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Chart based on 36 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
25000 mi
Hose on a/c unit was leaking Freon. Had to replace and charge system.
A/C not cooling when interior temp is above 105 degrees. Compressor does not engage for at least 5 minutes or until interior temperature drops below 100. Dealer attempted to reprogram A/C as system cools well under other conditions or once.
121000 mi
US $150
Compressor capacity control valve failed
5000 mi
replaced Nav screen
20900 mi
Intermitent issues with the car not starting,, a switch under the brake pedal was a recall and fixed the problem once replaced
31700 mi
Brake fluid warning light continues to come on erratically. So does another warning light that refers to an instrument problem. This problem has shown itself periodically since the first 10 months but is only mildly annoying.
36000 mi
Old issue: a warning light on dash which turned out to be a faulty fluid level sensor. The car's brakes always seemed fine, but my (good) dealer replaced the sensor AND the master cylinder, vac booster & pump, and gave me a loaner car.
40000 mi
Paddle shifter on steering wheel: ceased functioning.
Will shortly be repaired on warranty.
48000 mi
Backup camera was slow to run; showed lines but no picture for up to 30 sec
15500 mi
Nav locked up, replaced nav system. New nav worked until car was sold but dash rattled and could never be repaired. Fuel level sender failed replaced
79000 mi
US $570
Return line leaking. Replaced.
34200 mi
Had to replace battery
41000 mi
US $100
Replaced Battery
47000 mi
Reflash computer
59000 mi
US $38
A/C not cooling all of the time. Not draining properly. Used A/C evaporator cleaner P/N UM090
24000 mi
Electric heated seat switch was bad. Rear passenger, driver side. Replaced under warranty.
29000 mi
Dome light flicks on when turning a corner. Flicks on momentarily when just pushing on the drivers door. Please note this problem is caused by closing the door on the seatbelt buckle which just lines up with the door switch smashing it in.
Heated/Cooled driver seat had stopped working previously. A switch and a module were replaced and BCM flash done during previous attempts. Since it's now intermittent (it's stopped working again at times), they say they cannot work on it. UPDATE: around 3,500 miles so far. Heated/Cooled driver seat worked (once), mostly not working. Dealer & KIA corporate have said they won't fix it if it isn't completely dead. So I wait until it dies permanently. Might never get fixed!
5000 mi
I've had ongoing issue with the heated/cooled seat. They replaced the switch a second time. Now they are ordered a new "wiring harness". Still awaiting that to come in for them to install.
5300 mi
They installed the wiring harness. The system works (it was working prior to installing the harness after they cleaned the contacts), so we'll keep an eye on it if it's finally a permanent solution.
65000 mi
US $125
Battery tested low--replaced with OEM battery
79200 mi
Driver power seat will not incline the seatback. Incline motor failure.
80000 mi
US $550
Drivers Seatback would not incline. Incline motor failure.
85000 mi
Replaced Driver's side headlight with LED bulb
92000 mi
US $450
Clockspring failed, resulting in loss of use of horn, cruise control, trip/reset button.
Replaced by OEM clockspring
99000 mi
Bluetooth System does not initiate; Voice recognition does not initiate Headlight diode had come off
103800 mi
US $400
Starter replaced due to engine failure
59317 mi
US $76
A left rear bulb marker and a new cabin air filter were replaced
VERY SHORTLY, I'll bring back my KIA Optima LX for new rear brake pads and rotors
17000 mi
Switch in brake to start engine failed. Replaced under warranty. Dealer told me how to get it started and drove to dealer for replacement. Great service.
11700 mi
Bluetooth not functioning, head unit for sound; bluetooth, replaced
35000 mi
Dead battery because headlights would not automatically turn off after parking in garage. WHY..I got seat belt stuck in door after closing door the car body was bent misaligning the door button that turns off lights when door is shut.
30500 mi
Brake switch replaced because it was affecting starting the vehicle keyless ignition.
1000 mi
Faulty air bag sensor in passenger seat cushion.
34000 mi
US $30
Key fob lost its code.
10300 mi
Dealer replaced under warranty a switch attached to brake pedal that prevented car from starting if brake pedal was depressed. Could still start car by holding down button for 20 sec. Dealer states it is a common problem.
33800 mi
Parking sensor for Push Button Ignition replaced.
17000 mi
Light sensor went out for auto-on headlight Radio display flicker brightly when accelerating at night with headlights on. Heated steering wheel top half stopped working
The 12v battery kept intermittently dying and had to be jumped frequently. The dealership told me that they tested my alternator and it checked fine but, my battery failed when tested.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2011 Kia Optima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.