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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
12%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, 12% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.

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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10992076, filed 2017-05, 68,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11061074, filed 2018-01, 66,000 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 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

“When applying gas pedal to pull away from a dead stop--such as a stop sign or red light---car stumbles and hesitates. At times car will not even respond when gas pedal is pushed. Push the gas pedal and nothing happens--then you push pedal a bit more and it jerks and shoots forward. Not a comfortable situation when trying to pull into traffic from a intersection. Happens virtually every time. Cold or warmed up--same problem--except a lot worse at cold start. Once above 30 mpg things smooth out--but the big danger is trying to pull out into traffic. I have been to the dealer several times. …”

NHTSA complaint #10483749, filed 2012-11, 100 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017312%
201518%
2014310%
2013713%
2012109%
2011412%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

Engine
19 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
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