10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,678 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Kia Optima miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Sep 032018

Optima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stalled out while in motion. Car began leaking oil and would not restart.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #11

May 052018

Optima

  • 110,000 miles
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.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #10

Mar 232018

Optima

  • miles
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.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #9

Jun 182017

Optima

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's loud knocking noises inside the engine.

- Baxley, GA, USA

problem #8

Jul 302017

Optima

  • 56,000 miles
Car caught fire from the engine bay while driving on highway and has been entirely burned out in 5 minutes.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

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problem #7

Jun 012017

Optima

  • 999,000 miles
Was waiting for red light and car just stopped running it started but sounded terrible. Parked for awhile and has been fine since.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Jan 012016

Optima

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Back up camera intermittently not showing picture when in reverse. This happens about half of the time and has been reported on the Kia forms for many years. It appears that the camera is the issue and needs to be replaced. This should be covered under warranty since it is a safety issue.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 012016

Optima

  • 12,100 miles
Vehicle stalls while driving or shuts down while sitting at red light.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #4

Nov 242015

Optima

  • 90,000 miles
My family was on hwy 75 returning from thanksgiving vacay when we discovered that the airbag light was on. After placing a call to Kia, I discovered that apparently airbags aren't covered by the 130,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Now the ignition has an issue. Often times, I have to hit my key in the ignition in order to be able to turn the key. I am wondering if the ignition issue and the airbag issue are relateable and need to see if covered by warranty. There are 90,000 miles on this car and I have had it for less than a year. We purchased it used from drivetime. Thanks

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #3

Jul 202015

Optima

  • 70,000 miles
My 2011 Kia Optima panoramic sunroof exploded like a bomb went off above my head while I was traveling at normal highway speed on a beautiful clear day. Once I got pulled over onto the shoulder I observed a bowling ball sized hole blasted outward in the center of the front panel of the sunroof. Nothing hit it. Everything was normal. Boom. Luckily the sun shade was closed at the time, otherwise the shattered glass would have rained down upon me at the time of the big bang, and I probably would have lost control.

- Youngstown, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 132011

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Defective key fobs. They cannot be reprogrammed and you become stranded with no way of starting the auto. Dealership has tried four times to reprogram the key fob without success. There is no way to start or operate the car with the mechanical key. Can become a dangerous situation if you are in an isolated area!

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 012011

Optima

  • miles
Car pulls to left 100% of the time. Car has been inspected by Kia service and meets all factory specs. This appears to be a design flaw. Kia requires all 2011 Optima's to be realigned prior to being sold. Customer service rep. Said that one of her tec. Reps. Drives a 2011 Optima and it also pulls left.

- Pawleys Island, SC, USA

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