| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2011 Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (22%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (18%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (46%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 97 repairs.
2011 Kia Optima repair cost distribution
$2500+ (3%)
$1000 - $2499 (1%)
$500 - $999 (4%)
$100 - $499 (19%)
< $100 (72%)
Chart based on 69 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
| Kia Optima in Michigan, United States Jun 2015 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jan 2016US $3600 | Huge knocking from engine. Allegedly oil pump failed. Engine destroyed. Dealer paid 50% of cost (total was $7200) | ||
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jun 2011 - Jul 2022 | |||
| Feb 201431000 mi | Transmission would slam into gear, and shift roughly when cold. Dealer replaced transmission oil temp sensor. Also updated computer ECU and changed brake switch which was a recall. | ||
| Dec 201665000 miUS $180 | Rubber coupler is steering worn out causing vehicle to have slack in steering wheel. Replace coupler under warranty, 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. | ||
| Feb 201769000 mi | Replaced worn out steering coupler bushing that caused clunk noise in steering wheel | ||
| Nov 2021128000 miUS $80 | Excessive oil consumption, 1 qt per 1,500 miles. Treated with ring cleaner | ||
| Feb 2022121000 miUS $150 | Excessive oil consumption, new engine needed Compressor capacity control valve failed | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jul 2011 - Aug 2013 | |||
| Nov 20115000 mi | replaced Nav screen | ||
| Apr 201329200 mi | Voltage adjustment | ||
| Kia Optima in Connecticut, United States Jun 2011 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Sep 201225000 mi | oil leaking - bad oil pan seal | ||
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States May 2011 - Nov 2017 | |||
| Apr 201534200 mi | Had to replace battery | ||
| Jan 201641000 miUS $100 | Replaced Battery | ||
| Dec 201647000 mi | Reflash computer | ||
| Jun 201759000 miUS $38 | A/C not cooling all of the time. Not draining properly. Used A/C evaporator cleaner P/N UM090 | ||
| Nov 201764000 miUS $1165 | turbo controller failed | ||
| Kia Optima in Indiana, United States Jun 2013 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Aug 201320900 mi | Intermitent issues with the car not starting,, a switch under the brake pedal was a recall and fixed the problem once replaced | ||
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada May 2013 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 201315500 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 | ||
| Kia Optima in Utah, United States Sep 2014 - Jul 2021 | |||
| Dec 201438000 mi | Fuel leak from high pressure fuel pump | ||
| Aug 201549000 mi | Roof console fell apart. | ||
| Nov 201551000 mi | Engine lost power. Turbo wastegate was adjusted under warranty. | ||
| Jun 201879000 miUS $570 | Return line leaking. Replaced. | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Apr 2011 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Sep 20116000 mi | Sunroof button only partly functional; requires holding it in instead of a quick push. No big deal. | ||
| Sep 201217000 mi | 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 201219700 mi | Warning light came on for brakes. Haven't taken it in yet. | ||
| Apr 201325000 mi | Slight oil leak at crankcase/oilpan junction; was fixed quickly under warranty. | ||
| Nov 201331700 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. | ||
| Mar 201436000 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. | ||
| Oct 201440000 mi | Paddle shifter on steering wheel: ceased functioning. Will shortly be repaired on warranty. | ||
| May 201548000 mi | Backup camera was slow to run; showed lines but no picture for up to 30 sec | ||
| Feb 201654000 mi | Left front wheel bearing getting noisy. Confirmed by mechanic to be such, but no time avail yet to do a repair, and the $345 estimate ($128 bearing; $194 labor) will induce me to shop around. | ||
| Mar 201656000 mi | Left frt wheel bearing was getting noisy over a period of weeks. Was replaced under warranty. | ||
| Feb 201764000 miUS $140 | Turbo waste gate went out of spec resulting in big loss of power; much less than a non-turbo motor. Top speed about 60mph. A known issue with a couple of TSBs, but not covered by warranty. Given that problem arose at 61k, I felt cheated. | ||
| Jun 201878000 mi | Right front wheel bearing was getting very noisy. Covered under warranty | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Dec 2011 - Sep 2014 | |||
| May 20139500 mi | blown engine due to cracked spark plugs. porcelain insulation from spark plugs in bank 2 and 3 fell into engine | ||
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States Mar 2011 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Jan 20127000 mi | Performed TSB on key fobs | ||
| Kia Optima in Georgia, United States Apr 2011 - Dec 2019 | |||
| Aug 201346300 mi | The turbo gate was replaced | ||
| Jan 201748200 mi | The steering coupler had worn out and caused the wheel to shake. The coupler was replaced. | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Feb 2011 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Jun 201224000 mi | Electric heated seat switch was bad. Rear passenger, driver side. Replaced under warranty. | ||
| Sep 201229000 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. | ||
| Feb 201451100 mi | Sticky wastegate was causing the turbo to choke and the vehicle to lose power resulting in a sluggish speed that will not exceed 70mph. Let alone taking a long time to go from 0-60 mph. Engine light came on the next day. | ||
| Kia Optima in Washington, United States May 2011 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Oct 201218000 mi | 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. | ||
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Ohio, United States May 2014 - Jun 2014 | |||
| May 201435000 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. Repaired by KIA Dealership...HOW..placed metal washer (as spacer) to behind door button to re-align. Thus when door is closed the headlights now turn off and the battery does not get drained. | ||
| Kia Optima in Minnesota, United States Feb 2011 - Apr 2013 | |||
| May 20113000 mi | 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. | ||
| Kia Optima in Wisconsin, United States Jan 2014 - Mar 2016 | |||
| Aug 201430900 mi | Check engine light came on, without loss of drivability. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Mar 2011 - May 2014 | |||
| Sep 201217000 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. | ||
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada Sep 2013 - Sep 2017 | |||
| Feb 201539060 miC $400 | Brake service and transmission always fishing for gears | ||
| Kia Optima in New Hampshire, United States Jun 2015 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jun 201665000 miUS $125 | Battery tested low--replaced with OEM battery | ||
| Aug 201672000 miUS $105 | Tie rod caused a failed yearly inspection--became loose at the knuckle due to an impact to road debris | ||
| Nov 201679200 mi | Driver power seat will not incline the seatback. Incline motor failure. | ||
| Dec 201680000 miUS $550 | Drivers Seatback would not incline. Incline motor failure. | ||
| Jan 201780800 mi | Driver power seat will not incline the seatback. The power module for the incline motor failed. | ||
| Apr 201785000 mi | Replaced Driver's side headlight with LED bulb | ||
| Jun 201792000 miUS $450 | Clockspring failed, resulting in loss of use of horn, cruise control, trip/reset button. Replaced by OEM clockspring | ||
| Dec 201799000 mi | Bluetooth System does not initiate; Voice recognition does not initiate Headlight diode had come off | ||
| Apr 2018103800 miUS $400 | Engine seized due to known manufacturing defect; replaced under warranty Starter replaced due to engine failure | ||
| May 2018105000 miUS $400 | Replaced all pads; Replaced rear rotors, Replaced Left Rear caliper | ||
| Kia Optima in Florida, United States Aug 2015 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Sep 201525000 mi | Hose on a/c unit was leaking Freon. Had to replace and charge system. | ||
| Kia Optima in Alberta, Canada Sep 2013 - Jan 2018 | |||
| Jan 201862000 miC $300 | Coil spring on front driver side snapped, required replacement. Could not find parts from any 3rd party source (this is in Canada), was forced to get replacement spring from dealership. | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Sep 2015 - Nov 2021 | |||
| Nov 202190000 miUS $25000 | Engine failed with significant oil loss (1 quart for 1000 miles). KIA did not own up to the issue. I got rid of the car. Kia is a $hit car with even $hittier dealer and customer service. I am done with KIA. Period. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Feb 2011 - Nov 2013 | |||
| Jul 201111700 mi | Bluetooth not functioning, head unit for sound; bluetooth, replaced | ||
| Jun 201346000 mi | Computer failed, was replaced | ||
| Kia Optima in Alabama, United States Oct 2016 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 201759317 miUS $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 | ||
| Kia Optima in Wisconsin, United States Jul 2012 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Aug 201230500 mi | Brake switch replaced because it was affecting starting the vehicle keyless ignition. | ||
| Kia Optima in North Carolina, United States Apr 2011 - Sep 2013 | |||
| May 201212400 mi | loose fuse caused ac and tail lights to go out. | ||
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States May 2011 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Sep 20111000 mi | Faulty air bag sensor in passenger seat cushion. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Feb 2011 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Dec 201116000 mi | 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 201220000 mi | Factory wheel (rim), clear coat started peeling. Wheel replaced under warranty. | ||
| Kia Optima in Virginia, United States Sep 2011 - May 2016 | |||
| Feb 201327200 mi | Rear shock rattle | ||
| Kia Optima in New York, United States Aug 2011 - Jun 2019 | |||
| Sep 20113000 mi | 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 20125000 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. | ||
| Apr 20125300 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. | ||
| Sep 201834000 mi | There was a TSB for steering wheel plastic bushing. Was replaced. | ||
| Kia Optima in Colorado, United States Feb 2011 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Mar 201534000 miUS $30 | Key fob lost its code. | ||
| Kia Optima in New Jersey, United States Aug 2011 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Apr 201333800 mi | Parking sensor for Push Button Ignition replaced. | ||
| Nov 201342300 mi | Driver side floor mat hook became disloged from the floor. | ||
| Jun 201889000 miUS $140 | Serpentine belt replaced due to wear. | ||
| Kia Optima in New Jersey, United States Dec 2012 - May 2017 | |||
| Oct 201451700 mi | Left front wheel bearing noisy | ||
| Aug 201688600 miUS $150 | Right front Hub Bearing Noisy | ||
| Kia Optima in Pennsylvania, United States Jun 2012 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Sep 201223000 mi | Traction control light stayed on all the time, had to replace sensor | ||
| Kia Optima in Oregon, United States Mar 2011 - Nov 2017 | |||
| Nov 201210300 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. | ||
| Jan 201412700 mi | Check engine light was on, dealer replaced faulty exhaust valve control solenoid. | ||
| Kia Optima in Texas, United States Mar 2012 - Apr 2012 | |||
| Apr 201217000 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 | ||
| Kia Optima in California, United States Jan 2017 - Jan 2018 | |||
| Sep 201750000 mi | Oil leak from pan. | ||
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| Kia Optima in California, United States Nov 2011 - Sep 2015 |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
166-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Optima in Ontario, Canada Jul 2013 - Sep 2014 | |||
| Mar 201481840 mi | Rear stabilizers .. KIA dealer found it was a covered repair. | ||
| Jul 201490360 miC $520 | Front control arms require replacement ... Had been in the shop before for the report of this clunk/noise but dealer could not duplicate. Took mechanic out and noise heard .. requires replacement but still dealing with the dealer over repair | ||
| Kia Optima in Arizona, United States Aug 2017 - Sep 2017 | |||
| Sep 2017105961 miUS $43 | Had an extended unlimited mileage warranty put out by Kia for the steering wheel coupler needing replacement. Noticed that my car was making a clunking noise inside the steering column every time I drove on a rough road. The dealership replaced the coupler and the clunking completely disappeared. The service manager said that my coupler was slightly worn and that the new coupler is made of a better material that lasts longer. 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. During the time frame that the 12v battery was dying and even after replacement, the car started having rough idling (almost sounded like it was going to stall) when ever I would stop, start off in reverse or in drive. The car would lose power going up small hills and would sound as if it was starving from air/fuel. I received a CEL for PO106 MAP Sensor code. I removed the map sensor and cleaned it good with a cloth that was sprayed with contact cleaner. There was minimal residue left on the rag from the sensor. After resetting the CEL and test driving the car, the rough idling/attempting to stall continued as described above. After further investigation, I noticed that the air intake hose prior to the MAP sensor/engine was slightly offset to the point that there was a gap on one portion of the intake hose. After loosening the clamp all the way and loosening the intake filter cover, I was able to re-align the intake hose and tighten everything down. I then reset my car and test drove it around my subdivision. The rough idle initially was there but, once my actual engine kicked on and a vacuum was established it seemed to return back to its normal self. I test drove it for a few miles and there was no rough idle at stops or the sound of wanting to stall. We did order a new Map Absolute Pressure Sensor overnight so if the problem comes back I will swap that piece out if needed. Will drive car tomorrow to see if the problem returns. | ||
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