2015 Kia Optima: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Brakes · 87,600 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in October of 2020. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who tested the vehicle to determine that the vehicle was not leaking brake fluid. Approximately 5 years later the ABS, traction control, and brake light illuminated, causing the vehicle to hesitate and jerk while driving. The contact stated that there was a burning oil odor coming from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the modulator valve was leaking oil, causing it to leak out of the vehicle when the cap was removed. The contact noticed oil on the skid plate underneath the oil pan. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,600.

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving uphill at 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · WI

For the past month or two my vehicle hesitates to start on the first try. I can smell an odor at times when this occurs. Most recently it seems to occur more frequently when the outside temperature is warmer.

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Engine · PA

I got my engine replaced, after using 100 miles on the car I checked my oil there was no oil in the car, every time I try to go over 45 miles the car hesitates to speed up. I am constantly checking the oil weekly, the engine still makes the knocking noise, never again will I buy a KIA vehicle again

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Engine · PA

Engine pinging Hesitates when pulling out at times

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Engine · 129,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle remained in dealer possession for months as the contact awaited the repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed her that since a prior service was not performed on the vehicle, she no longer qualified for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Engine · 116,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer performed a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2020 · Engine · 82,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia optima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that the side-view mirrors independently move inwards to the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken several times to bayside kia of waldorf located at 3188 crain hwy, waldorf, md 20603, (301) 645-1711, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.*dt

Filed Apr 23, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 119,402 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia optima. The contact stated while his wife was parking the vehicle, the ignition was turned to the off position and made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated without warning. The driver continued to drive to the destination. Several days later, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact retrieved several unknown dtc codes using a dtc scanner tool. The contact reached out to an independent mechanic and was informed that the codes were incorrect. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,402.

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Engine · 74,600 miles · GA

About a week ago I was stopped at a stop sign and when I went to accelerate the car stalled for around 5-6 seconds then drove fine. Ever since then it will randomly feel like it hesitates while in motion driving between 45-65 MPH.

Filed Mar 18, 2019 · Engine · 63,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia optima. Within a short period of owning the vehicle, the engine hesitated and suddenly seized while driving 60 MPH. The vehicle was unable to be driven safely. The vehicle was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling), although the vehicle exhibited the same failure as the recall campaign. The manufacturer had not issued any engine recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed May 3, 2018 · Steering · CA

The vehicle was purchased new in 2015, the steering box on this vehicle was replaced in november 2016 under warranty as the steering wheel would have a hesitation (felt like a brief sticking) regardless of driving conditions but more dangerous at highway speeds. Now may 2018 I am having to have it replaced again as the steering is very loose and wanders for no reason, again, regardless of driving conditions but more unpredictable at highway speeds and requires a great deal of concentration to keep the vehicle in the lane. The vehicle is 36 months old with 78000 miles and is having the 3rd steering box installed. The technician has deemed my vehicle unsafe to drive and stated that the tech support from kia acted as though they weren't surprised. I do not feel comfortable driving this car knowing that this mechanism is failing at an unsafe rate. Kia knows of this problem and apparently feels fine with it though they deem the car unsafe to drive due to a part that they knowingly are installing in these vehicles. A brief search on the internet (god love the internet) will reveal that this is a problem that many people are having. Please look into this, these vehicles are unpredictable on the road and by their own admission unsafe. My case number with kia for this problem is 12711641