2015 Kia Optima Visibility Problems

This is about paint damage on my Optima is a known factory paint defect.This factory paint defect, specifically paint delamination causes bubbling, peeling then flaking off in large chunks while driving, has been reported on 2015 KIA Optima with white pearl paint. The damages ares are exposed to the metal, subject to rust and corrosion. On 5/30/35 KIA in Ontario, Ca. Body Shop Manager Yvonne Ramirez inspected my vehicle and immediately confirmed the paint damages to the exterior of my vehicle is a known factory paint defect on 2015 Optima with white paint. Yvonne instructed me to contact Corporate KIA, report the case, receive a claim # then contact her to schedule an appointment for the repair. On June 3, 2025 KIA reopened case number [XXX] originally reported on June 11, 2024. No claim # issues, no repairs made. Safety Concern: The paint damage has affected both sides of the adhesive inside the glass securing the windshield. This is a nation wide problem. Owners have documented and continue to keep reporting this problem to KIA, NHTSA, AutoLine and BBB. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed against KIA in USA and Canada. This is also happening to Toyota, Honda & Subaru. It’s basically all the car manufacturers who are using this pearl white paint. The amount of Optima owners dealing with the massive rapidly spreading paint defect to their vehicle is over whelming. December 2023 my 2015 KIA Optima SXT Pearl White beautiful exterior paint began to bubble, peel, flake followed by large chunks of paint falling off even while driving. This started on the roof top right and left of the rear window. February 2024 - the same paint damages started on the right and left sails/pillars next to the front wind shield and is causing damage, bubbling and spreading through out the left and right side of the glass. It is a safety concern. March 2025 - the same paint damage started on the top right truck with huge chunks of paint falling off while driving.HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

NHTSA ID

11667571

Incident

Dec 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the defroster, the defroster failed to active to defrost the windshield. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the heated steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side heated seats were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11635862

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Mileage

127,000 mi

My 2015 Kia Optima has always had issues with the passenger side window getting stuck. Apparently there was a technical service bulletin, and recalls for the 2016 model but not 2015. My son was driving the vehicle the window got stuck and then shattered into 3 pieces. This is a HUGE safety issue and KIA does not want to take any accountability for this. A recall needs to be issued immediately to protect people from shattering glass!!!!! I did open up a case with KIA and so far NOTHING case#[XXX]. Meanwhile my car has been sitting at Beck and Masten Kia in Tomball waiting to be repaired. Why must we pay for this when I complained for months it was a problem and my warranty just expired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT safe. Please issue recall and investigate immediately! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11624006

Incident

Nov 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact received a recall repair regarding a system upgrade for the knock sensor detection system and experienced the failure since the repair was performed. The vehicle was emitting a fuel odor and had a burning odor as if the vehicle was overheating. The driver’s and passenger’s side side-view mirrors would close while driving at various speeds. The Push to Start button had to be pressed several times to start the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the fuel odor was due to a hole in the fuel line hose. The passenger’s side side-view mirror had been replaced. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 100.

NHTSA ID

11495740

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

100 mi

Sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving down the road. The glass is pushing outward like it was broken from the inside of the car. Nothing hit the care at the time, there was a loud explosion sound and then cracking sounds after that.

NHTSA ID

11484140

Incident

Sep 12, 2022

Window regulator failed. Broke while it was 4 degrees outside and middle of snow storm. Seen this is a common problem that should be recalled . As repairs will cost me $600 that i dont have . !!!

NHTSA ID

11451784

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11425620

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11286631

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW WAS JAMMED IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. PRESTIGE AUTO SALES (N8890 WI-57, BRILLION, WI) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,620.

NHTSA ID

11129158

Incident

Sep 5, 2018

Mileage

74,620 mi