2011-2019 Kia Optima engine problems: what's covered and what to do

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

The 2011-2018 Optima with the 2.4L or 2.0L turbo Theta II GDI engine, and certain 2019s built before KSDS went into production, are on the class list for Kia's engine settlement. It extends the short-block warranty to lifetime for consumer-owned vehicles that have had the KSDS update done by a Kia dealer. Optima Hybrid models are handled under a different (second) engine settlement.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which engines and years are involved

2011-2015 Optima (TF): 2.4L GDI and 2.0L turbo GDI. Listed.
2016-2018 Optima (JF): 2.4L GDI and 2.0L turbo GDI listed. The 1.6L turbo is not part of this settlement.
2019 Optima: "certain" 2019s only, meaning those built before KSDS was added at the factory. A VIN can't show build-date cutoffs; Kia can.
Optima Hybrid / PHEV: in the second engine settlement (Engine II), not this one. See our hybrid guide.

What the settlement and KSDS campaign say

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

Settlement: In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, Kia side. Class list per Kia's notice: 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Optima with genuine 2.0L or 2.4L Theta II GDI engines.
What: lifetime short-block warranty; requires the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign completed by a Kia dealer. No claim form needed for the warranty itself.
KSDS campaign PI1802 (Kia dealer letter, July 2018) covers 2015-2018 Optima 2.4 GDI and 2.0T GDI, and 2014 Optima 2.4 GDI built at Kia's Korean plant in a specific window. The same letter promises lifetime coverage for engine long-block repairs tied to the KSDS fault code P1326, for new and used owners.
Deadlines: claims for past repairs closed August 9, 2021. Claims after November 30, 2021 go to Kia directly. Rental/towing and engine-fire claims have a 90-day window from the event.

Engine-related recalls

17V-224 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
18V-907 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
20V-100 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

5,950 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011-2019 Optima. 3,117 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2011	593	261 (44%)	22	97,300 (n=43)
2012	919	415 (45%)	62	78,000 (n=54)
2013	1,385	651 (47%)	89	62,500 (n=64)
2014	589	298 (51%)	30	59,000 (n=39)
2015	1,009	647 (64%)	52	68,500 (n=94)
2016	757	442 (58%)	15	57,500 (n=92)
2017	256	168 (66%)	8	61,000 (n=42)
2018	232	143 (62%)	9	6,325 (n=28)
2019	210	92 (44%)	5	95,000 (n=23)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

2013 stands out with the most complaints in this range. For 2015-2018, around 60% of complaints name the engine. Treat the mileage column as a rough hint only: the 2018 sample is small and skewed by a few early-failure reports.

Warning signs to take seriously

Knocking from the bottom of the engine that gets louder with RPM.
Check-engine light plus reduced power (possibly KSDS detecting bearing wear, code P1326).
Oil consumption between changes, or an oil pressure warning.
Fuel smell after previous engine replacement: recall 18V-907 covers high-pressure fuel pipes on Optimas that received a replacement engine.

What to do, step by step

Check your VIN at owners.kia.com and NHTSA for open recalls and campaigns (including KSDS).
If KSDS hasn't been done, schedule it. It is free and protects your eligibility.
If you already have symptoms, call a Kia dealer service department with the VIN and ask whether the engine settlement lifetime coverage or PI1802 applies, before paying for diagnosis.
Keep oil-change receipts. Kia can ask for maintenance history.
If a claim is denied and you disagree, the settlement website lists the administrator's contact information.

Dealer insider note

Before anything else, find out which engine you have. Per the guide above, the 2.4L and 2.0L turbo Theta II engines are on Kia's settlement list, while the 1.6L turbo and the Optima Hybrid are handled differently. The 8th character of the VIN encodes the engine. Also compare it with the registration and the window sticker, and have the service advisor confirm it from the VIN.

At the service desk, bring the VIN and say: "Please run the open campaign and recall check by VIN, and tell me whether the KSDS update has been done." Ask that the repair order list the campaign number if any work is done under it.

If an engine was already replaced, ask for the repair order that shows when, where and under what coverage. For a used Optima, ask the seller or dealer for: the KSDS record, recall repair history, any engine work paperwork, and maintenance records. Ask whether the lifetime short-block coverage applies to you as a later private owner, and whether a 2019 car was built before KSDS went into production.

If the car loses power with the check-engine light on, ask whether a loaner or rental is available while it is evaluated, and ask for the written result of any engine test.

Until the VIN check is done, do not sign a release, a waiver or a customer-pay repair order. Get any estimate in writing, and ask whether fees are waived if the car is covered.

A reasonable outcome is KSDS installed at no charge and a written answer on coverage. If the shop stalls or says no, call the manufacturer's customer-care line (number is in your owner's manual). Give the VIN and repair order, ask for a case number, and keep every receipt.

Questions

Is the 2016 Optima 1.6 turbo covered by the engine settlement?

No. The settlement covers the 2.4L and 2.0L turbo Theta II GDI engines. The 1.6L turbo is a different engine family.

I bought my Optima used. Does the lifetime warranty transfer?

The court-filed Revised Settlement Agreement says the lifetime warranty carries over to later private owners (not commercial owners), and Kia's PI1802 letter says its P1326-related coverage applies to new and used vehicle owners. Confirm on your VIN with Kia.

What is recall 18V-907?

A recall for the high-pressure fuel pipe on 2011-2017 Optimas (and some Sorentos and Sportages) that received a replacement engine under recall 17V-224, warranty, or the KSDS campaign. The pipe may have been damaged or improperly torqued during the engine swap and can leak fuel.