2015 Kia Optima: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 19, 2026 · Engine · 75,309 miles · IN · fire

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph and slowing down to enter a parking garage, she observed black smoke emanating from under the hood, and the vehicle stalled. The contact then observed flames near the windshield wipers coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and called 911. She observed flames coming from under the hood and under the vehicle, and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the garage manager attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful. The police and fire department arrived shortly after the attempt, and the fire department extinguished the fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not taken, and she was not aware of any fire department report being filed. The vehicle was bulldozed out of the parking garage and towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 75,309.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Engine · 95,000 miles · FL · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, smoke was coming inside the vehicle. The contact had to stop the vehicle and turn off the vehicle, when the contact restarted the vehicle, he saw flames coming from the windshield wipers. While opening the hood of the vehicle to see where the flames were coming from, the contact burned his hands. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Visibility · AL

I have owned my kia optima for several years and I've had issues with the windshield wipers not going fast enough. I work from home so I do not travel that often but just recently went on a trip & was on the interstate when it started raining very hard. I could not see the car in front of me at all, not even their tail lights. I understand visibility is always worse when it rains but all the other cars were still going at a steady pace & passing me. I had to pull over on the side of the interstate until the rain slowed down to just a sprinkle before I could see well enough to drive. This caused me a great amount of anxiety because i didn't know if I was going to run into someone or if I was even in the right lane. I have several friends that also have the kia optima 2015 & 2016 models and they have said the same thing. The speed on the windshield wipers is extremely slow compared to other cars we tested this on & I feel this is a major safety concern. I pulled up google reviews on this issue & there are a lot of people complaining about the speed not being fast enough.

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Visibility · 75,000 miles · GA · fire

Windshield wipers smoking after fuse changed not working causing burning smell from wheel reported at 75000 miles at 115000 day out of warranty..if my airbag or car catch on fire due to this issue I am coming for kia