Skip to content
BrakesPart report

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Brakes Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
15%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
98,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, 15% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11232147, filed 2019-07, 98,000 miles

“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 this is to turn the vehicle off and restart it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10888077, filed 2016-07, 91,500 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11596463, filed 2024-06, 131,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11627468, filed 2024-11

“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11557251, filed 2023-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017415%
201413%
20131629%
20121211%
2011515%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
19 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology