Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Kia optima. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate abnormally. After a few moments, the vehicle suddenly surged forward. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder and stopped. Black smoke then began to rise from under the hood and the vehicle was immediately engulfed into flames. The fire department appeared on the scene…
2011 Kia Optima cruise control problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
4crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Kia Optima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Kia Optima has reported failures in both unintended acceleration (with brake loss) and engine power loss with internal damage indicators; multiple owners were in collisions or near-collisions, and some experienced engine fires. Dealers struggled to diagnose recurring issues, and even recalled components did not always resolve the problems.
Owners describe two critical failure clusters. The first is unintended acceleration paired with brake failure: the vehicle surges forward when stopped or at low speed, and the brake pedal becomes unresponsive or loses pressure entirely. Multiple collisions resulted, including one owner who rear-ended a stopped truck at 30 mph and another who struck a gate. Dealers found nothing wrong during pre-incident inspections, and some owners never received recall notifications despite the manufacturer identifying an unintended acceleration TSNB for this model year.
The second cluster involves engine power loss and internal damage: the check engine light flashes, RPMs cap around 1,500, and the engine hesitates severely or feels like it is stalling. Diagnostic codes point to knock sensors (P1362), camshaft timing (P0011/P0114), and engine damage alerts (P1326). One owner heard knocking after a 2017 recall service for connecting rod issues. Another experienced black smoke and engine fire at highway speed. Oil levels were sometimes low without visible leaks. Temporary fixes—oil changes, additives, even solenoid replacement—did not last; one shop found codes returned within 50 miles. KIA acknowledged warranty coverage for engine damage in these cases but reported backlogs of waiting vehicles.
Same Kia Optima cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / loss of braking control
Vehicle surges forward without driver input, often when stopped or at low speed. Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or loses pressure after initial depression. Multiple owners report the car accelerated despite pressing brakes hard, resulting in collisions. One owner noted that releasing brake pressure causes total loss of brake function.
When: At stops or low speeds (10–30 mph); some instances after cruise control use
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surges forward unexpectedly; Brake pedal does not slow or stop vehicle; Loss of brake pressure after initial depression; No warning or code preceding event; Vehicle continues accelerating despite brake application
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate problem in most cases; no repairs documented as successful. One owner mentions KIA later identified recall-related part replacement but would not cover collision damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall identified for unintended acceleration (TSNB issued for some 2011 Kias); KIA aware of failures but many owners report no notification or dealer found nothing wrong on inspection.
Engine power loss, hesitation, rough running
Engine loses power under acceleration, feels like stalling, or runs very rough. Check engine light flashes; RPM limited to 1.5k or lower. Owners report inability to keep up with traffic and dangerous hesitation. One narrative describes black smoke and engine fire at highway speed after sudden surging.
When: Varies; one incident at 7,000 miles, others at higher mileage during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Flashing or constant check engine light; RPM does not exceed 1.5k; Severe hesitation on acceleration; Car feels like it is about to stall; Black smoke from under hood (one case progressing to fire); Engine seized, no "get up and go"
Codes mentioned: P1362 (knock sensor), P0011 (camshaft position timing over advanced), P0114 (camshaft position timing over advanced), P1326 (engine damage alert for driver), P0011 (code persisted after oil control solenoid replacement)
Repairs/costs cited: One shop changed oil and added Lucas Engine Stabilizer with temporary improvement; codes returned days later. Another owner paid for oil control solenoid replacement but code P0011 persisted. Shops recommended timing chain and lower-end inspection; KIA acknowledged engine damage and mentioned warranty coverage for these conditions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224 issued; owner recalls checked in 2017 but nothing repaired. KIA dealership acknowledged engine damage conditions and warranty coverage but had backlog of vehicles. Some dealers told owners to contact dealerships out of town.
Engine knocking, internal noise, and damage indicators
Owners report engine knocking or loud clanking noises, often preceding check engine light or power loss. Noise indicates internal bearing or rod wear. One owner heard knocking after recall follow-up letter; another experienced loud clanking that recurred after temporary fix.
When: Can occur early in ownership (7,000 miles) or after service; recurrence suggests progression
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking or loud clanking noise; Noise quiets temporarily with oil change; Check engine light follows knocking events; Knock sensor code (P1362) triggered; Noise suggests connecting rod bearing wear
Codes mentioned: P1362 (knock sensor, indicates excessive connecting rod bearing wear)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner heard knocking after recall service; shop noted "possible early stages of engine damage if codes return." Owners have not reported successful long-term repair; knocking typically indicates bearing or rod damage requiring engine replacement or major overhaul.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for engine connecting rod issued; owner found recall letters in 2017 but service notes indicate recalls were checked and some marked done with no repair performed.
Oil system issues and low oil conditions
Low oil levels detected during diagnosis; in one case, oil was black despite no visible external leaks. Oil change provided temporary symptom relief but did not resolve underlying engine issues.
When: Detected during power loss / check engine light events
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil level; Black oil despite no visible external leaks; Rough engine running associated with low oil
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change and engine stabilizer added; noise and codes cleared temporarily but returned within days, indicating oil loss or other internal failure.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 28,500 and 93,477 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,500; a quarter make it past 93,477. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.