Kia Optima 2011–2015
3rd generation · TF (K5 in Korea/China)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20266,097 complaints, 3,557 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 115,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 51 complaints (1.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 9,000
- 25%
- 45,000
- Median
- 81,868
- 75%
- 115,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 292 | 8.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 71 | 2.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 97 | 2.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 51 | 1.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 71 | 2.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 45 | 1.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 78 | 2.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 69 | 1.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 99 | 2.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 93 | 2.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 89 | 2.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 105 | 3.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 139 | 3.9% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 122 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 132 | 3.7% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 149 | 4.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 150 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 147 | 4.1% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 117 | 3.3% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 170 | 4.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 166 | 4.7% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 90 | 2.5% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 115 | 3.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 99 | 2.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 119 | 3.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 84 | 2.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 116 | 3.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 66 | 1.9% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 54 | 1.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 39 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 62 | 1.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 31 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 37 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 28 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 37 | 1.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 15 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 29 | 0.8% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 11 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 19 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 51 | 1.4% |
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.
Owners filed 6,097 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2015 Kia Optima, and 3,557 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 115,000 miles. The median is 81,868 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (35.4% of complaints, typically around 96,000 miles), the steering (10.9% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (8.8% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
10 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine96,000median 96,404 miles, middle half 66,000 to 122,000
- Steering50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 89,000
- Problems owners could not categorise71,000median 71,000 miles, middle half 47,000 to 100,000
- Electrical system80,000median 80,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 108,000
- Body structure64,000median 64,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 96,000
- Fuel and propulsion system85,000median 85,000 miles, middle half 63,000 to 117,000
- Transmission and driveline81,000median 81,300 miles, middle half 36,000 to 108,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,160 | 35.4% | 96,000 | 66,000–122,000 |
| Steering | 662 | 10.9% | 50,000 | 10,000–89,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 535 | 8.8% | 71,000 | 47,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 525 | 8.6% | 80,000 | 46,000–108,000 |
| Body structure | 311 | 5.1% | 64,000 | 40,000–96,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 239 | 3.9% | 85,000 | 63,000–117,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 212 | 3.5% | 81,000 | 36,000–108,000 |
| Brakes | 210 | 3.4% | 50,000 | 13,000–85,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 200 | 3.3% | 78,000 | 52,000–114,000 |
| Airbag system | 181 | 3.0% | 84,000 | 60,000–113,000 |
Which systems, and when
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 81,868 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 35.4% of complaints (2,160 reports, 1,335 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,404 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 66,000 and 122,125 miles.
A single system taking 35.4% 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 10.9% of complaints (662 reports, 459 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.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.8% of complaints (535 reports, 199 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,000 and 100,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.6% of complaints (525 reports, 263 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 107,500 miles.
Body structure accounts for 5.1% of complaints (311 reports, 105 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 96,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 3.9% of complaints (239 reports, 118 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 62,609 and 117,284 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 1,878 complaints — while 2011 drew the fewest at 775. The median year sits at 1,263.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 10 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.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (3), the fuel system (2), body structure (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
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.
Reported severity
Of the 6,097 complaints filed against this generation, 243 reported a crash; 513 reported a fire; 217 reported an injury; 13 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
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 81,868. 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.
Documented problems
Engine 2011–2015
Theta II 2.4L GDI and 2.0L turbo GDI connecting-rod bearing failure. Metal debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during machining at Hyundai's Alabama plant restricts oil to the rod bearings; the bearings wear, producing a knock, then seizure, stalling, and in some cases fire. Addressed by NHTSA recalls 15V-568 and 17V-224 among others, a knock-sensor detection system software update, and warranty extension to 15 years/150,000 miles. NHTSA assessed Hyundai and Kia a combined $210 million in civil penalties in 2020 over the handling of these recalls.
Body/Glass 2011–2015
Panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattering; subject of NHTSA investigation and Kia service action.
Steering
Electric power steering column motor and torque sensor faults causing sudden loss of assist.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 775 | 546 |
| 2012 | 1,263 | 860 |
| 2013 | 1,878 | 1,048 |
| 2014 | 786 | 437 |
| 2015 | 1,395 | 666 |
Recalls (10)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | 2024-03-29 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module |
| 22V560000 | 2022-09-26 | Structure:body:roof and Pillars |
| 22V093000 | 2022-08-02 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 21V331000 | 2021-07-02 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module |
| 20V519000 | 2020-10-20 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module |
| 20V100000 | 2020-06-12 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 18V907000 | 2019-01-17 | Engine |
| 18V363000 | 2018-09-28 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module |
| 17V224000 | 2017-06-20 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 13V114000 | 2013-04-19 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
What owners reported
Purchased a new 2011 Kia Optima sx with premium touring package. The car has pulled to the left since i bought it. Seems to be more noticeable the faster you go. At highway speeds on a straight road i will be in the next lane in a second or two upon letting go of the steering regardless of which side of the road crown…
2011 · 10 miles · Steering
The owners manual, section 3, page 8 describes the "forward and backward adjustment" of the headrests in the 2011 Kia Optima. The head rests do not adjust as described in the manual. Kia customer service explains this as a "typographical error." The problem is that the head rest is designed so that it thrusts…
2011 · 11 miles · Seats
The first episode was a dead battery. The car had 13 miles on the odometer. The second incident, car would not start, ignition issue, but later started (after 1hr). Taken to dealer, secondary to ignition issues. Problem resolved until today. Would not start again. Tried two different key fobs and still did not…
2011 · 13 miles · Electrical system
Purchased a new 2011 vehicle, when we purchased the vehicle i went to the parts dept. And ask that the order some seat belt extenders for me. The manager said he would after 5 weeks i called the parts dept. He told me they have not come in yet. Another week goes by then i get a call from the regional parts manager…
2011 · 25 miles · Seat belts
Built from 3,557 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page