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2011 Kia Optima LX Auto

The 2011 Kia Optima LX Auto is a 200-hp inline-4 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $20,700 MSRP and is rated at 27 mpg combined.

It makes 200 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (27 mpg combined).

The Optima measures 190.7 inches long on a 110.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,223 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$20,700 ($29,913 *)
MSRP with Destination$21,450 ($30,997 *)
Destination Charge$750
Engine
Engine TypeTheta II G4KJ 2.4L GDI DOHC inline-4, Dual-CVVT, naturally aspirated
Horsepower200 hp
Torque186 lb-ft
ValvetrainDOHC 16-valve with Dual-CVVT
Bore and Stroke88.0 x 97.0
Injection TypeGasoline Direct Injection (GDI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City23 MPG
Highway33 MPG
Combined27 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in
Wheels Rear16 in
Tires Front205/60R16
Tires Rear205/60R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length190.7 in
Width72 in
Height57.3 in
Wheelbase110 in
Front Track62.8 in
Rear Track62.8 in
Ground Clearance5.3 in
Cargo Volume15.4 ft³
Curb Weight3,223 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40 in
Headroom Rear37.6 in
Legroom Front45.5 in
Legroom Rear34.7 in
Shoulder Room Front57.2 in
Shoulder Room Rear55.7 in
Hip Room Front54.7 in
Hip Room Rear54.5 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (9.6 % risk)
Tested variant: 2011 Kia Optima 4 DR FWD

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia OPTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 25, 2023 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Park outside

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

NHTSA campaign 23V652000

Dec 19, 2018 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

NHTSA campaign 18V907000

Jun 1, 2018 · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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.

Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

NHTSA campaign 18V363000

Mar 31, 2017 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

NHTSA campaign 17V224000

Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

NHTSA campaign 13V114000

594 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Kia OPTIMA

Owner Complaints

594 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia OPTIMA (23 mention a crash, 33 a fire, 14 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine256
Steering100
Exterior Lighting88
Electrical System63
Service Brakes47
Unknown Or Other39
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 7, 2026 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while a family member was driving and exiting a parking lot, the vehicle turned off, causing the vehicle to lose power. The contact stated…”
Sep 7, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“I own a 2011 Kia Optima, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle was taken to Rockwall Kia on August 25, 2026, for completion of NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-652 / Kia SC284TF involving the HECU fuse. The dealership…”
Aug 20, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System Fire
“I was having trouble with my left driver tire. 2 mechanics went to test drive the car to see what the problem was. As they were driving, the car died. They got it started but it ran horrible back to…”
Jul 23, 2026 · Engine
“The vehicle's engine had previously been replaced once under Kia's Theta II engine recall/warranty program approximately five years prior to this incident. On the date of failure, the replacement…”
Jul 13, 2026 · Air Bags, Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other
“About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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