2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

47

Owner Complaints

2 Crashes 4 Fires

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

25

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

The 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID has received a total of 47 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, ENGINE. 25 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (19 complaints), Electrical System (6 complaints), and Air Bags (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID, potentially affecting up to 4,262,727 vehicles.

Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

| 1,730,192 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

| 1,730,192 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 20V750000 — ENGINE

| 294,756 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the...

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Recall 18V363000 — AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

| 507,587 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

47 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11627468 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | | N/A miles
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 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.
#11596463 | ENGINE | | 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was cleaned and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer and failed to restart. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and to Kia Campaign Number: SC200. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
#11596463 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | | 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was cleaned and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer and failed to restart. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and to Kia Campaign Number: SC200. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
#11584874 | ENGINE | | 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the message "Stop Vehicle" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle had stalled and shut off on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 30,000.
#11582463 | STEERING | | 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became stiff. The “Steering Assist Fault” messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear had failed. The dealer was contacted for a second opinion, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

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Safety Rating for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

Kia America, Inc. has issued 25 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SC208_STKR — EQUIPMENT

SC208_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION STICKER

SC208_STKR — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

SC208_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION STICKER

SC208_POC — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SC208_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD

SC208_POC — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SC208_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD

PS629 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PITSTOP 629: ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR PARTIAL REPAIR PARTS AVAILABILITY - This Pitstop provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV/EV), Soul (PS EV) and Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV) vehicles. Note: The A/C compressor assembly is no longer available for...

PS629 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

PITSTOP 629: ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR PARTIAL REPAIR PARTS AVAILABILITY - This Pitstop provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV/EV), Soul (PS EV) and Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV) vehicles. Note: The A/C compressor assembly is no longer available for...

WTY014_DP — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WTY014: This document is the Dealer Principal Notification advising of the Warranty Extension Program for the Headlamp Assembly on 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.

WTY014_QA — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WTY014_QA: This document is the Question and Answer guide for the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly for the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.

WTY014_QA — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WTY014_QA: This document is the Question and Answer guide for the warranty extension on the Headlamp Assembly for the 2011-2013 MY Optima and Optima HEV vehicles.

TSBELE019_CLOSED — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB: SERVICE ACTION: OPTIMA HEV HYBRID COOLING FAN RESISTOR REPLACEMENT (SA094) - CLOSED

Showing 10 of 25 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the KIA OPTIMA HYBRID

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Other KIA Models

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