2011 Kia Optima electrical system problems
61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2011 Kia Optima — 10% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, he noticed the vehicle started smoking heavily from under the hood, and shortly thereafter, the vehicle fully ignited into flames. The vehicle was occupied during the fire. The contact stated…”
filed Jun 4, 2026
“The car just keep doing weird stuff with the lights. It want go off all the time the key went work the cv joints are popping. Have to trigger the battery sometimes to start up”
filed Jun 21, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2303) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
CS2303_TSB_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 5, 2024
Electrical System problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 12 | 9% |
| 2019 Optima | 22 | 11% |
| 2018 Optima | 33 | 14% |
| 2017 Optima | 25 | 10% |
| 2016 Optima | 99 | 13% |
| 2015 Optima | 135 | 13% |
| 2014 Optima | 59 | 10% |
| 2013 Optima | 145 | 11% |
| 2012 Optima | 122 | 13% |
| 2010 Optima | 13 | 17% |
| 2009 Optima | 16 | 14% |
| 2008 Optima | 15 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.