NHTSA Complaint #10948147 — 2011 KIA OPTIMA ENGINE

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10948147
Vehicle	2011 KIA OPTIMA
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	December 29, 2016
Date Filed	January 28, 2017
Mileage	127,243 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	MD

Consumer Description

ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE CENTER LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND NEEDS REPLACED. KIA KNOWS ABOUT THESE ENGINES HAVING A PROBLEM YET CONTINUES TO LEAVE THEM OUT THERE. IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED WHEN THEIR ENGINE SEIZES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER.

Related Complaints for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA

Other ENGINE Complaints

#11716837 — February 9, 2026 — I was driving in the highway doing about 80mph passing a semi truck when all of a sudden my vehicle went from 80 down...

#11696271 — October 29, 2025 — I was driving down the road with my 3 sons in the vehicle and all of a sudden the vehicle and engine seized completel...

#11682278 — August 21, 2025 — The Engine locked up while driving down the highway at 60mph. Not possible for inspection vehicle currently broke dow...

#11649717 — March 21, 2025 — The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling...

#11638574 — January 26, 2025 — Engine is knocking with check engine ligh on. Kia has a recall on my car for metal shaving in the engine during manuf...

Recent Complaints for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA

#11717872 — STRUCTURE:BODY — February 13, 2026 — While driving the Kia on the highway (in the passing lane on Route 93, Boston, MA), the hood of the car flew open and...

#11675773 — STRUCTURE:BODY — July 23, 2025 — Paint is peeling off in large pieces despite there being no damage. We have the pearl white color.

#11668296 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — June 21, 2025 — The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are ...

#11668296 — SERVICE BRAKES — June 21, 2025 — The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are ...

#11668296 — WHEELS — June 21, 2025 — The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are ...