2011 Kia OPTIMA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 34 complaints (55.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 14.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Engine: 19; Electrical System: 6; Air Bags: 4; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Seats: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 8; 2019: 7; 2023: 1; 2024: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10888077 · 2016-07-25 (July 25, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING (IN FORWARD MOTION), WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO EITHER THE BRAKE OR PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW ITSELF RAPIDLY; AN AUDIBLE RUMBLE CAN BE HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE SLIGHTLY; A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT AND THE WORDS 'CHECK BRAKE' APPEARS IN THE DRIVER'S DIGITAL DISPLAY; ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE INCREASES THE RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SLOW RAPIDLY - NOT IDLE AS IF IT WERE NOT IN GEAR, BUT JUST AS IF THE DRIVER WAS BREAKING SUDDENLY. THE ONLY KNOWN METHOD OF CORRECTING TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11232147 · 2019-07-15 (July 15, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING (IN FORWARD MOTION), WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO EITHER THE BRAKE OR PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SLOW ITSELF RAPIDLY LOSING ACCELERATION.; A RUMBLE CAN BE HEARD THERE IS CONSISTENT BEEPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE SLIGHTLY. A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT AND THE WORDS CHECK BRAKE APPEARS IN THE DRIVERS DISPLAY; ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE INCREASES THE RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SLOW RAPIDLY. NOT IDLE AS IF IT WERE NOT IN GEAR, BUT JUST AS IF THE DRIVER WAS BREAKING SUDDENLY. THE ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11232147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486653 · 2012-12-01 (December 1, 2012)
MY VEHICLE DON'T START EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START IT THE ELECTRICAL SIT MOVES BACK AND FORWARD, I HAVE TO TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME, I AM GETTING SO FRUSTRATED THAT A NEW CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SOMETHING ITS WRONG, NEXT MONTH I WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEN WHAT I GOING TO DO? PLEASE SOME ONE NEED TO CHECK THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS NEW VEHICLE ITS A NIGHTMARE FOR THE CITIZENS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO PAY FOR 4 YEARS A CAR THE I CANT EVEN RELIABLE ON, I AM A BUSY MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN AND THIS PROBLEM IT'…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11061074 · 2018-01-07 (January 7, 2018)
CAR STALLED ALL OF SUDDEN WITH SHUDDER ON ROUTE 7 IN VIRGINIA AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WAS YAKEN INTO PARKING LOT FOR SAFETY REASONS. IN TRYING TO PARK CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS ON FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES THEN RANDOMLY STOPPED. AFTER ANOTHER TEN MINUTES CAR WOULD NOT START AND THEN RANDOMLY STARTED. CAR WAS ASAP DRIVEN WITH ENGINE SHUDDER BACK TO HOME DRIVIEWAY AND PARKED FOR SAFETY. CAR NOW AGAIN WOULD NIT SHUT DOWN AND KEPT RUNNING. ON BITH TIMES WHILE CAR REFUSED TO SHUT DOWN THE GAUGE SHOWED CEHCK ENGINE EPS LIGHT AND INDICATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11061074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10992076 · 2017-05-29 (May 29, 2017)
WHEN DRIVING MY KIA, AS I APPROACH A STOP AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD - ALMOST AS IF A CAR IS HITTING US FROM BEHIND. IT IS FORCEFUL AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. NOW, AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THE CAR HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE STREETS.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11203947 · 2019-04-26 (April 26, 2019)
MY 2011 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAD AN ENGINE FAILURE, CAR KEPT STALLING SO BOUGHT A 300 DOLLAR BATTERY. WELL THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER JUST TO TELL ME THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ENGINE FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES SO WHATS TAKING LONG TO RECALL THESE ENGINE MISHAPS. CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS INFORMED WITH NO HELP WHATSOEVER. SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE COME OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE NEGLECTED ENGINE FAILURES AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11203947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163367 · 2018-12-25 (December 25, 2018)
THERE'S A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING . FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND ON THE FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM . IT APPEARS TO BE A PLASTIC COUPLER IN THE STEERING MOTOR THAT DETERIORATES CAUSING A METAL ON METAL GRINDING. I NOTICED THIS WHILE TURNING AT AT STREET CORNERS OR CHANGING LANES ON HIGHWAY. NHTSA NUMBER: 10090941. THIS APPARENTLY HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE . WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY INFO WAS INCLUDED .
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582463 · 2024-04-11 (April 11, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11582463 at NHTSA ↗