Kia Optima Hybrid fire or smoke problems

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ · fire

I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid, which caught fire and was completely destroyed on October 5, 2025. Incident Summary: While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, I noticed that the vehicle was not entering Hybrid Mode, which is abnormal for its typical operation. I reduced my speed to 45 mph, then down to 35 mph as I began to observe smoke coming from the vehicle. At no point did the vehicle show signs of overheating, and there was no Check Engine Light until shortly before I was able to safely pull over. Within moments of stopping the vehicle and exiting with my passenger, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and ultimately burned to the ground. Fortunately, both occupants escaped unharmed. The vehicle has been inspected by my insurance provider; however, I have been waiting over two weeks for Kia to inspect the vehicle or provide any official response regarding a possible cause. This delay is concerning, especially given the severity of the incident and the potential safety risk to other drivers. Vehicle Details: Make/Model: 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 54,300 Date of Fire: October 5, 2025 Location: US-60 NONCARD & MP-118 Morristown, AZ I am reporting this incident in hopes that the federal safety agency will investigate whether this is an isolated case or potentially part of a larger safety defect within this vehicle model or hybrid system. The lack of adequate warning and the total loss due to fire raises serious safety concerns. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required to support an investigation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine · 115,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that DTC: P1326 was displayed on the instrument panel, with the message, “For Your Safety – Please Pull Over” displayed. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and there was a green liquid sizzling on the heat on top of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the upper radiator hose had melted, and that the battery was an OEM part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · 131,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was cleaned and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer and failed to restart. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and to Kia Campaign Number: SC200. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2022 · 106,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, a smoke odor was detected. Another driver alerted the contact's mother that there was a fire coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's mother pulled over and exited the vehicle. There were flames coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle, and within seconds, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. No injury was sustained and no medical treatment was received. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle did not have insurance and remained on the side of the road, where it caught fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) associated with the VIN; however, the contact did not receive the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 60,400 miles · NC · fire

Tl* 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. *tt consumer stated fire started at the hybrid battery. *jb

Filed Oct 20, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 40,879 miles · NV

When starting up the car you can smell a rubber burning smell comimg from the air vents. When driving the vehicle sometimes while driving it the car accelerates on its own.

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · 12,000 miles · IL

Some of this cars was on fire and we want to know if its safe

Filed Sep 30, 2018 · 106,000 miles · IN · fire

While I was driving my 2013 kia optima hybrid this morning. While driving, I suddenly got a warning message that said "hybrid system failure stop safely do not drive". I pulled over and smelled what seemed to be fire, but saw nothing. I called my fianc to let him know what was going on and the cabin started filling with smoke. I jumped out of the car and popped the trunk. There were flames shooting out of the hybrid system. The fire was extinguished, the car is now sitting in a tow yard. I take very good care of my car. There is nothing that I would have done or could have done to cause this.

Filed Sep 22, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 100,000 miles · MD

This vehicle is dangerous and extremely faulty. I have had to replace the transmission due to the car traveling at no more than 55 MPH. In addition, there was extreme knocking within the steering wheel in which the steering wheel had to be replaced as well. Then my car started drifting again with white smoke coming from under the hood and exhaust. Now kia is saying that the engine is faulty and needs to be replaced. My car is not being serviced for a recall on the engine because it is a hybrid, yet non-hybrid kia cars have a recall for it. This is the same thing. What a disservice! Kia needs to quit making cars altogether if the internal work has no endurance. I'm still paying on this vehicle. This car is a danger, waste, and disservice. Several complaints have been noted in reference to the same thing. What if the car exploded? Then what? This car could have harmed me or others. Please recall the engine and anything else this car has that is unmanageable or unhealthy. The opportunity cost is pisspoor.

Filed Aug 2, 2018 · Engine · 60,600 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2015 kia optima hybrid. While driving 15 MPH, smoke appeared from the engine compartment. The contact coasted the vehicle to a parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed flames underneath the hood. The contact stated that the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The contact called seelye ford of kalamazoo (3820 stadium dr, kalamazoo, mi 49008, (269) 375-3820). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,600.