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.
Engine, Aug 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and had seized. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2021
I have been getting a whiff of gas when I would drive it’s but recently it has been worse and my check engine light has showed up and the code for it says that it could be the fuel filter.
Engine, Aug 4, 2021
On May 28th I was on my way home and out of nowhere my steering wheel locked up and the car died while in motion. A week later we notified Kia about it and they had me tow my car so they could find out what was going on with my vehicle. We waited 12 days to find out was wrong with it and they told us the engine was seized and we had just found out that they had a recall for seized engines. After finding that out we tried to get the vehicle fixed through them and they told us that they could not fix it because it doesn’t no longer have an warranty and that they sent out an report about the recall on my car. We never received any information about a recall and we bought the vehicle March 2020. We have been making phone calls to Kia and they denied to fixing my vehicle.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 4, 2021
Safety: It appears the vehicle in question has had Engine, Electrical, and Driveability issues within less than 8,000 miles of it being on the road the First record of this vehicle show's one owner, purchased not from a Kia Dealership but a third party. The Carfax history showed there has been a driveability issue an ECM Module has been replaced twice? less than 30,000 miles? It's Believed that the warranty or millage has been used as a reason to deny repair and or Because as the Recall on the engine states it is undetermined as to what is causing a malfunction but it has or will result in fire. This becomes a liability for those who offer works on the vehicle. Something within the vehicle is without warning causing the vehicle to randomly fail while descending from 65-85 miles an hour. There are also sudden jerks that randomly accrue. rendering the car hard to maintain direction. Imagin a first-time driver attempting to handle this on a busy Highway in Texas - The day we acquired the car we took it to KIA to do a full inspection - oil change, etc- The report given was that there are no problems identified but a computer module may need to be changed. We also asked that they give us an appraisal it was at that point they said that the car had a salvage title. Which the seller who sold it us ARELLANO AUTO SALES sail the title was clean. Last year a recall on the engine was issued. the insurance company determined the vehicle a total loss since how the car was branded a lost because it appears Kia refused to Fix the car, While everyone else says they can't recreate the issue for fear of liability. So here are with a car that has an undetermined engine issue that causes other electronics to malfunction. The vehicle has been seen at KIA dealerships according to the carfax. It's been seen. By two other service facilities and all have come up with something that may needed to be service while nothing has fixed the car
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon entering an interstate highway at 65 MPH, the vehicle ceased with the battery and oil warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. As the vehicle shut-off, the contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway. After the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the recall for the failure had expired and referred her to a Kia dealer for inspection. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle remained in possession of the independent mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 28, 2021
Driving down Highway car shut off won’t start back up
Steering, Jun 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the steering column however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while attempting to turn the steering wheel. The traction control warning light illuminated whenever the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 31, 2021
Unknown. I just checkes the VIN # on this vehicle because I just bought it and saw that it has 4 recalls. But recently I have been smelling gasoline when I drive it long distances and sometimes when I am in town. It gets bad, even my kids complain about the smell. Im not sure if there is a problem but if so I would like for it to be corrected.
Engine, May 3, 2021
ON JANUARY 4TH 2021 MY CAR STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR IN MY CITY AND THEY INFORMED ME MY ENGINE HAD A RECALL ON IT. THE AUTO SHOP THEN INFORMS ME THEY DON'T WORK ON ENGINES SEND IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP SHIP I DID THAT. NOW THE KIA DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THERE WAS NO RECALL DIDN'T EXPLAIN MUCH SAY YOU JUST NEEDED AN BATTERY AND THE FRONT O2 SEN-OR REPLACED I PAID THE $450 THE CAR WAS UP AND RUNNING I DIDN'T THINK NOTHING ELSE WOULD GO WRONG. MARCH 19 2021 MY CAR STOPS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING GET IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR IN MY CITY THEY SAY I HAVE A BAD ENGINE THAT WAS ALL THE HELP THEY COULD GIVE ME. NOW MAY 3 2021 MY CAR IS CURRENTLY DOWN IT'S NOT IN THE AUTO SHOP AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE THE ONLY THING THE AUTO REPAIR SHOPS WAS SAYING IS THIS WOULD COST ME $4500.IN JANUARY I WAS INFORMED I HAD A RECALL ON MY ENGINE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2021, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY AT TRAFFIC TIME WHEN I NOTICED A SMALL GAS ODOR MY BRAKES GOT REALLY HARD AFTER THAT I PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN MY HOOD SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT, THE CAR ITS TRASH NOW POLICE TOOK IT TO IMPOUND BECAUSE OF THE FLUIDS THE CAR WAS LEAKING AND SAFETY ISSUES.
Engine, Apr 23, 2021
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING ENGINE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES CONCERNING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSPECTION FEE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL LEAK HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
Engine, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERT OGDEN MISSION KIA (2307 E EXPRESSWAY 83, MISSION, TX 78572) WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAULT WITH THE ENGINE. THE RECALL CLASSIFICATION WAS THEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KNOCKING GREW LOUDER, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UPON ACCELERATION, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST HIM SINCE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
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
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2021
MY KIA HAS A LONG ACCELERATION LAG. IT IS SO DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I PRESS GAS PEDAL VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES ACCELERATE BUT SOMETIMES NOT. I DON'T HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS SHOW UP. NO CODES. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM NEVER WHEN COLD. WHEN WARMER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE THE MORE OFTEN I FEEL THIS ISSUE. LAST MY VISIT TO THE KIA DEALER DOESN'T RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID NO CODES NO DIAGNOSIS. IN MY POINT, THIS IS A SOFTWARE OR CONTROL MODULE ISSUE. READING A LOT OF FORUMS I FOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ACCELERATION LAG PROBLEM. ALSO, I'M FEELING THAT THIS ISSUE IS A SERIOUS CONCERN THAT CAN CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Engine, Mar 27, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR KIND OF SPUTTERED AND SHUT OFF...NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS...REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STARTER TO NO AVAIL
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.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021
CODE SHOWING IS P1326 - KSDS - ROD BEARING WEAR. ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND VEHICLE HAS WENT INTO LIMP MODE/LOSS OF POWER.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021
I DID A OIL CHANGE ON THE CAR AFTER THAT THE OIL JUST KEPT LEAKING. I HAD TO PUT 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK. THEN ON MY WAY HOME FROM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO HER APPOINTMENT THE CAR SHUT DOWN ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SEMI BEHIND ME WHICH ALMOST HIT ME. I DON'T DIVE IT ANYMORE I GOT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2021
WHEN I GO TO FILL UP WITH FUEL IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO PUMP BUT VERY LITTLE FUEL BEFORE IT SPILLS OUT. I HAVE TO PUT VERY LITTLE IN AT A TIME BEFORE THE PUMP CLICKS OFF. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL UP MY TANK SINCE MAY WITHOUT IT TAKING 45 MINS OR SO AND IT SPILLING OUT. I WAS PARKED AT THE GAS STATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED, WITH THE CAR OFF.
Engine, Feb 5, 2021
CAR STARTED TO KNOCK SHUT OFF CALLED TOW TRUCK.CHECKED CODE SAID KNOCK SENSOR REPLACED STILL KNOCKS CHANGED OIL AGAIN AFTER TWO MONTHS AND FOUND PIECES OF MEDAL IN OIL THAT LOOKS LIKE BASS AND METAL I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON ROAD RT.322 IN NO
Steering, Engine, Jan 18, 2021
I HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR ON THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2021THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND TURN IT OFF AND ONE TURNED BACK ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD TOLD ME IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM IN A VERY RUDE WAY. SO I ASKED THEM CAN I HAVE THE OWNERS NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T GIVE IT TO ME AND IF I KEEP ASKING THEY'RE GOING TO CALL THE POLICE ON ME. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO KIA TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THE CAR ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY IF THE PART IS COVERED BUT I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT IS ON RECALL.
Engine, Jan 10, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STALLED ON ME. IT WON'T TURN OVER OR ANYTHING. IT STILL HAS ALMOST 1500 MILES ON UNTIL THE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND THE OIL PLUG IS ON AND TIGHT. WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS NOT READING ANYTHING ON THE DIP STICK. THE HAS NOT BEEN ANY OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR STREET IN MY TOWN GOING STRAIGHT
Engine, Jan 8, 2021
I WAS DRIVING FORWARD, IN MOTION, MY KIA OPTIMA 2011 ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY BECAME CONCERNED, SLOWED DOWN, AND STUCK TO THE RIGHT LANE. THEN, 15 MINUTES AFTER FIRST HEARING THIS LOUD NOISE, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE AS THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THEN I HEARD A SMALL CRASH/EXPLOSION, SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE HOOD, IT BEGAN TO SMELL TERRIBLE AND I WAS TRULY SCARED FOR MY LIFE IN TRYING TO STOP THE CAR ON THE CURB, UNABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE AND UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BY GEICO. MY CAR HAS ONLY 88K MILES AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2014'THIS IS UTTERLY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE AN ENGINE BLOW OUT SO SUDDENLY, AT SO LITTLE MILEAGE, AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN INVESTIGATING THIS.
Engine, Dec 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000.