Optima (TF)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
DOHC T-GDI THETA-II
2.4L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
DOHC MPI THETA II
2.4LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Kia Optima Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
DOHC GDI THETA II
2.4LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
T-GDI THETA II
2.4L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2015 Kia Optima
That's about 4.4x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Above peer average — but high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints, so check the issue mix below before drawing conclusions.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 153 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2011] THIS IS UPDATE TO ODI #10453907. OPTIMA HYBRID STILL EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS PROBLEMS. LATEST IS AT COLD START, WHEN IT STARTS IN EV MODE, SYSTEM INDICATES READY, SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, CAR DOESN'T MOVE. IF WE TURN IT OFF AND RE-START IT, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DASH ICON INDICATES HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AT RE-START LIGHT GOES OFF. DEALER CAN FIND NO TROUBLE CODES STOR
- [2011] AFTER 1-2 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER COLD START, ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV UP BUT CAR COME TO ROLLING STOP. AS IF NO POWER IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE SYSTEM. THEN TURN CAR OFF FOR A MINUTE, RESTART AND CAR RUNS OKAY. DASH ICON INDICATES TROUBLE WITH HYBRID SYSTEM. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE FIRST INCIDENT. DEALER FINDS NOTHING WRONG. CAUSES AN EXTREME HAZARD WHEN IT H
- [2012] While in park and driving the instrument panel will show, "Check Brake" and "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive". This is accompanied by the engine not responding to the gas pedal. The brake pedal will also loose pressure and once pushed the brakes will lock up making a grinding noise. The problem has not been able to be duplicated by the dealer. However there are multiple forms a
Electric Propulsion
- [2011] WHILE OPERATING AT 65+ MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE MY KIA OPTIMA HYBRID HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING MY CAR TO HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. I HAD TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THIS. THIS ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 97300 MILES, WHICH WOULD STILL BE UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAD I BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER. A LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS
- [2012] The failure involves the component covered under the active safety recall campaign. The affected part/system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by the manufacturer, dealership, or NHTSA. Recall number : 23V6552 While driving in traffic, the vehicle suddenly began to slow down without warning, started jerking, and lost normal operation. I was forced to p
- [2012] MY VEHICLE HAS 75,583. I received a recall for 3 items and made an appointment and took the car in for the work. I noticed that their wasa slight dead spot in the centeing of the steering and asked if there was any adjustmen. I was told there wasn't but they would check it because there was a known problem thith the plastic gear in the electric motor's connection to the rack that wears out and can
Thermal Events
- [2012] The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 mph when a noise coming from the engine compartment was heard and saw smoke emitting from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over and upon investigation, a fire was underneath the engine compartment. The contact waited until the fire was extinguished naturally and the fire department was not called. The contact
- [2012] I'D HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES W/ MY VEHICLE, WHATSOEVER & ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IS DONE ON TIME. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY & SUDDENLY ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON & LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FEW DAYS, IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, BY THE SERVICE TEAM THAT MY ENGINE WAS SHOT, BUT I WASN'T GIV
- [2012] FIRST, I WAS ON IN A ROAD TRIP TO ARIZONA FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE AND SMELLED LIKE OIL WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND LOST ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED MORE OIL WHEN MY LIGHT NEVER CAME ON AND I STILL HAD 1000MI LEFT UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. SO THEY PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGE AFTER
High-Voltage Battery
- [2014] It has problems with: High voltage battery voltage sensor circuit, the computer displays a code which is P1B74 and the car's dashboard displays a problem with the hybrid system and the initials HEV
- [2014] I EXPERIENCE A BMS WARNING LIGHT ON MY HYBRID VEHICLE INDICATING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND DO NOT DRIVE. THIS HAPPEN ON THE FAST LANE OF THE 14 FREEWAY IN ACTON CA. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HYBRID COOLANT A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND A HYBRID DRIVE BELT REPLACED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM. THE UPDATE OF THE PROGRAM I WOULD OF NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE ONLY DEALERS ARE AWAR
- [2014] AT DRIVING SPEED (ABOUT 50 MPH), VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAS BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ERROR. THE VEHICLE HAS LOSS OF POWER AND SAYS THAT IT MUST BE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF. THIS ERROR HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE - THE ERROR OCCURS OUT OF THE BLUE AND LOSS OF POWER IS VERY DANGEROUS.
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2013] I am writing to formally report a dangerous safety defect involving the braking system and the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) on my 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. While operating the vehicle, severe warning lights illuminated on the dashboard indicating an immediate braking system and stability control failure. A diagnostic scan revealed active fault code C1237, pointing specifically to a prima
- [2013] Car cuts off while driving almost causing a accident. The brakes randomly stop working while driving also. The code says P1777 relating to the transmission/ hybrid system. Kia dealerships are charging customers to diagnosis their vehicles. Eventhough they already know this is a common problem with the hybrid cars. Also the 12v battery and hybrid battery needs to be replaced every 2 years, which is
- [2014] While driving my car I will get a sign that pops up flashing says “check hybrid system stop vehicle and turn off engine” with a HEV inside of a yellow triangle. Some times it will go off on its own but most times I have to pull over turn my car off and then once I start it back it’s fine. Some times my car will loose power but no too often. It’s very unsafe and happens randomly. I also notice that
Charging System
- [2012] I was driving down the street and smelt somethinf burning and the car lost power and was driving slow I pulled over and it smelled like burent. Now the car has no power, wont charge the hybrid battery and has a load knockinf noise
- [2012] THE KIA GAVE NO WARNING ABOUT THE CAR HAVING ISSUES ABOUT THE ENGINE WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IT GAVE ME THE ERROR HYBRID BATTERY NOT CHARGING TO PULL OVER AND STOP DRIVING WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE HYBRID THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE THE CAR TURNS ON PUT WONT MOVE EVEN IF I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE IT WON'T MOVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT THE HYBRID BATTER NO
- [2012] I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 WHEN MY CAR DIED AND I COULD NOT EVEN PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME AND MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH THE KIA DEALER HERE IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA. AFTER WAITING FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE ENGINE FAILED AND THEY WOULD SEND PAPER WORK TO SEE IF THE WAR
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Optima, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2011-2015 Kia Optima
On a used 2011-2015 Kia Optima, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (2,396), the steering (686) and the electrical system (645). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2,396 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima about the engine.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 686 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima about the steering.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 645 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 414 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima about the brakes.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 318 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima about the body and structure.
- Drive slowly in a parking lot and note each time the engine starts and stops.Costly repair. NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Kia Optima (hybrid and electric versions only) about the hybrid system.
Recalls (11)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Show 6 older recalls
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2015 Kia Optima complaints?
Owners have filed 4,729 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2015 Kia Optima. The systems they name most often are the engine, the steering and the electrical system.
Is the 2011-2015 Kia Optima a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 4,729 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2015 Kia Optima. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2015 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA has 4,729 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2015 Kia Optima as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2011-2015 Kia Optima?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2011-2015 Kia Optima vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Kia Optima?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the steering and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Optima?
The 2015 Kia Optima received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,729 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.