10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 20
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
95,055 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Kia Optima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #103

Jun 012011

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to engine replacement recall notice and seeks reimbursement information. The consumer stated the engine failed and was replaced under warranty. The consumer received the recall notice 17-V224 and requested to be advised if this repair was already completed. Updated 09/11/2017

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #102

Sep 022017

Optima

  • 100,000 miles
Turbo oil supply line leeks

- Farr West, UT, USA

problem #101

Aug 182017

Optima

  • 150 miles
Problems starting a few years ago. Heard knocking, brought it in for recall, and it wasn't doing it anymore. Had problem with emissions. Recall was done and I was told that the problem led to engine problems. Now engine is burning through oil, and local trusted mechanic says it is going to need a new engine by winter. In research have seen others are having similar problems.

- Holderness, NH, USA

problem #100

Aug 192017

Optima

  • 115,000 miles
Well my 2011 Kia Optima ex stalled in traffic and was able to push it into a parking lot to be towed, come to find out my engine went out on me. I started to hear a knocking noise that came out of nowhere and then my car died and check engine light came on. Come to find out that I have a recall on my vehicle for this problem. I am very uspet to find out this has been going on for a year or so and have never ever been notified of it via mail or anything! I could of killed someone let alone myself or my family! I had to do repairs O N8/19/17 because my car out of nowhere started making a knocking noise and battery died. I had to get a new battery and then have my car checked out which all costed $350 and still died on me and my airbag light is on now then... only to find out my engine was bad. I'm looking into legal action.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #99

Aug 192016

Optima

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil. The vehicle was towed to hart Kia (located at 1361 E main St salem, va 24163 540-389-2364) where it was unable to be diagnosed due to no failure codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 12413664. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Troutville, VA, USA

problem #98

Aug 072017

Optima

  • 101,958 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact took the vehicle to airport Kia naples (3325 westview dr, naples, fl 34104) for routine maintenance and a recall repair for the engine. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the engine was operable and did not need to be replaced. While leaving the dealer, the contact heard a knocking noise. The contact called airport Kia naples at (239) 732-8910 and was instructed to bring the vehicle back. While driving back to the dealer, the engine stalled and lost power. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was ready for pick up after four days. While leaving the dealer, the contact noticed that the air conditioner started to blow heat, smoke appeared from the rear of the vehicle out of the exhaust, and the knocking noise recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold was replaced, which caused the smoke. The dealer repaired the air conditioner as a courtesy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The manufacturer was notified, opened an investigation, and provided case number: 12451212. The failure mileage was 101,958.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #97

Jul 302017

Optima

  • 56,000 miles
Car caught fire from the engine bay while driving on highway and has been entirely burned out in 5 minutes.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #96

Jul 162017

Optima

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted into a neighborhood parking lot and had the vehicle towed home. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #95

Jun 202017

Optima

  • 66,606 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving, the contact heard a knocking noise under the hood. The vehicle was taken to galeana Chrysler Jeep Kia (180 greystone blvd, columbia, SC 29210, (803) 779-7300) where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced, but the parts were not unavailable for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed by the service manager to call back during business hours. The failure mileage was 66,606.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #94

Jul 192017

Optima

  • 99,500 miles
First I would like to say that up until now I loved my Kia!!!! unfortunately beginning just before the car had 100,000 miles on it, the car began to burn oil. It is burning approximately 1 quart every 1000 miles. I took the car in to the dealer for the latest engine recall and while there I communicated with the dealership that the car has been burning oil at the rate of a quart every 1000 miles. The dealership changed my oil when checking it for the engine recall, afterwards they directed me to bring it back in at 1000 miles. The car is currently at the dealership now for this check. The car is at 900 miles and a quart low. I hope Kia will do the right thing and fix this. I have read other peoples experiences with the engine failure and one of the common symptoms seems to be the car suddenly beginning to burn oil. I do not want to be on the interstate and suddenly have engine failure in and not be able to get my car out of the line of traffic.

- Jackson, MO, USA

problem #93

Oct 152015

Optima

  • 70,000 miles
This is not a complaint. I simply want to inform you the recall notice you sent me regarding the metal debris in my engine was fixed October 2015.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #92

Feb 072017

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 72 mph, the vehicle stalled and began to skid off the road. All the instrument panel warning indicators were illuminated. There were no injuries. The contact also noticed smoke under the hood. When the contact lifted the hood, he found that the smoke was coming from the starter. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Mauk, GA, USA

problem #91

Jan 192017

Optima

  • 138,000 miles
01/19/2017 Kia Optima sx 2011, engine knocking, loss of power. Towed to orlando Kia West (okw). 03/03/2017, okw completed rebuild of 2.0T theta II engine with $4000 short block assembly provided by Kia motors America. Diagnosis was, defective connecting rod #3 bearing. 05/26/2017, engine lost power/function. Okw diagnosed as cylinder #3 misfire. 06/01/2017, replaced #3 fuel injector, $600. Okw stated engine still not operating as designed. Diagnosed turbocharger seal failure. Replaced turbocharger $2810. Engine still not operating as designed. Okw diagnosed cylinder #3 not holding compression. Reason unknown. 06/12/2017, okw offered rental, but only if I paid in advance $2810 open ticket for turbocharger. I refused. Kia motors America persuaded okw otherwise. 06/26/2017, currently in rental car waiting for information. NHTSA recall 17V224

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #90

Jun 192017

Optima

  • 93,300 miles
We were driving on a slightly curvy and hilly road where the speed limit was around 45 and the car lost all RPM and the oil pressure light and check engine light started flickering, there was a notable engine knocking heard during this time. We pulled over at that time.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #89

Mar 312017

Optima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The barnes crossing Kia dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy due to parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Calhoun, MS, USA

problem #88

Jun 012017

Optima

  • 999,000 miles
Was waiting for red light and car just stopped running it started but sounded terrible. Parked for awhile and has been fine since.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #87

Jun 172017

Optima

  • 99,000 miles
2011 Kia Optima recently went dead. While driving roughly 35 mph, the engine seized up with no warnings; no loud noises, no pops. 99K miles on the car at the time of engine failure. Had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Service department then notified me that the engines had been recalled, April 2017. First, the dealership would conduct an inspection, required before securing eligibility for the recall. So I am patiently waiting to hear back from the dealership. I have no vehicle to commute to work. My insurance coverage does not afford rental vehicles in the events of mechanical failures.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #86

Apr 272017

Optima

  • 92,000 miles
While I was driving on the city streets I was preparing to make a left turn and the light was about to turn red, so as I was in the middle of the intersection my car's engine just completely stalled on me and I could not accelerate while my car was slowly rolling through the intersection with oncoming traffic which created a dangerous situation for me. This happened to me a second time again while I was taking a left turn with on coming traffic there was no lights or stop signs posted on this particular road and my car just lost power while I was still in the middle of the road in motion, which caused another dangerous situation for me and the other drivers where they either had to slam on their brakes or quickly change lanes to avoid hitting my stalled car

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #85

Sep 012016

Optima

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the contact heard a knocking noise under the hood of the vehicle. The failure recurred. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the connecting rods for the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was verified by the koons Kia of woodbridge Virginia dealer. The contact informed the manufacturer who had the vehicle inspected and found metal shavings in the engine and stated that the vehicle needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was unable to make the dealer repair the vehicle free of charge. The manufacturer opened case number: K3368562. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #84

May 182017

Optima

  • 197,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. While driving approximately 60 mph, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

- Kennett Square, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »