Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 engine which I suspect is the real issue due to clicking noise it makes just before the lights come on, but each time I take it in I am told it is something else. Since it is the Wiring Harness this time it could be a fire hazard especiall on a Hybrid with Lithium batteries, I am not going to repair it as it has left me on the road too many times and I am sure it has the connecting rod issue. …
Happened numerous times while driving in traffic or speeds over 60 MPH, engine warning light comes on stating Hybrid engine malfunction turn off immediately. If I don't get to pull over immediately, I lose power until I do. When I have my phone attached to the carport program, it registers that there is someone in the passenger seat and will beep until I put the seat belt in the receptacle as if someone was there. This has happened since I first bought it and I have about 5,000. I have brought this to the dealer twice and they claim that they can't replicate either issue. This is obviously a trend. They are now sending out an "expert" to fix the problem. Otherwise I'm lemon lawing it. I have photos and video of the defect so they can't even try and say I'm making it up.
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that ten minutes after parking the vehicle, it burst into flames without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed away by the insurance company. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and planned to investigate the matter. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 60,400. Consumer stated fire started at the Hybrid battery.
* October 2017 while driving in the freeway car slowed down. Got off freeway and turned off car. Car would not start anymore. Kia replaced high voltage fuse, Hybrid battery, power relay. * March 2018 car was taken in due to HEV and engine light on while driving. Car did not accelerate. Kia replaced the transmission. * March 2018 car was returned after transmission change and 2 days later while driving car gave HEV and engine light on. Kia said it was a "loose wire" from transmission. * March 2018 car gave HEV and check engine light on while driving and Kia replaced the transmission again (2nd time in 1 month). * April 2018 check engine and HEV code came out while driving and Kia replaced the computer from engine. *March 2019 HEV and check engine light while driving on Kia replaced the main harness.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with a battery management system (BMS) message displayed. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal, but the pedal became firm, causing the contact to almost crash into another vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the BMS message and check engine warning was light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle needed be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 84,000.
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.
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 independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 146,000.
I took my car to riverchase Kia to get a battery and to get the battery installed I have the invoice I was charged $762 and he also told me that he was doing some recalls on wiring and he told me he completed it well recently I was driving and the brakes gave out on me he was supposed to do a recall job on the he cu but he only put a fuse in and press complete on your system to let you all know that he completed the job but he did not complete the job he patched it up and I almost lost my life the Brits gave out on me I pressed the brakes down to the floor I pressed the the parking brake and I put the car in park while driving because it lost power of breaking and a warning came up popped up and it said it's a safety race warning do not drive do not drive no brakes do not drive and I almost ran into a building finally the car out down and I was able to stop but I can't drive the car …
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines…
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima Hybrid years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (21), 2012 (20), 2014 (11), 2011 (6) and 2017 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima Hybrid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Kia Optima Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Optima Hybrid electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the propulsion system › traction battery (2 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.