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
Engine, Jul 27, 2019
OIL IS DISAPPEARING NO LEAKS!! WHEN DRIVING THE CAR GETS A VIBRATION THEN YOU BETTER CHECK THE OIL . EVERYTIME AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK WE ARE ADDING AT LLEADT 3 OR 4 QUARTS OF OIL. SEEMS TO BE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON HERE SAME PROBLEM WITH KIA. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE FOR US TO DRIVE HAVE AN APPT NEXT WEEK HOPE WE GET RESULTS
Engine, Jul 16, 2019
I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T ACCELERATING LIKE NORMAL AND A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, MY ENGINE FAILED. THE BATTERY AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED STARTING MY CAR. IT WOULD START, BUT WOULD DIE AGAIN EVERY TIME I GOT TO ABOUT 20 MPH. I GOT IT INTO A GARAGE, WHERE THEY LOOKED AT IT THE NEXT DAY AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT BUT THE NEXT DAY, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS NEARLY EMPTY. I LOOKED TO SEE HOW MANY MILES IT HAD BEEN SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE AND IT WAS ABOUT 1,500 MILES. IN ALL THE TIMES I'VE HAD MY OIL CHANGED, NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD ME THE OIL WAS LOW. THERE WERE NO OIL DRIPS ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. IT SEEMS TO BE BURNING THE OIL IN THE ENGINE. WHEN I ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL, STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE OPENING EVEN THOUGH I ONLY DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE.
Engine, Jun 29, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STARTED TO SHAKE AND CHECK ENGINE STARTED FLICKER AND HEARD RATTLING. THE CAR THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND JERKING. I'VE READ ABOUT SEVERAL RECALLS INVOVLING 2011-2015 KIA'S HAVING ENGINE RECALLS BUT MY VIN HAS NOT HAD A RECALL FOR MY CAR, WHICH I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE MY IMPRESSION OF KIA IS RELIABLE UP TO THIS POINT. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MY MAINTENANCE SUCH AS REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO ENSURE MY VEHICLE IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY. I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND MAKE A RECALL FOR MY ENGINE FAULTY, WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT 6K TO FIX.
Engine, Jun 13, 2019
THE COOLANT SENSOR IN MY CAR IS READING THAT MY COOLANT IS -38 DEGREES. MY TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD TO WHERE YOU ARE JERKED EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING TO AND FROM PARK AND WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Jun 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUSSMAN KIA (1940 JENKINTOWN RD, JENKINTOWN, PA 19046) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALRIGHT IN JANUARY OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2019
BOUGHT THE CAR JANUARY OF 2018.28 DAYS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE AND I GOT A FLAT TIRE AND COME TO FIND OUT MY STRUT WAS NEVER PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THATS WHAT POPPED MY TIRE.DAN OBRIEN TRIED TO DENY HAVING A WARRANTY TO FIX THE CAR SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT.IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO BUY THE NEW TIRE. WHEN THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE CAME OUT,I TOOK MY CAR RIGHT IN. THEY PASSED IT. IN SEPTEMBER WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS 2 MONTH APPOINTMENT THE CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & CAR WOULD NOT START DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT.ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP THEY REPLACED THE LONG BLOCK UNDER THE SC147 RECALL 11/30/18 RECALL SC165, ECU UPGRADE. ON 2/11/19 I HAD THE INSPECTION FOR RECALL SC172 CAR PASSED.3/21/19 NO WARNING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED.P1326 ENGINE CODE CAR WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE,DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT. ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED,GOT TOWED.3/26/19 KIA TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL,IT WAS MY KNOCK SENSOR. THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.5/22/19 FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD,KIA WOULDNT COVER,SAME SIDE STRUT ISSUE OCCURED ON.6/6/19 I WENT TO ACCELERATE ON BYPASS AND LOST ALL ENGINE CONTROL,I WAS ABLE TO COAST. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.PUT IN PARK, OIL LIGHT,BATTERY & EPS CAME ON & OFF. TURNED CAR OFF & ON.CAR WOULD DRIVE BUT WITH HESITATION AND LITTLE POWER.6/8/19 I WENT TO ACCELERATE ON BYPASS AND CAR LOST POWER. 6+ CARS BEHIND ME ,MY CAR BLOCKED THE ROAD.RESTARTED CAR,WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE JOLT AND I COULDNT GET OUT OF THE WAY,I HAD TO GO INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE I WAS BLOCKED.STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, BRAKES LOST POWER & I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL.DAUGHTER WAS PRESENT. 6/10/19 KIA TOLD ME IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NOT COVERED. BOUGHT CAR WITH OVER 79K,NOW AROUND 101K.IM SCARED FOR MY DAUGHTERS LIFE & MINE IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE AT ANYTIME WITH ALL THE SYMPTOMS.
Engine, Jun 5, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE ENGINE SEIZING BUT SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE RISK OF A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *BF *JB
Air bags, Engine, Jun 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOAD CLUNKING NOISE. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DID NOT RECEIVE EITHER RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Engine, May 27, 2019
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON, WE COASTED OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHT NO OIL LIGHT, NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED HOME. ENGINE SEIZED UP.
Engine, May 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS VOLVO CARS OWINGS MILLS (9610 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) TO BE REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE ENGINE, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 5, 2019
AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND BEGINNING A LEFT TURN MY CAR WITH NO WARNING BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE WITH NO MOTOR POWER AND AN ONCOMING CAR AT MY PASSAGER SIDE DOOR. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE ONCOMING DRIVER WAS VERY ALERT TO MY CAR NO BEING ABLE TO MOVE AND MISSED MY CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR UNDER VERY REDUCED POWER AND STILL, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS WE PULLED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND STOP I PUT THE CAR IN TO PARK AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE DUE TO KIA GIVING BAD INFORMATION.
Engine, Apr 1, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MINS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. TURNED CAR AROUND DROVE BACK HOME AND COME TO FIND OUT I HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO SIGNS NOTHING TO INDICATE SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO MY TURBO WENT OUT TOO. MY HUSBAND DOES OUR OIL CHANGES SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP THEY WANTED TO SEE RECEIPTS WHICH WE DO T HAVE SO MY TURBO REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED. SPENT ABOUT $4000 TO REPLACE. I'M SO DONE WITH THIS CAR! I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT LAST YEAR 2018 AND NOW THIS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 1, 2019, crash
LEAKING OIL , STRUTS MAKING NOISE.
Engine, Mar 28, 2019
THE ENGINE STARTED CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL 10 MONTHS AGO WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 170,000 MILES IN IT. THAT IS, THE OIL GOES BELOW THE LOW MARK WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 800 MILES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE, AND KEEPS GOING DOWN TO THE EMPTY LEVEL WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 1,200 MILES. I ALSO HEAR OF RATTLING-LIKE SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE TO CHECK AND ADD OIL EVERY 500 MILES. I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE MAY LEAD TO THE FIRE ON THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT KIA RECALLED REGARDING THIS SIMILAR ISSUE FOR MANY OTHER CARS. I DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGNS OF LEAKING WHEN I CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES THE FLOOR IN A SPOT WHERE I PARKED. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WAS RELATED, BUT THE ENGINE DIED, ABOUT 4- MONTHS BEFORE I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED CONSUMING OIL, WHEN I DROVE UP HILL. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN THAT AREA, AND WHAT A TECHNICIAN SAID IS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE OR PUMP. THEY CHARGED $700 FOR THIS JOB.
Engine, Mar 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. IN 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING METAL DEBRIS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE ENGINE, WHICH CONSTRICTED OIL FLOW TO THE VITAL PARTS OF THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A PINGING AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE'S OIL CHANGED, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR. SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED AND FLAMES ROSE FROM THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,300.
Engine, Mar 12, 2019
I AM DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND JUST AS I GET THROUGH, WHILE STILL IN MOTION, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED OR TURNED ON. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE GAS PEDAL, LOST POWER STEERING, AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I COULDN'T GET TO A PARKING SPOT AND WAS LEFT STUCK AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. I PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE AFTER TRYING TO TURN IT OFF AND START IT BACK UP SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS FORCED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE ENGINE BLEW A BEARING AND WILL NEED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Engine, Feb 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 3:30 AM, OIL LIGHT FLICKERED OCCASIONALLY, VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, AND ENGINE EVENTUALLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD AAA TOW IT TO A TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP NEAR MY HOME, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SIEZED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK HOME, PENDING DECISION ON WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED BY A KIA DEALER UNDER THE SC147 ENGINE RECALL ON 9/22/2017 (16+ MONTHS EARLIER) AT ODOMETER 89,547 MILES AND EVIDENTLY PASSED THE INSPECTION PROCEDURE PER KIA'S TSB. I BELIEVE DEBRIS FROM THE ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS BLOCKED OIL LUBRICATION PASSAGEWAYS NOT ONLY TO THE ENGINE BEARINGS, BUT ALSO TO THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE INSPECTION PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY KIA TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ENGINE IS OK OR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS 100% EFFECTIVE.
Engine, Feb 12, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON WAS DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED UNDER CASE NUMBER: 19-036086. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW FACILITY. THE CONTACT CALLED WEST PALM BEACH KIA (735 SOUTH MILITARY TRAIL, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33415, (561) 433-1511) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 13, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 40MPH WHEN I SAW LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I PULLED OVER TO GET MY TWO KIDS AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I THEN CALLED 911 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME PUT THE FLAMES OUT WHEN THEY FINALLY DID THE WHOLE CAR WAS BURNT TO A CRISP
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 3, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT STARTED TO ACT SLUGGISH SO I PULLED OVER AND MINUTES AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR IT STARTED ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 31, 2018
ENGINE FAILURE..BOUGHT IN 2013 W 14,000 MILES.CURRENTLY HAS 68,000.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LAST YEAR.KIA WOULD ONLY PAY FOR 1 SPARK PLUG.THEN,L PAID TO HAVE A NEW FI SYSTEM PUT IN.L WAS NEVER REIMBURSED.DEC 20,DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY W MY KIDS AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING.THEN,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH WEIRD SMELLS OF GAS AND BURNING.TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND NO ISSUE.TOOK IT BACK AGAIN ON DEC 21,BUT NO TECHS AVAILABLE.DEC 23,L WAS DRIVING MY KID TO WORK,ENGINE SHOOK,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHED AND A BIG BOOM.CAR WAS GOING 5MPH WHILE IT WAS CLICKING.L GOT IT TOWED(AFTER KIA MOTORS HAD THE AUDACITY TO TRY TO MAKE ME PAY FOR A TOW@99.00,BUT L REFUSED)THRU MY INSURANCE CO.AS THE CAR SAT,A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE,WE THOUGH THAT IT WAS CATCHING ON FIRE.CALLED KIA MOTORS....OMG,THE WORST.L JUST GOT A RENTAL TODAY AND APPROVED FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT AFTER MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS.MY BROTHER BOUGHT HIS OPTIMA BRAND NEW IN 2003 AND SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2 MONTHS.KIA CONTINUES TO NOT RESOLVE HIS DANGEROUS ISSUE AND L AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT,LET ALONE HAVE MY KIDS IN IT.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNSET KIA OF BRADENTON (4770 14TH ST W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941) 752-1000) WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND PASSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN SPUTTERING PRIOR TO THE TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LACK OF OIL, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND METAL SHAVINGS WHILE CONDUCTING THE TEST AND THE CHECK OIL INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE ADDITIONAL RECALLS WERE DISCOVERED. THE UNKNOWN DEALER FOUND A DETERIORATED CLAMP THAT CAUSED THE HOSE TO BECOME LOOSE AND THE ENGINE TO JOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE DETERIORATED CLAMPS ON THE INVOICE. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS GUSHING FUEL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE INITIAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Engine, Nov 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STARTER, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR WAS LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Nov 27, 2018, fire
THIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A NON-COLLISION/SPONTANEOUS FIRE. THERE WHERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF CAR DEFECTS. THE CAR WAS MOVING ON A CITY ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEKALB COUNTY GA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND TOOK A REPORT. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT MOTOR INSTALLED BY KIA WITH A WARRANTY. THE NEW MOTOR HAD APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES ON IT.