10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,996 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2011 Kia Optima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Dec 162022

Optima

  • miles

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

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.

- South Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #20

Dec 042022

Optima

  • miles
While driving our 2011 Kia Optima on I-185 at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly had unresponsive accelerator and had decrease in power. Gauges were all normal range, no warning or indicator lights illuminated. I pulled over to the highway shoulder to clear traffic and placed car in park. Immediately light gray, then black smoke poured out from the hood. My wife and I evacuated the Kia just before the front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The engine had been replaced in Sept 2021 due to a previous recall, and up to this incident the Kia performed within normal parameters.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #19

Aug 052021

Optima

  • miles
I have been getting a whiff of gas when I would drive it-??s but recently it has been worse and my check engine light has showed up and the code for it says that it could be the fuel filter.

- Homedale , ID, USA

problem #18

Apr 222021

Optima

  • 180,000 miles

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

I was driving my car on a highway at traffic time when I noticed a small gas odor my brakes got really hard after that I pulled to the emergency lane and when I pull the handle to open my hood smoke and flames immediately came out, the car its trash now police took it to impound because of the fluids the car was leaking and safety issues.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #17

May 152020

Optima

  • 170,000 miles
When I go to fill up with fuel it won't allow me to pump but very little fuel before it spills out. I have to put very little in at a time before the pump clicks off. I haven't been able to completely fill up my tank since may without it taking 45 mins or so and it spilling out. I was parked at the gas station when this happened, with the car off.

- Sturgeon, MO, USA

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problem #16

Dec 032020

Optima

  • miles
Lo qu pasa esq el carro tira gasolina Y lo emos arreglado 4 veses Y tira toda la gasolina ya isimos un reclamo Y nos nos quieren dar ninguna compensacin lo que ase ES que SE le tira la gasolina Y tengo miedo que SE yegue a quemar porque cada vez que le a pasado solo empieza a tirar gasolina no importa si est parado a conduciendo la ltima vez qu pas lo estbamos conduciendo Y me percat Y me regrese Y lo tengo en mi casa Y ya no lo eh vuelto a mover porque tengo miedo que SE queme estoy enviando una foto de la manguera un video de que ES lo Q le pasa tengo un video de pero no lo pude enviar.

- Des Moines, WA, USA

problem #15

May 232020

Optima 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

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

The fuel injector required replacement. The car sputtered and came to a complete stop without warning. It sputtered while driving on the highway; it came to a complete stop at the moment that I moved onto the exit ramp. The dealership performed a full diagnostic and reported that the fuel injector required replacement. While repairing the injector, the mechanic reported that the catalytic converter was damaged due to the injector leaking and clogging the converter. No codes alerted myself, or the mechanic to these issues. The mechanic reported that neither issue was covered under the engine recall.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #14

Feb 232020

Optima

  • miles
My car have lot of problems in side

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #13

Jan 032020

Optima

  • 137,000 miles
Hi my car has lot of safety issues.. I took many times to Kia dealer in jersey city my car door gets unlocked while it's in driving mode which makes me feel unsafe I told so many times to the dealers to fix it they do some temporary things in my car and they live me but again after some days that problem is arising again... I am fed up with this situation as I am the second owner of the car...

- Jersey, NJ, USA

problem #12

Jul 252019

Optima

  • 93,477 miles
Driving on interstate, out of nowhere engine light started flashing and engine seized, car lost all momentum, had no "get up and go" pushing on the gas pedal did nothing, going up hill was almost impossible. Took car to local auto shop, they could hear some noise but weren't sure what. Per invoice 7/26/19: Checked codes: P0011 a camshaft position timing over advanced, P00114 B camshaft position timing over advanced; P1326 engine damage alert for driver. Engine was noisey and ran very rough, oil level was low and black (we saw nowhere that it was leaking oil, no spots anywhere). Changed oil and add lucas engine stabilizer, engine quieted and runs much smoother. Clear codes, test drive, watch scan data. No codes, possible early stages of engine damage if codes return inspect timing chain and control devices. Took car home over the weekend drove less than 50 miles, Sunday 7/28/19 again, engine light came on and car had no "get up and go" and a very loud clanking noise could be heard. Took car to shop asap. Per invoice 7/31/19: Check cel light and loss of power, check fluids, engine has internal noise/damage; computer datascan, check codes, diag, P1326; engine damage alert for driver, recommend further diag eval, inspect lower end and timing chain. Auto shop contacted local Kia dealership, was told they warrant engines with these conditions. They have a number of vehicles waiting to be repaired already, suggested calling a dealer out of town for repairs.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #11

Jun 082019

Optima

  • 101,700 miles

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

Bought the car January of $2018.28 days of having the vehicle and I got a flat tire and come to find out my strut was never properly installed and thats what popped my tire.dan obrien tried to deny having a warranty to fix the car saying it was my fault.it was covered under warranty. I had to buy the new tire. When the recall for the engine came out, I took my car right in. They passed it. In September while driving home from my daughters 2 month appointment the car just lost all power and my engine light came on & car would not start daughter was present.engine had locked up they replaced the long block under the SC147 recall 11/30/18 recall SC165, ECU upgrade. On 2/11/19 I had the inspection for recall SC172 car passed.3/21/19 no warning engine light came on & stayed.P1326 engine code car went into limp home mode, daughter was present. Engine light flashed, got towed.3/26/19 Kia told me it was due to the previous recall, it was my knock sensor. They replaced under warranty.5/22/19 front right side wheel bearing went bad, Kia wouldnt cover, same side strut issue occured on.6/6/19 I went to accelerate on bypass and lost all engine control, I was able to coast. No warning lights came on.put in park, oil light, battery & eps came on & off. Turned car off & on.car would drive but with hesitation and little power.6/8/19 I went to accelerate on bypass and car lost power. 6+ cars behind me, my car blocked the road.restarted car, went to take off and the car began to vibrate jolt and I couldnt get out of the way, I had to go into the other lane because I was blocked.steering wheel locked up, brakes lost power & I almost hit the guard rail.daughter was present. 6/10/19 Kia told me it was my throttle body sensor not covered. Bought car with over 79K, now around 101K.im scared for my daughters life & mine it will catch on fire at anytime with all the symptoms.

- Sanbornton, NH, USA

problem #10

Mar 172017

Optima

  • 10,400 miles
Leaking oil, struts making noise.

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #9

Jan 012019

Optima

  • 89,843 miles
Takata recall I was driving about 65mph on I-95 South back home to fl from visiting my family in SC when I started to smell gasoline fumes in my moving vehicle. I woke my girlfriend up and asked if she smelt it as well. She stated 'yeah, I can smell gas a little bit.' Then I rolled the window down and the smell became extremely strong. I started to feel light headed and took the immediate exit (exit 33). I pulled into an exxon station and parked my vehicle. I opened the hood of my 2011 Kia Optima ex and noticed gas spraying all over the engine bay from the bottom of the high-pressure fuel line where the bolt connects. I immediately shut my car off. I filled my gas tank to full before leaving my brothers apartment and my fuel was now at half a tank. I drove 57.5 miles, so I should have only used about 2.3 gallons of gas not approximately 9.25 gallons. Therefore, this means I lost approximately 6.95 gallons in the hot engine bay. I am extremely lucky that my vehicle did not catch on fire because it's likely that my girlfriend and myself would not be alive. I was forced to replace this part on my own due to it being before the high pressure fuel line recall (18V907). I took my vehicle into Kia once the 18V907 recall came out and they didn't even replace the (fuel line) work I did. They said it passed the "test." I know I did not perform the repair by the proper procedure and I'm shocked that they are okay with that and stating the recall as completed. I feel like I am at a very high risk of another fuel leak and terrified when I drive my car now. Especially with all of the Kia fires that have been occurring.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #8

Dec 232018

Optima

  • 68,000 miles
Engine failure..bought in 2013 w 14,000 miles.currently has 68,000.check engine light came on last year.Kia would only pay for 1 spark plug.then, L paid to have a new fi system put in.L was never reimbursed.Dec 20, driving down a busy highway w my kids and engine shuts off with no warning.then, the check engine light came on along with weird smells of gas and burning.took it to the dealer and no issue.took it back again on Dec 21, but no techs available.Dec 23, L was driving my kid to work, engine shook, check engine light came on flashed and a big boom.car was going 5mph while it was clicking.L got it towed(after Kia motors had the audacity to try to make me pay for a tow@99.00, but L refused)thru my insurance co.as the car sat, a big cloud of smoke came from the engine, we though that it was catching on fire.called Kia motors....omg, the worst.L just got a rental today and approved for engine replacement after multiple phone calls.my brother bought his Optima brand new in 2003 and same thing happened in 2 months.Kia continues to not resolve his dangerous issue and L am afraid to drive it, let alone have my kids in it.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 152018

Optima

  • miles
Every time I stop to put gas in my car, it takes about 30 minutes or so before it starts again. While driving, the car has a jerking motion. Kia exchanged the carbon canister but it didn't fix the problem.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #6

Jul 272018

Optima

  • 86,500 miles
Strong smell of raw fuel near left rear (driver side) of vehicle when ambient temperature outside exceeds 100 degrees. The smell is noticed when the vehicle is parked after driving. It was first noticed when the vehicle had about 50,000 miles on it and the vehicle was taken to henderson Kia for servicing. They said they could not reproduce the issue.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #5

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 #4

May 312017

Optima

  • 84,000 miles
Beginning in spring 2017 my 2011 Kia Optima ex turbo (I bought it brand new, only owner) began stuttering while in motion (as if someone were pumping the brakes). The car stalls and dies at red lights and stop signs and needs restarted. It also stalls and dies while in motion, most disturbing in high speed, high traffic intersections and at 70 mph highway speeds. I will be traveling on high speed interstates and the car just dies and I have to hope I have enough momentum to safely get over to the breakdown lane without causing an accident. The check engine light usually goes on and off at least four times in between each service attempt. It has been analyzed and given attempted repairs by a Kia dealership four times since late May 2017 (see attached records), but the stalling and stuttering problems persist. I picked up the car from its last service on 10/18/17 and the same problems began manifesting again. This is now the fifth time. I have no idea what the problem with the car is (unknown) and it seems Kia's service help line for mechanic assistance does not either. The most recent time the car was at the dealership for service, Kia sent out a national service specialist to investigate the car, to no avail. 1) 5/31/17 - replaced map sensor (I paid $600 and it did not fix the problem) 2) 6/30/17 - tested grounds and replaced connections 3) 7/25/17 - replaced turbo and intercooler system 4) 10/12/17 - replaced engine computer 5) unknown - still problematic - asking for replacement vehicle from Kia the car has 91,410 miles and is still covered under the 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. This car is a major safety hazard, especially when it stalls and dies out in high speed, high traffic intersections and on freeways while traveling 70 mph. Kia obviously does not know how to fix it.

- Urbana, OH, USA

problem #3

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

problem #2

May 132015

Optima

  • 84,000 miles
Takata recall as soon as I turn the key the airbag light shows up, steady. It is on all the time, whether I am stationary or in motion. I have no idea if the airbags even work. There are also issues with the electrical system as the door often unlocks on its own, alarm goes off on it's own, lights flash inside every time I make a turn, left or right and the radio spazzes out

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

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