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, May 5, 2016
A FLEXIBLE COUPLING HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COST OF THE PART WAS $1.35. THE LABOR TO REPLACE THE COUPLING WAS $250.00. I PAID A TOTAL OF $287.17 TO REPLACE A PART THAT COST $1.35. THE STEERING WAS LOOSE CAUSING THE ISSUE TO BE IMPERATIVE TO REPLACE.
Steering, Apr 28, 2016
UNABLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. PULLS TO LEFT AND RIGHT. I'M DRIVING ALL OVER THE LANE. WEARS ME OUT JUST TRYING TO DRIVE IT. AND ALL THIS CLICKING NOISE GOING ON...WHY DOESN'T KIA FIX THESE PROBLEMS? WHY IS IT SUCH A MYSTERY?? WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL? AN AUTOMOBILE THAT WON'T DRIVE STRAIGHT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Engine, Apr 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 55 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO RUMBLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT NO OIL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LOW OIL SENSOR WARNING LIGHT HAD NOT ILLUMINATED TO ALERT OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *TR
Engine, Apr 15, 2016
ON APRIL 10, 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON 270W IN STL DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLED AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACT AAA TO COME TOW MY VEHICLE AS IT WOULD RESTART BUT THEN DIE AGAIN WITHIN 1 MINUTE. UPON TAKING TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE MECHANICE DETERMINED THROUGH A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND A NEW ONE WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED. THE TOTAL COST TO FIX THIS ISSUE WAS $964 WHICH I FELT WAS ROBBERY. MY VEHICLE HAS 76K MILES ON IT AND HAS ALL REGULAR MAINTANCE AT THE SCHEDULED TIME. I SEE THAT THESE EXACT SAME ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA AND THAT THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ENGINE BUT YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP ASAP SO OTHERS WILL NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF THIS SITUATION. I AM JUST THANKFUL I DID NOT HAVE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM THIS OCCURENCE
Power train, Apr 15, 2016
SHORTLY AFTER TEST DRIVING AND BUYING A USED 2011 KIA OPTIMA LX, WE BEGAN EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT MAY NOT OCCUR FOR MANY MILES OF SLOW-AND-GO TRAFFIC BUT, WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT IS SHOCKING BECAUSE THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COMPLETELY DIE FOR UP TO 3 OR 4 SECONDS. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TURNING ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY OR CROSSING A HIGH SPEED INTERSECTION.I THIS HESITATION PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AT RANDOM REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ENGINE OR THE WEATHER IS COLD OR WARM. WE LEFT THIS CAR AT A KIA DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE HESITATION PROBLEM. THE ENGINE HAS HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH.
Engine, Apr 14, 2016
ON MARCH 23, 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON 422W IN PA DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLED AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACT AAA TO COME TOW MY VEHICLE AS IT WOULD NOT RESTART. UPON TAKING TO MY LOCAL SERVICE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION NOTHING WAS OUTWARDLY WRONG EXCEPT VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MECHANICE DETERMINED THROUGH A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION THAT THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED AND A NEW ONE WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K MILES ON IT AND HAS ALL REGULAR MAINTANCE AT THE SCHEDULED TIME. I SEE THAT THESE EXACT SAME ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA AND THAT THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ENGINE YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AND HOPEFULLY SAVE ANOTHER FAMILY FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF THIS SITUATION. I AM JUST THANKFUL NO ONE HAS HAD A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM THIS OCCURENCE. I ALSO FIND IT AMAZING THAT WHEN CALLING KIA TO GET A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT ALL OF THESE ENGINES HAVE BEEN SENT OUT IMMEDIATELY TO COVER THE HYUNDAI RECALL.....
Steering, Apr 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER ROLLING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Apr 8, 2016
WHILE SITTING WITH THE CAR RUNNING THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY AND MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE MOVING THE WHEN BACK AND FORTH.
Steering, Apr 5, 2016
HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SITTING STILL OR MOVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ALOT OF FREEPLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE NOISE IS PROGRESSING. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING BUT IT IS NOW GETTING WORSE. I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO KIA FOR MY OIL CHANGES AND HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THE NOISE AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING WORNG, WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE ON SATURDAY 4/2 THEY SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 100,000 MILES AND I TOLD THEM I MENTIONED IT TO THEM WHEN MY CAR HAD LESS THEN 100,000 AND HE THEN SAID IT DOESN'T COVER THE STEERING WHEEL.
Power train, Mar 30, 2016
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, IT WOULD JERK REALLY HARD LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING. AT FIRST IT ONLY DID IT ONCE OR TWICE WITHIN A MONTH SO IT WAS HARD TO DUPLICATE. RECENTLY IT STARTED GETTING CONSISTENT. IT WOULD JERK HARD WHEN PUTTING IT IN GEAR OR PARK. ALSO GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT SHIFTED REALLY HAD LIKE SOMETHING WAS SLIPPING. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF IT WAS IN THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON. TWICE THIS WEEK, IT DID IT EACH TIME I WENT SOMEWHERE. THE SHIFTS WERE SOMETIMES SHORTER AND MORE OFTEN. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS MAYBE SLIPPING OR NEEDED FLUID. I TOOK IT IN AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THEY REPLACED TRANY TEMP SENSOR, CODE P0711. THERE WAS NO CODE ON THE DASH, THEY HAD TO CHECK IT IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WORKED.
Steering, Mar 30, 2016
WHILE TAKING THE CAR IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THEY DID A 360 CHECK AND NOTICED THE STEERING COLUMN HAD PLAY IN IT AND MADE A CLICKING NOISE ABOUT A QUARTER TURN EACH DIRECTION. IT IS A PLASTIC GEAR PIECE THAT IS SMALLER THAN A QUARTER, PICTURE WILL BE ATTACHED. THEY SAID IF I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED IT WOULD GET EVENTUALLY WORSE BY WEARING OUT THE TIRES OR ALIGNMENT SO I HAD IT REPLACED. THEY HAD TO TAKE APART THE STEERING WHEEL TO REPLACE IT. IT WAS 20 FOR THE PIECE BUT WITH LABOR MY BILL WAS 181.
Service brakes, Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME PRESSURE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2016
2011 KIA OPTIMA BATTERY DIED THE MAIN FUSE INDICATOR WASN'T WORKING. ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2016 AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 5AM ON RT97, I WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES FROM HOME ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; I WAITED FOR 2 MINUTES I THEN PUSHED THE START BUTTON ON THE DASH BOARD THE CAR THEN STARTED. I THEN PUT IT IN GEAR AND STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN I WENT A QUARTER OF A MILE THE OPTIMA STALLED OUT AGAIN. AFTER WAITING 2 MINUTES AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN I DECIDED TO TURN THE OPTIMA AROUND TO HEAD BACK TO MY HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME WITHOUT IT STALLING. I THEN CHANGED THE BATTERY OF THE KIA OPTIMA WITH A NEW FEDERATED BATTERY THE MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER WAS 144,540.0
Engine, Mar 15, 2016
ON FEBRUARY 26, 2016 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA AT APPROXIMATELY 5:45AM ON MD RT. 695 SOUTH I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE GOING 55 MPH DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE OPTIMA WAS DRIVING NORMALLY THERE WERE NO SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY I LOST ALL POWER AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. I PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE OPTIMA I HAD NO POWER. I QUICKLY PUT ON MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TO GET OVER THE FOUR LANES; I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT WAS AMAZING THAT WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO THE WHEELS I WAS JUST COASTING THE OPTIMA WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT THE ENGINE TO POWER IT. I ENDED UP ON EXIT 17 WHICH IS SECURITY BLVD. RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE OPTIMA I SAW OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND OIL DOWN AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED AAA TO GET MY OPTIMA TOWED TO THE AUTO SHOP I GO TO IN NEW OXFORD PA. THAT WAS ABOUT 45 MILES WAY FROM WHERE THE OPTIMA'S ENGINE DIED. THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE ENGINE; HE STATED THAT A ROD FROM THE ENGINE HAD GONE THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE METAL PIECES AND OIL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER THE MECHANIC STATED HE COULDN'T FIND AN ENGINE FOR MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN GETTYSBURG, PA. THE KIA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE ENGINE. THEY CHARGED ME $89.00 FOR AN HOUR LABOR TO LOOK AT MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA. I WAS TOLD THAT EITHER THE MAIN BARRING TO THE CONNECTING ROD MALFUNCTIONED OR THE PIN THAT CONNECTS TO THE PISTON COULD HAVE JUST BROKEN. AT THIS PRESENT TIME I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ENGINE'S MAJOR PARTS CAME APART AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE ALL POWER AND PUT MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS AT RISK.
Steering, Mar 15, 2016
HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SITTING STILL OR MOVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ALOT OF FREEPLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD BY MY FRIEND WHO HAS A 2012 OPTIMA THAT HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A PLASTIC GEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD COST ROUGHLY $300 TO FIX. UPON RESEARCH WITH THIS ISSUE I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL OWNERS THAT SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH KIA KNOWS ABOUT. I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE BEFORE THIS ISSUE KILLS SOMEONE.
Engine, Feb 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Power train, Feb 29, 2016
MY KIA OPTIMA (2011) HAD STARTED A TICKING ENGINE NOISE AT AROUND 90K MARK AND NOW IT'S ESCALATED TO A LOWER END WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENTA T ABOUT 92K IT WAS NORMAL NOISE OF CAMSHAFT AND I ONLY NOTICED IT UNDER LOADS AND HIGHER ELEVATION ON OVERPASSES. I HAVE BEEN USING MOBIL1,FULLY SYNTHETIC MOTOR OILS AND A K&N OIL FILTERS. THIS LAST WEEK I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT WAS GETTING LOUDER.AND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ASKED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT MY WIFE'S 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT WAS GETTINGI TS OIL CHANGED@ AND YES WITH MOBIL1, AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL ON THE MOTOR PLANT IN ALABAMA THAT SUPPLIES THE ENGINES OF BOTH FOR THOSE YEARS MODELS HAD AN METALLIC FRAGMENTS LEFT UN ENGINE AT MANUFACTURER OF ENGINE AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL. SO I CALLED KIA CONSUMER PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY APPARENTLY HAVE HIDDEN BEHIND THE RELOCATION TO THE GEORGIA PLANT AND SAID THAT MY CAR IS KOREAN DUH SO THAT MEANS THAT THE ENGINE IS KOREAN. WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND MACHINE SHOPS BOTH HAVE SAME PARTS JUST A DIFFERENT PART # SO IT WILL AVOID A RECALL BUT THAT IS SPLITTING UP THE DIVISION OF BRANDS NOT THE PLACE WHERE MY KIA ENGINE WAS MADE IN ALABAMA AND SO WAS THE SONATAS. JUST DIFFERENT NUMBERS. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE NEEDS TO STEP IN AND TAKE OUT THE BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE LAW AND ORDER OF FAITHFUL OWNER'S OF THE KIA AND HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM KIA AND IM IN NEED OF THE NHSTA TO GET INVOLVED. AND DO AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HYUNDAI AND KIA MOTOR PLANTS RECALL FOR YOU AND ME THE CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY COMMISSION NEXT STEP I GUESS.
Engine, Feb 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE OIL. SHE NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS VERY DARK AND HAD A BURNT SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2016
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS LOOK LIKE FLASHLIGHTS WITH WEAK BATTERIES, YOU CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 6 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. THE LENS ON THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CLEAR LIKE NEW ONES, BUT THE HEAT FROM THE BULBS DESTROY THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT IS WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. WHEN YOU GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT.
Engine, Feb 10, 2016
MY 2011 OPTIMA HAD 106,214 MILES AND WAS ALMOST DUE FOR ANOTHER 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE (WHICH WAS DONE REGULARLY) AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, SOUNDS, SMELLS ETC. IT STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN A PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE KIA DEALER THAT WAS NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY AND THEY SAID THEY WERE CLOSED AND COULD NOT LOOK AT IT. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER GARAGE, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE ENGINE WAS "SHOT" IT DID NOT HAVE OIL IN THE TOP (?) THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE ONLY REPLACEMENT ENGINE THEY COULD FIND WOULD BE CLOSE TO $3000.00 AND WAS OUT OF STATE, SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SHIPPING AS WELL AS LABOR. I SINCE HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND HAVE LOOKED ONLINE FOR ENGINES AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE SAME EXACT ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND THAT IT WAS RECALLED BY HYUNDAI. KIA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ALMOST EXACT WITH VEHICLES WITH EVEN LOWER MILEAGE AND STILL REFUSES TO RECALL THE ENGINE.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 30, 2016, crash
TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH (HAD JUST TURNED ONTO ROAD)WHEN ENGINE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL (HARD) AND DID NOT SLOW CAR AT ALL. CONTINUED TO PRESS BRAKE AND ALSO PUMPED BUT NOTHING SLOWED VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH SAW TRUCK WELL AHEAD OF ME STOPPED, I COULD DO NOTHING TO STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN. I WRECKED INTO BACK OF TRUCK STOPPED AHEAD OF ME WAITING TO TURN. APPROX 8000.00 DAMAGE TO MY CAR MOSTLY DUE TO TRUCK HAVING A SIZABLE TRAILER HITCH ON BACK THAT BUSTED THROUGH A LOT OF FRONT END PLASTIC, COOLING SYSTEM, ETC AND BUCKLED HOOD. NO INJURIES BUT IF WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. OFFICER UPON ARRIVAL ALSO NOTICED THATBRAKES SEEMED TO FAIL AND NOTED IT ON HIS POLICE REPORT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND INTERNET SOURCES INDICATING THAT SOME 2011 KIAS HAD IN FACT HAS A TSNB ISSUED FOR UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH A BULLETIN AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICES PERFORMED AT KIA DEALERSHIP. ALSO, HAVE HAD BRAKES CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AT DEALER AND DELAER INSPECTION NEVER INDICATED ANY PROBLEMS. I HAV EALSO FOUND DOCUMENTATION ONLINE THAT SAYS IF YOU HAVE AN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELLERATION, PRESSING THE BRAKE HARD IS THE FIRST STEP TO DO, BUT ONCE YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE, YOU TOTALLY LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE. WHO POSSIBLE WOULD KNOW THAT ? THIS ACCIDENT IS TOTALLY THE RESULT OF A SYSTEM FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE AND I AM ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN PERSUING MY DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 27, 2016
IF THERE IS LIGHT WHEEL SPIN UPON TAKEOFF (ESPECIALLY TURNING AND ACCELERATING, SUCH AS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A ROAD) IT CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ACCELERATOR CAN BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. CAR ALSO ACTIVATES ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WHEN LIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING OVER A SMALL BUMP AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 25 MPH. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCUR WITH STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED (DEFAULT SETTING WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON) STABILITY CONTROL / TRACTION CONTROL IS OVERLY SENSITIVE, AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
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
Steering, Jan 15, 2016
HARD TO STEER, ALONG WITH A NOISE INSIDE THE CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE PIECE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID PART IS A STEERING COLUMN COUPLER AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. COST WAS $332.00.
Steering, Jan 8, 2016
THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND THUMPS WHEN I MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH. I ALSO HEAR A THUMB UNDER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I BACK UP AND WHEN I COME TO A STOP.