2011 KIA OPTIMA Complaints

View complaints related to 2011 KIA OPTIMA. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 600 complaints submitted for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Corbin, KY

    I was driving in the highway doing about 80mph passing a semi truck when all of a sudden my vehicle went from 80 down to 50 mph and I was jerked forward. I thought I was rear ended but when I looked in my rear view mirror no cars were behind me. I looked down and noticed my engine light, battery light and oil light were on and turned down my music and could hear my engine was no longer running. Thankfully there wasn't much traffic and I was able to coast to the side of the highway and turn the car off. If someone would have been behind me I am confident I would have been hit. The problem has since been confirmed by a dealership and info has been sent to Kia. The dealership was unable to provide me with a loaner car as "they had none available" so I contacted Kia corporate and they are telling me my only option is that I have to come out of pocket for a rental and they will reimburse 40$ per day. I don't think especially since I had to pay for 2 nights in a hotel as I was stranded, a few hundred dollars for a tow that I should have to pay anything as the issue with what happened to my car is the fault of Kia at the time of manufacturing. At this time I have been without a vehicle for 1 week. I was told by the dealership today that they sent all of the required info over to Kia to get word on whether the lifetime extended warranty would pay for my car to be repaired. The previous owner before me did have the KSCS update performed as mandated by Kia. My problem is I am already out almost 1000$ and now they are telling me I have to pay for a rental also, they will not help me except for reimbursement which doesn't even cover half the cost of a rental per day. I am not a rich person and I cannot afford that. Everything I've read and been told indicates that a loaner or rental car is to be provided me especially if it is due to a safety concern/recall issue. I've spoken with several kia representatives and I get nowhere. I am upset.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Johnson city , TN

    I was driving down the road with my 3 sons in the vehicle and all of a sudden the vehicle and engine seized completely up and turned off. I contacted kia dealership who advised me to bring it to kia of Johnson. I took it there and my vehicle has just been setting there. It's under warranty and backed by a theta2 class action lawsuit. And they still won't touch it and are very rude.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Arlington , TN

    The Engine locked up while driving down the highway at 60mph. Not possible for inspection vehicle currently broke down at shop. I barely had braking power to stop vehicle. Has been confirmed by Kia dealership. Yes vehicle has been inspected by vehicle manufacturer. Check engine light came on 5 seconds before locking up. Happened [XXX] at [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Cartersville, GA

    Paint is peeling off in large pieces despite there being no damage. We have the pearl white color.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Louisville, GA

    The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are popping. Have to trigger the battery sometimes to start up

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Maynardville, TN

    The airbag warning light on the dashboard stays on continuously and will not go off.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Philadelphia, PA

    The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noticed that the engine oil level was abnormally low, and that there were no visible signs of an oil leakage. The oil level was topped off; however, within 3 weeks the oil level was abnormally low again. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that an excessive oil consumption was not included in the engine replacement warranty extension. The contact was informed that a further diagnostic test was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,500.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Stockton, CA

    Engine is knocking with check engine ligh on. Kia has a recall on my car for metal shaving in the engine during manufacturing process. I took it to Kia dealer but they refused and said they wont cover it because it's a Salvage tile, and I thought Salvage tiles are covered if it's a a safety recall but they said it's not covered because Kia wont pay them for the repairs or the new engine.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Westland, MI

    Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) experienced an electrical short circuit and engine hardly running.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Fort Walton Beach, FL

    Not sure what to do. I scheduled a recall fix for this HECU fuse with our city KIA dealer. When I went they told me I'd have to come back because they didn't have one in stock. No one ever called me again so I phoned to make an appt and the service manager never gets back with me at this dealership. Next dealership is an hour away. Please advise. Thank you.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE