/07/2024, my vehicle oil light came on and the vehicle was taken to Weston Kia in Gresham, OR. This vehicle has had regular oil changes every 3,000 miles since purchased performed at Weston Kia.

August 6, 2022 on Kansas Turnpike near El dorado. 2015 Kia Optima LX 74,000 miles. With absolutely NO warning whatsoever revved high then began a knocking sound, then a horrible banging and died.

In 2020 a message saying “check hybrid system, stop vehicle and turn off engine appeared and the car stopped while I was driving. I brought it to the Kia Dealership and they “fixed the problem”. On Tuesday May 31st I was driving home on the expressway and my car stopped.

I was driving on interstate 40 in tennessee and my car just stopped running. I was in right lane and I pulled off to shoulder. A dot emergency repair truck stopped and tried to jump my car, but nothing happened, not even a noise or anything.

My vehicle is among the vehicles registered/qualifying for a recall. My dealer was to have replaced my entire engine during the first recall my vehicle received. Within a week/some 5 days or so my check engine light was back on.

I started having issues with my vehicle in october 2019, I tried to reach out to kia dealerships, with no help. I kept being told there were no recalls on my car and that I did not need to be concerned. My car finally stopped working, it just would not drive.

My brakes and traction lights comes on randomly. It started happening a year ago. It has happened about 5 times since last year.

Sounds like pieces of metal was left in the engine during the time of manufacturing and was never taken out ,the vehicle was still running, I decided to take it to get checked , the device at kia of essington of philadelphia said it was a grinding sound on the bottom end of the engine

My vehicle is randomly displaying 'goodbye' on the dashboard and is shutting off while driving. This started from nowhere with no warning lights or warning signals. I've only had this vehicle for 6 months and it has less that 30,000 miles on it.

I have a 2015 kia optima with 24,300 miles I purchase my car brand new from southwest kia . I took my car in for service because I had just recently had oil change at walmart 700 miles later my oil light started appearing. I took it to kia because recently having oil change and car was no longer registering oil.

Recently my transmission case cracked as it passed over a manhole cover on a street being resurfaced. My dealers service department said this has happened a lot. I waited nine weeks for the part to come in.

When I am driving my 2010 kia optima and go to slow down at 20 MPH (only at 20 MPH and only when slowing down) my car does a jerk or lurching motion, with a hard down shift to 1st gear.this happens no matter where im driving. From what ive been told theres a transmission update software which when updated. After being updated the dealer has to rset/lear the relearn procedure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia optima. The contact stated that while in park with the vehicle turned off, the vehicle rolled away into a lake. After retrieving the vehicle from the lake, the contact noticed that the gear shifter was no longer shifted completely into the park position.

Was driving down the highway and all of a sudden the car shut down in the highway lucky cars was not close by. Tried to crank it it would not crank would not take a boost it won’t say anything I had the battery checked at auto zone the battery is really good.

P1236 knock sensor code. Car went into "limp home mode" while driving down the freeway at 55 MPH.