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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 40MPH WHEN I SAW LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I PULLED OVER TO GET MY TWO KIDS AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I THEN CALLED 911 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME PUT THE FLAMES OUT WHEN THEY FINALLY DID THE WHOLE CAR WAS BURNT TO A CRISP
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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDERSON KIA FOR SERVICING. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE.
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 WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT AND HIS PASSENGERS SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,018.
THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE FIRST HEARD IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO WHERE THE STEERING BOX FLEXIBLE COUPLER IS BRAKING APART INSIDE THE STEERING BOX. IF THIS WAS NOT FIXED IT COULD BE A TOTAL FAILURE TO WHERE YOU COULD LOSE YOUR STEERING ALL TOGETHER. KIA IS AWARE OF THIS AND IS FIXING IT FOR FREE. WHY ISNT THIS LISTED ON YOU SITE AS A RECALL AS SOMEONE'S LIFE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY OVER THIS ISSUE.
BAD PART IN STEERING COLUMN , THE PLASTIC COUPLER IS BROKEN AFTER 39400 MILES . THIS HAPPEN ON MANY KIA 'S AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS YET?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (DORAL KIA, 10155 NW 12TH ST, DORAL, FL 33172, (305) 520-5592)AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,500.
WHILE DRIVING,STEERING COLUMN STARTS RATTLING. GETS WORSE GOING OVER BUMPS. HAD STEERING COLUMN REPLACED 11 MONTHS AGO. THIS WEEK 7/1/8, THE COLUMN STARTED RATTLING AGAIN. MECHANIC STATED IT MIGHT BE A COUPLING IN THE COLUMN GOING BAD AGAIN.
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 JUST FOR IT TO ACT RIGHT. CAR STOPS ONE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ONE DAY. I HAVE A 3 OLD AND THAT DAY SHE COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ME. I LOST MY LICENSE AND MY MONEY I INVESTED FOR A SAFE CAR FOR ME AND MY CHILD. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR. THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING LOUDLY. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO ENGINE OIL. THE ENGINE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF SOUTH AUSTIN (5306 S IH 35 FRONTAGE RD, AUSTIN, TX) WHERE IT PASSED AN INITIAL ENGINE INSPECTION PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED AND OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FURTHER EVALUATIONS WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED, WHICH REQUIRED THEM TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FOLLOW THE DEALER'S TESTING PROCEDURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
THEIR ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE ABOUT KNOCKING AND BANGING NOISES IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I NOW HAVE THIS IN MY KIA OPTIMA 2011 WITH 48K MILES. WHY IS THEIR NO RECALL? IT SEEM TO ME ITS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE SO OFF THE THE DEALER I GO TO EMPTY OUT MY WALLET.
WAS DRIVING TO WORK. DROVE THROUGH THE FRONT GATE ENTRANCE TO MY STATION WHEN AN AWFUL METALLIC KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED ALL THE WAY HOME THAT DAY. 80+ MILES. TURNS OUT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING A FAILURE TO A CRANK BEARING.
VEHICLE ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAWRENCE KIA (1225 E 23RD ST, LAWRENCE, KS 66046, 785-856-8700), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.
WITHOUT ANY WARNING LAMPS OR EXTRANEOUS SOUNDS OR ENGINE NOISE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY LAMPS ILLUMINATED, AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A SAFE PARKING LOT AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO NO AVAIL. AAA WAS CALLED AND TOLD TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS CONCURRED WITH MINE...THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND WAS NOT REPAIRABLE EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. PROCEEDED TO GO ON GREEN AND ON A MAIN BUSY ROAD MY CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND ALL MY LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE. AS I PULLED OVER ONTO A SIDE STREET MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SMELL LIKE IT WAS BURNING. MY CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP.. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON A NEW ENGINE AND WE HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 2 MONTHS NOW. GETTING VERY AGGRAVATED AS NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHEN MY CAR WILL BE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS TELLING ME THEY CANT FIND AN ENGINE FOR IT. WHICH I FIND A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL ME SOMETHING OR PAY ME BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR MY CAR AND KEEP IT. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT AS THIS A RECALL ON MY CAR THAT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ALL OVER WITH THEM.
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 WHOLE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND CHARGED ME $1,402. HOWEVER, I FOUND THAT KIA EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE IN 2016. I AM NOT SURE WHY THEY CHARGED ME FOR STEERING ISSUE. I COMPLAINED KIA MOTORS AMERICA AND SENT ALL INFORMATION THAT I HAVE INCLUDING THE BILLS. THEY DID NOT RESPOND ANY LETTER YET. I LIKE TO HAVE MY MONEY BACK. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I FOUND IN MAY 2018 WAS FAST ENGINE OIL BURN OUT. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN HIGHWAY AND ENGINE OIL WARNING SIGN WAS BLINKING. SO, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED ENGINE OIL LEVEL. IT WAS ALMOST GONE AND SO DARK. THE DEALER JUST CHANGED ENGINE OIL A FEW MONTHS AGO AND LESS THAN 3,000 MILES DRIVEN AFTER THAT. I FILLED UP 3 QUARTS OF BLENDED ENGINE OIL AND CHECKED EVERY OTHER DAY. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER, IT LOOKS THE LEVEL OF ENGINE OIL WAS WAY LOWER (ABOUT 1 AND HALF QUARTS WERE GONE). I CALLED THE DEALER THAT THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY ENGINE OIL BURNING ISSUE NOT ENGINE FAILURE. THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT COVER BY RECALLS. I CHECKED LOTS OF COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE FAILURE ISSUE FROM THE INTERNET. BASED ON THAT IN MANY CASES THE ENGINE OIL BURN OUT ISSUE HAPPENED BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE. I STRONGLY THINK THAT KIA SHOULD INSTALL NEW ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALLS BECAUSE I REALLY CONCERN ABOUT ME AND FAMILY'S SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (EVERGREEN KIA, 9205 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60643, (800) 556-5223) WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB
MY KIA OPTIMA 2011 HAS BEEN HAVING MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS BUT THE DEALERS ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND THEY KEEP ON MAKING THINGS UP THEY SAID THEY DRAIN OIL TO CHECK FOR METAL PARTICLES IN THE OIL.N THEY SAID THEY DID THE SC147 RECALL I WENT TO GO PICK UP MY CAR. I CHECKED THE MOTOR OIL IT WAS DARK N DIRTY MEANING THEY NEVER DRAINED THE OIL AFER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD PAST THE TEST .THEY SAID THEY CAN HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE BUT N ORDER FOR THEM TO ASSIST ME FURTHER I WOULD HAVE TO AUTHORISE FOR THEM TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE.IBUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET IF ITS NOT THE ENGINE SOMETHING REGARDING THE RECALL ENGINE FAILER PROBLEM.
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 HUMIDITY. WE HAD THE SUNROOF TILTED OPEN AND THE SUNSHADE PULLED BACK.
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON MY DASHBOARD REMAINS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE APRIL 2018 WHEN THE FRONT END (JUST RIGHT OF CENTER) WAS IMPACTED. HAVE BEEN TO KIA PERFORMANCE CENTER IN MOOSIC PA AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO REGARDING THIS MATTER. ALSO, MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT ERTLEY MOTORWORLD AND THEY TOO STATED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF UNION CITY (4084 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 964-4900), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. *TT CONTACT STATES ON AUG 22 2018 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. *TT
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON MY KIA OPTIMA 2011 AND I NEVER RECEIEVED ANYTHING IN THE MAIL TO SERVICE IT. THE ENGINE SHAKES A LOT WHEN THE CAR IS IDLE. WHO DO I CONTACT WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECALL?
TAKATA RECALL- WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK GOING 40MPH I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN MY CAR APPROACHING A RED LIGHT ON BURLINGTON AVE/ MO-9. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES MADE A THUMPING NOISE BUT DID NOT SLOW OR STOP THE CAR. I LIFTED MY FOOT AND PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN, AND AS BEFORE THE BRAKES MADE A THUMPING NOISE BUT DID NOT SLOW OR BRAKE MY VEHICLE. THERE WERE CARS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT THAT I WAS APPROACHING THUS I TURNED MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AVOIDING HITTING THE CARS AT THE RED LIGHT, JUMPED THE MEDIAN, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN TOTALED OUT.
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STARTED TURNING ON IN APRIL 2018 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. HAD TO PULL OVER TURN CAR ON AND OFF. LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY AGAIN. LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF BUT RECENTLY STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. TOOK IT TO KIA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY (SEE PAPERWORK). IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TT
MOTOR OIL KEEPS DISAPPEARING; I CHANGE THE OIL ON SCHEDULE AND 2-3 WEEKS AFTER IT IS DRY. I'M AFRAID OF ENGINE FAILURE OR LOCK UP DUE TO THIS. RAISING THE HOOD DOES NOT SHOW ANY OIL SPLATTER. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; LNTERIOR LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT OR GO COMPLETELY DIM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BLACK SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT USED A TOWEL AND A BOTTLE OF WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, BUT ARRIVED AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (COURTESY KIA OF BRANDON, 9205 E ADAMO, TAMPA, FL 33619) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN EVALUATION PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 12673181 WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
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 WE STILL HAVEN'T HEARD FROM KIA. OUR CAR IS NOW STARTING TO STALL WHEN WE SIT AT RED LIGHTS. WE WOULD LIKE FOR KIA TO FINALLY REACH OUT TO US TO REMEDY THIS MATTER.
HORRIBLE & DANGEROUS LOW BEAM LIGHTING ON THE 2011 KIA OPTIMA I OWN. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND I HAVE CHANGED BULBS, TAKEN TO DIFFERENT SERVICE STATIONS, ETC. THE GOOGLE REVIEWS ARE HORRIFYING, SAYING PEOPLE ARE BEING CHARGED $900+ DOLLARS FOR FIXING THE DETERIORATION OF THE PAINT SURROUNDING THE LIGHT. I PRAY THAT'S NOT THE CASE. YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE FADED THAN "WORKING & NORMAL" LIGHTS. IT"S AWFUL AND KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS FOR CONSUMERS! BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNSET KIA OF BRADENTON (4770 14TH ST W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941) 752-1000) WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND PASSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN SPUTTERING PRIOR TO THE TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LACK OF OIL, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND METAL SHAVINGS WHILE CONDUCTING THE TEST AND THE CHECK OIL INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE ADDITIONAL RECALLS WERE DISCOVERED. THE UNKNOWN DEALER FOUND A DETERIORATED CLAMP THAT CAUSED THE HOSE TO BECOME LOOSE AND THE ENGINE TO JOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE DETERIORATED CLAMPS ON THE INVOICE. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS GUSHING FUEL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE INITIAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA IS CONSUMING LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL. I HAVE RECEIVED 10 OIL CHANGES SINCE FEBRUARY 2018 (OCT AS OF TODAY) AFTER MY CAR'S OIL LIGHT WOULD BLINK EVERY 1000 MILES WHEN DRIVING. THE DEALER SAID THEIR WAS NO VISIBLE LEAK AND PERFORMED A CONSUMPTION TEST WHICH SHOWED MY CAR WAS CONSUMING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH KIA MOTORS AND HAS YET TO ADDRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDIITON, THE CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, OIL, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHIL SMITH KIA (4250 N FEDERAL HWY, LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL 33062, (954) 545-7200) WHERE A GDS TEST WAS DONE, BUT THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,454.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT CALLED CERAME KIA (11655 NEW HALLS FERRY RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63033) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS VOLVO CARS OWINGS MILLS (9610 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) TO BE REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE ENGINE, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON NOW AND I'M WONDERING IF THATS A PROBLEM, I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT DEPLOYS.
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 ME AND NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME.
THIS HAPPENED TWICE.THE FIRST TIME MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO AUSTIN TX ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH.THE WE HAD THE CAR TOED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER HE CHECKED THE MOTOR WE WERE INFORMED THE MOTOR SEIZED UP.I PURCHASED A USED MOTOR AT A JUNK YARD WITH 22,000 MILES AND THE MECHANIC INSTALLED IT. DEC.26 2017 WE SPENT CHRISTMAS IN AUSTIN TX AND WAS ON OUR WAY BACK ON I10 AROUND SEALY TX THE MOTOR SHUT OFF.I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN.I FOUND A KIA DEALER IN KATY TEXAS AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR THERE, IT WAS ABOUT 8 MILES AWAY HOWEVER WE DIDN'T MAKE IT.I STAYED IN THE RIGHT LANE DRIVING REALLY SLOW 55-60MPH AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THEN SMOKE THE MOTOR LOCKED UP.THE CAR IS AT THE KIA DEALER BUT I AM STILL WAITING FOR AN AUTHORIZATION TO GET HE ENGINE REPLACED,
THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM SENSOR MAT FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AS INDICATED BY A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OF THIS SENSOR IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN, AS IT MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN OTHER KIA VEHICLES AROUND THE SAME MODEL YEAR, BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. SNAIL KIA IN GREENSBURG, PA 156601 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED THE CONTACT FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO REDUCE THE SPEED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE DURING THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS, THE STEERING COLUMN JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESET AND WAS TOWED TO RICART KIA (4255 S HAMILTON RD #210, GROVEPORT, OH 43125 (614) 836-6503) WHERE THE DIAGNOSES WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
MY CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET CAUSING A ACCIDENT
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 PM AND GREY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS I CANNOT SEE WHO IS IN MY CAR BEFORE ENTERING WHEN IN A PARKING LOT. ALSO, MY 5-YEAR-OLD HAS A HARD TIME BUCKLING HER OWN CAR SEAT BELT SINCE SHE CANNOT SEE THE BUCKLE. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND WITH CRIME RATES RISING, IT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE GOING OUT ALONE, KNOWING THAT NOBODY CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WHILE I AM BUCKLING HER IN. THE CHANCES OF BEING MUGGED OR WORSE GO UP, MY SAFETY IS WORTH THE $400, HOWEVER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE REASON I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IS BECAUSE OF THE 3 KIA'S WE OWN, 2 OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ONLY WORKING MANUALLY AND NOT ACTIVATED WITH OPENING THE DOOR. MY WIFE'S 2014 KIA SORENTO DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED AROUND DECEMBER OF 2018. BOTH OF US HAVE OVER 60,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. I WAS QUOTED OVER $400 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. WHEN LOOKING AT FORUMS, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS A CONNECTION THAT WIGGLES LOOSE. I AM SURE THAT IF 2 OF OUR KIA'S HAVE THIS ISSUE, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY MANY MORE KIA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A DEER CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER (BLACKWELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT KIA 4874 RIVERSIDE DR, DANVILLE, VA 24541(434) 792-8853) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT
STARTED HEARING MY ENGINE KNOCKING THE NIGHT BEFORE. KNOCKING STILL EVIDENT, FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY 2 ENGINE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY! VEHICLE HAD TO SIT ABANDONED OVERNIGHT UNTIL A TOW COULD BE ARRANGED, WHICH RESULTED IN CANCELLING AN OUT-OF-STATE MOVE!
ENGINE LIGHT ON. KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. CAR WON'T START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ENGINE "RATTLES" AT ACCELERATION AND STALLED TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING GOING ABOUT 60 MPH.
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