TSB: PANORAMA SUNROOF CREAK OR RATTLE NOISE - This bulletin provides the procedure to apply felt tape on the panorama sunroof crossmember on some 2012-2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, equipped with panorama sunroof, produced from August 31, 2011 through September 22, 2015, which may experience a slight creaking or rattle noise at the sunroof area.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Kia Optima visibility problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Kia Optima have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Optima | 9 |
| 2012 Optima | 20 |
| 2013 Optima | 17 |
| 2014 Optima | 11 |
| 2015 Optima (this page) | 5 |
| 2016 Optima | 22 |
| 2017 Optima | 4 |
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PITSTOP - NO COMMUNICATION WITH BLIND SPOT DETECTION AFTER COLLISION REPAIRS - This Pitstop provides information relating to the vehicles listed below with Blind Spot Detection (BSD), which may exhibit a ?Check BSD System? message and no communication with the BSD system after collision repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessively fogged. Depending on the specific model, the HVAC control head monitors ambient temperature and/or cabin humidity to determine which settings will best prevent the windows from fogging. If the system detects lower ambient temperature or higher cabin humidity, the defogging logic may automatically switch ON the A/C, and/or set the air intake mode to Fresh Air. If the user changes these settings, the defogging logic will take control again after 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the procedu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE ACTION: DOOR MODULE REPLACEMENT (SA218) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE RIGHT FRONT DOOR MODULE ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN 2014~2015MY OPTIMA (QF) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM MARCH 1, 2014 THROUGH JULY 31, 2014, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE POWER WINDOW. KIA IS REQUESTING THE COMPLETION OF THIS SERVICE ACTION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, INCLUDING DEALER STOCK, PRIOR TO DELIVERY. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF AFFECTED VINS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2015 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2015 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 92,207 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.