2011 Kia Optima: multiple warning lights

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · MO · fire

2011 Kia Optima caught on fire while driving. Car started smoking which was the only indication something was wrong then all the dashboard lights came on and brakes no longer worked. About half a block later I put the car in park and it slowed down enough for my 3 kids to jump out although the car was still moving. I was able to exit a few seconds later when it came to a full stop. Within minutes it had flames coming from under the hood that continued until the fire department was able to put it out. They said something electrical had caused the fire.

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 43,193 miles · CA

While parked in various locations (on street, at gas pump, in parking lots), and on about 8-10 occasions, I was unable to get the car to start after depressing the brake and start button on my car. All the lights lit up on the instrument panel and the radio went on as well - the rest of the car electrical system worked fine. The brake pedal became very stiff and was hard to depress. I put my key fob into the bypass in the trunk and it still would not start. The only way to get the car to start was to depress the stiff brake pedal, then shift from p to d and back again. Then the brake pedal seemed to loosen up and I was able to start the car successfully. I had researched the remedy through you tube. The first time it happened was october 2, 2018 and it has happened about 8-10 times since then. I have a video of the problem, but not of the solution that I found online, therefore I am unable to attach any documentation. I noticed that the replacement of the brake switch was "voluntary" the federal safety agency # 13v‑114, but feel that this should be a mandatory fix instead since it has happened so often to me. Just last week when it happened again, I remembered what to do quickly as I was stuck in a long line at the gas station just last week, with cars honking at me to move when I could not. It happened to me the last time just yesterday 10/8/2019 inside my garage. Please look into making this a mandatory recall. I will be contacting my local dealer this week as well. Thank you.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MA

I am driving through an intersection and just as I get through, while still in motion, all the lights on the dashboard flashed or turned on. I lost complete control of the gas pedal, lost power steering, and I was forced to pull off into a parking lot where I couldn't get to a parking spot and was left stuck at the entrance of the establishment. I put my car in neutral and pushed it away from the entrance after trying to turn it off and start it back up several times. I was forced to call a tow truck to get towed to my repair shop and the diagnosis was that the engine blew a bearing and will need an engine replacement.

Filed Apr 18, 2017 · Engine · 285,000 miles · FL

While traveling in a 65mph zone the vehicle stalled with out indication or dash lights. Vehicle lost steering and control, putting myself and others at risk of danger. Stopped the vehicle. While trying to start the vehicle, turned the key and all dash lights were present but the vehicle would not start, click or turn over. Issue resulted as an engine failure.

Filed Oct 24, 2016 · Engine · 133,858 miles · TX

There is a defective part in the motor which causes the motor to fail and seize at any speed causing the driver to lose power steering and brakes. My wife was traveling home from work on the highway when without warning all lights came on the dash and my wife had trouble just getting to the side of the road and getting the vehicle to stop. There is a recall on the exact same motor which is in the hyundai sonata.

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 140,000 miles · NC

On september 25, 2016, I was driving my 2011 kia optima to church with my 2 children. After coming up on a red light I stopped and then proceeded to go when the light turned green. I was able to get through the light and accelerate up a slight hill at about 35-40mph. After going over hill, I was not able to press the gas to keep going and my brakes ended up locking up so I had to get in far lane in order for the car to coast into a store parking lot. All the lights on the car came on and car literally just cut off. Thankfully it was not a lot of cars on the road to cause an accident. I contacted a tow company the next day to have it towed to a mechanic and said the car still wanted to turn over but something was blocking it from starting so I had it towed to a 2nd mechanic for diagnostics and it appears that the connecting rod is the issue. I've maintained the car with the same mechanic for the past 3 years and I have a little of 140k miles. I've talked with the dealership and said I could have the car towed there and they would perform a diagnostic test for about $99 an hour and if the engine was the issue it would not be covered because of the warranty is only for 120k miles and that I must have all my paperwork for maintenance from the mechanic I used.

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Engine · 95,000 miles · FL

I was told by the kia dealership that my 2011 kia optima needs a new engine. I was driving down the highway in middle lane. I tried to accelerate my car and my engine was making a rattling noise and the oil light started flickering all the lights on the dash came on and the car stalled. I had to call a tow company to tow my car to kia. The next day kia said I needed a new engine and I must prove that I kept maintenance on my car by providing them with all my oil change receipts. I have no car now and I need to get to work and get my kids to school.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 101,500 miles · DE

On september 7, 2016, I was driving down the highway at 70 MPH in my 2011 kia optima when all of a sudden the engine shut off and all of the lights on the dashboard came on. I could hear the engine rev slightly when I stepped on the gas, but the car would not accelerate. The engine just shut off. It was 7:30am when this occurred so luckily there were not many cars on the road yet. I was able to get the car over, however, because the engine was off, the breaks would not work well. I was finally able to get the car to stop by continuing to hit the breaks and applying the emergency break as well. Kia recommends oil changes every 7,500 miles, however, I usually have mine done every 5,000. I had zero warning signs that something was wrong with my car. The last oil change was performed on august 31, 2016, and the mechanic that performed the change said everything looked fine. There was zero smoke coming from the engine or exhaust and no "knocking" sound in the engine. I had the car towed directly to the dealer. Once there, we tested the battery and it seemed a little low. Mind you this is a new battery purchased from costco about 2 months ago. We tried jumping the car and after trying to start the car a 3rd time, the engine started shooting out black smoke and had a foul smell to it. Several hours later, I received a call from the dealer authorizing $280 to open the top of the engine so they could take pictures and send it to kia. . I searched on the internet and found several other 2011 kia owners experiencing a similar issue and was just told by a friend the same thing happened to her 2011 optima as well. Looks like hyundai had the same issue and it is the same engine as the kia and had a recall. My car had 101,500 miles (mostly highway miles) and the only issue I ever had was to replace a clockspring in the steering column about 6-months ago.

Filed Mar 15, 2016 · Engine · PA

On february 26, 2016 I was driving to work in my 2011 kia optima at approximately 5:45am on md rt. 695 south I was in the left lane going 55 MPH driving with the flow of traffic. The optima was driving normally there were no sounds coming from the engine, when suddenly without warning the car shook violently I lost all power at the same time all the lights on the dash came on. I pressed on gas pedal there was no response from the optima I had no power. I quickly put on my right turn signal to get over the four lanes; I was trying to get to the safety of the shoulder of the road. It was amazing that with all the traffic I was not hit by another car because I didn't have any power to the wheels I was just coasting the optima was starting to slow down without the engine to power it. I ended up on exit 17 which is security blvd. Ramp. I opened the hood of the optima I saw oil all over the engine and oil down around the engine compartment. I called aaa to get my optima towed to the auto shop I go to in new oxford pa. That was about 45 miles way from where the optima's engine died. The mechanic looked at the engine; he stated that a rod from the engine had gone through the engine block. The mechanic also stated that there metal pieces and oil on the outside of the engine and around the engine compartment. After the mechanic stated he couldn't find an engine for my 2011 kia optima I had it towed to the kia dealership in gettysburg, pa. The kia dealership stated that they would inspect the engine. They charged me $89.00 for an hour labor to look at my 2011 kia optima. I was told that either the main barring to the connecting rod malfunctioned or the pin that connects to the piston could have just broken. At this present time I still don't know why this engine's major parts came apart and caused me to lose all power and put my life and the lives of others at risk.