2011 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Kia Optima carries a complaint index of 73, ranks 5th worst of 16 model years, and earns a Caution verdict. Engine problems (45% of complaints, median failure mileage 90,000) and 5 recalls, including one for engine bearing wear, drive the rating.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 593
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 33
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 1
Top 2011 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power and stalls or surges suddenly while driving at highway speed, sometimes followed by smoke or fire from under the hood.
- Vehicles have burst into flames after driving, in one case fatally, with fire departments called to extinguish engine fires.
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and side-impact crashes, leaving drivers to strike the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Headlights dim or fail because both headlamps overheat and the reflector melts.
- A metal-to-metal noise from the engine preceded an internal failure where a broken crankshaft arm punched a hole in the engine block, tied to an engine recall.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Optima a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict, ranking it 5th worst among 16 model years for this model. Engine problems make up 45% of its complaints.
- What problems does the 2011 Kia Optima have?
- Owners most often report engine issues (45% of complaints, median failure mileage 90,000), followed by electrical system problems (24%) and steering complaints (17%). NHTSA also lists 5 recalls covering the engine, airbags, brakes, and electrical system.
- Does the 2011 Kia Optima have an engine recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 17V224000 covers 2011-2014 Optima vehicles where machining errors during engine manufacturing could cause premature bearing wear, and a later recall (18V907000) addresses fuel pipe issues on engines already replaced under that campaign.
- How does the 2011 Optima compare to other years?
- The 2011 model (complaint index 73) is worse than 2005-2010 and 2017-2020 model years but better than 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 87 to 100.
- Are there fire risks with the 2011 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA lists 33 fire reports and 23 crashes tied to the 2011 Optima, many linked to engine failures such as the recalled bearing wear issue.