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2011 Kia Optima: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Optima, most recently filed September 2023. Owners have filed 593 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 brake · 2 engine · 1 air bag Source: NHTSA Complaints 593filed Owner reports, 2007–2016 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 5★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 27mpg combined $2,419/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 3 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Optima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V652000 Filed Sep 25, 2023

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
32.4% repairedof 1,730,192 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V652000
Listed for 2011 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V907000 Filed Dec 19, 2018

High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
65.5% repairedof 71,653 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V907000
Listed for 2011 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V363000 Filed Jun 1, 2018

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

Air bags · air bag/restraint control module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Consequence
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
44.5% repairedof 507,587 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V363000
Listed for 2011 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V224000 Filed Mar 31, 2017

Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Consequence
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
67.5% repairedof 618,160 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V224000
Listed for 2011 Kia Optima. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V114000 Filed Apr 1, 2013

Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Repair progress not yet reported980,377 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V114000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Optima years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Kia OptimaAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (593)

593 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

23involved a crash
33involved a fire
19injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Optima, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 593.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other Optima years

Best and worst Optima years →
167 144 116 75 593 919 1,383 586 1,009 756
2007200820092010201120122013201420152016
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 3★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 9.6%★★★★★
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2011 Kia Optima 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
23
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Kia Optima configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26$2,600342

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 Optima for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Optima years

Where to next

Which Optima years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2012 Kia Optima report919 complaints · 5 campaigns →2010 Kia Optima report75 complaints · 1 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2011 Kia Optima FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Optima have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 23V652000 (brake), 18V907000 (engine), 18V363000 (air bag), 17V224000 (engine), 13V114000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Kia Optima problems?

Owners filed 593 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (256), Steering (100), Exterior lighting (88) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Kia Optima get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 23 city, 33 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2011 Kia Optima get?

NHTSA rated the 2011 Kia Optima 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.6% rollover risk).

How does the 2011 Optima compare with other years?

Among the 2007–2016 Kia Optima model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (75) and the 2013 the most (1,383). The 2011 drew 593. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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