[XXX] While driving my vehicle it looses power and becomes inoperable at any time and any speed. The brake, engine and oil lights come on simultaneously and there is no longer power to the gas pedal. The vehicle then has to coast to safety off of the road. This is extremely hazardous and could potentially cause an accident. When applying the brakes during this time it makes a grinding sound as if the emergency brake has been engaged. My vehicle has been to the dealership and numerous of time but they say it’s not a problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2011 Kia Optima: grinding or squealing brakes
5 of the 594 complaints about the 2011 Kia Optima describe grinding or squealing brakes.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
Grinding or squealing brakes by model year
What owners say
I was driving on the highway travelling straight in traffic at about 50 MPH when my car stalled. I was able to restart it, then it stalled again. Then I restarted it one more time. Then it made a grinding clunking sound like something snapped and was getting whipped around by the moving parts. Then it had no throttle response and I was forced to pull over into the breakdown lane as the car no longer was running.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a squeaky noise. The vehicle began to decelrate and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
I have a 2011 kia optima lx, 2.4 liter engine. Always keep up on the maintenance and oil changes, car is in great shape. I was not experiencing any issues, warnings, no check engine/oil lights, no noises, absolutely nothing. Then last night my car just sputtered and cut off while being driven. Apparently when the engine cuts off, so does the brakes. There was no way to push the brakes, so I had to try to safely coast to the side of the road, with no brakes and no power steering. I finally pulled over, tried to restart the car and there was such a loud knocking noise, and some squealing noises as well. The car will no longer start either. I had a mechanic look at it today and says the engine is "just gone." no explanations at all. I verified that the kia optima and the hyundai sonata are the same manufacturer and use the same engines. I see there are way more complaints about the 2011 hyundai sonata with this same issue. I will try to notify kia and see if they are willing to step up and correct this even with the warranty expiring 7,000 miles ago, since I am the second owner. I have found many complaints about this same thing for both the 2011 optimas and sonatas. This is so dangerous because there are no warnings, and the engine cuts off in traffic, which also causes the brakes and steering to go out. Not safe at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made a squealing and an unusual popping sound that emitted from the front of the vehicle. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The front tires had seized. The vehicle was towed to dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine block bracket fractured. As a result, the technician recommended an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,273.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Kia Optima grinding brakes
Is grinding or squealing brakes a common problem on the 2011 Kia Optima?
5 of 594 owner complaints about the 2011 Kia Optima (1%) mention grinding or squealing brakes. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Kia Optima?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Kia Optima
Engine failure 107Headlights 71Knocking 69Stalling 67Check engine light 61Fire or smoke 40Loss of power 30Won't start 30Steering noise 27Pulling 23Airbag light 18Jerking 16Oil consumption 12No deployment 9Harsh shifting 9Power steering loss 9Warning lights 9Sudden acceleration 7Hesitation 6Won't shift 6Sunroof shattered 6Key fob 5Steering lock-up 5
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