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Kia Optima 2011–2015 problems by year and mileage

3rd generation · TF (K5 in Korea/China)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20264,728 complaints, 2,869 with mileageMethod

A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

• 201190kmedian
• 201281kmedian
• 201382k†median
• 201468k†median
• 201579k†median

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2011 reports latest and the 2014 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2011 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

The short answer

“Is the 2011–2015 Kia Optima reliable?”

Median of reported failures

81,000 mi

90% of reports came by

145,000 mi

Reports with mileage

2,869

Recalls

11

At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported

1. Engine48.6% of complaints · median 96,000 mi
2. Steering14.5% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
3. Electrical system12.4% of complaints · median 79,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

• Engine2011–2015
• Body/Glass2011–2015
• Steering

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 4,728 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2015 Kia Optima; the engine leads with 48.6% of them, and half of the 2,869 that record an odometer reading came by 81,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 115,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2011–2015 Kia Optima last?

Figure 1 · Kia Optima 2011–2015 · 2,869 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 242 complaints.

242182121610

8.4% of all reports fall between 0 and 5,000 miles

25k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k

• Rest of the range
• Median
• 200,000+ — 40 complaints (1.4%), plotted separately

10%

9,000

25%

45,000

Median

81,000

75%

115,000

90%

145,000

Tallest bin: 242 complaints between 0 and 5,000 miles. Based on 2,869 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers

Complaints by mileage bin

Mileage	Complaints	Share
0–5,000	242	8.4%
5,000–10,000	55	1.9%
10,000–15,000	68	2.4%
15,000–20,000	44	1.5%
20,000–25,000	52	1.8%
25,000–30,000	35	1.2%
30,000–35,000	67	2.3%
35,000–40,000	62	2.2%
40,000–45,000	81	2.8%
45,000–50,000	68	2.4%
50,000–55,000	81	2.8%
55,000–60,000	83	2.9%
60,000–65,000	115	4.0%
65,000–70,000	99	3.5%
70,000–75,000	102	3.6%
75,000–80,000	119	4.1%
80,000–85,000	124	4.3%
85,000–90,000	122	4.3%
90,000–95,000	96	3.3%
95,000–100,000	135	4.7%
100,000–105,000	132	4.6%
105,000–110,000	74	2.6%
110,000–115,000	91	3.2%
115,000–120,000	79	2.8%
120,000–125,000	96	3.3%
125,000–130,000	69	2.4%
130,000–135,000	90	3.1%
135,000–140,000	52	1.8%
140,000–145,000	49	1.7%
145,000–150,000	35	1.2%
150,000–155,000	51	1.8%
155,000–160,000	27	0.9%
160,000–165,000	30	1.0%
165,000–170,000	20	0.7%
170,000–175,000	27	0.9%
175,000–180,000	11	0.4%
180,000–185,000	21	0.7%
185,000–190,000	10	0.3%
190,000–195,000	12	0.4%
195,000–200,000	3	0.1%
200,000+	40	1.4%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Optima problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Kia Optima 2011–2015

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

System0–12,000 mi factory-defect window12,000 mi and beyond wear and service lifeMedian

1. Steering684 reports50,00010,000–89,000Steering: 684 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 89,000 miles.
2. Body structure315 reports63,00040,000–95,000Body structure: 315 reports, median 63,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 95,000 miles.
3. Problems owners could not categorise561 reports70,00047,000–100,000Problems owners could not categorise: 561 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 47,000 to 100,000 miles.
4. Electrical system588 reports79,00046,000–105,000Electrical system: 588 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 105,000 miles.
5. Transmission and driveline237 reports79,00035,000–107,000Transmission and driveline: 237 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 107,000 miles.
6. Fuel and propulsion system252 reports85,00060,000–117,000Fuel and propulsion system: 252 reports, median 85,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 117,000 miles.
7. Engine2,296 reports96,00065,000–122,000Engine: 2,296 reports, median 96,000 miles, middle half 65,000 to 122,000 miles.

5001k2k5k10k20k50k100k200k

• Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table

Complaints by vehicle system

System	Complaints	Share	Median	25–75%
Engine	2,296	48.6%	96,000	65,000–122,000
Steering	684	14.5%	50,000	10,000–89,000
Electrical system	588	12.4%	79,000	46,000–105,000
Problems owners could not categorise	561	11.9%	70,000	47,000–100,000
Body structure	315	6.7%	63,000	40,000–95,000
Fuel and propulsion system	252	5.3%	85,000	60,000–117,000
Transmission and driveline	237	5.0%	79,000	35,000–107,000
Brakes	224	4.7%	47,000	9,500–85,000
Exterior lighting	204	4.3%	78,000	52,000–113,000
Airbag system	193	4.1%	84,000	52,000–109,000

System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 81,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The engine accounts for 48.6% of complaints (2,296 reports, 1,459 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 122,000 miles.

A single system taking 48.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.

The steering accounts for 14.5% of complaints (684 reports, 478 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 50,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 89,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 12.4% of complaints (588 reports, 317 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 105,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.9% of complaints (561 reports, 219 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,000 and 100,000 miles.

Body structure accounts for 6.7% of complaints (315 reports, 109 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 95,000 miles.

The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 5.3% of complaints (252 reports, 123 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 117,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2011–2015 Optima

Before you buy a 2011–2015 Optima: the 3-minute check

Generated from 2,869 mileage-tagged complaints, 11 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 45,000 and 115,000 miles, with a median of 81,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the engine and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The steering in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Optima problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

Your odometer, milesGo

Figure 3 · Kia Optima 2011–2015 · 2,869 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

100%75%50%25%0%

25k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k

• 60,000 mi — 33% of reports below
• 90,000 mi — 56% of reports below
• 120,000 mi — 78% of reports below
• 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
• 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
• Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
• Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.4% of reports (40) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2011–2015 Kia Optima recalls (11)

NHTSA records 11 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

3 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.

The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (3), the fuel system (2), the engine (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

1. Sep 2023 · 2011–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

   The 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…

   What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

   The free fix. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 23V-652 (2023-09-25).

2. Aug 2022 · 2012–2013 · StructureA plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

   The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.

   What can happen. A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

   The free fix. Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…

   NHTSA campaign 22V-560 (2022-08-01).

3. Feb 2022 · 2013–2014 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

   The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.

   What can happen. A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire.

   The free fix. Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-33-4542. Kia's number for this…

   NHTSA campaign 22V-093 (2022-02-17).

4. May 2021 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

   The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

   What can happen. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

   The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing…

   NHTSA campaign 21V-331 (2021-05-10).

5. Dec 2020 · 2011–2013 · EngineAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

   The 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.

   What can happen. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

   The free fix. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 20V-750 (2020-12-02).

6. Aug 2020 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideIf the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

   The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

   What can happen. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

   The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles…

   NHTSA campaign 20V-519 (2020-08-27).

7. Feb 2020 · 2013–2014 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

   The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine…

   What can happen. If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

   The free fix. Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be…

   NHTSA campaign 20V-100 (2020-02-21).

8. Dec 2018 · 2011–2015 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

   The defect. 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…

   What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

   The free fix. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 18V-907 (2018-12-19).

9. Jun 2018 · 2011–2013 · Air BagsIf the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the…

   The 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…

   What can happen. 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…

   The free fix. 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…

   NHTSA campaign 18V-363 (2018-06-01).

10. Mar 2017 · 2011–2014 · Engine and Engine CoolingBearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. 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.

    What can happen. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-224 (2017-03-31).

11. Apr 2013 · 2011 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 13V-114 (2013-04-01).

Some of these 11 campaigns also cover Kia Sorento 2011–2015 (7 of them), Kia Sportage 2011–2016 (5 of them) and Kia Forte 2010–2013 (4 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 3 of the 11 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,728 complaints against this generation:

Crashes

160 (3.4%)

Fires

352

Injury reports

106

Fatality reports

8

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

Optima problems by model year

The 2013 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,437, most of them about the engine, and the 2014 the fewest, 616. A typical year drew about 1,020.

† At least 40% of this year’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. Its median rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

What Optima owners reported

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the battery being drained from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) remaining on while the vehicle was turned off. After recharging the battery, the HECU made a buzzing sound while the battery was no longer…

2013 · 111,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that a quart of oil was added every 600 miles. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the engine with a rebuilt engine under an unknown…

2014 · 40,000 miles · Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH.…

2013 · 180,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that for over 8 years, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that there was an oil leak on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several…

2015 · 123,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system

Built from 2,869 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other Optima generations

• Optima 2001–2005 575 reports with mileage, most about latches and locks
• Optima 2006–2010 524 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
• Optima 2016–2020 553 reports with mileage, most about the engine

Other midsize cars from the same years

• Chrysler 200 2011–2014
• Hyundai Sonata 2011–2014
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