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: exterior lighting
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Jun 2, 2026
I have replaced the headlights in my 2011 Kia Optima multiple times but no matter what without the brights on, the road is not at all illuminated making it impossible to see at night. When you look at the car head on the lights look as if they would be incredibly bright, but I believe due to faulty reflective lining on the interior of the headlight housing, even though the bulb may shine brightly, it does not get reflected properly onto the surface of the road causing serious safety concerns.
Suspension, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 15, 2024
After getting HECU recall done , it has caused issues with the HECU module to where the brake lights no longer work and the ESC light comes on the cluster panel. Up on reading the code C2130, it says Brake lamp relay error. Mind you that my car was in working order before this recall was even done. This a huge safety issue not having your brake lights work. I can get rear-ended and i have kids in the car. This has been a issue since July when i got the recall done and KIA has yet to find a fix for this matter.
Exterior lighting, Apr 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights were significantly dim, which reduced the driver's visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys where the headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a repair fee for the headlights replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 26, 2023
Check engine has failed. Glow relay stuck on or knock sensor or engine warranty. I don't know. Kia service will find out what's wrong with my car.
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2023
Low beam headlights on my 2011 KIA Optima with 150,000 miles are bright to look at them, however the beam pattern on on the roadway is terrible. I have tried replacing the bulbs with brightest bulbs, checked voltages and grounds. After checking over 10 forums I have found that the reflective service on the headlight housing has degraded and lost its reflective value causing a very safe condition. 1 person disassembled the headlight unit and installed foil tape, stating this corrected the issue. I have attempted to contact KIA with out a return response. I feel this should be a KIA recall issue.
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2023
The headlights fail to light up safely and can cause serious injuries or even death. You are unable to see 10 foot in front of the car on deem and bright lights you can only see 15 feet at the max.
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2022
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Sep 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights would dimly illuminate while in operation without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle had been placed under warranty for the headlights; however, the warranty had expired. The contact had the vehicle inspected and was informed that the film inside the headlamp had melted and that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Apr 3, 2021
I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS,BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND FOG LIGHT BULBS LIKE 2 TO 3 TIMES A YEAR AND MY LIGHTS ON DIM IS TOO DARK AND NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY,FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ONE SIDE SHINE UP AND THE OTHER SHINE DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE BECAUSE THE BULB GOT SO HOT IT MELTED INTO THE FIXTURE AROUND IT
Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2021
HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. REFLECTOR ON THE LOW BEAMS ARE PEELING AND NOT REFLECTING THE LIGHT TO THE STREET. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. CANT SEE 6' IN FRONT OF THE CAR THUS RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS DURING NIGHT HOURS. KIA WONT ACKNOWLEDGE OR GO TO A RECALL. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 16, 2021
THE ENGINE SEIZED. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS RECALL. KIA HAS HAD TIS VEHICLE FOR A MONTH AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE APPROVAL FOR THE CURRENT RECALL. IT WAS IN MOTION DRIVING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE AND NEVER TURNED ON AGAIN.IT WAS 300 DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY. A CITY STREET. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE DEALERSHIP SEIZED THE ENGINE AND QUOTED US 6500.00 TO FIX THE ENTIRE CAR. REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 25, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE SO LITTLE, ONLY LIGHTING APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 22, 2020
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL FLASH, MY LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF WHEN ON AUTO, MY RADIO IS TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF AND IS DOING SOME WEIRD THINGS
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AT THE DEALER BOB BELL KIA OF BALTIMORE (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DRIVE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH ENDANGERS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA OPTIMA DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2020
THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE DANGEROUS. WE PURCHASED IT FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND NOW ARE SCARED TO LET HER DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE HIGH BEAMS SEEM TO BE FINE BUT WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON YOU CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING. VERY DANGEROUS
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2020
SO ONE OF THE KIA DEALERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE REPLACED THE MOTOR IN OUR 2011 OPTIMA, EVER SINCE THEN OUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. I'VE HAD IT TESTED AND RECHARGED. STILL NO ACC. I HAVE DIAGNOSED NO POWER TO THE AC PUMP. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NEW BULBS IN LOW BEAM AND ARE DIM..?? *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2020
2011 KIA OPTIMA WAS PURCHASED IN 2014 WITH LOW HEADLIGHT BEAMS OUTPUT, HAS SINCE DETORIATED TO ALMOST NON EXISTENT. HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO IMPROVE LIGHT QUALITY AND HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE IN ANY WAY. HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THIS CAR FOREVER AS I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE ONCE ALREADY BUT I'M AT A LOSS, U SIMPLY CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT! SO UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A VERY BIG AND COMMON PROBLEM FOR KIA OWNERS. CLEARLY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO SERVICING OR RECALLS OFFERED TO CORRECT THIS FOR US DRIVERS. WITH THE SUGGESTED RESOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM BEING A NEW HOUSING/ASSEMBLY AT $1,000 OR MORE THAT IS COMPLETELY NOT A FEASIBLE RESOLUTION TO BE ACHIEVED FINANCIALLY BY WAY OF THE AVERAGE DRIVER AS THOSE REPAIRS ARE WAY TO COSTLY, KIA SHOULD HAVE ALREADY JUMPED IN AND OFFERED SOME SAFETY RECALLS! ALSO WORTH NOTING, I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS MANY TIMES JUST DO TO THEM BURNING OUT, NOT SURE IF THAT IS BECAUSE OF WHATEVER UNDERLYING PROBLEM THERE IS FOR THESE LIGHTS INITIALLY OR MAYBE BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET LIGHTS, ETC. PLEASE PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SOON!! MY REGARDS, *COMPLAINT FORM ASKS IS THERE WAS A CRASH WITH ONLY YES OR NO OPTIONS TO ANSWER AS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADDED FIELD WITH "THERE IS GOING TO BE"!
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2020
THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS CAR ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT'S SO BAD THAT WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND ME THERE IS THE SHADOW OF MY CAR FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT TO THE GARY ROME KIA IN JANUARY WHO TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME HEADLIGHT WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FOIL IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS INTACT. IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. CAR HAS 109K ON IT.*DT*LN *TR THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DIM LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED MINIMIZES DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IF DRIVING SHE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2020
DRIVING AT NIGHT HAS BEEN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE GONE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESULTS. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR DID NOT SHOW SIGNS FOR THE RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2020
MY CAR HAVE LOT OF PROBLEMS IN SIDE
Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2020
DIM HEADLAMPS DUE TO DETERIORATING REFLECTIVE COATING ON LOW BEAM HOUSING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 28, 2020
PROBLEM WITH KIA DOOR SENSOR LIGHT STAYING ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT TIGHT. I'VE GOTTEN (3) THREE JUMPS AND PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE THIS SENSOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. WHEN THE SENSOR IS ON IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SECURE THE CAR. IF I USE THE CLICKER IT WON'T LOCK BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GO TO THE CAR IF IT WILL ACTUALLY START OR NOT. I'M TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO UNPLUG THE SENSOR. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK ON: JAN 1, JAN 17 AND JAN 19
Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BECOME DIMMER OVER TIME. AFTER REPLACING THE BULBS A SECOND TIME, I DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CLEARLY NOT A BULB ISSUE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, ONLY TO THE SIDES. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE. AFTER READING ON LINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALER. BULLDOG KIA IN ATHENS, GA TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A SERVICE ISSUE (SHE WOULD NOT SAY RECALL), BUT BECAUSE NOTHING IN MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS "BROKEN OR CRACKED" THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT. AND SINCE I DIDN'T BUY THE BULB FROM KIA, THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE EXACT BULB RECOMMENDED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. KIA WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $1,000 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE NEW ASSEMBLIES WOULD BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BAD. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED! IF YOU LOOK AT ANY KIA OPTIMA ON THE ROAD THAT IS MORE THAN 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME DARK AREA IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WITH A LOT OF LIGHT SHOOTING OUT TO THE SIDES. SINCE THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR FOR COLLEGE, I PURCHASED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON LINE FOR $285 AND REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND USED LED BULBS TO PREVENT THE "BURNING" OF THE CHROME PLATING INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY THAT APPARENTLY CAUSE THE OTHERS TO GO BAD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ANYONE WHO REPLACES THE BULB THINKS THAT THEY ARE FIXING THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE ARE DRIVING IN INADEQUATE LIGHTING. PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FORCE KIA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THESE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES BEFORE NEEDLESS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. MY DAUGHTER WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE ADDITIONAL VISION THAT SHE NOW HAS WITH HER NEW LED LIGHTS. SHE ONLY TOLD ME BECAUSE SHE HAD FRIENDS THAT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE RIDING IN HER CAR AT NIGHT. SO SHE BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM APPALLED THAT KIA IS AVOIDING THIS MAJOR ISSUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP. THANK YOU.
Exterior lighting, Jan 22, 2020
HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM. USING LOW BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT ALL. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES AND IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.