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
    - Tecumseh, NE

    I saw low battery due to fire risk or overheated cause of oil change. I don't know what's wrong with my car. Engine knocking bad if warranty coverage accepts. I hope safety recalls will be approved. Please help me!

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

    Merging onto the highway & the car had rod kncok & went into limp mode very dangerous & a good thing we weren't hit by traffic. This is the SECOND engine kia has installed after allegedly "FIXING" thier issues the first time!!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Lincoln, NE

    The wheel fell off when I was driving the key axle completely broke the pipe off but I still don’t have it fixed I only had liability

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Hammond, LA

    It appears I have a defective oil pump in the car which I think is what caused the engine to go bad to begin with. I am requesting that KIA of Denham Springs be authorized by the main office of KIA to install a new oil pump in my car after the new motor is installed, otherwise the new motor will probably go bad and will result in Kia having to install another motor for the car. I hope you can step in and assist me in getting a new oil pump installed as this would be a safety issue of the car breaking down on the road and could result in myself or other passengers possibly stranded on the highway . A engine compartment fire could happen if the engine gets too hot due to the deflective oil pump no keeping all engine parts oiled properly by the defective Oil Pump. I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's office look into this matter. Thanks for your assistance Tommie McMorris 985-969-8995 email: [email protected]

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Chiloquin, OR

    Low beam headlights on my 2011 KIA Optima with 150,000 miles are bright to look at them, however the beam pattern on on the roadway is terrible. I have tried replacing the bulbs with brightest bulbs, checked voltages and grounds. After checking over 10 forums I have found that the reflective service on the headlight housing has degraded and lost its reflective value causing a very safe condition. 1 person disassembled the headlight unit and installed foil tape, stating this corrected the issue. I have attempted to contact KIA with out a return response. I feel this should be a KIA recall issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Stanford, KY

    The headlights fail to light up safely and can cause serious injuries or even death. You are unable to see 10 foot in front of the car on deem and bright lights you can only see 15 feet at the max.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - Chula Vista, CA

    After driving the car over 15 miles, the Check Brake Light comes on, activating my emergency brake, slowing the car down and preventing me to accelerate. This happens on the freeway, where traffic is fast and my decelerating car puts me and those around me at risk of collision. Once it occurs the first time, it happens again a few minutes later. I have to frequently veer off the side of the freeway, turn off the car, and then turn it on again for the Check brake light to go away and for me to travel once more. This has been a problem for a couple of years with me trying to get the issue repaired, and documented in my visits. Kia and other service operatives have repeatedly not been able to replicate the error in their care, however they never drive it long enough for it to occur. I’ve spent a lot of money now trying to fix this problem and have videos and photos of it occurring. The last time it was inspected they only drove it 6 miles and said there were a lot of little codes going off but weren’t again able to replicate the problem I had been describing. It first appeared 2 years ago and I can feel it start to come on when I’m not able to accelerate my car any further like there is an added resistance. This then amounts to the check brakes display to appear with the emergency brake icon always accompanying it. It makes a scraping, gargled sounds and slows down the car. Overall it has affected the overall drive of the car and braking system as it is growing harder to stop the car when driving. The brakes have been repeatedly checked as well as the fluid and it’s normal, so it should be braking normally. This car has had other issues in the past that have been fixed but this has continued and has been a growing issue that is not being resolved. I’ve googled this issue with others expressing the same issue without ANY viable solution from Kia so I know I’m not alone in this. It’s not safe to drive. Also I tried uploading the videos but it only allowed the pictures.

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

    Blinking check engine light at 113000 miles on the car cuzs stalling while driving was worried about an engine fire I did read about on same model.

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

    The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while reversing, the contact heard a popping sound, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an impendent mechanic, and he reinstalled the inner shaft. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2011 KIA OPTIMA
    - South Chesterfield, VA

    As I would drive the vehicle a rattling noise would occur when every time I accelerate from stopping at a traffic light. Then the engine light appeared on the dash board. When I went to have the engine light checked the results came back about an oil gasket. I then got an oil change soon after. The rattling noise and the same acceleration problem still occurred. Soon after it gotten worst to the point couldn’t go faster then 10 mph and then the car kept shutting off.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE