general problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima - part 1

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while driving at 60 mph on the expressway. No warning lights illuminated. The contact had some wires replaced prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or crash. The driver was able to pull over safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called but there was no answer. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The VIN was not available.

I am submitting a complaint regarding my 2011 kia Optima (VIN: [xxx] ), which is currently experiencing significant engine issues and is undrivable. This issue is currently being reviewed under kia case #xxx. This vehicle is part of the theta ii engine group that has been the subject of recalls, service campaigns, and extended warranty coverage due to known engine defects, including rod bearing failure and potential engine seizure. The vehicle has also received the knock sensor detection system (ksds) update associated with these known issues. My vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been there since March 10, 2026. It is not drivable, and I have been without transportation during this time. The dealership has diagnosed the issue as oil consumption; however, kia has denied coverage, stating that oil consumption is not related to rod bearing failure. Kia has not confirmed whether a full internal engine inspection was performed to rule out rod bearing damage, nor have they confirmed that a techline engineering review has been conducted. Given the known history of engine defects in this model, I am concerned that the current condition may be related to internal engine failure that has not been properly evaluated. Oil consumption can be a precursor or symptom of internal engine damage, and I do not believe the issue has been fully or adequately diagnosed. Additionally, my vehicle has an open safety recall related to potential engine compartment fire risk, which further raises concerns about the safety and reliability of this vehicle. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed as a potential safety-related defect, as the vehicle is undrivable and may be at risk for sudden engine failure or fire. I am also concerned that the manufacturer is relying solely on a dealership-level assessment without a thorough engineering evaluation of a known defect condition. Thank you for your review of this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I was driving in the highway doing about 80mph passing a semi truck when all of a sudden my vehicle went from 80 down to 50 mph and I was jerked forward. I thought I was rear ended but when I looked in my rear view mirror no cars were behind me. I looked down and noticed my engine light, battery light and oil light were on and turned down my music and could hear my engine was no longer running. Thankfully there wasn't much traffic and I was able to coast to the side of the highway and turn the car off. If someone would have been behind me I am confident I would have been hit. The problem has since been confirmed by a dealership and info has been sent to kia. The dealership was unable to provide me with a loaner car as "they had none available" so I contacted kia corporate and they are telling me my only option is that I have to come out of pocket for a rental and they will reimburse 40$ per day. I don't think especially since I had to pay for 2 nights in a hotel as I was stranded, a few hundred dollars for a tow that I should have to pay anything as the issue with what happened to my car is the fault of kia at the time of manufacturing. At this time I have been without a vehicle for 1 week. I was told by the dealership today that they sent all of the required info over to kia to get word on whether the lifetime extended warranty would pay for my car to be repaired. The previous owner before me did have the kscs update performed as mandated by kia. My problem is I am already out almost 1000$ and now they are telling me I have to pay for a rental also, they will not help me except for reimbursement which doesn't even cover half the cost of a rental per day. I am not a rich person and I cannot afford that. Everything I've read and been told indicates that a loaner or rental car is to be provided me especially if it is due to a safety concern/recall issue. I've spoken with several kia representatives and I get nowhere. I am upset.

The engine locked up while driving down the highway at 60mph. Not possible for inspection vehicle currently broke down at shop. I barely had braking power to stop vehicle. Has been confirmed by kia dealership. Yes vehicle has been inspected by vehicle manufacturer. Check engine light came on 5 seconds before locking up. Happened [xxx] at [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) experienced an electrical short circuit and engine hardly running.

2 weeks ago my 2011 kia Optima's engine died while driving. I am the 2nd owner of the car and bought it in summer of 2022 (not 2020). Before buying the car private sale, I sought my mechanics advice who told me kia engines had issues going back to 2011. Before buying, my brother called the closest kia dealership to confirm the owner was telling the truth that he had taken the car in for all safety recalls. Kia told my brother the engine and vehicle belonging to the VIN he provided were good to go and that the engine recalls were done. After my car died, I had it towed to my mechanic and was told the engine was bad. I called russ darrow kia and informed them of the situation. I don't recall who I spoke with, but I asked about the recalls and any red flags that would void any warranties on the engine. I was told there were none and I should have the car towed to have them do an engine inspection. On September 7th, I called kia because I had not heard anything about my car. I was told an inspection was done but the warranty was voided because a recall for nox sensor had not been done. I called kia consumer and spoke with a supervisor who just read a template of the federal lawsuit and how due to the voided warranty, kia would not replace my engine. I explained how I had called prior to buying the car and confirmed the engine was up to date with any recalls and I had not received any recall notices for the nox sensor nor any others pertaining to the engine. I only ever received a recall notice about the anti theft software. The supervisor was extremely insensitive toward me and told me there were numerous recalls and that whomever I called at kia would have never told me the car was good to go. I would've taken it in if I knew about the recall, or any other. They are refusing to replace the engine. Kia is charging me $190 for their diagnosis and a quote on a replacement engine. The car was well maintained with prompt oil changes. I feel like I'm being scammed.

Mi carro estaba bien ninguna luz DE testigos prendidos DE pronto iba por la carretera conduciendo se freno y se apago gracias a dios no ocurrió ningún accidente. Lo volví a prender sonaba el motor como si tuviera un tic tac y se prendió las luces DE testigo DE motor.

Recall states to not drive vehicle due to hecu which can result in an engine compartment fire. I have contacted 3 dealerships and corporate. There are 15,000 dealerships/service centers that have technology/technical issues. I have spent 3 days, and 12 hours trying to get assistance. I'm being told corporate is not providing any additional support or payment to individually owned dealerships. Expecting them to cover additional expenses. I am disabled and need to go to treatments/procedures multiple times a week. They are backed up 1-2 months for an appointment. Consumers are to pay everything up front and then 90 days later request a reimbursement. They will not provide or pay for a rental or loaner car until the car is being serviced. Therefore they are leaving me with no vehicle for up to 2 months as their letter clearly states that the vehicle is not to be driven and is unsafe. I should not be inconvenienced because kia made a mistake and is now having to perform a recall, 15,000 stores are not able to perform because of technical issues, they are so far behind in their service appointments which should not have any effect on me and I should not be responsible to pay for any of this and they should absolutely provide me with the vehicle and not leave me with no transportation for 2+months. I am unable to get to my appts. For treatments, my daughter cannot drive to work. And they have absolutely no solution for me and telling me that there is nothing that can be done other than me paying $45/day out of pocket. They stated that I personally would be charged to do a full diagnostic test to confirm that there are no safety issues, however corporate stated that it was required in order to get my car back. This has been an absolute nightmare, I am also wanting to know if ada would get involved in something like this as they are not making any type of reasonable accommodation for me. There has to be a law preventing this that they are required to provide a vehicle unt.

I could not brake and almost caused a car accident. Brakes gave out, no gas, it smelled like it was going to catch on fire.

We had someone hit our vehicle and our ins CO totalled the vehicle instead of repairing it due to the check engine light being on because of this recall.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled smoke in the interior of the vehicle. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the knock sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

On 3/18/2024 while driving my oil light came on. Since I assumed I was low on oil, I proceeded to nearest gas station, approx 10 min. Away, and added oil. I let engine remain off for approx. 20 min. When I started the car up blue smoke began coming out from front and rear and there was a knocking noise. Since this is an engine that had already been replaced due to a recall, and now symptoms have returned I suspect engine might have failed again. I have always done my oil changes and have not had any issues. I had car towed towed to san jose and contacted a mobile oil service to have oil drained out and replaced. When he was finished he said there were particles in oil removed and suspected engine had failed and I should not drive.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after not being drive for a while. The check engine warning was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed with an unknown result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owned a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that while on the highway driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was flagged down to be told their vehicle was releasing smoke. The contact noticed an open flame coming from the under carriage and was able to veer the vehicle to the shoulder prior to ejecting himself from the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. The contact sustained minor injuries to their knee and finger while exiting the vehicle. No other injuries or passengers reported. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed.  the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,910.

Known recall since sept 2023, but kia has not provided any dealerships with parts to repair (we have tried multiple dealerships within a 2 hour radius). Only recommendation is to "park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until you have the recall performed" which is an unacceptable option for 6 months. Now check engine light is on and still no indication as to when it can be fixed. Kia is not offering a loaner or rental until issue resolved.

Check engine has failed. Glow relay stuck on or knock sensor or engine warranty. I don't know. Kia service will find out what's wrong with my car.

Nhtsa recall.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal noise. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. The windshield was fogging up. The engine warning light was illuminated and turned on and off. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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!.

My car won’t crank. Starter is not working. Ask if warranty or recall. Let’s see if they accept warranty for starter replacement. My car towed to kia of Lincoln in Lincoln, nebraska where the car parked there right now. Please contact kia at Lincoln and I better hope warranty are accepted and diagnostic are free too. Thank you!.

Engine is knocking with check engine ligh on. Kia has a recall on my car for metal shaving in the engine during manufacturing process. I took it to kia dealer but they refused and said they wont cover it because it's a salvage tile, and I thought salvage tiles are covered if it's a a safety recall but they said it's not covered because kia wont pay them for the repairs or the new engine.

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!!.

Could be the barons.

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.

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.

Engine shakes and engine light flashes.

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.

I was driving out of town and when I went to accelerate and the engine had seized, the brakes had locked up and I lost power steering which almost resulted in an accident. On the dash was showing the engine, oil, and esc light, which were not on the dash before and there was nothing wrong or weird going on with the car prior to the first incident to even indicate that something was wrong. Had to get the car towed home then realized there had been a recall on the engine. Contacted the kia manufacturer and they had towed it to a kia dealership where they replaced the engine. Waited 2 months to get my car back, the dealership let me leave with the abs and eps light on the dash, and couldn't give me a reason why the lights were still on. I had it for 3 days, it drove okay and now it no longer drives nor does it start. I was stranded because the car wouldnt start again giving the same issues as before the recall repair was done, with only accessories turning on. On the dash it only shows engine, oil, eps and battery light. Found the serpentine belt already coming apart and misplaced, found strips of the belt laying in the bottom of the hood. Also had found out the entire engine block rocks back and forth while car is in motion. If I had driven the car any longer the belt would have completely snapped and would most likely result in an injury or worse. With the engine movement that is also going to cause other damages to the car and more safety hazards. I have not even known about the engine recall on this car until after everything happened and when the car was purchased no one had notified me in anyway about the recall. Now they refuse to cover towing costs back to the dealership because the "5 year warranty had expired" when this in no way is my fault. Second incident was oct. 17th 2022.

My 2011 kia Optimas engine light started flashing and the car lost all power and had no rpms over 1000-2000. I took it to the dealership where I was told it had a code p1326 and they replaced a knock sensor. The same day that I picked my car up from them I was going down the interstate and it shut completely off and wouldn’t crank. I had it towed back to the dealership where they said I would most likely need a new engine. A few days later they call and say the engine won’t be covered under the recall because of some hose they claim was leaking for the cooling system. They said it now had a blown head gasket which I’m not sure how because it never ran hot. This is absolutely ridiculous for customers to deal with so many delays and problems just to get the repairs on their vehicle that kia has agreed to make. If my vehicle needed a knock sensor then obviously the damage to the motor is because of faulty manufacturing of parts and I shouldn’t have to pay for a new motor!.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed her that the VIN was also included in the recall of NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that there was a bearing wear and the vehicle would remain at their location for two months for repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

I as driving on the highway and all of a sudden the car would not accelerate. The engine light, oil light, air bag lights etc. All turned on. The speed quickly dropped but I was able to to move into the safety lane. The card finally stalled and would would not start. I tried turning it back on, but the engine would not crank. The lights, radio, ac would still turn on, but the engine would not start. I have maintained it's scheduled maintenance and I was under miles until it's next oil change considering I had just changed it a month ago. I took it to get checked and was advised there was no oil and the engine was seized. I never received a warning the oil pressure was low. My car is over the 10 years and/or 100,000 k warranty as it was purchased 8/2011.

When accelerating in traffic car will completely shut off for about two seconds. This kicks off the traction control and power steering is lost. This did not start happening untill the engine was replaced in June 2021.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

On Nov. 26th 2021, I was driving my car and upon trying to accelorate, my car felt as if it was about to stall out. I pressed the gas and I barely moved. My engine light went on immediately and it's constantly flashing now. The cars rpm's do not go past 1-1/2 rpm's. I can not pick up speed like before, like I should. My car now hesitates and I'm scared to drive it. I feel that it's dangerous cause I can not keep up with traffic. I found a recall letter that I have from July 12, 2017 in which I took it to the dealer at that time I received it. I alo found 2 other recall letters ( see pics ataached). I guess at that time when they checked it nothing was wrong but now I am having an issue and I feel it could be related. The recall number 17v224 follow up letter of one of the recalls. The recalls prior to that does not have a # on it states: engine connecting rod on of the recalls. I'm hearing some knocking but it just happened and I havent driven it since Nov. 26th. A. M. The code that comes up as p1362, knocking sensor and can be a number of other things. And everything I read says the knock sensor detects vibrations indicating an onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear. And can severly damage the engine. I'm very concerned and I feel that this recall back in 2017 is now happening to my car. I have uploaded the recall I have in my possession. According to william garcia( billy ) the service guy I always usually worked with at gunther kia, all of my recalls were checked and soem weere fixed. These particualr ones he said were done and or checked but nothing was repaired as you'll see in my history of service on recalls with them.

Yolanda williams 15552 water oak road bowie MD 20716 while driving my vehicle it looses power and becomes inoperable at any time and any speed. The brake, engine and oil lights come on simultaneously and there is no longer power to the gas pedal. The vehicle then has to coast to safety off of the road. This is extremely hazardous and could potentially cause an accident. When applying the brakes during this time it makes a grinding sound as if the emergency brake has been engaged. My vehicle has been to the dealership and numerous of time but they say it’s not a problem.