2011 Kia Optima Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 4%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the fuel system of the 2011 Kia Optima, 4% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I go to fill up with fuel it won't allow me to pump but very little fuel before it spills out. I have to put very little in at a time before the pump clicks off. I haven't been able to completely fill up my tank since may without it taking 45 mins or so and it spilling out. I was parked at the gas station when this happened, with the car off.”
NHTSA complaint #11396380, filed 2021-02, 170,000 miles“I was driving my car on a highway at traffic time when I noticed a small gas odor my brakes got really hard after that I pulled to the emergency lane and when I pull the handle to open my hood smoke and flames immediately came out, the car its trash now police took it to impound because of the fluids the car was leaking and safety issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11413542, filed 2021-04, 180,000 miles“Bought the car january of 2018.28 days of having the vehicle and I got a flat tire and come to find out my strut was never properly installed and thats what popped my tire.dan obrien tried to deny having a warranty to fix the car saying it was my fault.it was covered under warranty. I had to buy the new tire. When the recall for the engine came out,I took my car right in. They passed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11219262, filed 2019-06, 101,700 miles“Takata recall as soon as I turn the key the airbag light shows up, steady. It is on all the time, whether I am stationary or in motion. I have no idea if the airbags even work. There are also issues with the electrical system as the door often unlocks on its own, alarm goes off on it's own, lights flash inside every time I make a turn, left or right and the radio spazzes out”
NHTSA complaint #10979742, filed 2017-04, 84,000 miles“Takata recall I was driving about 65mph on I-95 south back home to fl from visiting my family in sc when I started to smell gasoline fumes in my moving vehicle. I woke my girlfriend up and asked if she smelt it as well. She stated 'yeah, I can smell gas a little bit.' then I rolled the window down and the smell became extremely strong. I started to feel light headed and took the immediate exit (exit 33). I pulled into an exxon station and parked my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11176280, filed 2019-02, 89,843 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186044Jan 12, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB / SERVICE ACTION: AIR FILTER AND NVLD REPLACEMENT (SA447) - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an evaporative leak test…
- 10152915Jan 18, 2019TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides…
- 10127029Dec 13, 2017TSB - SERVICE ACTION: TURBO OIL FEED LINE REPLACEMENT (SA300) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the turbo oil feed line on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), produced…
- 10109655May 19, 2014PIT STOP: GDI INJECTOR SPRAY TIP DEPOSITS - A design feature of vehicles equipped with a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system is the placement of each fuel injector directly…
- 10109708Nov 8, 2013TSB: FUEL FILLER DOOR INSPECTION AND UPGRADE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure for inspecting and repairing a potential concern with the fuel filler door operation…
- 10109706Oct 9, 2013TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE INSPECTION - Follow the procedure in this article to properly inspect/clean the oil feed and return lines.
- 10054197Sep 1, 2013Kia: a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminates with electronic control module (ecm) system and to correct concern, high pressure fuel pump, fuel delivery pipe and mounting…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | 9% |
| 2019 | 18 | 8% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 22 | 9% |
| 2016 | 62 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 123 | 9% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% |
| 2003 | 12 | 9% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Kia Optima
256 complaintsSteering
100 complaintsExterior lighting
88 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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