What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2011 KIA Optima

Typical pattern

4.5% of complaints about the 2011 KIA Optima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (255 complaints), typically at 7.7 yr or about 101,000 miles.

Complaints
780
Median age at failure
7.6 yr
Median mileage
90,000 n=546
Crash / fire / tow
15.6% of reports
Safety recalls
5 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
255 reports · 101,000 mi
7.7 yr
18.8%
Steering
100 reports · 72,000 mi
5.6 yr
1%
Exterior lighting
89 reports · 85,675 mi
7.9 yr
3.4%
Electrical system
63 reports · 86,300 mi
8.3 yr
17.5%
Other
39 reports · 96,453 mi
9.8 yr
15.4%
Air bags
31 reports · 100,000 mi
7.8 yr
38.7%
Service brakes
26 reports · 66,670 mi
7.4 yr
23.1%
Power train
25 reports · 36,000 mi
5.5 yr
4%
Fuel / propulsion
23 reports · 89,843 mi
8.8 yr
21.7%
Service brakes, hydraulic
21 reports · 130,000 mi
13.2 yr
14.3%
Structure
21 reports · 50,000 mi
6.8 yr
38.1%
Speed control
19 reports · 93,300 mi
6.8 yr
31.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V652000 2023-09-25 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

18V907000 2018-12-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

18V363000 2018-06-01
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

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.

17V224000 2017-03-31
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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.

13V114000 2013-04-01
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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

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.

In owners’ own words

Steering 10 mi 5 mo in service
PURCHASED A NEW 2011 KIA OPTIMA SX WITH PREMIUM TOURING PACKAGE. THE CAR HAS PULLED TO THE LEFT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. SEEMS TO BE MORE NOTICEABLE THE FASTER YOU GO. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD I WILL BE IN THE NEXT LANE IN A SECOND OR TWO UPON LETTING GO OF THE STEERING REGARDLESS OF WHICH SIDE OF THE ROAD CROWN I AM ON. I ALSO NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL DOES SHIFT LEFT DURING THIS AND IS OFF CENTER. *TR
Steering 68 mi 5 mo in service
UPON DRIVING HOME FROM TAKING DELIVERY OF MY NEW 2011 KIA OPTIMA ON 2/11/11, MY HUSBAND I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT SUBSTANTIALLY. IF YOU LOOSEN THE GRIP OF THE WHEEL THE CAR IMMEDIATELY PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 2/18, 3/5 AND 3/14. EACH TIME I HAVE RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER, THEY INDICATE THAT IT IS WITHIN KIA SPECS AND IS 'TRACKING' STRAIGHT. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP LAST NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. *TR
Steering 325 mi 8 mo in service
I AM ALSO HAVING THE LEFT PULL ISSUE WITH MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA. I ALERTED THE DEALER AS SOON AS IT LEFT THE LOT AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON 5/2/11. SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE TECH TODAY (5/4) AND HE SAID THAT ALL OF THE ALIGNMENT SPECS WERE WITHIN FACTORY STANDARDS BUT THE CAR IS STILL PULLING LEFT. CURRENTLY AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM KIA'S CORPORATE ENGINEERS. THIS PRESENTS A CLEAR DANGER AS THE CAR WILL SWITCH LANES UNLESS CONSTANT PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Suspension mileage not reported 6 mo in service
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.

Other Optima model years

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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