Recalled components: brakes, engine, fuel system, air bags, and 2 more. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (122 complaints, 19%). Most-reported area: engine (275 complaints, 44%; median mileage when it happened: 100,600).
More complaints than a typical Optima year
The 2011 drew 73 owner complaints in its first three years, against 53 for a typical Optima year.
Years to avoid: 2012 and 2013. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
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 of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
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.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Kia campaign SC284.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
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 Improvement Campaign.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Components: Engine; Fuel system: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Kia campaign SC172.
In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
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 Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
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.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Kia campaign SC165.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles.
Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: 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. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
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 Borrego vehicles.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Kia campaign SC098.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations that name the 2011 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries; all 3 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Engine fires
Engineering analysis EA21003Closed Feb 5, 2024 (opened Dec 22, 2021)
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires… NHTSA's full summary
Preliminary evaluation PE19004Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened Mar 29, 2019)
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 20V-750, listed above.
NHTSA listings: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID. Components: Electrical system; Engine and cooling; Engine; Exterior lighting; Unknown or other.
Scope and timeliness
Recall query RQ17003Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened May 18, 2017)
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia’s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia’s compliance with reporting requirements.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 17V-224, listed above.
NHTSA listing: OPTIMA. Component: Engine.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 627 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Optima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Engine failure or replacement122 · 19%
Median 100,100 miles at failure, from 100 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off100 · 16%
Median 100,000 miles at failure, from 85 reports with mileage
Check engine light52 · 8%
Median 101,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Headlight or exterior light problems52 · 8%
Median 86,000 miles at failure, from 36 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell45 · 7%
Median 101,700 miles at failure, from 38 reports with mileage
Won't start36 · 6%
Median 99,500 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode35 · 6%
Median 100,900 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration28 · 4%
Median 76,500 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Median 100,600 miles at failure, from 218 reports with mileage
Steering102 · 16%
Median 71,500 miles at failure, from 84 reports with mileage
Exterior lighting88 · 14%
Most named: headlights (7) · Median 85,700 miles at failure, from 55 reports with mileage
Electrical system69 · 11%
Median 84,500 miles at failure, from 40 reports with mileage
Brakes52 · 8%
Median 85,000 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Air bags35 · 6%
Median 93,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Powertrain29 · 5%
Median 66,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
Unknown or other39 · 6%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Optima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2011 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Optima drew the most (148) and the 2011 drew 73.
Owner complaints
2011: 627 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Complaints
2010
75
2011
627
2012
1,028
2013
1,438
2014
617
2015
1,021
2016
760
2017
305
2018
243
2019
211
2020
148
Safety recalls
2011: 6 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Optima
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
6
2013
10
2014
7
2015
4
2016
5
2017
4
2018
3
2019
1
2020
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 627 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Optima, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (122), stalling or shutting off (100), and the check engine light coming on (52). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2011 Kia Optima safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2011 Kia Optima earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2011 Kia Optima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2011 Kia Optima, not counting audit queries. It lists 3 closed ones; the most recent closed on Feb 5, 2024.
How do I check if my Optima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: OPTIMA, OPTIMA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.