2011 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 593 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 23 involved a crash and 33 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
261 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, May 4, 2015
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE COAST WHEN WE PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AS SOON AS WE PASSED THE OTHER VEHICLE WE LOST ALL POWER IN THE CAR WE WERE ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.SECOND TRY CAR DID START BUT WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER IT WAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE MALFUNCTION CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY DEALER REPLACE ENGINE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER BURNED OUT AND THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A MORE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS WAS REQUIRED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 12, 2015
WHILE AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE OFF MAJOR STREET WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND AFTER CHARGING FOR A BIT THE CAR DID START BUT MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE AND WAS DUE TO FAULTY MAINTENANCE WHICH IS UNTRUE. MY LAST OIL CHANGE WAS 2/2/15 AND WAS DUE AGAIN 4/11/15. MY CAR NEVER GAVE A CHECK ENGINE OR CHECK OIL LIGHT, I HAD NO OIL SPILLS IN MY GARAGE OR WHERE I PARK AT WORK. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE. WHEN I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS TO BY ALL STANDARDS A NEW CAR ALL THEY WANT TO SAY IS THAT IS FAULTY MAINTENANCE BECAUSE KIA DIDN'T DO THE WORK. MY CAR WENT FROM FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY WELL TO NEEDING A NEW ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF KIA'S PRICE OF $6400.00 THEY WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PRODUCE RECEIPTS DATING BACK THREE YEARS. MY CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT 63,400 MILES? REALLY... *TR
Engine, Feb 22, 2015
THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE CAR WERE REPLACED AT 44,298 MILES (JUST PRIOR TO THE 45,000 RECOMMENDATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL). AT 48,269 MILES MY CAR WAS IDLING SLIGHTLY OFF. I GAVE THE CAR PART THROTTLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK AND THE CAR MISFIRES AND CEL COMES ON. GIVING IT MORE GAS, IT GOES AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP (KIA OF CHERRY HILL, NJ) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS IDLING REALLY BAD. I GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKING ABOUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND HOW I NOTED THEY WERE DONE AT 44K MILES. HE SAYS ALL 4 ARE FOULED. I THEN GET A CALL BACK SAYING THAT THE PLUGS IN MY CAR WERE NEVER DONE AT 45K LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND THAT THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THEY WERE DONE, HIS RESPONSE WAS, "I DON'T BUY IT." I THEN SAID THAT I HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT FROM HIS DEALERSHIP FOR THE PLUGS, AND THAT I HAVE PICTURES OF THEM BEING CHANGED AND THAT I EVEN HAVE THE OLD PLUGS IN THE NEW BOXES. NO RESPONSE TO THAT EXCEPT QUIET. I SAID IF THE PLUGS WERE DONE 4K MILES AGO, THEN WHY DO THEY NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN? WHY WOULD THEY ALL GO BAD? NO RESPONSE EXCEPT THAT HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE SPARK PLUGS ARE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE FOULED. ALL 4 PLUGS WERE BAD DUE TO LEAN CONDITION IN THE MOTOR (POSSIBLE FUELING PROBLEM). ONE OF THE PLUGS WAS MISSING THE PORCELAIN FROM CYLINDER #2, WHICH WAS ALSO MISSING ON THE ORIGINAL FROM CYLINDER #2 PULLED AT 44,298 MILES. DEALERSHIP AND KIA CORPORATE WAS NOT WILLING TO LOOK AT THE FUELING OR THE CAR FURTHER UNLESS THE PLUGS WENT BAD AGAIN. ALSO WOULDN'T OFFER ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BAD PLUGS. *TR
Engine, Jan 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,887. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ UPDATED 11/5/2015*JS
Engine, Oct 16, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,500.
Steering, Structure, Wheels, Engine, Oct 13, 2014
JUST WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO REPLACE CRACKED DASH, HEATED STEERING WHEEL PEELING, TIRES WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE, WIPER BLADES SUCKED & YOU COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THEM WHEN IT RAIN, CRACKED OUTSIDE OF SUNROOF SEAL, PULLING TO LEFT SIDE AND SURGES. THEY PUT NEW TIRES, STEERING WHEEL & FIXED THE DASH. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE SPECS WERE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THE ALIGNMENT & TRANSMISSION. THE OUTSIDE OF THE SUNROOF IS NORMAL WEAR & TEAR & IT WILL CRACK AGAIN, STATED THE SUN CRACKS IT! IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 5 TIMES! EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY! I HAVE HAD 4 SET OF TIRES & THEY WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE, IT STILLS PULLS TO THE LEFT & I WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT IS NORMAL. 6 SETS OF NEW WIPER BLADES & THEY SAY THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM. MY CAR SURGES & IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN ADDRESSED! IN LATE SEPTEMBER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DAY AFTER I HAD MY OIL CHANGED, I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE, THEY KEPT IT, FIXED THE 'OIL CONTROL VALVE" WITHIN 5 MILES FROM MY DEALERSHIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AFTER A WEEK & A HALF, MY 'INTAKE CVVT TIMING & MY 'EXHAUST CVVT TIMING! MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS & I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT & THEN THERE'S NO WARRANTY! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON OPTIMA'S STEERING TO THE LEFT & ON THE TIRES EITHER, ALIGNMENT! I HAVE WENT AS FAR AS CONTACTING THE GEORGIA CONSUMER PROTECTION, KIA CONSUMER HOTLINE, US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC SAFETY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS STATION & WILL BE MEETING WITH THEM NEXT WEEK. IF THIS DOES NOT RAISE A FEW QUESTIONS, I WILL HIRE AN ATTORNEY!! THIS IS NOT ABOUT MONEY, VERSES WHAT IS RIGHT! *TR
Engine, Sep 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEALING AND AN UNUSUAL POPPING SOUND THAT EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT TIRES HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK BRACKET FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,273.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 13, 2014
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I REPORT THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, LAST MONTH HAPPENED ON MAY 4 , I DOCUMENTED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THEY RETURNED THE CAR 5-21-14 THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, ON JUNE 6 AGAIN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND READY TO PUT IT IN PARK, THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER UNTIL NOW DON'T HEAR FROM THEM, CALLED KIA IN CALIFORNIA LEFT MESSAGES NO CALL BACK, TODAY A GOT A HOLD WITH ANOTHER PERSON JENNY, AND SHE REPEAT LIKE A BROKEN RECORD WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY STILL KEEP THE CAR FOR A LONG TIME, I HAVE A CASE # [XXX] THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS, LIKE I EXPLAINED TO THIS LADY ENGINEERS SHOULD LOOK AT THIS SITUATION NOT THE MECHANIC, IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER, THEY JUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND THEIR MACHINE TELL THEM NOTHING IS WRONG, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE IN MY OTHER COMPLAINT THIS ONE IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT HAPPENED, WHAT ARE WE WAITING THAT SOME PEOPLE GOT KILL TO INVESTIGATE, LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA AND GENERAL MOTOR HAD, THEY WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE DIED THEN START DOING SOMETHING, THANK YOU TO THIS SITE THAT WE COULD VOICE OUR CONCERNS. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) UPDATED 1/6/2015 *JS
Structure, Engine, Mar 16, 2014, fire
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A MILE TO A COMMUTER RAIL STATION FOR A DROP OFF AND BACK HOME. NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS NOTED DURING THE SHORT TRIP NOR HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEEN OBSERVED IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE AND ENTERING THE RESIDENCE, THE COMPLEX FIRE ALARMS ACTUATED AND ALL RESIDENTS WERE ADVISED TO EVACUATE WITHOUT ENTERING THE COMMUNITY PARKING GARAGE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE COMPLEX MANAGER VIA MY CELL PHONE THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. (ALLSTATE). THE ENTIRE CAR WOULD HAVE BURNED IF IT HADN'T BEEN PARKED DIRECTLY UNDER A SPRINKLER HEAD IN THE GARAGE PLUS A SPEEDY RESPONSE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT FIRE ORIGIN INVESTIGATOR WAS HIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION WAS THE FIRE STARTED AT THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 15, 2013
SUDDEN ACCELERATION! HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO AND AGAIN ON MAY 10TH. GOING SLOWLY TOWARDS A STOP SIGN WHILE BRAKING TO STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT CAR KEEPS GOING. PUT SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING AND AFTER ABOUT 2 SECONDS THE ENGINE SLOWLY DROPS TO IDLE. NO ACCIDENTS CAUSED BECAUSE NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER ON MAY 15TH AND THEY COULD FIND NO CODES PRESENT AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *TR