2015 Kia Optima: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

I would say that the time this incident happened I was driving and me and me nephew were in car at time taking to shop to see why it was making a sound like air and all of sudden the car started swerving and slowing down and then it made a pop sound and smoke started coming from the car and I was thankful that I didn’t get hit but affraid and also hit my head in car due to the sudden jerk car mad and then it popped sound a d smoke came from good. The next day I have to pay to get back on the other side and also tow it home which it been parked since but I see a recall on my vin and want to find out how to get it to the nearest Kia to fix the recall

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Brakes · 158,872 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 5 MPH and started jerking abnormally. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included in recalls. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,872.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · AL · fire

Yesterday, [XXX], My 2015 kia optima engines reved up wothout me pushing the gas & within seconds later a loud noise and metal fell from under the hood. After pulling over, popping the hood on the passenger side and under the engine a fire had started. My daughter was seated in the back passenger side her door had locked, thankfully the passenger door was left opened bc within minutes the entire car was filled with smoke and engulfed in flames. Prior to this the steering wheel would jerk even while at a red light. This car just did have 100,000 miles & no knowledge this prior. Thank god i was able to get my daughter out of this vehicle & this didnt end in a tragedy due to negligence if this was a prior known fact. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 28, 2025 · Electrical · TX · fire

My car caught on fire just sitting under the carport. The investigator said that it was electrical. Our neighbor seen it and told us to get out the house and started popping. I tried to get in for the brake line but no one would call me back to see about it. When I go thru water and get on the brake it jerk like.

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 Feb 20, 2024 · 125,935 miles · CA

While driving doesn't matter the speed, my car doesn't accelerate and jerks, it had does these many times and I take it into the shop, at least 3 times now, and they can't find anything. Since it doesn't do it when they test drive it, they don't know what is wrong. But it is very annoying, since there are times I have been on a highway and my car doesn't speed up.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Engine · 115,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked and then stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate over 60 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had occurred four times within the past two years. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired twice by another Kia dealer and the last two failures the vehicle was repaired by Freddy Kia. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed knock sensor. The contact was informed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The knock sensor had been replaced four times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2022 · Airbags, Engine · 200,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The traction control, air bag, power steering assist, ABS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice, and the front passenger’s side wheel speed sensor and the ECU were replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to Clay Cooley Kia (1247 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062) where it was diagnosed that the ECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and various unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to Vanguard Kia of Arlington (1501 E Interstate 20, Arlington, TX 76018) where it was diagnosed that the ECU, front passenger’s side wheel speed sensor and air bag clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · MS

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. When I have my cruise on it will speed up on its on and jerk when it does and when i press my brakesbto slow down it doesn'twant to slow down unless iash really hard. When taking off from a hill or a dead stop it doesn't want to shift and slags and rattles when it shifts. Bluetooth works sometimes and sometimes it doest it depends on when my backup camera works or not. I bought this car used in June of 2021 with a little over 92000 miles. I know when something doesn't sound right and when something is messed up, there is something wrong with my car. So far I haven't been in an accident but I don't want to be either.

Filed Nov 30, 2021 · Engine · 108,516 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle made rattling sounds and was shaking and jerking. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for weekly oil consumption tests. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed carbon to cleanse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,516.

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · IL

My Kia Optima needs/needed to have a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to installed. The Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) protects the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. There was/is nothing to detect the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear and alert the driver at an early stage of bearing wear before the occurrence of severe engine damage, including engine failure. There is no indicative code to alert the driver and minimize the risk of a more severe engine failure. My car has experienced this inadequacy and is need of a full engine replacement because of it. There has been recalls on other years of the Kia Optima but, not the 2015. This is an increasing problem amongst Kia Optima 2015 owners and should not be treated separately from the other years that have experienced the same problem. My car jerked suddenly in traffic and came to a sudden stop almost causing me and my granddaughter to be in a collision with oncoming traffic, with no warning. Kia did a safety recall campaign for other models with this problem SC200**1 (Rev 1, 03/25/2021) but did not include the Kia Optima 2015.

Filed Apr 10, 2021 · Engine · 100,000 miles · AR · fire

I had just left the construction zone on I-30 eastbound in benton, ar. I was in the left lane when the car began acting jerky as if it was trying to accelerate. I started to cross over to the right lane when I noticed smoking coming out the back. I got on the right shoulder, parked in front of exit 118, and turned off the vehicle. I was in my vehicle calling a ride when I noticed a gentleman running towards me yelling, "your car is on fire!" I got out of my vehicle, went around to the passenger door to retrieve my purse and laptop bag from the front passenger seat, and moved as far as possible to the rear of the vehicle. By the time, I had retrieved my items out of the front seat, there was smoking coming from the hood of the vehicle. By the time, I had begun walking to the rear of the vehicle, you could see flames coming from the hood. I was calling 911 as I walked to the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the vehicle fire is unknown. However, the vehicle was serviced the day before by k & a tires in malvern, ar. The camshaft was replaced, an oil change was completed, and the windshield wipers were replaced. Unfortunately, the invoice was in the glove department of the vehicle. The owner was given information that the vehicle was/is under an the federal safety agency recall# 20v519.