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: other or unspecified
39 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2018
CAR STALLED OUT WHILE IN MOTION. CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL AND WOULD NOT RESTART.
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2018
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018, WE WERE DRIVING EAST ON I-85 IN GREENSBORO, NC WHEN WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, AND THEN GLASS WAS RAINING DOWN ON US WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN OPEN THE ENTIRE DAY. IT WAS OVERCAST AND MID 80'S WITH LOW HUMIDITY. WE HAD THE SUNROOF TILTED OPEN AND THE SUNSHADE PULLED BACK.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2018
MOTOR OIL KEEPS DISAPPEARING; I CHANGE THE OIL ON SCHEDULE AND 2-3 WEEKS AFTER IT IS DRY. I'M AFRAID OF ENGINE FAILURE OR LOCK UP DUE TO THIS. RAISING THE HOOD DOES NOT SHOW ANY OIL SPLATTER. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; LNTERIOR LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT OR GO COMPLETELY DIM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
IT'S LOUD KNOCKING NOISES INSIDE THE ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2017, fire
CAR CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HAS BEEN ENTIRELY BURNED OUT IN 5 MINUTES.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 22, 2017
WAS WAITING FOR RED LIGHT AND CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING IT STARTED BUT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. PARKED FOR AWHILE AND HAS BEEN FINE SINCE.
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2017
BACK UP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHOWING PICTURE WHEN IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME AND HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE KIA FORMS FOR MANY YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE CAMERA IS THE ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 2, 2017
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SHUTS DOWN WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT.
Air bags, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2016
MY FAMILY WAS ON HWY 75 RETURNING FROM THANKSGIVING VACAY WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER PLACING A CALL TO KIA, I DISCOVERED THAT APPARENTLY AIRBAGS AREN'T COVERED BY THE 130,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. NOW THE IGNITION HAS AN ISSUE. OFTEN TIMES, I HAVE TO HIT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I AM WONDERING IF THE IGNITION ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG ISSUE ARE RELATEABLE AND NEED TO SEE IF COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE ARE 90,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM DRIVETIME. THANKS
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2015
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF ABOVE MY HEAD WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR DAY. ONCE I GOT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER I OBSERVED A BOWLING BALL SIZED HOLE BLASTED OUTWARD IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT PANEL OF THE SUNROOF. NOTHING HIT IT. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. BOOM. LUCKILY THE SUN SHADE WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, OTHERWISE THE SHATTERED GLASS WOULD HAVE RAINED DOWN UPON ME AT THE TIME OF THE BIG BANG, AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2011
DEFECTIVE KEY FOBS. THEY CANNOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND YOU BECOME STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF STARTING THE AUTO. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED FOUR TIMES TO REPROGRAM THE KEY FOB WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE IS NO WAY TO START OR OPERATE THE CAR WITH THE MECHANICAL KEY. CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE IN AN ISOLATED AREA! *TT
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2011
CAR PULLS TO LEFT 100% OF THE TIME. CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY KIA SERVICE AND MEETS ALL FACTORY SPECS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. KIA REQUIRES ALL 2011 OPTIMA'S TO BE REALIGNED PRIOR TO BEING SOLD. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT ONE OF HER TEC. REPS. DRIVES A 2011 OPTIMA AND IT ALSO PULLS LEFT.