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, Jun 2, 2017
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE LIGHT WAS ABOUT TO TURN RED, SO AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION MY CAR'S ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STALLED ON ME AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE MY CAR WAS SLOWLY ROLLING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. THIS HAPPENED TO ME A SECOND TIME AGAIN WHILE I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC THERE WAS NO LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS POSTED ON THIS PARTICULAR ROAD AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND THE OTHER DRIVERS WHERE THEY EITHER HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES OR QUICKLY CHANGE LANES TO AVOID HITTING MY STALLED CAR
Engine, Jun 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING RODS FOR THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS VERIFIED BY THE KOONS KIA OF WOODBRIDGE VIRGINIA DEALER. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WHO HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: K3368562. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Engine, May 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.
Engine, May 25, 2017
ENGINE FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED
Engine, May 21, 2017
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TAKING MY EXIT WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF I MANAGED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO START THE CAR BACK ON BUT FAIL TO DO SO. I GOT A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE SEIZED
Engine, May 19, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOGO WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS IT STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND SMOKED CAR CUT OFF WOULD NOT CRANK SHOP SAYS ENGINE FAILURE BEARINGS AND RODS
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 19, 2017
MY KIA WAS MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE ON AND OFF FOR AWHILE THEN MY OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER SO I FIGURED I NEED AN OIL CHANGE. GOT MY OIL CHANGED AND THEN THE CAR STARTED MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND WOULD GET WORSE WITH ACCELERATION AND WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING. IT WOULD JOLT AND VIBRATE AND MAKE KNOCKING AND FLAPPING NOISES. TURN ON MY ROAD TO GO HOME AND LOST POWER. MY CAR SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. MY ENGINE, BATTERY, OIL, AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED STARTING IT UP AND WOULD COME ON FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AND THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OFF BUT MY RADIO AND WINDOWS STILL WORKED. MY AC WAS ON BUT NOT COOLING. ALL THE CABIN LIGHTS WORK STILL BUT MY BRAKE ARE STIFF.
Engine, May 12, 2017
2011 KIA OPTIMA. ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALMOST CRASHED. SWERVED OFF THE ROAD, IT MADE A FUNNY NOISE UNDER THE CAR AND THEN I HAD NO CONTROL AND THE ENGINE DIED. I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE OIL WAS BLACK. IT SUCKED UP ALL THE OIL CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. VERY DANGEROUS. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL OR LETTER ANOUT THIS. TWO WEEKS IN THE AHOP AND STILL NO ENGINE.
Engine, May 10, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH ON COUNTRY ROAD, VEHICLE JUST STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC GARAGE AND HE FOUND THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN KEPT UP ON THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD BEEN RUNNING WITHOUT ANY ISSUES.
Engine, May 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO A POSSIBLE FUTURE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,255.
Engine, May 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARINGS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UPCOMING RECALL, AND THAT THE RECALL NOTICES WOULD BE SENT IN MAY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 2, 2017
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SHUTS DOWN WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT.
Engine, Apr 19, 2017
I HAVE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A D MY ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF AND ALL THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER MY ENGINE GAVE OUT AND IT IS COVERED BASED ON THE RECENT RECALL
Engine, Apr 18, 2017
WHILE TRAVELING IN A 65MPH ZONE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH OUT INDICATION OR DASH LIGHTS. VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND CONTROL, PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK OF DANGER. STOPPED THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, TURNED THE KEY AND ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE PRESENT BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, CLICK OR TURN OVER. ISSUE RESULTED AS AN ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine, Apr 17, 2017
I WAS ON INTERSTATE 65 I WAS GOING ABOUT 55MPH AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLES ENGINE STALLED. THERE WERE CARS COMING FROM BEHIND I QUICKLY GOT OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING. I NEVER HEARD ANY TYPE OF KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE EITHER. IT WAS A TERRIFYING MOMENT HAVING THE CAR STOP FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. 4 DAYS LATER THERE AS WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RECALL FROM KIA REGARDING THE CONNECTOR ROD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MOTOR IS LOCKED UP BUT NO ONE HAS TOLD ME WHY. KIA CORPORATION HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. THEY HAVE SAID THAT ITS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL UNTIL THE END OF MAY. THEY HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH A CASE NUMBER BUT THE CASE SPECIALIST HAS YET TO CALL ME BACK.
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
VEHICLE SIZED ON THE HYW WHILE APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO KIA, WHO STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE. HOWEVER THEY REPLACED IT WITH A MANUFACTURER OR MODIFIED ENGINE. MY CAR NOW VIBRATES AND HAS INCONSISTENT FULE INJECTION. I HAVE REPORTED TO THIS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TO KIA CORPORATION. I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM EITHER ABOUT CORRECTING THE ISSUE.
Engine, Apr 11, 2017
ENGINE SEIZED UP ON ME WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE LIGHT ETC, ON I-10 NOVEMBER 2016, CONTACTED KIA CASE # K3330321 HAD ME TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEM FOR WARRANTY EXTENSION WORK FOR THE ENGINE CONNECTING ROD. THEY THEN TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE. I CANCELED PLATES AND IT IS STILL SITTING IN MY YARD UNREPAIRED. EVEN HAD THE CASE ESCALATED HIGHER UP WITH KIA WITH NO RESULTS. ONLY INCURRED MORE COST, THEY ESTIMATED ME $7000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Engine, Apr 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN DUE TO THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 8, 2017
"ENGINE SEIZING RECALL" KIA RECALL NUMBER IS SC147. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 70 MPH HEADING TO JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA FROM VALDOSTA GEORGIA AND THE CAR BEGIN TO DECREASE IN SPEED THEN AS IT DECREASED SPEED I PULLED OVER AND GOOD THING I DID BECAUSE THE WHEEL LOCKED. I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I WAS IN THE CAR LEFT LANE WHEN THE CAR BEGIN TO DECREASE IN SPEED AND AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER THERE WERE CARS PASSING AND I WAS ALMOST HIT NOT ONLY FROM BEHIND BUT ON THE SIDE BECAUSE THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FAST ENOUGH TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 7, 2017
THE ENGINE KNOCKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND STABILITY LIGHT FOR SPEED CONTROL. TOOK CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY FINALLY TOLD ME ABOUT THE ENGINE NEED WORK DONE TO IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN DO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I PAID FOR THEM TO REPLACE OIL CONTROL SELENOID AND THE CODE POO11 STILL COMES UP. THE CAR CUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC.
Engine, Jan 28, 2017
ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE CENTER LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND NEEDS REPLACED. KIA KNOWS ABOUT THESE ENGINES HAVING A PROBLEM YET CONTINUES TO LEAVE THEM OUT THERE. IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED WHEN THEIR ENGINE SEIZES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER.
Engine, Jan 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. WITHIN MOMENTS, ALL THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ROD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE ENGINE ROD REPLACEMENT HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Engine, Jan 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Engine, Dec 22, 2016
2011 KIA OPTIMA DRIVING HOME ON EXPRESSWAY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND SEIZED UP, PRETTY MUCH FROZE THE STEERING AND HAD TO FIGHT TO GET TO SHOULDER. KIA HAS A 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. A LETTER WAS SENT IN MAIL CLAIMING ISSUES WITH BEARINGS CRANKSHAFT PISTONS ON THE 2.0 TURBO AND 2.4 GDI MOTORS , SO KIA BUMPED UP WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS 120,000. I HAVE 120,722 KIA SAYS THEY WONT WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I AM THIS CLOSE. ALSO KIA AND HYUNDAI ARE SISTER COMPANIES AND HYUNDAI PUT THE SAME IN ENGINES IN THERE SONATA A RECALLED 400,000 PLUS ENGINES AND KIA HAS NOT RECALLED ONE. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THERE CLAIMING THERE IS ONE BY EXTENDING WARRANTY SHOULDN'T IT BE FIXED UNDER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'VE READ THAT ENGINES TEND TO STALL AT AROUND 100,000 TO 120,00 MILES. *TR
Engine, Dec 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKY NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELRATE AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.