How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Kia Optima?

NHTSA lists 49 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain category for the 2015 Kia Optima, which is about 5% of the 1,008 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2015 Kia Optima?

No related recalls are listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2015 Kia Optima based on the available NHTSA data.

At what mileage do 2015 Kia Optima transmission problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2015 Kia Optima is 82,794 miles.

Were there any crashes or fires linked to transmission complaints on the 2015 Optima?

NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the complaints tied to this model year, though the fire was logged under a separate electrical system complaint rather than transmission.

How does the 2015 Optima compare to other years for this problem area?

The 2015 Optima's 49 Transmission & Powertrain complaints and 5% share are lower than the 2016 model year's 73 complaints and 10% share, but higher than the 2014 model year's 20 complaints and 3% share.

2015 Kia Optima Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 49 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2015 Kia Optima, about 5% of its 1,008 total complaints for the year. The median mileage at failure was 82,794 miles, and no related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 49; 5% of 1,008
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 82,794 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Some owners report the gear shifter did not fully engage into park, allowing the vehicle to roll away while parked and off.
Owners describe a jerking or lurching motion with a hard downshift to first gear when slowing to around 20 mph.
Some report the transmission case cracking after passing over road obstructions like a manhole cover, requiring a lengthy wait for a replacement part.
Owners report a grinding noise from the lower end of the engine, described by a dealer as sounding like leftover metal debris from manufacturing.
A crash was reported in connection with a transmission-area complaint, though the filer described it as unrelated fault to their vehicle.

When 2015 Kia Optima transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 5, 2015, latest Jun 8, 2026.

49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2015 to Jun 2026; peak Mar 2023 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2015 Kia Optima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Optima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201024 (32%)
201125 (4%)
201254 (6%)
201364 (5%)
201420 (3%)
201549 (5%)
201673 (10%)
201721 (8%)
201818 (8%)
201917 (8%)
202027 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Kia Optima?: NHTSA lists 49 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain category for the 2015 Kia Optima, which is about 5% of the 1,008 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2015 Kia Optima?: No related recalls are listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2015 Kia Optima based on the available NHTSA data.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Optima transmission problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2015 Kia Optima is 82,794 miles.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to transmission complaints on the 2015 Optima?: NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the complaints tied to this model year, though the fire was logged under a separate electrical system complaint rather than transmission.
How does the 2015 Optima compare to other years for this problem area?: The 2015 Optima's 49 Transmission & Powertrain complaints and 5% share are lower than the 2016 model year's 73 complaints and 10% share, but higher than the 2014 model year's 20 complaints and 3% share.