https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the KIA Optima Hybrid. en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:43:03 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2165076 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2165077 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2165078 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving during colder weather the car will show HEV (hybrid system) warning and tell you to shut it off. I was in a construction zone with no where to pull over when the car died and lost all propulsion and brakes. This seems to be a common problem on KIA Optima hybrids from 2012-2015. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2141641 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Dear NHTSA, 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 a https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2141642 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Dear NHTSA, 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 a https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2141643 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Dear NHTSA, 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 a https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2096827 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2096828 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2096829 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2071817 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Hybrid battery system warning - Pull over -Do Not Drive" was displayed, prompting the contact to pull over and discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The ABS and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an i https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2065539 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT 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 sizzli https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2058953 Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact’s son owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started leaking oil. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2046891 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill and on gravel with the Electric Drive Mode activated, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact pressed the button to deactivate the Electric Drive Mode, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact released the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2046892 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to drive uphill and on gravel with the Electric Drive Mode activated, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact pressed the button to deactivate the Electric Drive Mode, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact released the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2043429 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Pa https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2042159 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the brake pedal was pumped to slow the vehicle as needed. Additionally, the "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" and "Check Brake" messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS system had failed https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2036890 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and engine warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure was not related to the repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mile https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2036891 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and engine warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure was not related to the repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mile https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2019942 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2019943 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but failed to accelerate as intended or change gear as intended. The vehicle was then taken to https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2002373 Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-2002374 Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1997597 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1997598 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1997599 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V844000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1995133 Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the replaced engine was defective and affected the high hybrid battery. The contact received https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1995134 Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated the engine was previously replaced under an unstated NHTSA recall. The contact stated that five months after the repair, the malfunction indicator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the replaced engine was defective and affected the high hybrid battery. The contact received https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1994141 Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the e https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1994142 Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT The Hybrid Warning light came on. This was the third time this has happened. The first time Kia said it was the Air Box and I paid $600 to repair. The second time the shop mistakenly cleared the codes before determining the cause. The third time they say it is the Wiring Harness and will cost $4,550 to report if they have the harness. This vehicle has recall for the connecting rod in the e https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid https://plaincars.com/make/kia-optima-hybrid#complaint-1991291 Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illum