NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Optima. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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 REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE BECAUSE THE BULB GOT SO HOT IT MELTED INTO THE FIXTURE AROUND IT
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 RECALL. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG.
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. I DON'T DIVE IT ANYMORE I GOT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF IT.
2011 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING ENGINE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES CONCERNING THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSPECTION FEE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL LEAK HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
I HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR ON THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2021THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND TURN IT OFF AND ONE TURNED BACK ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD TOLD ME IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM IN A VERY RUDE WAY. SO I ASKED THEM CAN I HAVE THE OWNERS NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T GIVE IT TO ME AND IF I KEEP ASKING THEY'RE GOING TO CALL THE POLICE ON ME. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO KIA TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THE CAR ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY IF THE PART IS COVERED BUT I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT IS ON RECALL.
I WAS DRIVING FORWARD, IN MOTION, MY KIA OPTIMA 2011 ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY BECAME CONCERNED, SLOWED DOWN, AND STUCK TO THE RIGHT LANE. THEN, 15 MINUTES AFTER FIRST HEARING THIS LOUD NOISE, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE AS THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THEN I HEARD A SMALL CRASH/EXPLOSION, SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE HOOD, IT BEGAN TO SMELL TERRIBLE AND I WAS TRULY SCARED FOR MY LIFE IN TRYING TO STOP THE CAR ON THE CURB, UNABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE AND UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BY GEICO. MY CAR HAS ONLY 88K MILES AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2014'THIS IS UTTERLY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE AN ENGINE BLOW OUT SO SUDDENLY, AT SO LITTLE MILEAGE, AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN INVESTIGATING THIS.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights would dimly illuminate while in operation without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle had been placed under warranty for the headlights; however, the warranty had expired. The contact had the vehicle inspected and was informed that the film inside the headlamp had melted and that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000.
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The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the steering column however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while attempting to turn the steering wheel. The traction control warning light illuminated whenever the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS A SHORT GOING TO THE MOTOR, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, YOU MUST MOVE THE WHEEL NONSTOP OR IT WILL LOCK UP WHICH COULD CAUSE YOU TO WRECK AND DIE. VERY DANGEROUS. AT THIS POINT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND STEER.
CAR STARTED TO KNOCK SHUT OFF CALLED TOW TRUCK.CHECKED CODE SAID KNOCK SENSOR REPLACED STILL KNOCKS CHANGED OIL AGAIN AFTER TWO MONTHS AND FOUND PIECES OF MEDAL IN OIL THAT LOOKS LIKE BASS AND METAL I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON ROAD RT.322 IN NO
MY CAR LOSES POWER WHEN I USE THE HORN. IT HAPPENS WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON AND IN TRAFFIC. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS FAULTY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE WERE 3 ACTIVE RECALLS NEEDING TO BE FIXED. I RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED KIA SERVICE CENTER TO GET THE RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF AND ADDITONALLY, HAD THE A/C COMPRESSOR, STRUTS, AND A BELT REPLACED. I ALSO DESCRIBED THE ISSUE OF ENGINE POWER LOSS WHEN I USE THE HORN WITH SERVICE TECH AND ATTEMPTED TO DEMONSTRATE. HOWEVER, MY CAR DIDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE IF THE TECHS TESTED IT THOROUGHLY DURING THE DAYS IT WAS BEING SERVICED. THE FINAL DETAILED BILL STATES THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I'M CURRENTLY SATISFIED WITH THE FIXED RECALLS, A/C, BELT, AND OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED AND FRUSTRATED THAT I'M STILL EXPERIENCING ENGINE, ACCELERATION, RPM, AND A/C FAILURE WHENEVER I NEED TO USE MY HORN. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WHILE IN TRAFFIC, I HAD TO BLOW THE HORN BECAUSE A DISTRACTED DRIVER NEARLY SIDE SWIPED ME. AS A RESULT, MY CAR LOSS POWER. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT. I ENDED UP DOING AROUND 30MPH UNTIL I MADE IT TO A SAFE DESTINATION. I CALLED FOR HELP, BUT AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT WAS AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED. I'M FURIOUS ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE DISTRACTED DRIVER PROCEEDED TO TAILGATE AND INTIMIDATE ME OUT OF ANGER. LASTLY, IT WAS NOT PROFESSIONAL OR CARING TO BE LAUGHED AT WHEN I VOICED THIS PROBLEM AT THE SERVICE CENTER. I NEED HELP AND ANSWERS BEFORE SOMETHING MORE TERRIBLE HAPPENS. THE NUMBER OF ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPLAINTS ARE STARTLING. I'M HOPING THAT MY ISSUE WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND LOOKED INTO. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STALLED ON ME. IT WON'T TURN OVER OR ANYTHING. IT STILL HAS ALMOST 1500 MILES ON UNTIL THE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND THE OIL PLUG IS ON AND TIGHT. WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS NOT READING ANYTHING ON THE DIP STICK. THE HAS NOT BEEN ANY OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR STREET IN MY TOWN GOING STRAIGHT
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN OREGON, MY CAR STALLED AND MADE WEIRD SOUNDS OUT OF NOWHERE. ON A BROAD CURVE, MY CAR SLOWED DOWN QUICKLY AND LUCKILY THERE WEREN'T ANY CARS BEHIND ME. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FAIL. I TRIED TO PULL OVER SAFELY TO THE NARROW SHOULDER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A LITTLE BIT. I TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE ROCKS IN A BLENDER. I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY HYBRID AND HAS NO HISTORY OF OTHER ISSUES AND IT ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.4 L THETA II ENGINE FROM MY CAR'S YEAR.
MY CAR JUST DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD A AAA TECHNICIAN COME OUT FOR A TOW. HE INSPECTED MY ENGINE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LOW AMOUNT OF OIL AND METAL SHAVINGS. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A AUTO SHOP THEY DETERMINED MY ENGINE FROZED AND INFORMED ME I NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE. THEY ALSO FOUND METAL SHAVINGS
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 28000 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 (888) 451-0949) AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN LIMP MODE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED ENGINE WITH A CODE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO THE CURVE AND INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE CRASH SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND GAVE THE CONTACT A CLAIM NUMBER BUT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.*DT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE CONTACT THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JTS KIA OF ROCK HILL (840 N ANDERSON RD, ROCK HILL, SC 29730) WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FRONT OF SUNROOF GLASS PANEL SHATTERED VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
Went to dealer under warranty because of check charging system (hybrid) 2011 Kia Optima They said they did an update It did not help it has been constantly doing the same thing I loose power I have to pull over and start the engine The check engine light stays on This is dangerous because I am driving down the street and it goes into the safe mode I have no power I need help Kia said they will not do anything the dealer is an idiot told me I needed a transmission Please help me
THE THETA 2.4GDI ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA MAY 2019, AFTER A TOTAL ENGINE SEIZURE THAT LEFT ME STRANDED AT AN INTERSECTION IN ALBUQUERQUE NM. IT HAS STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PATTERN OF MALFUNCTIONING IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS, SPORADICALLY, FIRST WHILE DRIVING AND ANOTHER TIME WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, PRONOUNCED MALFUNCTIONING. I AM DUMBFOUNDED THAT KIA STATES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS I HAVE PROVIDED VIDEOS OF THE NOISES FOR THEIR REVIEW!! THEY THEMSELVES WRITE IN ARTICLES THAT THEY PREFER TO REPAIR BEFORE TOTAL ENGINE SEIZURE. HOWEVER, I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO PITRE KIA, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED AND NOW THEY SAY THE ENGINE WARRANTY WAS 12 MONTHS, EVEN THOUGH THEIR LITERATURE STATES DIFFERENTLY. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW THAT ADVISE, THEY COMPLETELY SWITCH TO TOTAL RUDENESS AND GO AS FAR AS LAUGHING AT YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN OVER THE VEHICLE THAT YOU PAID FOR AND WHICH ULTIMATELY PAYS THEIR SALARY!! I JUST WANT TO HAVE FAITH IN MY VEHICLE THAT IT WILL NOT LEAVE ME STRANDED. I AM RESTRICTED, AT THIS TIME, FROM GOING OUT OF TOWN. I DO NOT TRUST MY VEHICLE TO TAKE ME ANYWHERE, MUCH LESS MAKE THE NECESSARY TRIPS TO SANTA FE (56 MILES AWAY) DUE TO THE FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, I AM A 64 YEARS OLD DISABLED FEMALE AND THOUGHT I HAD PURCHASED A RELIABLE VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IS THE FARTHEST FROM THE TRUTH. NOW THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPERVISORS ARE IN TOTAL DENIAL OF THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND THEN PROCEED TO BE RUDE! THEY CAN LIE ALL THEY WANT, BUT THEY DO KNOW OF THE LAWSUITS OVER THEIR FAULTY ENGINES!! THEY ARE JUST BEING TOLD BY THE GREEDY CORPORATE HEADS NOT TO COMPLY WITH REPAIRS.
WHILE OPERATING AT 65+ MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE MY KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING MY CAR TO HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. I HAD TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THIS. THIS ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 97300 MILES, WHICH WOULD STILL BE UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAD I BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER. A LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC TYPES OF CARS I LEARNED THAT THE REGULAR, NON-HYBRID, KIA OPTIMA HAD RECALLS FOR ENGINE FAILURES SO I CALLED KIA CORPORATE TO SEE IF I HAD COVERAGE. KIA CORPORATE INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WOULD POSSIBLY BE COVERED IF A SPECIFIC PART FAILED (ROD BEARINGS). IF THIS WAS TRUE THEN I WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH A CLAIMS PROCESS TO GET WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR MY CAR. BECAUSE OF THIS I DECIDED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FEW DAYS AT A DEALERSHIP I WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE HAD SEIZED (WITHOUT DETERMINING WHY/ WHAT PART FAILED), BUT THE STORY CHANGED. KIA THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ZERO CHANCE THAT MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED EVEN IF THE SPECIFIC PART HAD FAILED ( WHICH WE DIDN'T KNOW). I CALLED CORPORATE AGAIN UPON HEARING THIS NEWS AND SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO LOOKED AT THE TRANSCRIPT/SUMMARY FOR MY INITIAL CALL AND TOLD ME THAT WHAT I WAS INITIALLY TOLD DIDN'T HAPPEN. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS LYING TO THEM AND THAT WHAT I WAS TOLD IN MY FIRST CONVERSATION WITH CORPORATE DIDN'T HAPPEN. KIA QUOTED ME A NEW ENGINE FOR 10000+ DOLLARS (THOUSANDS MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH) AND BILLED NEARLY 200 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LIKELY TOOK MERE MINUTES. ULTIMATELY I DECIDED TO HAVE ANOTHER MECHANIC PUT IN A REFURBISHED ENGINE FOR ABOUT HALF THE PRICE. I BELIEVE THAT THE DECEPTION THAT KIA PUT ME THROUGH WAS WRONG AND THAT IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A WELL-CARED FOR CAR TO SUDDENLY DIE WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELLING STRAIGHT IN TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN MY CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, THEN IT STALLED AGAIN. THEN I RESTARTED IT ONE MORE TIME. THEN IT MADE A GRINDING CLUNKING SOUND LIKE SOMETHING SNAPPED AND WAS GETTING WHIPPED AROUND BY THE MOVING PARTS. THEN IT HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AS THE CAR NO LONGER WAS RUNNING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE), 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. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AT THE DEALER BOB BELL KIA OF BALTIMORE (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
THE KIA OPTIMA 2011 MOTOR NO LONGER WORKS AND SMOKE KEEPS COMING OUT WHEN IT'S ON AND TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING FROM THE EXHAUST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK AND DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO MAKE THE CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND BOTH OF THEM COME OUT WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSE. WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS A RECALLED CAR BECAUSE IT IS TO SOON FOR THE MOTOR TO BE SHUTTING DOWN SINCE IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES AND IT'S NOT AN OLD CAR. THE SUSPENSION IS ALSO NOT IN PROPERLY.
THE STEERING WHEEL IS STIFFING . I LOOKED IT UP TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE.
CAR STARTS SMOKING AND MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING A DAY BEFORE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. CAR TOWED TO DEALER 6/23/2020- RODS IN ENGINE WENT BAD, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 360 POINT INSPECTION NOVEMBER 2019. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE PURCHASE. IT IS FRUSTRATING THE DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2020 DID NOT DETECT A PROBLEM AND I AM NOW AT THIS POINT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY AND WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR FOR THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE. WHAT'S THE POINT OF USING A DEALERSHIP TO SERVICE YOUR CAR? *TR
CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISE AND SMOKE STARTS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. PARKED CAR AND HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATES ENGINE INTERNAL FAILURE AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A CAR THAT'S ONLY SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP. LAST 360 POINT INSPECTION WAS NOVEMBER 2019. LAST DEALERSHIP VISIT MAY 2020. RECALL STATES 2-LITER AND 2.4 LITER FOUR CYLINDER ENGINES. KIA STATES ITS FOR GDI NOT MPI. YOUR REPORT DID NOT SPECIFY. PLEASE ASSIST. THANK YOU. *TR
I REPORTED MY KIA WITH AN ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM A FEW WEEKS AGO. GOT A CALL FROM KIA TODAY AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL BY NHTSA IS FOR 2 AND 2.4 L OPTIMA , KIA IS CLAIMING IT IS FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF ENGINE. I SHOULD PAY 6200 AND SUBMIT FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. MINE IS AN MPI AND IT IS EXCLUDED. HOW CAN YOU EXCLUDE MY ENGINE? WHY WOULD MY ENGINE FAIL FOR NO VIABLE REASON AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN? MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM ASKING FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND NOT A PHONE INVESTIGATION. . MY CAR IS A 2.4L I4 MPI HYBRID ELECTRIC DOHC. AN ENGINE FAILS FOR A REASON. KIA HAS HAD DEBRIS ISSUES WITH ENGINES AND IF MINE IS THE FIRST THEN SO BE IT. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THE CAR TO ASCERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A LEMON ENGINE FROM THE GET GO. THIS BRUSH OFF BY KIA IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JS
THE MOTOR SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING. NO LIGHTS CAME ON. CHECKED OIL THAT HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. WE HAVE BEEN DOING REGULAR OIL CHANGES ON THE VEHICLE. IT WILL NO LONGER RUN. *TR
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 HEADLIGHTS HAVE NEW BULBS IN LOW BEAM AND ARE DIM..?? *TR
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL FLASH, MY LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF WHEN ON AUTO, MY RADIO IS TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF AND IS DOING SOME WEIRD THINGS
THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS CAR ARE ALMOST NON EXISTENT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT'S SO BAD THAT WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND ME THERE IS THE SHADOW OF MY CAR FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT TO THE GARY ROME KIA IN JANUARY WHO TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME HEADLIGHT WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FOIL IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS INTACT. IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. CAR HAS 109K ON IT.*DT*LN *TR THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE DIM LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED MINIMIZES DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IF DRIVING SHE WOULD HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR
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 DIAGNOSTIC AND REPORTED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. WHILE REPAIRING THE INJECTOR, THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE INJECTOR LEAKING AND CLOGGING THE CONVERTER. NO CODES ALERTED MYSELF, OR THE MECHANIC TO THESE ISSUES. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT NEITHER ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER THE ENGINE RECALL. *TR
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 AND IT SPILLING OUT. I WAS PARKED AT THE GAS STATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED, WITH THE CAR OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH STOKES KIA (202 S GOOSE CREEK BLVD, GOOSE CREEK, SC 29445) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS A FOUR STEP PROCESS. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER SHE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
I WAS ON A CURVY BACK ROAD DOING ABOUT 45MPH APPLYING THE BREAKS NOT TO STOP BUT ONLY TO BREAK MY SPEED DOWN SOME IN ORDER TO GO AROUND THE CURVE. WHILE DOING SO MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, IT FEEL AS IF MY TIRES ARE SLIDING & IT FEELS LIKE MY BREAKS COULD BE LOCKED UP AS WELL. THE NEXT DAY I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE ON A RAMP AND AGAIN APPLIED MY BRAKES TO BREAK MY SPEED DOWN AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP, FELT AS IF MY BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP AS WELL & MY TIRES MAY HAVE SLID. I'M NOT NOTICING OF MY CAR IS SHUTTING OFF BECAUSE WHEN IT IS HAPPENING I'M TOO FOCUSED ON THE ROAD & NOT LOSING CONTROL. BUT I AM NOTICING THAT MY RADIO IS BOOTING UP. WHICH IT ONLY DOES THIS WHEN I START UP MY ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERT OGDEN MISSION KIA (2307 E EXPRESSWAY 83, MISSION, TX 78572) WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAULT WITH THE ENGINE. THE RECALL CLASSIFICATION WAS THEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KNOCKING GREW LOUDER, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UPON ACCELERATION, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST HIM SINCE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the headlights were significantly dim, which reduced the driver's visibility of the roadway while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys where the headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a repair fee for the headlights replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
MY CAR HAVE LOT OF PROBLEMS IN SIDE
CAR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. NO CRANK, NO START. MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED.
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING NOISE AND A PLAY. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *TR
18V363 17220 IT HAS MADE A LOUD CLANKING/KNOCKING NOISE. IT STALLED THEN COMPLETLY DIED ONCE I GOT OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND WOULDNT CRANK AGAIN. IT USES AN AWFUL LOT OF OIL. UPON FIRST OIL CHANGE IT HAD SHARDS OF METAL IN IT. THE PLACE I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM SAYS THEY PUT NEW MOTOR IN IT AMONG OTHER THINGS BUT I HAVENT SEEN IN CHANGE IN THINGS OTHER THAN IT DOESNT SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE IDLING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE ENGINE SEIZED THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED AGAIN, NOT DIAGNOSED YET CONSEQUENCE VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED AT OWNERS EXPENSE THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING LOT , TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED AND WAS ADVISED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
TRANSMISSION IS SOMETIME SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, & ALSO SLOW TO UP SHIFT GEARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER FATHER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S FATHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MADE ABNORMAL NOISES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR HOME DUE TO VEHICLE NOT RESTARTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT PAY FOR A TOW TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED; THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,362.
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 LIVE ME BUT AGAIN AFTER SOME DAYS THAT PROBLEM IS ARISING AGAIN... I AM FED UP WITH THIS SITUATION AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR...
PROBLEM WITH KIA DOOR SENSOR LIGHT STAYING ON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SHUT TIGHT. I'VE GOTTEN (3) THREE JUMPS AND PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE THIS SENSOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. WHEN THE SENSOR IS ON IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SECURE THE CAR. IF I USE THE CLICKER IT WON'T LOCK BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GO TO THE CAR IF IT WILL ACTUALLY START OR NOT. I'M TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO UNPLUG THE SENSOR. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK ON: JAN 1, JAN 17 AND JAN 19
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026