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
593 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2017
BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE REFLECTORS. TOOK INTO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAPPENED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THE LIGHTS ARE SO DIM, ARE MELTED INTO OTHER POSITIONS AND DON'T EVEN SHINE ON THE ROAD. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS, AND THE EATER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR 2 NEW LIGHTS SYSTEMS FOR THE CAR
Steering, Apr 26, 2017
LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT
Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AS SOON AS I TURN THE KEY THE AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS UP, STEADY. IT IS ON ALL THE TIME, WHETHER I AM STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE AIRBAGS EVEN WORK. THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS THE DOOR OFTEN UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN, ALARM GOES OFF ON IT'S OWN, LIGHTS FLASH INSIDE EVERY TIME I MAKE A TURN, LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE RADIO SPAZZES OUT
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
Exterior lighting, Apr 18, 2017
LOW BEAMS ARE VERY DIM DUE TO INTERNAL HEAD LIGHT CUP CHROME WORN OUT , CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 3 FEET AHEAD AT NIGHT , UNLESS I USE HI BEAMS .
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.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 3, 2017
DRIVING ON FREEWAY NEAR NORTH BEND WA. STATE WITH WIFE AND 2 GRANDKIDS IN CAR WHEN PANARAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED. LARGE BLAST FROM NOWHERE AND NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME. IT SHOCKED US AND ALMOST MADE US WRECK. KIA OF AMERICA WAS HORIBLE TO WORK WITH AND TOOK NO RESPONSABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECT.
Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2017
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM EVEN WITH NEW BULB REPLACEMENTS. FOUND THAT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT NEED TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE FLOOD LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
Steering, Feb 26, 2017
I BOUGHT A 2011 KIA OPTIMA FROM A DEALER AN IT HAS A CLEAN CAR FAX .IT HAS UNDER 70 ,000 MILES .HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE I DROVE IT ONCE ON A 4 LANE HWY AN THE STEERING ACTS AS IF IT GETTING STUCK THERE IS A JERK IN IT .NOW I AM HORRIFIED OF THIS VEHICLE 12,789 $LATER LESS THAN 1 WK OLD.WHAT DO I DO NOW ? PLAN MY FUNERAL OVER A ? CLEAN CAR FAX PLZ TELL CALL ME
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2017
I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE CAR. THE FOUND OUT THAT IS RELATED TO ENGINE TIMING ISSUE. WHICH IS STRANGE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 60K MILES WOULD HAVE ENGINE RELATED ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THIS PAST YEAR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE ENGINE IN MY CAR WAS USED IN OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS AND MAY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE ISSUE AND RESPOND BACK
Steering, Jan 19, 2017
WHILE SITTING STILL OR MOVING, THE POWER STEERING DEVELOPS HARD CATCHES THAT TEMPORARILY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM INTENSIFIES ON ROUGH SURFACES, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY WILL SHAKE. THESE PROBLEMS WORSEN AS THESE ISSUES PROGRESS WITH TIME. THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS ISSUE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY $$$. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jan 1, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON RAMP THE FRONT HALF OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF AND INTERIOR SCREEN WERE BOTH CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS PUSHED UPWARD. *TR
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.
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2016
(DIMMED HEADLIGHT) I HAVE OWNED MY 2011 OPTIMA SINCE 2013 AND SUMMER OF 2016 NOTICE MY HEADLIGHTS WERE REALLY DIMMED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CANT SEE PAST 10-20 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. REPLACED 2 HEADLIGHT BULBS W/ SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR BULBS AND HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL VERY DIMMED. LOOKS LIKE THEY REFLECTORS INSIDE THE BEAMS ARE BURNT/MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO LOOK DIM. I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I CANT REALLY SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. IT WOULD BE NICE IF KIA LAUNCHED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR HEADLIGHT PROBLEM SINCE I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW SINCE IT WAS FACTORY BULBS WERE ORIGINALLY IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. UNSAFE HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY.