CarModelProblems.com

2011 Kia Optima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 3.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
590Complaints
5Recalls
23Crashes
32Fires
19Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (42.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine253 · 42.9%RecalledRecall 17V224000
Steering99 · 16.8%No official action
Exterior Lighting82 · 13.9%RecalledRecall 13V114000
Electrical System61 · 10.3%Investigation closedPE19004 → recall 20V088000 · PE19004 → recall 20V100000 · PE19004 → recall 20V101000 · PE19004 → recall 20V518000 · PE19004 → recall 20V519000 · PE19004 → recall 20V750000 · PE19004 → recall 21V331000 · PE19004 → recall 21V844000 · DP18003 → recall 18V907000 · DP18003 → recall 18V934000 · DP18003 → recall 19V120000 · DP18003 → recall 19V204000
Air Bags31 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 18V363000
Service Brakes26 · 4.4%RecalledRecall 23V652000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE253 · 42.9%
STEERING99 · 16.8%
Unspecified / other39 · 6.6%
AIR BAGS31 · 5.3%
SERVICE BRAKES26 · 4.4%
POWER TRAIN23 · 3.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21 · 3.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM21 · 3.6%

Percentages are the share of the 590 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · 2018 · reported 12/19/2018

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

NHTSA campaign 18V363000 · 2018 · reported 06/01/2018

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 17V224000 · 2017 · reported 03/31/2017

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 2023 · reported 09/25/2023

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · Park outside  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“MY MOTOR BLEW AT 102K MILES WITH NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LOSING POWER, NO KNOCKING, THE OIL WAS FULL.... THE CAR STALLED…”NHTSA complaint 10817451 — filed 01/03/2016 · ENGINE
“LEFT A STOP LIGHT AND CAR HESITATED SO I GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS. THEN THERE WAS LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE FROM ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 10787041 — filed 10/29/2015 · ENGINE
“I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I LOST ALL BRAKES AND STEERING AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO…”NHTSA complaint 10786217 — filed 10/27/2015 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

262012241620145096201693782018105762020442020222458202413102026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Optima?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 253 of 590 NHTSA complaints (42.9%), followed by steering (99), exterior lighting (82), electrical system (61). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Kia Optima have?

590 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V907000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Kia Optima's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.