2011 Kia Optima: excessive oil consumption

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Engine · GA

I am submitting a complaint regarding my 2011 Kia Optima (VIN: [XXX] ), which is currently experiencing significant engine issues and is undrivable. This issue is currently being reviewed under Kia Case #XXX. This vehicle is part of the Theta II engine group that has been the subject of recalls, service campaigns, and extended warranty coverage due to known engine defects, including rod bearing failure and potential engine seizure. The vehicle has also received the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update associated with these known issues. My vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been there since March 10, 2026. It is not drivable, and I have been without transportation during this time. The dealership has diagnosed the issue as oil consumption; however, Kia has denied coverage, stating that oil consumption is not related to rod bearing failure. Kia has not confirmed whether a full internal engine inspection was performed to rule out rod bearing damage, nor have they confirmed that a Techline engineering review has been conducted. Given the known history of engine defects in this model, I am concerned that the current condition may be related to internal engine failure that has not been properly evaluated. Oil consumption can be a precursor or symptom of internal engine damage, and I do not believe the issue has been fully or adequately diagnosed. Additionally, my vehicle has an open safety recall related to potential engine compartment fire risk, which further raises concerns about the safety and reliability of this vehicle. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed as a potential safety-related defect, as the vehicle is undrivable and may be at risk for sudden engine failure or fire. I am also concerned that the manufacturer is relying solely on a dealership-level assessment without a thorough engineering evaluation of a known defect condition. Thank you for your review of this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Engine · 68,500 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noticed that the engine oil level was abnormally low, and that there were no visible signs of an oil leakage. The oil level was topped off; however, within 3 weeks the oil level was abnormally low again. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that an excessive oil consumption was not included in the engine replacement warranty extension. The contact was informed that a further diagnostic test was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,500.

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Engine · 11,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was consistently topping off the engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was no smoke or abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2019 · Engine · GA

At approximately 97,000 miles, my car began to burn an excessive amount of engine oil. Being that my car had a warranty up to 100k miles, I immediately reported the issue to kia. They continuously reported that they would need to evaluate the oil consumption at 1,000 mile increments. I reported my concerns in regards to the process possibly extending beyond the 100k mile limits of my warranty. I was informed that the engine recall would be an option if I exceeded 100k miles. Upon exceeding 100k miles, kia reported that the oil consumption was the product of "cheap oil" and kia would not be responsible for the excessive oil burn. After verifying that my most recent oil changes were performed by kia, I was told that excessive oil consumption was no longer a provision of the recall.

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Engine · 170,000 miles · OH

The engine started consuming large amount of oil 10 months ago when it was about 170,000 miles in it. That is, the oil goes below the low mark when the car is driven about 800 miles after the oil change, and keeps going down to the empty level when the car is driven about 1,200 miles. I also hear of rattling-like sound when accelerating. I have to check and add oil every 500 miles. I was recently told that this issue may lead to the fire on the engine and noticed that kia recalled regarding this similar issue for many other cars. I didn't see any signs of leaking when I checked several times the floor in a spot where I parked. I'm not sure if this was related, but the engine died, about 4- months before I noticed that the engine started consuming oil, when I drove up hill. The car was towed in to a kia dealership in that area, and what a technician said is that there was a problem with fuel line or pump. They charged $700 for this job.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Engine · 103,000 miles · VA

My 2011 kia optima is consuming large quantities of oil. I have received 10 oil changes since february 2018 (oct as of today) after my car's oil light would blink every 1000 miles when driving. The dealer said their was no visible leak and performed a consumption test which showed my car was consuming oil at an alarming rate. This issue has been identified as a know problem with kia motors and has yet to addressed.

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Engine · 93,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise from the engine compartment. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle had no engine oil. The engine oil indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to kia of south austin (5306 s ih 35 frontage rd, austin, tx) where it passed an initial engine inspection per the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the oil consumption failure was confirmed and oil was added to the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that further evaluations would have to be performed, which required them to continue to operate the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to follow the dealer's testing procedures. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Engine · 99,500 miles · MO

First I would like to say that up until now I loved my kia!!!! Unfortunately beginning just before the car had 100,000 miles on it, the car began to burn oil. It is burning approximately 1 quart every 1000 miles. I took the car in to the dealer for the latest engine recall and while there I communicated with the dealership that the car has been burning oil at the rate of a quart every 1000 miles. The dealership changed my oil when checking it for the engine recall, afterwards they directed me to bring it back in at 1000 miles. The car is currently at the dealership now for this check. The car is at 900 miles and a quart low. I hope kia will do the right thing and fix this. I have read other peoples experiences with the engine failure and one of the common symptoms seems to be the car suddenly beginning to burn oil. I do not want to be on the interstate and suddenly have engine failure in and not be able to get my car out of the line of traffic.

Filed Nov 22, 2016 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia optima. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed due to the oil consumption and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 45 miles · OR

2 issues with 2011 kia optima @ 101,987 miles. Quick burning of oil (causing oil to burn up and having car owner deal with topping off oil levels) and gradual "ticking" sound from engine that results in engine shutdown as car is in motion prob #1: my kia burning thru oil at high temp-I performed each and every oil change paying over $70 for top quality oil. Issue with oil gradually became worse. I had to buy my oil in between changes to keep adding oil to engine, made mistake in blaming oil change companies, wasted time and money in having oil changed sooner then 3,000 miles. Oil can henry stated that they believed kia engine ran on high temp which was burning oil 2x faster then any car. Problem #2: "ticking" sound from engine, that gradually for louder, finally caused engine to shut down (characteristics are deceiving car owner assumes battery issues/ kia mechanics blame bad battery) this is not the case! I have aaa witness my car issues, and car still had issues after new battery was installed, which kia mechanics still blamed battery. Car shutdown is not battery since all inside lights, radio etc still function and when car died during driving it still allowed me to "coast" home at 3 MPH. The day my car died, there was already a new battery in car. I came out to leave for doc appointment, car lights came on/radio on but engine barely start, if it did start car engine died, it was as if engine barely started and couldn't maintain itself. I missed a urgent appointment(iam disabled). Called aaa, they confirmed battery at 100%. We tried everything possible, aaa guys said horrible noise from engine, after 20 tries I was barely able to revive it enough to test drive. Drove around my block down the street and after 10 min car died, but not completely. Although I couldn't accelerate, car "drifted" at 2-3 MPH. I turned on er lights, coasted home in 1 hour.

Filed Oct 1, 2016 · Engine · 85,000 miles · SD

Same complaints as the others, 85,000 miles and the engine locked up while driving home. No check engine/low oil light. Had to have it towed to the shop, only to find out that my only option is to replace the motor. The shop's report was that the oil was low and dark, could not crank engine manually by hand, engine has internal damage and has to be replaced.. $4100 if I choose to proceed. We bought it used, and are sol.

Filed Aug 24, 2015 · Engine · 133,077 miles · MI

Driving down express when engine started to loose oil. Pulled over on shoulder, notice a clicking noise and smelled burning oil. Dealer found hole in side of engine block. Stated needs new engine and quoted and estimated price of $5,875.64 for a used engine with 46,000 miles installed. Had car repaired at another place for $5477.06 with 41,000 miles. This shop said the engine had a rod knock then locked up. Needs the engine replaced. This is the same 2.4 liter engine that is being recalled for the hyundai sonatas.