general problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima

17 problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2011 Kia Motor Optima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima based on all problems reported for the 2011 Optima.

1 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/19/2024

After getting hecu recall done , it has caused issues with the hecu module to where the brake lights no longer work and the esc light comes on the cluster panel. Up on reading the code c2130, it says brake lamp relay error. Mind you that my car was in working order before this recall was even done. This a huge safety issue not having your brake lights work. I can get rear-ended and I have kids in the car. This has been a issue since July when I got the recall done and kia has yet to find a fix for this matter.

2 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2020

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 compensaci�n 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 est�bamos 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 .

3 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 06/29/2020

The kia Optima 2011 motor no longer works and smoke keeps coming out when it's on and turned off after driving from the exhaust on the drivers side. The accelerator pedal gets stuck and doesn't seem to want to make the change in transmission. I took the car to two different mechanics and both of them come out with the same diagnose. Was told that the car is a recalled car because it is to soon for the motor to be shutting down since it only has 81,000 miles and it's not an old car. The suspension is also not in properly.

4 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 02/11/2020

18v363 17220 it has made a loud clanking/knocking noise. It stalled then completly died once I got off the main highway and wouldnt crank again. It uses an awful lot of oil. Upon first oil change it had shards of metal in it. The place I got the vehicle from says they put new motor in it among other things but I havent seen in change in things other than it doesnt smoke under the hood while idling.

5 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2019

While on my way to pick up my daughter from school at around between 1 and 2 oclock pm I was stopped at a 4 way stop at GA hwy 225 in springplace , as I proceeded through the 4 way while in motion I hear and feel a sudden jolt to my vehicle and I skid to a stop thank god it had just went through the stop sign and did not gain any speed. I exited the vehicle and glanced underneath thinking that I had hit something, instead I noticed that my motor and transmission where no longer connected to my vehicle on the driver side but they where laying almost on the ground. I had to call a tow truck to have my car towed home and make arrangements for my daughter. My vehicle was one on the list that had a recall on the motor the replacement motor was installed around March of 2017. It has not showed any signs of trouble until this.

6 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 11/29/2018

2011 kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to airbag control unit safety recall.

7 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 11/22/2017

My car cut off in the middle of the street causing a accident.

8 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/24/2015

When driving on the highway 55mph or higher steering wheel has a loud knock and pulls left. It is very dangerous to drive because the steering wheel is uncontrollable. When in park and turning the wheel it makes the knocking noise also.

9 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2012

We bought our car last year , 5 months after we got the car , when I was driving it the vehicle dynamic control (vdc) light turn on and the car shaking very bad and we can not handle the car right and the break its not working well, its very very scary. The only thing that we can do we turn the vdc light off, its gonna be ok for couple days , and again it happens. After that I took the car to fairfax kia in virgina the didn't believe me and they said when they test drive the car it didn't happened to them, so it happens for me almost 7 times and every time they when I took it back to the service they said the same thing. I have no idea what should I do, somebody needs to fix this problem, if something happened to me what should I do? Kia Motor in responsible for that.

10 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2011

First noticed abnormal tire ware on the outside edge of the front right tire, took to dealership. Was told that the vehicle was out of the adjustment period. So I had to pay for an alignment. Received the spec sheets after. The alignment was out . 15 degrees rf, . 01 degrees lf, . 19 degrees lr, . 13 degrees rr. Vehicle was set back to factory settings, and dealership blamed the mis alignment on michigan roads. Car was set to have the alignment checked 1500 miles later or 30 days. 2nd time in the shop for alignment check and was out . 09 degrees lf, . 11 degrees rf, . 02 degrees lr, . 04 degrees rr. Dealership set the alignment back to factory specs. Car again was set 30 days later or 1500 miles for another alignment check and was out once again. . 21 degrees lf, . 13 degrees rf, . 26 degrees lr, . 02 degrees rr. At this time the mileage was 22300. After the 3rd time to the dealer and taking their advice to give them the chance to fix the problem. In the end , the dealer said that there was nothing wrong with the car, yet every time it was there the alignment had to be adjusted and put back to factory settings. As you can see by the number of degree changes, more than . 05 degrees is astronomical when it comes to toe settings on any car. This car has a 100,000 mile warranty, yet kia, nor the dealership is standing behind the product, they manufacture or sell!.

11 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2011

2011 kia Optima. Consumer states problems with vehicle steering the consumer stated the steering would often veer to the left and then to the right.

12 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2011

I purchased my Optima sx turbo with less than 50 miles on it. I got the turbo with 274 hp because it was the closest I could get to a hot rod with four doors. I have send this information to kia in hopes of resolution. The car's acceleration is fantastic, especially from 40-50 with gas peddle floored. Here is the problem. The front end rises and the weight shift makes the car feel like you are about to pull a wheelie. At this point I question the traction of the front tires. It cannot be the same as with no severe acceleration. This takes away the reason I bought the car with this specific engine. Also think about this scenario. A family is driving this car on the highway in the rain. They want to pass an 18 wheeler going up a grade. Acceleration is increased and with weight shifted back off the front wheels, they crash. The car needs either stiffer suspension or ability to change the suspension. When I floor it, the weight ratios over all wheels must not change.

13 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 08/19/2011

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle consistently pulled to the left. The contact had the dealer perform an alignment twice and both the struts and the bolts were replaced. The dealer insisted that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, but the contact believed there was some type of defect. The failure mileage was 347 and the current mileage was 3,672. Updated 12/12/lj updated 01/23/jb.

14 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 05/18/2011

Purchased a 2011 kia Optima lx on 5/18/11. Car constantly pulled left so bad that you would end up into oncoming traffic on a two lane road in you didn't continually correct to the right. Had the dealer align vehicle to factory specs with no change. Took car back to dealer who realigned to new specs received from kia tech support. Vehicle now only has a tendency to pull left but will drift left if you take your hands off of the steering wheel. Dealer test drove the car again and claims the vehicle drives better than a new one on the lot. Dealer said they couldn't do anything else for me and referred me to kia consumer relations.

15 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 05/02/2011

I am also having the left pull issue with my 2011 kia Optima. I alerted the dealer as soon as it left the lot and took the car in for service on 5/2/11. Spoke with the service tech today (5/4) and he said that all of the alignment specs were within factory standards but the car is still pulling left. Currently awaiting guidance from kia's corporate engineers. This presents a clear danger as the car will switch lanes unless constant pressure is put on the steering wheel.

16 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2011

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle would veer towards the left while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions and a camber kit was installed on the suspension but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 500.

17 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2011

Car pulls to left 100% of the time. Car has been inspected by kia service and meets all factory specs. This appears to be a design flaw. Kia requires all 2011 Optima's to be realigned prior to being sold. Customer service rep. Said that one of her tec. Reps. Drives a 2011 Optima and it also pulls left.


Other Suspension related problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Optima


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Optima Defect Investigations