Service bulletins for the 2011 Kia Optima
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
283 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
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By topic
| TSBTRA049 | 2017-02-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6-SPEED A/T TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET/RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM/PCM. |
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| TSBCHA049 | 2017-02-02. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. TSB: NOISE DURING BRAKE ACTUATION - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO ADDRESS A BRAKE NOISE CONCERN ON SOME OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2011 THROUGH DECEMBER 8, 2013, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A “SQUEAKING” AND/OR “HONKING” NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES RAPIDLY. LISTEN TO THE SOUND FILE BELOW TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PARTICULAR BRAKE NOISE AND, IF CONFIRMED, FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN. |
| PS237 | 2017-02-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: FORCE-STARTING OPTIMA HYBRID ENGINE USING GDS: IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN OPTIMA HYBRID WITH A NO-START CONDITION, CHECK IF THE “READY” LAMP IS FLASHING IN THE CLUSTER AND VERIFY THE HYBRID BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) RANGES FROM 15% TO 20%. IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT, A TECHNICIAN MAY USE GDS TO “FORCE START” THE ENGINE AND RESOLVE THE CONCERN. |
| TSBGEN060 | 2017-02-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM. TSB: HYBRID FUEL EFFICIENCY TIPS AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE - THE OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) OFFERS CUSTOMERS THE POTENTIAL OF EXCELLENT FUEL ECONOMY. HOWEVER, BECAUSE SOME CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ACHIEVING THE PUBLISHED EPA-RATED CITY/HIGHWAY NUMBERS, THEY MAY BRING A VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP’S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED SO THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE WELL INFORMED TO ANSWER THE CUSTOMER’S CONCERN AND, IF NECESSARY, TO TROUBLESHOOT THE VEHICLE. |
| CS1604QA | 2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. Q AND A: CS1604 - ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) FLEXIBLE COUPLING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM |
| CS1604OWNER | 2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. OWNER LETTER: CS1604 - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE OF A KIA OPTIMA VEHICLE. BECAUSE KIA VALUES YOU AS OUR CUSTOMER, WE ARE CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) UNIT IN ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES. |
| CS1604FORM | 2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: CS1604 - 2011-2013 AND SOME 2014 MY OPTIMA VEHICLES MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) CUSTOMER SATISFACTION/WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC., P.O. BOX 52410, IRVINE, CA 92619-2410 |
| CS1604DEALERPSM | 2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: CS1604 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE MDPS UNIT MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. KIA’S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS MAINLY IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO THE WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS, AFTER EXTENDED USAGE OVER YEARS. THE EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS INCLUDE: ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS, THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE FIRST DATE OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. |
| CS1604DEALERP | 2017-02-01. Service bulletin. STEERING. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: CS1604 - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON ALL 2011-2013 MY AND SOME 2014 MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. THE MDPS UNIT MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. KIA’S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS MAINLY IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO THE WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS, AFTER EXTENDED USAGE OVER YEARS. THE EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS INCLUDE: ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS, THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. • FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE FIRST DATE OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. |
| TT065 | 2017-01-30. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. "TECH TIP: BUZZING NOISE FROM DASH SYMPTOM: BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM DASH AREA. REPAIR: OPERATE THE AIR-TEMP CONTROLS OR THE VENT AIR POSITION CONTROL SETTING. IF THE NOISE STOPS AFTER ADJUSTING THE CONTROLS, THE NOISE MAY BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY AIR TEMP ACTUATOR OR AIR VENT POSITION ACTUATOR. TO RESOLVE THIS CONCERN, IDENTIFY WHICH BLEND ACTUATOR IS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE (SEE IMAGE) AND REPLACE IT." |
| TT067 | 2017-01-30. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "TECH TIP: DTC P1A89 - DC/DC CONVERTER CURRENT SENSOR FAULT SYMPTOM: DTC - MIL – P1A89 DC/DC CONVERTER CURRENT SENSOR FAULT AND ILLUMINATED BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER. REPAIR: USE GDS/KDS TO CHECK THE LDC OUTPUT CURRENT UNDER LDC > CURRENT DATA (SEE IMAGE). IF THE OUTPUT IS ZERO AMPS, THIS MAY INDICATE AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LDC MODULE INSIDE THE HYBRID POWER CONTROL UNIT (HPCU). REPLACEMENT OF THE HPCU WILL BE NECESSARY." |
| TSBCLI026 | 2017-01-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: A/C EVAPORATOR FREEZE-UP DURING EXTENDED DRIVE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR OF SOME OPTIMA (TF/QF) AND SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES (SEE PRODUCTION DATES ON PAGE 3), WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE FREEZING OF CONDENSATION ON THE EVAPORATOR CORE AND THE FOLLOWING A/C PERFORMANCE RELATED CONCERNS. |
| PS414 | 2017-01-27. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. PITSTOP: DIFFICULTY ASSEMBLING STRUT BEARING/INSULATOR - ON SOME OPTIMA VEHICLES, WHEN REPLACING THE STRUT INSULATOR OR STRUT BEARING WITH NEW PARTS YOU MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY INSTALLING THE NEW STRUT BEARING INTO PLACE ON THE INSULATOR. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE DESIGN OF THE STRUT BEARING (A) WHICH RESULTS IN TIGHTER TOLERANCES BETWEEN THE BEARING AND INSULATOR. REFER TO THE PROCEDURE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION. |
| TSBTRA051R1 | 2017-01-27. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT – MULTIPLE DTCS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS SHIFT SOLENOIDS ON 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES WITH DTCS P0741, P0743, P0748, P0753, P0758, P0763, P0768, P0773, P1778 AND P2709. REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS IF CURRENT OR HISTORY CODES ARE PRESENT; DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. TO REDUCE VEHICLE REPAIR TIME, THIS PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. REFER TO KGIS FOR SOLENOID PACK REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. |
| TSBELE089 | 2017-01-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). TSB: NAVIGATION HEAD UNIT SD CARD REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE SD CARD EXCHANGE/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE RELATED TO ERROR MESSAGES THAT MAY BE DISPLAYED ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WHEN THE INCORRECT SD CARD IS INSERTED. NOTE: ONLY NEW MODELS (DURING PDI INSPECTION OR AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE) OR COMPATIBILITY MISMATCHES THAT OCCUR AFTER HEAD UNIT REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROGRAM. |
| TSBCHA072 | 2017-01-26. Service bulletin. STEERING. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CS1604) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) ON SOME 2011-2014 MY OPTIMA (QF/TF/TFH) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 12, 2010 TO DECEMBER 18, 2013. THE MDPS UNIT MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. KIA’S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS MAINLY IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO THE WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS, AFTER EXTENDED USAGE OVER YEARS. THE EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS INCLUDE: ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS. FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS, REPLACE THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING WITH A NEW ONE IF IT HAS NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF THE AFFECTED VINS. FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE MDPS FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. IF THE MDPS UNIT EXPERIENCES NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, REPLACE THE AFFECTED FLEXIBLE COUPLING WITH A NEW ONE. |
| QASC126 | 2017-01-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. "QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (SC126) – 2011MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINE AND CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN" |
| OWNERSC126 | 2017-01-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC126) - DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ON ENGINE CONTROL MODULES ON CERTAIN 2011 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES. |
| DEALERPSMSC126 | 2017-01-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC126) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN 2011MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE DESIGNED TO MEET CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS, MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2010 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (“ECM”), AS THE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CARB EMISSIONS REGULATIONS. |
| DEALERPSC126 | 2017-01-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC126) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WILL BE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN 2011 MY KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES DESIGNED TO MEET CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS, TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (“ECM”). |
| TSBCHA066 | 2017-01-24. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR. "FRONT STABILIZER LINK REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS OF SOME OPTIMA (TF/QF), OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) AND RIO (UB) VEHICLES, WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. TO RESOLVE THE NOISE CONCERN, PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN TO REPLACE THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS WITH THE IMPROVED PARTS." |
| TSBTRA059 | 2017-01-24. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. HCU/TCU UPGRADE - FOR 100 MESH SOLENOID EQUIPPED HYBRID TRANSMISSIONS -THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO A SOFTWARE UPGRADE OF THE HYBRID CONTROL UNIT (HCU) AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT (TCU) OF SOME 2011-2016 MY OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH IMPROVED 100 MESH SOLONOID FILTERS HAS TAKEN PLACE. TO APPLY THE IMPROVED LOGIC, THE HCU/TCU SHOULD BE REPROGRAMMED USING THE GDS/KDS DOWNLOAD, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN. |
| PS391 | 2017-01-24. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "PITSTOP: OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) WITH DTC B1695 - LOST COMMUNICATION WITH E-COMP - WHEN ADDRESSING A CUSTOMER CONCERN RELATED TO AN A/C SYSTEM NOT BLOWING COLD AIR AND DTC B1695 IS ACTIVE IN THE A/C CONTROL UNIT, THIS COULD BE THE RESULT OF ONE, OR MORE, OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: • A BLOWN HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) FUSE IN THE E-COMP 270 VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT. • A CIRCUIT CONCERN BETWEEN THE A/C CONTROL UNIT AND THE E-COMP • A HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) CIRCUIT CONCERN" |
| TSBTRA049R1 | 2017-01-24. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6-SPD. A/T ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET /RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM/TCM. AFTER THE ADAPTIVE VALUES ARE RESET, THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER ADAPTIVE VALUES MUST BE RELEARNED BY DRIVING IN A PRECISE MANNER TO “TEACH” THE COMPUTER THE PROPER SOLENOID DUTY AND LINE PRESSURE FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER COMBINATION. |
| TSBELE091 | 2017-01-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND RECORD THE HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE LEVEL ON VARIOUS HEAD UNIT PLATFORMS AND GENERATIONS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL NOW BE REQUIRED WHEN ORDERING HEAD UNITS THROUGH THE DIRECT EXCHANGE PROGRAM. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.