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.
Steering, Sep 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 8, 2016
ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV SLIGHTLY WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. IT WAS 7:30AM WHEN THIS OCCURRED SO LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT MANY CARS ON THE ROAD YET. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK WELL. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP BY CONTINUING TO HIT THE BREAKS AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BREAK AS WELL. KIA RECOMMENDS OIL CHANGES EVERY 7,500 MILES, HOWEVER, I USUALLY HAVE MINE DONE EVERY 5,000. I HAD ZERO WARNING SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON AUGUST 31, 2016, AND THE MECHANIC THAT PERFORMED THE CHANGE SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. THERE WAS ZERO SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST AND NO "KNOCKING" SOUND IN THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. ONCE THERE, WE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT SEEMED A LITTLE LOW. MIND YOU THIS IS A NEW BATTERY PURCHASED FROM COSTCO ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. WE TRIED JUMPING THE CAR AND AFTER TRYING TO START THE CAR A 3RD TIME, THE ENGINE STARTED SHOOTING OUT BLACK SMOKE AND HAD A FOUL SMELL TO IT. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER AUTHORIZING $280 TO OPEN THE TOP OF THE ENGINE SO THEY COULD TAKE PICTURES AND SEND IT TO KIA. . I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER 2011 KIA OWNERS EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR ISSUE AND WAS JUST TOLD BY A FRIEND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER 2011 OPTIMA AS WELL. LOOKS LIKE HYUNDAI HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT IS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE KIA AND HAD A RECALL. MY CAR HAD 101,500 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES) AND THE ONLY ISSUE I EVER HAD WAS TO REPLACE A CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ABOUT 6-MONTHS AGO.
Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2016
THIS 2011 KIA HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE LIGHT QUIT WORKING. WAS INFORMED THAT LIGHTBULB MELTED AND ENTIRE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT FOR BETTER LIGHTING
Engine, Aug 16, 2016
2011 KIA OPTIMA. SERVICED AS REQUIRED. APPROX 120,000 MILES. ENGINE STARTED MAKING KNOCKING NOISES AND SEIZED. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD METAL SHAVINGS WERE IN THE MOTOR AND NEED NEW MOTOR. AFTER INVESTIGATING ON LINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MOTORS. ALSO, KIA MOTORS WERE BUILT IN THE SAME PLANT AS HUNDAI AND THOSE MOTORS AS WELL HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND WERE RECALLED! WHY HAS KIA NOT RECALLED THESE MOTORS KNOWING THERE IS AN ISSUE? OUR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET A MOTOR FOR A DODGE AT HIS SHOP WITH NO ISSUE, BUT WHEN HE CALLED TO GET A MOTOR FOR THE KIA OPTIMA - NONE TO BE FOUND! CALLED KIA DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NONE EITHER, ALL ON BACK ORDER....WHY??? THIS IS VERY OUT OF THE ORDINARY, AND I WISH THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE TO GET KIA TO RECALL THESE MOTORS AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THE BUYERS. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED MY NHTSA? MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT SEIZED IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY STREET IN THE CITY, AND AFTER READING OTHERS THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE! GIANT SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!! SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST KIA, GUESS IT IS TIME TO JOIN IN ON THAT!
Engine, Aug 12, 2016
ENGINE IS BLOWN, THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS SNAPPED OFF AND PIECES ARE BANGING AROUND IN MY ENGINE
Steering, Aug 11, 2016
STEERING COLUMN HAS GONE OUT AND I HAVEN'T HAD THE VEHICLE A GOOD FIVE MONTHS YET!
Engine, Aug 10, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE THEN THE CAR JUST DIED AND WHEN IT DID IT MADE A LOUD POP AND WOULDN'T START.
Engine, Aug 9, 2016
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA HOME ONE EVENING AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WHATSOEVER. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED UP. THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY SLUDGE IN THE OIL. THE PRICE TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE 6,612.00$ I CONTACTED KIA CORP. AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE OIL. THE ENGINES HAVE A DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF BUT REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THEY HAVE QUITE A POOR HISTORY WITH THESE ENGINES. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MY PERSONAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED BUT THERE WAS NOT AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT ANOTHER ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE WITH LESS MILES FOR ABOUT 1,200.00$ LESS. NOT ONLY KIA WOULDN'T HELP ME OUT BUT THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE AN ABOVE AVERAGE COST. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS 4900.00$ SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP ALL WHO ARE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE
Steering, Wheels, Aug 5, 2016
MY TIRES HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREMELY QUICK WARE ON THE OUTSIDE TREAD SINCE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2011. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT IT WAS JUST TIME TO CHANGE THE TIRES OR HAVE THEM ROTATES/BALANCED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND I TOOK IT SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A 2ND OPINION - GOT AN ALIGNMENT DONE (WHICH HELPED FOR ABOUT A MONTH) TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, HAD IT RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS - AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.. I HAVE GONE THROUGH SO MANY TIRES... IN ADDITION, I NOW RECENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A VERY LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, VERY INTENSE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION IN ADDITION TO A CLICK NOISE WHEN I TURN HARD RIGHT OR LEFT, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE SOMEWHERE.
Engine, Aug 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ...UPDATED 10/11/16 *BF
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2016
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY ISSUES AT NIGHT. CONSUMER USES HIGH BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT. *SMD THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, THE CONSUMER PROVIDED IS INVALID. *JB
Steering, Jul 25, 2016
MY STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE AT 62,000 MILES IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT THAT TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I NOW HAVE 83,000 MILES AND IT IS A CONSTANT CLUNKING SOUND WHENEVER THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO ANY POSITION WHEN DRIVING THE CARE AND ALSO STATIONARY AND WHILE THE CARE IS IN PARK. IT ALSO CLUNKS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON UNEVEN SURFACES.
Engine, Jul 18, 2016
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HAS GONE THROUGH 2 ENGINES WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. BOTH TIME I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED. I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 5000 MILES. NO LIGHTS CAME ON BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED, THAT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WILL BE SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT TO THE KIA ORGANIZATION SHORTLY.
Engine, Jul 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 5, 2016
MARCH 2016 WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND PASSING A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE CAR LOST POWER, BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND UNRESPONSIVE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE RIGHT BY REST AREA AND COASTED SAFELY. INSPECTED THE VEHICLE WHILE AND NOTICED A SMELL REMINDING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE. CAR WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALER AND DIAGNOSED TO BE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND PER DEALER IT WAS PRISTINE, KIA DECIDED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY @ APPROX 98K MILES. DEALER STATED THAT PER KIA IT WAS DUE POSSIBLY TO NON OEM OIL FILTER (NICE). WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK IT DID NOT WANT TO START OCCASIONALLY, WHERE IT HESITATED ESPECIALLY AS TEMPERATURES INCREASED. NOTICED DEALER, DEALER TOOK IT IN VERIFIED BATTERY AND STARTER WERE TO SPEC. IN JUNE ON A HOT DAY CAR ALMOST DID NOT START, SET AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER FOR LATER IN THE WEEK. NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START, WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED TO WEEK STARTER. STARTER WAS REPLACED AND CAR STARTED ON FOR ONE DAY, THE SECOND DAY TEMPERATURES INCREASED AND CAR WAS DEAD WITH SIMILAR ELECTRICAL MELTDOWN, ALSO NOTICED FOG LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AFTER BULB REPLACEMENT. DEALER DIAGNOSED WITH KIA TO BAD ENGINE AGAIN DUE TO TOLERANCES CAUSING FRICTION AND MORE HEAT. SPOKE TO KIA AND STARTED A CASE BUT THEY JUST WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN AND NOT DISCUSS POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMPROMISE AND ONGOING ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILING FOR NO REASON. THIS CAR IS SCARRY AND HOPE IT DOES NOT START ON FIRE WHEN THE THIRD ENGINE FAILS.
Steering, Jun 27, 2016
CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH VIBRATION. THE ONLY TIME IT DOESN'T CLICK IS WHEN GOING COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. IT OCCURS THE WHOLE TIME I'M DRIVING.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Jun 14, 2016
VEHICLE SHOT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING PEDAL DIDN'T RESPOND. WE HAD RESTART VEHICLE SOME DAY 3 OR 4 TIMES AND AFTER THAT WAS WORKING FOR THE WEEK OR TWO WITH NO PROBLEM .WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA AND TOLD THEM THAT ENGINE HAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING SHOT DOWN. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. KIA FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE.KIA SAID THAT VEHICLE IS FINE WITH NO PROBLEM . AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED ENGINE BLOW OUT AND KIA REPLACED THE ENGINE. THEY ASKED $ 5900FOR REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE REFUSED TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY . THEY OFFERED US THE ENGINE FOR FREE AND WE PAID $ 1875 FOR LABOR. WE MADE A CLAIM THROUGH KIA HEADQUARTER BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOTHING HELPS.WE HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE KIA ENGINES ARE NOT GOOD AND IT HAS TO BE A RECALL THE LONG TIME AGO. WHEN ENGINE FINALLY BLOWS OUT IT WAS THE SAME SCENARIO AS ALWAYS BEFORE ...RESTART ENGINE , ENGINE SHOT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, RESTART AGAIN, DRIVING, RESTART UNTIL WE HEARD LOUD KNOCK NOISE
Engine, Jun 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,479.
Engine, Jun 8, 2016
IN MARCH 2016, OUR KIA OPTIMA SEIZED ON THE ONRAMP TO THE I-10 SPEED GOING AT 45 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHEN IT STALLED THE CAR IN BACK OF US NEARLY HIT US. THERE WAS NO WARNING THE ENGINE WAS FAILING AS IN SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHT. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THE INSPECTION FOUND THAT ONLY 1 CUP OF OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD NO SIGNS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS OR OIL LEAK. MAINT. PER OWNER'S MANUAL WAS DONE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT SERIOUSLY AND WAS GRATEFUL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. KIA DID NOT ASSIST IN ANYWAY AS GOODWILL DUE TO FACT WE WERE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH KIA ENGINES.
Engine, Jun 1, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HOME FROM MY COLLEGE GRADUATION. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE OIL WAS FINE, NOTHING TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE CAR HAD 76,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS ALWAYS BROUGHT IN FOR ITS REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A NEW MOTOR, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NEVER HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT IT IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL" FOR AN ENGINE TO SEIZE AT 76,000 MILES. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS INCIDENT OCCUR IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN VERY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON A ROADWAY. STILL IN CONTACT WITH KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT HAVE NOT MADE IT VERY FAR AT THIS POINT. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE 2011 OPTIMA, I EXPECTED IT TO LAST ME MORE THEN A YEAR AND A HALF, AND THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Engine, May 23, 2016
LIGHT TAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS. ON THE FOURTH DAY, WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH SEIZED ENGINE. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE WAS ONLY RECOURSE. THE CAR WAS REGULARLY SERVICED WITH OIL CHANGES AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT.
Electrical system, May 23, 2016
CAR WAS RUNNING AND SAT AT A RED LIGHT. WENT TO GO... MY RPMS SHOT DOWN TO 0, BATTERY AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WORKED. LIGHTS, WINDOWS, WIPERS..... THE CAR STILL WOULDNT TURN. THINK ITS THE ALTERNATOR. I THINK YOU SHOULD RECALL THEM AND GET THEM FIXED. THERES ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FAULTY ALTERNATORS ON THESE OPTIMAS.
Steering, May 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN CHANGING LANES. IN ADDITION, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE DISRUPTED THE CONTACT'S STEERING CAPABILITY. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER IN THE STEERING LINKAGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, May 17, 2016
THE STEERING MAKING KNOCKING SOUND WHILE STILL AND DRIVING AND WHILE BRAKING THE STEERING STARTS SHAKING AND MAKES THE KNOCKING SOUND. MOST PEOPLE SAID ITS A PLASTIC COUPLING THAT GETS REPLACED FOR $400 AND I CAN'T KEEP PAYING THAT MUCH MONEY EACH TIME IT GETS MESSED UP THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE GOTTEN FIX THREE MONTHS THE NOISE CAME BACK