2011 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#6 most-complained of 11 Optima years
The 2011 Kia Optima has 593 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 6th of 11 model years — a Caution year. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 100,627.5.
- Complaints
- 593
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 23 / 33
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 33 hwy
Top 2011 Kia Optima problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine269 (45%)
- Electrical System143 (24%)
- Steering100 (17%)
- Brakes52 (9%)
- Other42 (7%)
- Airbags31 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (5%)
- Fuel System27 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (4%)
- Structure & Body23 (4%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or decelerates abnormally at highway speed before surging forward and catching fire under the hood.
- Vehicles have burst into flames while parked or shortly after being driven, with smoke reported before ignition.
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and multi-vehicle crashes, leaving drivers to strike their heads on the steering wheel.
- Engine has made a loud metal-to-metal noise followed by smoke and fire, with owners finding cracked engine components afterward.
- Headlights have overheated, melting the reflector and dimming illumination while driving at highway speed.
2011 Kia Optima recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Optima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Optima has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 6th worst of 11 model years, earning a Caution rating relative to other Optima years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Kia Optima?
- Engine problems are the top issue, making up 45% of the 593 complaints, with 23 fires and a median failure mileage of 100,627.5.
- Does the 2011 Kia Optima have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 17V224000 covers engine bearing wear from machining errors, and recall 18V907000 addresses fuel pipe replacement after prior engine repairs.
- How does the 2011 Optima compare to other years?
- The 2011 Optima's Complaint Index of 50 is better than 2012 (80), 2013 (100), and 2015 (90), which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2017-2020, which rate Good or Best.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Optima, covering brakes, engine, airbags, and electrical system components, with none classified as do-not-drive.