2011 Kia Optima Problems and Repair Histories
2011 Kia Optima problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Kia Optima
2011 Kia Optimas for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2011 Kia Optima problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2011 Kia Optima problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2011 Kia Optima problems and repair histories that follow it.
Kia Optima Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2011 | Kia Optima | 33 Optimas, 10.1 months of data per Optima, average 18600 miles Redesigned for this model year. Brake switch might be a common problem in early cars. When it fails, car won't start.25 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2011 Kia Optima problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2012 | 18000 | 0 | Sun glass holder seems to have misshapen due to excessive roof heat during Summer. Compartment was on floor when I entered vehicle after work one day. No broken parts, but kept falling back out after several attempts to reinstall it. |
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 7000 | 0 | Performed TSB on key fobs |
| Sep | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 5000 | 0 | replaced Nav screen |
| Apr | 2013 | 29000 | 0 | Voltage adjustment |
| Kia Optima in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 6000 | 0 | Sunroof button only partly functional; requires holding it in instead of a quick push. No big deal. |
| Sep | 2012 | 17000 | 0 | Sudden lack of power, no turbo boost at all. It "threw a code" and the car dealer's svce dpt knew what to do. Under warranty, so they provided a free rental car. I have no complaint. |
| Nov | 2012 | 19500 | 0 | Warning light came on for brakes. Haven't taken it in yet. |
| Apr | 2013 | 25000 | 0 | Slight oil leak at crankcase/oilpan junction; was fixed quickly under warranty. |
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 24000 | 0 | Electric heated seat switch was bad. Rear passenger, driver side. Replaced under warranty. |
| Sep | 2012 | 29000 | 0 | 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. |
| Mar | 2013 | 35000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 25000 | 0 | oil leaking - bad oil pan seal |
| Kia Optima in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2013 | 9000 | 0 | blown engine due to cracked spark plugs. porcelain insulation from spark plugs in bank 2 and 3 fell into engine |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 17000 | 0 | 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. |
| Mar | 2013 | 23000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2012 | 10500 | 0 | 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. |
| Mar | 2013 | 12000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 27500 | 0 | Rear shock rattle |
| Mar | 2013 | 29000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2012 | 19000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 23000 | 0 | Traction control light stayed on all the time, had to replace sensor |
| Mar | 2013 | 28000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2012 | 16000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 17000 | 0 | 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 |
| Kia Optima in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 2000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 3000 | 0 | 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! |
| Mar | 2012 | 5000 | 0 | 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. |
| Apr | 2012 | 5700 | 0 | 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. |
| Mar | 2013 | 12000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 3000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 12300 | 0 | Bluetooth not functioning, head unit for sound; bluetooth, replaced |
| Mar | 2013 | 42000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 1000 | 0 | Faulty air bag sensor in passenger seat cushion. |
| Apr | 2013 | 13000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 16000 | 0 | Right rear rattle. Not suspension related but the dealership thought it was a shock part. They replaced it but failed to fix the rattle. I have yet to go back. |
| Feb | 2012 | 20000 | 0 | Factory wheel (rim), clear coat started peeling. Wheel replaced under warranty. |
| Jul | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Optima in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 3000 | 0 | Steering will intermittently pull to the left. Appears to be electric power steering related. Chassis alignment and reset of "chip" in power steering did not fix problem.....still exists. new attempt to fix original problem was not successful. update: at time car sold considered this fix satisfactory. |
| Apr | 2013 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2012 | 13000 | 0 | loose fuse caused ac and tail lights to go out. |
| Mar | 2013 | 24000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2011 Kia Optima Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2011 Kia Optima
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