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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2011 Kia Optima

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

7

7 current

Combined

8.6L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,666

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2023529 · manufacturer campaign RC191

26 September 2023

Transport Canada lists: Borrego 2010–2011 · Cadenza 2014–2016 · Forte 2011–2013 · Forte Koup 2011–2013 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) could short circuit.

Why it matters

A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

What the dealer will do

Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse(s) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.

276,225 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2020597 · manufacturer campaign RC140

4 December 2020

Transport Canada lists: Forte 2012–2015 · Forte Koup 2012–2015 · Optima 2011–2013 · Sorento 2012 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L NU GDI or 2.4 L Theta II MPI engine, an engine compartment fire could occur while driving. Kia is conducting this recall as a preventative measure to prevent fire risk due to potential fuel leaks, oil leaks and/or engine damage. In some situations, you may notice any of the following symptoms: there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine; the check engine light and/or the oil pressure warning light could turn on; you may smell fuel, burning or smoke; or you may notice oil leaks. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail and/or a fire could occur. An engine failure can cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: For the Optima model, only the Optima Hybrid is affected by this recall.

Why it matters

An engine compartment fire can create a risk of injury. A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the engine and engine compartment. The dealer will inspect for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, if necessary. Kia will also perform a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update free of charge, once it is available for your vehicle. This update will detect and prevent engine damage from worn connecting rod bearings.

39,658 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2019153 · manufacturer campaign SC027

21 March 2019

Transport Canada lists: Optima 2011–2013 · Sorento 2012–2014 · Sportage 2011–2013

What is wrong

Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure may cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles repaired under Service Campaign SC025 already have this software update.

29,501 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2018742 · manufacturer campaign RC123

28 December 2018

Transport Canada lists: Optima 2011–2013 · Sorento 2012–2014 · Sportage 2011–2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, when repairs were completed under recall campaign 2017-199 (Kia RC109), the high pressure fuel pipe may not have been properly installed on the fuel pump outlet. A fuel leak could occur if the pipe was damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the recall repair. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could create the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect the connections of the high pressure fuel pipe to the fuel pump outlet for leaking fuel. If leaking fuel is detected, the fuel pipe will be replaced with a new one.

2,878 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018301 · manufacturer campaign RC117

8 June 2018

Transport Canada lists: Forte 2010–2013 · Forte Koup 2010–2013 · Optima 2011–2013 · Sedona 2010–2012

What is wrong

On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Optima Hybrid.

65,548 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2017199 · manufacturer campaign RC109

7 April 2017

Transport Canada lists: Optima 2011–2013 · Sorento 2012–2014 · Sportage 2011–2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with 2.0L and 2.4L engines, the engine may contain residual metallic debris from factory machining operations. If debris is present, it could potentially restrict oil flow to the main bearings and rod bearings and could lead to premature wear. If the vehicle continues to be driven with worn bearings, the bearings could fail, which could cause an engine stall while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of motive power which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Worn bearings could also result in the illumination of the oil pressure lamp in the instrument cluster.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the engine sub-assembly.

37,504 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2013098 · manufacturer campaign RC084

3 April 2013

Transport Canada lists: Optima 2011 · Rondo 2007–2012 · Sedona 2007 · Sorento 2007–2009, 2011 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may fail and cause intermittent operation of the brake lights. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the switch.

106,098 vehicles affected in CanadaMinivanSafety TC

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Mid-size
In its class
More efficient than 85% of 132 2011 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
198 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2011 Kia Optima and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2011 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 7 recalls on record for the 2011 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2011 Kia Optima get?
NRCan rates the 2011 Kia Optima at 8.6 L/100 km combined, emitting 198 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2011 Kia Optima for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,666 in fuel, producing roughly 3,973 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.