Problems · by component
2015 Kia Optima service brakes problems
49 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Optima cite service brakes, 5% of all 1,011 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
49
5% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
“My 2015 Kia Optima has a failing ABS/HECU module consistent with the Kia ABS fire recall. The brake lights stay on constantly even when the brake pedal switch is unplugged. If I unplug the ABS/HECU module, the brake lights immediately turn off, which confirms the ABS module is back-feeding power into the brake light circuit. I also previously experienced the ABS pump running with the vehicle turned off. Currently the ABS, ESC, EPS, and Brake warning lights are illuminated and all stability/ABS functions are disabled. This is a clear safety hazard affecting braking, electrical safety, and vehicle fire risk. I have already been to the Kia dealer twice and they dismissed the issue after only checking the recall fuse. They refused to address the ABS module itself even though the vehicle is unsafe. The recall appears insufficient because the module has now failed. I need Kia to replace the ABS/HECU module under recall safety remedy.”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The defects involve multiple electronic control systems, including steering, braking, and airbag modules, which continue to generate active and stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) even after the May 2, 2023 recall repair. The vehicle remains in our possession and is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the vehicle fails to illuminate dashboard warnings, we were unaware of critical malfunctions occurring in real time while driving. This creates the risk of sudden failure in steering, braking, or airbag deployment, directly endangering both occupants and the public. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Independent diagnostic scans repeatedly confirmed active and stored DTCs following the recall repair. These findings show the defects are reproducible and ongoing. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle was inspected by Kia’s authorized dealer, Spradley…”
“My motor bearing is knocking very loud I was refused service upon arrival dealer was making my service very complicated asking me to go dig up old receipts and various other things that was not actually caused for and I was at risk by driving the car there until it shut off due to engine failures when the car has fire risk and could possibly explode and they have confirmed it’s the engine but have not done any maintenance to my engine the check engine light flashes heavy non stop as well was even denied a loaner car still until today”
“I was driving on the Northbound side of the Interstate when my brakes failed when I pressed them to avoid a collision on the highway. The steering wheel malfunctioned when I tried to avoid a head-on collision with another vehicle. I couldn't control or stop the car, causing me to swerve left to right, and I then completely lost control of the vehicle. I crashed into the middle of the highway, but because my brakes had failed, the car continued at full speed into the Southbound side of the highway, causing me to wreck into a semi. The Colorado State Patrol investigated the accident. Right before I wrecked into the semi-trailer, I noticed all of the lights on the dashboard were off. My Steering wheel had fallen off completely, but the airbag never deployed even though every other airbag had deployed.”
“On May 11, 2024, we took our 2015 Kia Optima to Hutchinson Kia Service Center 3931 River Pl, Macon, Ga. due to brakes not working. When you apply brakes the vehicle would not stopped you would have to apply the emergency brakes for a complete stop. On that day, I was told no one was there to check my brakes due it was a Saturday and would need to schedule another appointment when they could do a brake diagnostic. The next appointment was June 4,2024, on that day we had the vehicle towed due to brakes. Today is September 2, 2024 and our vehicle is still there. On July 12, 2024, we were contacted staying vehicle was repaired and the problem wa a pin hole in the right brake line. We picked up the vehicle proceeded home at the first traffic stop same problem happen with the brakes.We returned immediately back to Kia Service center, explaining the same problem still exists. After vehicle being there for 2 more weeks, Nick with Kia Hutchinson Kia called stated there was a problem with ABS system and vehicle would be ready on August 21,2024. Well the still have my vehicle and no updates. When you call they put on hold and never comeback. If you go over the Service…”
Showing 6 of 49 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.