2011 KIA OPTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    44 stranded, 54 unsafe

    98
    incidents
    Typical range: 85,000–130,000 mi

    Median 101,500 mi, based on 122 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SHUTS DOWN WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT."~12,100 mi, complaint #1374967
    • "THE ENGINE TOTALLY LOCKED UP....WHILE DRIVING, IN MOTION, ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE TYPE HIGHWAY! VERY DANGEROUS! MANY KIA OWNERS APPEAR TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ALSO. THE ENGINE IS FROZEN SOLID AND WILL NOT TURN OVER PER REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP. THESE ENGINES…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1322885
    • "BOUGHT THE CAR JANUARY OF 2018.28 DAYS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE AND I GOT A FLAT TIRE AND COME TO FIND OUT MY STRUT WAS NEVER PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THATS WHAT POPPED MY TIRE.DAN OBRIEN TRIED TO DENY HAVING A WARRANTY TO FIX THE CAR SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT.IT WAS…"~101,700 mi, complaint #1573863
    • "IN MARCH OF 2017, KIA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THERE ENGINES IN THE OPTIMA FOR THE YEAR I OWN. WE STILL HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM KIA ABOUT BRINGING OUR KIA OPTIMA IN FOR THIS RECALL. OUR VIN SHOWS THAT OUR CAR IS PART OF THIS RECALL. A YEAR LATER…"~134,000 mi, complaint #1459604
    • "WAS WAITING FOR RED LIGHT AND CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING IT STARTED BUT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. PARKED FOR AWHILE AND HAS BEEN FINE SINCE."~999,000 mi, complaint #1386551
  2. #2

    engine internal

    21 stranded, 64 unsafe, 1 broken

    86
    incidents
    Typical range: 71,000–130,000 mi

    Median 102,000 mi, based on 117 reports (23% had no usable mileage)

    • "JUST WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO REPLACE CRACKED DASH, HEATED STEERING WHEEL PEELING, TIRES WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE, WIPER BLADES SUCKED & YOU COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THEM WHEN IT RAIN, CRACKED OUTSIDE OF SUNROOF SEAL, PULLING TO LE…"~5,200 mi, complaint #1119656
    • "TL* 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 CERTIF…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1381802
    • "MY KIA WAS MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE ON AND OFF FOR AWHILE THEN MY OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER SO I FIGURED I NEED AN OIL CHANGE. GOT MY OIL CHANGED AND THEN THE CAR STARTED MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND WOULD GET WORSE WITH ACCELERATION AND WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME ACCE…"~107,500 mi, complaint #1379208
    • "I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2016, OUT OF THE BLUE ON MAY 22, 2016 I HEARD A SLIGHT KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VERY NEXT MORNING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE I-15 SOUTH AT AROUND 7:00AM I WAS TRAVE…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1321388
    • "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…"~1,451,900 mi, complaint #1268155
  3. #3

    lighting exterior

    57 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    69
    incidents
    Typical range: 68,500–112,000 mi

    Median 90,000 mi, based on 52 reports (35% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS PUSHED DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE END POINT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER INCLUDED A KNOB THAT C…"~1,300 mi, complaint #898203
    • "BOUGHT 2011 KIA OPTIMA NEW. WIFE DRIVEN TO WORK DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. RECENTLY DROVE IT AT NIGHT AND NOTICED DIM LOW BEAMS AS WELL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR CRANKSHAFT RECALL AND HAD THEM LOOK AT HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS. SURPRISE, WE NEED 2 NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLI…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1396556
    • "RIGHT LOW BEAM NEEDED CONSTANT CHANGING (1 EVERY 4-6 MONTHS). WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I HAD CHANGED THE BULB, 2 WEEKS LATER, THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN. NOTICED A WHITE FILM ON INSIDE OF LIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THE WIRI…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1605315
    • "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 RECA…"~101,000 mi, complaint #1735176
    • "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…"~177,000 mi, complaint #1738313
  4. #4

    alignment and pull

    26 unsafe

    26
    incidents
    Typical range: 0–6,000 mi

    Median 500 mi, based on 27 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARDS THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND A CAMBER KIT WAS INSTALLED ON THE SUSPENSION BUT TH…"~500 mi, complaint #906848
    • "WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED IT PULLED TO THE LEFT AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY "SAID" THEY PERFORMED A FIX ACCORDING TO AN INTERNAL KIA TSB-032 DOCUMENT. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A 15,000 MILE SERVICE AND ANOTHER TIRE ROT…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1004521
    • "FIRST NOTICED ABNORMAL TIRE WARE ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. SO I HAD TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT. RECEIVED THE SPEC SHEETS AFTER. THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT .15 DEGREES R…"~15,700 mi, complaint #959508
    • "THE CAR PULLS CONTINUOUSLY TO THE RIGHT WHEN RIDING IN A CURVE GOING TO THE RIGHT OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I SPOKE TO TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, BUT I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *T…"~51,900 mi, complaint #1171771
    • "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 AUTOM…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1278955
  5. #5

    steering column

    22 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    24
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 77,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE A 2011 KIA OPTIMA WITH 53,000 MILES. I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS TO BE DEFECT FROM A CHEAP PLASTIC PART . I AM READING THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIFE. YOU CAN HEAR THE POPPI…"~5,300 mi, complaint #1608009
    • "STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RAILROAD TRACKS. GOING TO TAKE IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT TODAY. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND GETTING WORSE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT ON 9/23/15."~58,000 mi, complaint #1222820
    • "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 Q…"~76,250 mi, complaint #1271812
    • "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…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1284091
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact’s daughter stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would produce a clicking noise and shaking coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was take…"~252,000 mi, complaint #1794175
  6. #6

    airbag system

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 87,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS SITTING IN A TURN LANE, TO TURN LEFT. THERE WERE TWO LANES TO MY RIGHT FOR TRAFFIC. I WAS WAITING FOR A CAR COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I HAPPENED TO LOOK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND IT WAS COMPLETELY TAKEN UP BY THIS RED OBJECT, WHICH HAPPENED TO…"~5,000 mi, complaint #946073
    • "CLOCK SPRING PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IF IT WAS A SORENTO IT WOULD BE COVERED, BUT SINCE IT IS AN OPTIMA IT IS NOT COVERED AND WOULD COST $390.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING, AS THIS IS THE DIAGNO…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1392326
    • "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…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1254734
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS KIA OF WOODBRIDGE ([REDACTED PHONE], LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], WOODBRIDGE, VA 22191) AND…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1512311
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHI…"~185,000 mi, complaint #1490680
  7. #7

    steering rack mechanical

    19 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 85,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE VEHICLE SOLELY BEING STATIONARY. THE STEERING WHEEL JUST HAD MORE GIVE BEFORE IT WOULD ENGAGE THE TIRES. IT'S CONSISTENTLY GOTTEN WORSE TO WHERE NOW, WHILE DRIVING, HITTING A BUMP ON ANY KIND OF ROAD CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO MA…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1557884
    • "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…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1283413
    • "THE STEERING COUPLING IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS GONE BAD CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE BADLY WHEN STOPPING AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE."~90,000 mi, complaint #1523801
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TURN TO EITHER SIDE HAS A LOT OF PLAY BEFORE RESPONDING TO TURN THE WHEELS AND HAS A LOUD CLANKING SOUND LIKE IT'S EITHER ENGAGING OR SLIPPING, AND IT GETS WORSE EACH TIME I DRIVE IT, AFTER TALKING WITH A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1405395
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a notchy feel in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to TSB Number: CHA060. The mechanic…"~121,000 mi, complaint #2036725
  8. #8

    other

    8 unsafe, 10 annoyance

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 38,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A STORM HER VEHICLE WAS FLOODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE VENTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO LET WATER OUT BUT SINCE IT WAS SITTI…"~5,200 mi, complaint #880076
    • "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."~70,000 mi, complaint #1388707
    • "MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING A 2011 KIA OPTIMA WHEN THE CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED UPON IMPACT WITH A TREE."~75,000 mi, complaint #1498747
  9. #9

    engine oil consumption

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 93,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was consistently topping off the engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The conta…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1823705
    • "I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IN JULY 2017. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DRIFTING AND SLIPPERY. IT WAS ABOUT 84,000 MILES IN IT. SO, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN KIA DEALER. THEY SHOWED ME WORN OUT STEERING COUPLING. I ASKED THEM TO CHANGE STEERING COUPLING ONLY BUT THEY CHANGED…"~92,300 mi, complaint #1472838
    • "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…"~99,500 mi, complaint #1393285
    • "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…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1732551
    • "LAST MONTH, I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN MY ENGINE AND IT WAS BONE DRY. THIS WAS THE REASON FOR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY SAID THEY DO KNOW WHY BUT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE LAST TIME I RECEIVED…"~173,534 mi, complaint #1596155
  10. #10

    wiring harness

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "ON 04/15/2011 OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA WAS DAMAGED BY MICE EATING WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE NEED AN ENGINE HARNESS REPLACED. DEALER TOLD US THAT THE PART IS NOT IN THE US. THEY ALSO TELL US THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE FOUND. ON 5/3/2011 WE WE…"~1,050 mi, complaint #856194
    • "HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/SHORTAGE IN 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE IN MOTION, DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKS, INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF AND DOOR/DOORS OPEN LIGHT COMES ON."~4,300 mi, complaint #1579099
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while driving at 60 MPH on the expressway. No warning lights illuminated. The contact had some wires replaced prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag d…"~35,000 mi, complaint #2198413
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE GOT ABNORMALLY HOT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1232697
    • "LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING / HEAR CLICKING SOUND WHILE MY DASH BOARD FLICKERS AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED AND IN MOTION"~130,000 mi, complaint #1527908
  11. #11

    steering electric assist

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "MY CAR HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE LEFT EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PULLING. THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTERWARDS I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A "FEATURE" OF THE STE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1156832
    • "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."~50,000 mi, complaint #1293086
    • "I BOUGHT A 2011 KIA OPTIMA FROM A DEALER AN IT HAS A CLEAN CAR FAX .IT HAS UNDER 70 ,000 MILES .HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE I DROVE IT ONCE ON A [REDACTED ADDRESS] AN THE STEERING ACTS AS IF IT GETTING STUCK THERE IS A JERK IN IT .NOW I AM HORRIFIED OF THIS VEHICLE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1358929
    • "STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING SOUND WHEN IT IS TURNED, ADDITIONALLY, THE PART BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES A LOT, ALMOST AS IF ITS LOSE. THE CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AND THE RATTLING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION."~98,000 mi, complaint #1620236
  12. #12

    brake hydraulics

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 72,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE RE…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1243427
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STOP LAMPS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1192058
    • "KIA OPTIMA 2011 TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST ON JULY 2 2018, MY KIA OPTIMA CAUSED ME TO PLUMMET INTO TRAFFIC AFTER MY BRAKE DIDN'T PERFORM L. THAT'S CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO KIA FOR ALL SERVICE NEED AND CAR STILL PERFORM POORLY. HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR MULTIPLE TIME…"~130,600 mi, complaint #1665907
  13. #13

    fuel tank and lines

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE WERE IN MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA ON A TRANSITION RAMP FROM ONE FREEWAY TO ANOTHER DOING ABOUT 45 MPH. AS WE ROUNDED A TURN WE SAW 2 CARS AND A TOW TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE RAMP WE THEN HIT A PUDDLE (LAKE) THAT WENT ACROSS BOTH LANES OF THIS RAMP. THE WATER SLOWED…"~52,347 mi, complaint #1140880
    • "STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL NEAR LEFT REAR (DRIVER SIDE) OF VEHICLE WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE EXCEEDS 100 DEGREES. THE SMELL IS NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AFTER DRIVING. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT AND THE V…"~86,500 mi, complaint #1486456
    • "TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH ON I-95 SOUTH BACK HOME TO FL FROM VISITING MY FAMILY IN SC WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN MY MOVING VEHICLE. I WOKE MY GIRLFRIEND UP AND ASKED IF SHE SMELT IT AS WELL. SHE STATED 'YEAH, I CAN SMELL GAS A LITT…"~89,843 mi, complaint #1538817
    • "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 A…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1727229
  14. #14

    glass and windshield

    5 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, A ROCK STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BOTTOM CORNER AND SHATTERED THE GLASS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT SECURE. THIS…"~8,535 mi, complaint #903698
    • "THE GASKET EDGE FOR THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF DRY ROTTED AND CRACKED AT AROUND 9,000 MILES. THE ENTIRE STATIONARY SECTION OF THE SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED BY THE KIA DEALER. *TR"~9,000 mi, complaint #913430
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX ON A RESIDENTIAL AREA. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND. AT THE TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED THERE WERE NO CARS OR SEMIS NEAR MY VEHICLE. AFTER MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I RECOVERED FROM T…"~36,531 mi, complaint #935681
    • "WHILE DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING, TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH,WITHOUT WARNING A STARTLING SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION, ONCE I REALIZED IT WASN'T A TIRE BLOWOUT, I PULLED OVER TO FIND A HOLE IN MY ROOF. THANKFULLY I WAS ALONE AND MY CHILDREN WASN'T WITH…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1435319
    • "FRONT OF SUNROOF GLASS PANEL SHATTERED VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT."~150,000 mi, complaint #1684775
  15. #15

    transmission automatic

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "ON 4/11/11, WE WERE DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD GONE FOUR MILES FROM OUR HOUSE, WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD HIT A DEER! THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND AND LURCHED VIOLENTLY, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, FRIGHTENING US BOTH. THE LURCHING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT IT MAY WELL HAVE CAUSED…"~3,600 mi, complaint #852248
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION AND FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE…"~36,000 mi, complaint #941618
    • "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…"~76,250 mi, complaint #1271810
    • "RECENTLY WHEN I HIT ABOUT 103,000 MILES MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA 2.0 TURBO TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING STRANGE. WHEN DRIVING FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AS I'M PULLING OFF ACCELERATING THE CAR JERKS MAKE AND WON'T ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. AFTER…"~103,700 mi, complaint #1632373
    • "TRANSMISSION IS SOMETIME SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, & ALSO SLOW TO UP SHIFT GEARS."~196,000 mi, complaint #1643626
  16. #16

    control module

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS KIA HAS A PUSH BUTTON START OPTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNING ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE COMPUTER LOOKS FOR A SIGNAL FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEFORE IT STARTS THE ENGINE. I DISCONNECTED AND REC…"~40,500 mi, complaint #969918
  17. #17

    sunroof

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MOONROOF ON OUR 2011 KIA OPTIMA EX MODEL EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH DECEMBER 25TH 2013 - EVENING. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 36 DEGREES F AT THE TIME. INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED BODY AND PAINT DAMAGE TO OUR TRUNK AS WELL AS PEPPERED VEHICLES BEHIND US WITH GLA…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1028996
    • "I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I HEARD A BIG POP AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF BUSTED OPEN. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME IT WAS NOT HOT OUTSIDE AND NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. *TR"~40,000 mi, complaint #1162441
    • "MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF ABOVE MY HEAD WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR DAY. ONCE I GOT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER I OBSERVED A BOWLING BALL SIZED HOLE BLASTED OUTWARD IN THE CENTER…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1200650
    • "SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018, WE WERE DRIVING EAST ON I-85 IN GREENSBORO, NC WHEN WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, AND THEN GLASS WAS RAINING DOWN ON US WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN OPEN THE ENTIRE DAY. IT WAS OVERCAST AND MID 80'S WITH LOW HU…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1466321
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED KINGDOM KIA AT [REDAC…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1503706
  18. #18

    battery and charging

    3 stranded, 1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I WAS LEAVING WORK @ 5:45 PM AND GOT IN MY CAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I TRIED FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE I CALLED KIA LEDGEN DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. THEY TOLD ME WHERE TO PUT THE AUX KEY STARTER INSIDE THE GLOVE BOX AREA. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR STILL WOULD…"~13,950 mi, complaint #955446
    • "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 ALTERNATO…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1284444
    • "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 R…"~1,445,400 mi, complaint #1268151
  19. #19

    starter

    4 stranded, 1 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILU…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1204595
  20. #20

    unintended acceleration

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 34,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "SUDDEN ACCELERATION! HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO AND AGAIN ON MAY 10TH. GOING SLOWLY TOWARDS A STOP SIGN WHILE BRAKING TO STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT CAR KEEPS GOING. PUT SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL WITH…"~12,500 mi, complaint #979437
    • "ON 5-4-14 I WAS DRIVING FROM WISCONSIN WHEN WE DECIDED TO STOP AT WAL-MART, WHILE WE WERE WAITING FOR A PERSON TO MOVE OUT OF ITS PARKING SPOT, MY OPTIMA START TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN I HAD MY FOOT IN THE BRAKE, MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT T…"~29,500 mi, complaint #1065377
    • "THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I REPORT THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, LAST MONTH HAPPENED ON MAY 4 , I DOCUMENTED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THEY RETURNED THE CAR 5-21-14 THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, ON JUNE 6 AGAIN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AN…"~29,500 mi, complaint #1075135
    • "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 AHEA…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1257083
  21. #21

    hv system fault reduced power

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AFTER 1-2 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER COLD START, ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV UP BUT CAR COME TO ROLLING STOP. AS IF NO POWER IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE SYSTEM. THEN TURN CAR OFF FOR A MINUTE, RESTART AND CAR RUNS OKAY. DASH ICON INDICATES…"~2,200 mi, complaint #912766
    • "THIS IS UPDATE TO ODI #10453907. OPTIMA HYBRID STILL EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS PROBLEMS. LATEST IS AT COLD START, WHEN IT STARTS IN EV MODE, SYSTEM INDICATES READY, SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, CAR DOESN'T MOVE. IF WE TURN IT OFF AND RE-START IT, IT OPERATES NO…"~13,250 mi, complaint #934350
    • "AS I WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND BEGINNING A LEFT TURN MY CAR WITH NO WARNING BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE WITH NO MOTOR POWER AND AN ONCOMING CAR AT MY PASSAGER SIDE DOOR. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE ONCOMING DRIVER WAS VERY ALERT TO MY CAR NO BEING ABLE TO M…"~135,137 mi, complaint #1555285
  22. #22

    key fob and immobilizer

    3 stranded, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "USING OWNERS MANUAL PROCEDURE FOR STARTING THE ENGINE. VEHICLE IS PARKED, TRANSMISSION LEVER IN PARK POSITION. FOOT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PUSH BUTTON FOR STARTING ENGINE ON DASHBOARD IS DEPRESSED = NO ENGINE CRANK & NO START ! INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY FUL…"~146,589 mi, complaint #1411398
  23. #23

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 BECAUS…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1275781
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (GLASSMAN KIA [REDACTED ADDRESS], SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 [REDACTED PHONE]) AND THEY S…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1697903
  24. #24

    brake booster

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "ON APRIL 25TH, 2013, I DROVE FROM THE ATLANTA AREA TO SHANNON, GA. NEAR ADAIRSVILLE, GA. I STOPPED A THE GATE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SET THE BRAKE. BEFORE I COULD GET OUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD SMASHING THE GATE. I HIT THE BRAKE, BACKED IT UP, PUT IT IN PARK, SE…"~28,500 mi, complaint #977602
    • "WHILE PARKED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS (ON STREET, AT GAS PUMP, IN PARKING LOTS), AND ON ABOUT 8-10 OCCASIONS, I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO START AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND START BUTTON ON MY CAR. ALL THE LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE RADIO W…"~43,193 mi, complaint #1610816
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANU…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1396194
  25. #25

    lighting interior

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS PERIODICALLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE OPERATING OUR 2011 OPTIMA. THIS OCCURS WITH THE SWITCH IN BOTH ON AND OFF POSITION AND THE LIGHTBULBS TEND TO BECOME OVERHEATED.THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO MANUAL OPERATION, BUT GO OFF ON THEIR OWN…"~16,500 mi, complaint #920660
    • "SOMETIME TOWARD THE END OF 2017, I NOTICED THAT MY DOME LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. I CAN STILL USE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS MANUALLY, THOUGH THIS USUALLY LEADS TO FORGETTING AND LEAVING THEM ON. I LIVE IN WA, IT IS OFTEN DARK AROUND 4 P…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1581918
  26. #26

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The paint is delaminating and peeling in the section just above the windshield. This started in 2019 and has steadily getting worse. My car color is "Snow White Pearl". I have attached pictures. I had assumed that this was due to the age of the car until I sta…"complaint #1814260
    • "My Kia Optima is peeling paint around the top of the windshield. My car is beginning to rust. This is not normal. Reading online about this issue, and many people are seeing the exact same issue. My car is snow white in color. "complaint #1944341
    • "Paint is peeling off in large pieces despite there being no damage. We have the pearl white color. "complaint #2113356
  27. #27

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY PASSENGER FRONT DOOR KEEPS GOING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I HAVE HAD IT RE-ALIGNED MANY TIMES. MY BODY SHOP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE HINGES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE , IF THE DOOR IS NOT ALIGNED IT MAY OPEN AT ANYTIME. I HAVE INFORMED KIA , THEY…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1404411
  28. #28

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A MILE TO A COMMUTER RAIL STATION FOR A DROP OFF AND BACK HOME. NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS NOTED DURING THE SHORT TRIP NOR HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEEN OBSERVED IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1046382
    • "THE COOLANT SENSOR IN MY CAR IS READING THAT MY COOLANT IS -38 DEGREES. MY TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD TO WHERE YOU ARE JERKED EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING TO AND FROM PARK AND WHILE DRIVING."~95,000 mi, complaint #1574587
  29. #29

    engine head gasket

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My 2011 Kia Optimas engine light started flashing and the car lost all power and had no RPMS over 1000-2000. I took it to the dealership where I was told it had a code P1326 and they replaced a knock sensor. The same day that I picked my car up from them I was…"complaint #1823312
    • "As I would drive the vehicle a rattling noise would occur when every time I accelerate from stopping at a traffic light. Then the engine light appeared on the dash board. When I went to have the engine light checked the results came back about an oil gasket. I…"complaint #1859949
  30. #30

    fuel pump

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owned a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, she smelled a burning odor within the interior of the vehicle, prompting her to quickly exit. After a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, the contact…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1945019
  31. #31

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHILE SITTING STILL OR MOVING, THE POWER STEERING DEVELOPS HARD CATCHES THAT TEMPORARILY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM INTENSIFIES ON ROUGH SURFACES, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY WILL SHAKE. THESE PROBLEMS WORSEN AS THESE ISSUES PROGRESS W…"~55,828 mi, complaint #1349883
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE O RING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REP…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1176195
  32. #32

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE BOUGHT OUR CAR LAST YEAR , 5 MONTHS AFTER WE GOT THE CAR , WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) LIGHT TURN ON AND THE CAR SHAKING VERY BAD AND WE CAN NOT HANDLE THE CAR RIGHT AND THE BRAKE ITS NOT WORKING WELL, ITS VERY VERY SCARY. THE ON…"~9,000 mi, complaint #959865
    • "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 DOE…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1256039
  33. #33

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHINNING IN THE FRONT END, BRAKES ARE GRABBING AND AND THUMPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. BRAKES GRAB AND SOMETIMES GOES TO THE FLOOR. AND PULLS TO THE LEFT."~69,000 mi, complaint #1241585
    • "I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE LOWER CONTROL ARM INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD AND CV AXLE 2 TIME BECAUSE PARTS ARE CHEAP AND SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF FORCE SUCH AS HITTING A CURB CAUSES MASSIVE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. BOTH TIMES CAR WAS RUNNING UNBER 20 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT A CURB AN…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1553394
  34. #34

    timing belt or chain

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, OUT OF NOWHERE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ENGINE SEIZED, CAR LOST ALL MOMENTUM, HAD NO "GET UP AND GO" PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING, GOING UP HILL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL AUTO SHOP, THEY COULD HEAR SOME N…"~93,477 mi, complaint #1590264
  35. #35

    unknown

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Known recall since Sept 2023, but Kia has not provided any dealerships with parts to repair (we have tried multiple dealerships within a 2 hour radius). Only recommendation is to "Park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until you…"complaint #1967257
    • "We had someone hit our vehicle and our ins co totalled the vehicle instead of repairing it due to the check engine light being on because of this recall"complaint #1992546
  36. #36

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SO ONE OF THE KIA DEALERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE REPLACED THE MOTOR IN OUR 2011 OPTIMA, EVER SINCE THEN OUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. I'VE HAD IT TESTED AND RECHARGED. STILL NO ACC. I HAVE DIAGNOSED NO POWER TO THE AC PUMP. ALSO THE HEADLIGH…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1671267
  37. #37

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BACK UP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHOWING PICTURE WHEN IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME AND HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE KIA FORMS FOR MANY YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE CAMERA IS THE ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1378217
  38. #38

    corrosion and rust

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE ROOF IS RUSTING JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. *TR"complaint #1136498
  39. #39

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The wheel fell off when I was driving the key axle completely broke the pipe off but I still don’t have it fixed I only had liability"complaint #1885745
  40. #40

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TURBOCHARGER, GASKET-EXHAUST PIPE, GASKET-EXAUST MAN IF, INTERCOOLER I'M HAVING THE THE ENGINE PROBLEM WANT TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR WAS RECALL,"~95,000 mi, complaint #1490948
  41. #41

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "EVERY TIME I STOP TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR, IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR SO BEFORE IT STARTS AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR HAS A JERKING MOTION. KIA EXCHANGED THE CARBON CANISTER BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM."complaint #1506391
  42. #42

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1743098
  43. #43

    fuel injector

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE FUEL INJECTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. IT SPUTTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY; IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE MOMENT THAT I MOVED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A FULL DIAGN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1665743
  44. #44

    horn

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW KIA OPTIMA IN MAY 2011. FROM THE ONSET THE REMOTE START NEVER WORKED ON THE FIRST TRY, EVENTUALLY IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. IN AUG NOTICED THAT THE HORN WASN'T SOUNDING RIGHT, EVENTUALLY IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE…"complaint #895019
  45. #45

    hv battery and range

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reaso…"~132,165 mi, complaint #1993774
  46. #46

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MANUAL BRAKE SHOULD ALWAYS BE APPLIED IN A MANUAL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STAT…"~500 mi, complaint #849518
  47. #47

    phone connectivity

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY HAND HELD PHONE DEVICE STOP WORKING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR"~38,703 mi, complaint #980294
  48. #48

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HI MY CAR HAS LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES.. I TOOK MANY TIMES TO KIA DEALER IN JERSEY CITY MY CAR DOOR GETS UNLOCKED WHILE IT'S IN DRIVING MODE WHICH MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE I TOLD SO MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERS TO FIX IT THEY DO SOME TEMPORARY THINGS IN MY CAR AND THEY L…"~137,000 mi, complaint #1638751
  49. #49

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE OWNERS MANUAL, SECTION 3, PAGE 8 DESCRIBES THE "FORWARD AND BACKWARD ADJUSTMENT" OF THE HEADRESTS IN THE 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE HEAD RESTS DO NOT ADJUST AS DESCRIBED IN THE MANUAL. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPLAINS THIS AS A "TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR." THE PROBLEM IS…"complaint #885230
  50. #50

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WA…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1533054
  51. #51

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I PURCHASED MY OPTIMA SX TURBO WITH LESS THAN 50 MILES ON IT. I GOT THE TURBO WITH 274 HP BECAUSE IT WAS THE CLOSEST I COULD GET TO A HOT ROD WITH FOUR DOORS. I HAVE SEND THIS INFORMATION TO KIA IN HOPES OF RESOLUTION. THE CAR'S ACCELERATION IS FANTASTIC, ESP…"complaint #884212
  52. #52

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DEFECTIVE TIRES - AFTER 2 FLAT TIRES IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL 4 HAD THE SAME DEFECT - BUBBLING AND SEPARATION INSIDE THE TIRE SHOULDER, AFTER APPX 17K MILES WITH PROPER INSTALLATION AND TIRE PRESSURE. WAS OFFERED THE SAME TIRES AT A REDUCED COST. DECLINED…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1015043
  53. #53

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY TRUNK LID OPENS MY IT'S SELF. I FIND IT OPEN IN THE MORNING & SOMETIMES DURING THE DAY."~44,136 mi, complaint #1592777

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA OPTIMA directly.