2011 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
775 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Kia Optima, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 7 defect investigations. It scores 40/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 101,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2011 sits among all Optima years
What owners report
“Engine knocking won't go over 20 mph, there is a recall on engines on the 2011 kia optima and this car only has 75k miles and is regularly serviced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
“Lights flash off and on while driving / hear clicking sound while my dash board flickers as well. This happens when parked and in motion”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
“There is play in the steering wheel and a clicking sound. The dealership claims the steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $1350”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
“Car caught fire from the engine bay while driving on highway and has been entirely burned out in 5 minutes.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
“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 reasonable amount of time for the recall…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
“The airbag warning light on the dashboard stays on continuously and will not go off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Optima
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 511 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 92,300 miles. Half of those reports fall between 66,670 and 120,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
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…
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units…
Led to recall campaign 23V877.
Led to recall campaign 20V088000.
Led to recall campaign 18V907000.
Led to recall campaign 17V224000.
Technical service bulletins
228 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2011 Kia Optima. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2011 Optima TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Kia Optima reliable?
The 2011 Kia Optima drew 775 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 40/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2011 Kia Optima problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Kia Optima are engine (261 complaints), electrical (150), and steering (100).
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Optima problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Kia Optima problems around 92,300 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 66,670 and 120,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Kia Optima have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Kia Optima. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.