2011 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 4%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Kia Optima, 4% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I was driving on the street at 40mph when I saw light smoke coming from under the hood I pulled over to get my two kids and myself out of the car shortly after we got out of the car flames started coming from under the hood I then called 911 for the fire department to come put the flames out when they finally did the whole car was burnt to a crisp”
NHTSA complaint #11166761, filed 2019-01, 96,453 miles“My passenger front door keeps going out of alignment. I have had it re-aligned many times. My body shop has informed me that the hinges need to be replaced. This is a safety issue , if the door is not aligned it may open at anytime. I have informed Kia , they have refused to assist me with this issue. Please assist me with this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11020452, filed 2017-08, 50,000 miles“While driving to work early in the morning, traveling at about 55-60 MPH,without warning a startling sound like an explosion, once I realized it wasn't a tire blowout, I pulled over to find a hole in my roof. Thankfully I was alone and my children wasn't with me and no other vehicles were on the road at that time.”
NHTSA complaint #11056663, filed 2017-12, 96,000 miles“Vehicle was driven a mile to a commuter rail station for a drop off and back home. Nothing unusual was noted during the short trip nor had any problems been observed in the days leading up to the incident. Shortly after parking the vehicle on the 5th floor of the parking garage and entering the residence, the complex fire alarms actuated and all residents were advised to evacuate without entering the community parking garage. Shortly thereafter, I was notified by the complex manager via my cell phone that my car was on fire in the garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572612, filed 2014-03, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10109874Dec 6, 2016TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional…
- 10109877Dec 5, 2016Questions and answers for voluntary service campaign sc141 ? Underbody ? Additional anti-corrosion treatment
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- 10109875Dec 5, 2016DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
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 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 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 27, 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