2011 Kia Optima Technical Service Bulletins

228 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2011 Kia Optima. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10094575Jun 6, 2016Engine. Request for reimbursement form: wty004 - if you have paid to have your engine repaired/replaced due to connecting rod failure, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of that expense. Mail this completed request for reimbursement form to kia, along with documentation specified below, for review and consideration to the following address: consumer assistance center, kia motors america, inc., p.o. Box…
• 10094573Jun 6, 2016Engine. Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty004 - effective immediately, kia motors america, inc. Has extended the warranty coverage of the kia new vehicle limited warranty for the short block assembly (engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings and pistons) on all 2011-2014 model year optima vehicles with 2.4l gdi or 2.0l turbo gdi engine to 10 years starting from the date of first service…
• 10183608May 3, 2016Suspension, Equipment. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STABILIZER LINK REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front stabilizer links of some Optima (TF/QF), Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) and Rio (UB) vehicles, which may experience an abnormal noise emanating from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps or uneven pavement.
• 10089422May 3, 2016Suspension. "front stabilizer link replacement - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the front stabilizer links of some optima (tf/qf), optima hybrid (tf hev) and rio (ub) vehicles, which may experience an abnormal noise emanating from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps or uneven pavement. To resolve the noise concern, perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the front stabilizer links…
• 10183431Apr 4, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones.
• 10089476Mar 24, 2016Engine cooling. Owner notification letter (sc126) - dear kia optima owner: kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign to update the software programming on engine control modules on certain 2011 kia optima vehicles.
• 10091952Mar 18, 2016Engine, Engine cooling. This bulletin provides information related to updating the software programming (calibration) of the engine control module (ecm) on some 2011 my optima (tf) vehicles equipped with a 2.4l engine and california emissions, produced from october 14, 2010 through september 9, 2011, which may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions when the vehicle is warming up.
• 10089477Mar 17, 2016Electrical system, Engine. "questions and answers (sc126) – 2011my kia optima vehicles equipped with 2.4l engine and california emissions ecm software update voluntary emissions service campaign"
• 10089475Mar 17, 2016Electrical system, Engine. Dealer service manager memo (sc126) - kia motors america, inc. Is conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign on certain 2011my kia optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4l engine designed to meet california emissions, manufactured from october 14, 2010 through september 9, 2011, to update the software programming for the engine control module (“ecm”), as the vehicles may not be in compliance with carb…
• 10089473Mar 17, 2016Electrical system, Engine. Dealer principal memo (sc126) - kia motors america, inc. Will be conducting a voluntary emissions service campaign on certain 2011 my kia optima vehicles designed to meet california emissions, to update the software programming for the engine control module (“ecm”).
• 10080084Jan 29, 2016Back-over prevention (rear camera). Tsb: rear view camera diagnosis/replacement - this bulletin provides information to diagnose and/or replace the rear view camera of some kia vehicles (see table on pg. 6 for specific models and production dates) which may exhibit inadequate image quality from the rear view camera. Diagnose the concerns using the information in this bulletin and, if necessary, replace the rear view camera with an improved part by…
• 10080087Jan 20, 2016Equipment, Steering, Electrical system. Tsb: ecm upgrade - steering logic improvement - this bulletin provides information related to the mdps ecu software upgrade for some 2011 ~ 2014my optima (tf/qf) vehicles, produced from job #1 through july 27, 2014, which may experience a notchy feel in the steering wheel.
• 10088983Oct 19, 2015Electrical system. Tsb: kds - audio update module (aum) - the gds audio update module (aum) was introduced in fourth quarter of 2013. This special service tool (sst) was developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of updating 2010my, and later, kia audio head units using a gds, and now, the same functionality is available on kds. Some technicians may not be aware of the benefits the aum tool has to offer.
• 10089051Sep 29, 2015Engine. Tsb: proper oil grade / viscosity selection for turbo equipped vehicles - this bulletin provides information related to the proper engine oil grade / viscosity to be used when servicing vehicles equipped with a turbocharger.
• 10116821Aug 12, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - Identifying Head Unit Software Version For Direct Exchange (ELE091) (Rev 1) - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the Direct Exchange Program (see Parts Bulletin 91-961-0005).
• 10089354Aug 12, 2015Electrical system. Tsb: identifying head unit software version for direct exchange - this bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the direct exchange program.
• 10089382Aug 3, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: 6-spd. A/t adaptive value reset /relearn - this bulletin provides the procedures necessary to reset and relearn the adaptive values after transmission replacement or reprogramming/replacement of the pcm/tcm. After the adaptive values are reset, the transmission computer adaptive values must be relearned by driving in a precise manner to “teach” the computer the proper solenoid duty and line pressure for the…
• 10092132Jun 26, 2015Electrical system, Equipment. Tsb: navigation head unit sd card replacement - this bulletin describes the sd card exchange/replacement procedure related to error messages that may be displayed on the navigation screen when the incorrect sd card is inserted. Note: only new models (during pdi inspection or at the point of purchase) or compatibility mismatches that occur after head unit replacement will be considered for this program.
• 10089742Jun 26, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. Tsb: navigation head unit sd card replacement - this bulletin describes the sd card exchange/replacement procedure related to error messages that may be displayed on the navigation screen when the incorrect sd card is inserted. Note: only new models (during pdi inspection or at the point of purchase) or compatibility mismatches that occur after head unit replacement will be considered for this program.
• 10092151Jun 19, 2015Suspension. Pitstop: difficulty assembling strut bearing/insulator - on some optima vehicles, when replacing the strut insulator or strut bearing with new parts you may encounter difficulty installing the new strut bearing into place on the insulator. This condition is due to a change in the design of the strut bearing (a) which results in tighter tolerances between the bearing and insulator. Refer to the procedure below for…
• 10089763Jun 19, 2015Suspension. Pitstop: difficulty assembling strut bearing/insulator - on some optima vehicles, when replacing the strut insulator or strut bearing with new parts you may encounter difficulty installing the new strut bearing into place on the insulator. This condition is due to a change in the design of the strut bearing (a) which results in tighter tolerances between the bearing and insulator. Refer to the procedure below for…
• 10092147Jun 1, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement – multiple dtcs - this bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of various shift solenoids on 6-speed automatic transaxles with dtcs p0741, p0743, p0748, p0753, p0758, p0763, p0768, p0773, p1778 and p2709. Replace the solenoids if current or history codes are present; do not replace the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed…
• 10089761Jun 1, 2015Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement – multiple dtcs - this bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of various shift solenoids on 6-speed automatic transaxles with dtcs p0741, p0743, p0748, p0753, p0758, p0763, p0768, p0773, p1778 and p2709. Replace the solenoids if current or history codes are present; do not replace the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed…
• 10089850May 22, 2015Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). "tech tip: buzzing noise from dash symptom: buzzing noise coming from dash area. Repair: operate the air-temp controls or the vent air position control setting. If the noise stops after adjusting the controls, the noise may be caused by a faulty air temp actuator or air vent position actuator. To resolve this concern, identify which blend actuator is the source of the noise (see image) and replace it."
• 10092102Mar 19, 2015Electrical system, Exterior lighting. Pitstop: stop lamp switch identification matrix (sc098) - kma has received a number of incorrect warranty return parts related to campaign sc098 and has determined that at times dealer staff may have difficulty in quickly and easily identifying the correct switches while ordering parts, preparing to perform the stop lamp replacement or while preparing to return replaced switches to kma (in case of an existing…
• 10092104Mar 6, 2015Electrical system, Equipment. Pitstop: navigation headunit and sd card compatibility - this article provides information in regards to possible compatibility issues between navigation head units and sd cards when replacing head units for multimedia issues. If after replacing a navigation head unit the original sd card does not operate correctly, follow the steps below to diagnose the issue:
• 10089784Feb 5, 2015Equipment, Engine cooling. Tsb: a/c evaporator freeze-up during extended drive - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the evaporator temperature sensor of some optima (tf/qf) and sorento (xma) vehicles (see production dates on page 3), which may experience freezing of condensation on the evaporator core and the following a/c performance related concerns.
• 10109691Jul 8, 2014Steering. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT - Rev 2 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped. This condition may be caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the MDPS.
• 10109673Jun 25, 2014Engine, Equipment. PITSTOP: RESETTING CYLINDER BALANCE ADAPTATION VALUES - When addressing a cylinder balance concern on a vehicle equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine, it is important to note that the DTC may recur after replacement of any faulty component(s) and resetting adaptive values. See this Article for information on resetting cylinder balance adaptation values.
• 10109668Jun 25, 2014Latches, locks and linkages, Electrical system. PITSTOP: HORN ANSWER BACK OR PARKING LAMPS INOP WHEN LOCKING DOORS WITH RKE/SMK FOB - When addressing a customer complaint related to an inoperative parking light confirmation flash, and/or audible answer back when locking the vehicle with the RKE/SMK fob, ensure each door lock position switch (viewable in BCM > Current Data) is displaying the appropriate status and the pad-lid switch (hood switch depressor) is in…
• 10109666Jun 20, 2014Equipment. TSB: TESTING A/C COMPRESSOR FUNCTION USING GDS - This bulletin provides information on a new procedure to test A/C compressor function using the GDS.
• 10109665Jun 11, 2014Steering, Equipment. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped.
• 10109658May 22, 2014Engine cooling. PIT STOP: DTC P0456 AND CHARCOAL CANISTER LEAKS - When addressing a concern related to a DTC P0456 (Evaporative Emissions System ? Small Leak Detected), and an inspection of the vapor lines, connections and fuel cap reveal no abnormalities, closely inspect the mounting holes of the charcoal canister for visible cracks.
• 10109652May 22, 2014Equipment. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT ? DTC P0741 - This bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of the Damper Clutch (D/C) Solenoid on 6-speed automatic transaxles with DTC P0741 (active or history), instead of replacing the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed with the transaxle installed in the vehicle.
• 10109649May 22, 2014Steering. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some of vehicles, which may experience a ?clicking? noise emanating from the MDPS when turning the steering wheel left or right, while stopped. This condition may be caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the MDPS.
• 10109655May 19, 2014Fuel system. PIT 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 into the engine cylinder head assembly. Therefore, it is completely normal for the combustion process to create deposits on the injector spray tip surfaces.
• 10109631Apr 15, 2014Latches, locks and linkages, Body and structure. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL FOR HOOD RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL - This bulletin provides information related to the introduction of a new Special Service Tool (SST) (A) developed to prevent the hood release lever pivot point (B) from being damaged when removing the hood release lever. Follow the instructions included in this bulletin to properly remove the hood release lever using the new SST.
• 10109645Apr 1, 2014Equipment. TECH TIP: HVAC Blower Stuck on High - This article give the procedure to follow when the HVAC Blower is stuck on high.
• 10060214Apr 1, 2014Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10109729Feb 5, 2014Engine, Electrical system. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: OPTIMA (TF) EWGA INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT (SA078) - On some Optima (TF) vehicles with a 2.0 T-GDI engine produced from November 1, 2010 to March 18, 2011, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate with DTC P2562 and/or P2565. Inspect the voltage value for boost pressure actuator position control by using GDS.
• 10091489Dec 6, 2013Transmission and drivetrain. Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia model. Refer to the shop manual on kgis for the specific kia model, then reference the automatic transaxle system/ repair procedures/ inspection and adjustment section for the correct atf check/fill procedures.
• 10060655Nov 15, 2013Equipment, Exterior lighting. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10060653Nov 15, 2013Equipment. Summary to be provided on a future date.
• 10109708Nov 8, 2013Fuel system. TSB: 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 on some Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from September 2010 to December 2011.
• 10109706Oct 9, 2013Engine cooling, Fuel system. TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE INSPECTION - Follow the procedure in this article to properly inspect/clean the oil feed and return lines.
• 10109702Oct 2, 2013Electrical system. TSB: MIL ON WITH DTC P0087 - DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - This bulletin provides information related to some Optima (TF/QF), Sportage (SL), Sorento (XM) and Cadenza (VG) vehicles, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the ECM (Electronic Control Module) system-related DTC P0087.
• 10116825Sep 25, 2013Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. PITSTOP: TF/QF PANORAMA RESET/INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE - This article explains the instructions for resetting the "one-touch" open/close feature of the sunshade and/or panorama sunroof.
• 10116824Sep 5, 2013Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: ECM UPGRADE - MIL ON WITH DTC P0300 AND/OR P0301, P0302, P0303 AND P0304 (SA151) - This bulletin provides information related to the ECM software upgrade for some 2011-2012MY Optima (TF), produced from July 16 ,2010 to January 11, 2012, Optima (QF), produced from August 8, 2011 to January 23, 2012 and 2011-2012MY Sportage (SL), produced from September 3, 2010 to January 7, 2012 vehicles…
• 10054197Sep 1, 2013Fuel system. Kia: 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 bolts would be replaced, if necessary. Model 2011-2014 optima, sportage, sorento, cadenza.
• 10053708Sep 1, 2013Electrical system, Engine cooling. Kia: due to some vehicles experiencing an illumination malfunction indicator lamp (mil), the electronic control module (ecm) system needs to be upgraded and reprogrammed with gds downloads to prevent and/or correct this situation. Models 2011-2012 optima, sportage.

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