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Kia Optima III problems (2011–2015)

The only engine of the Kia Optima III that we have documented, the 1.7 CRDi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, the Kia Optima III (TF) has only two documented recalls: the ABS/ESC hydraulic module recall with a fire risk (a 2025 Safety Gate alert, with Spain among the markets) and the brake light switch recall (2013). In 2018, Auto Express was not aware of any general problems with this model or its successor.[3][4][5]

Kia Optima III (2011–2015)
Photo: OWS Photography · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.3out of 10

Kia Optima III rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine6.25 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension8.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering6.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 33 of 95 among the saloons with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Kia Optima III

  1. 1Critical severity: ABS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire riskBrakes
  2. 2High severity: Injectors that lose calibration with mileage1.7 CRDi engine · repair €80–€350
  3. 3High severity: High-pressure fuel pump failure1.7 CRDi engine · repair €650–€2,000
  4. 4High severity: Intermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switchHeadlights and lights
  5. 5Medium severity: Seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold1.7 CRDi engine · repair €150–€1,200

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Kia recall over fire risk in the Sorento, Cerato and Optima (Safety Gate, campaign 241A04QF). See the campaigns for the Kia Optima III

7 sourcesHow we work

1.7 CRDi

Hyundai/Kia 1.7 CRDi (familia U, código U2 D4FD) · Diesel

In the Optima III
2011–2015[6][7]
Name
1.7 CRDi
Faults that affect it
5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
38
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.7 CRDi U2 (D4FD, 115-141 hp, sold in Spain 2010-2018)2010–2018 · 115–141 hp · D4FD

    With caution

    An engine with no documented catastrophic failure, but with a specific and persistent cold-weather problem (turbo, diesel filter, glow plugs) and the emissions-system (EGR, DPF) and injection (injectors, high-pressure pump) wear usual in a common rail diesel of its generation; it is worth checking the maintenance history for these items, especially if the car is used in winter or on short urban journeys.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Optima III

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjectors that lose calibration with mileageThe 1.7 CRDi's common rail injectors can lose their factory calibration with mileage or because of poor-quality diesel, causing vibration at idle and black smoke from the exhaust; the unburned fuel that ends up diluting the oil also means oil change intervals need to be shortened.Repair (garage): €80–€350
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalFuelHigh-pressure fuel pump failureThe common rail system's high-pressure pump can fail at around 80,000-100,000 km, with hard cold starts, an uneven idle and power loss; if ignored, there is a risk of metal debris contaminating the rest of the injection system.Repair (garage): €650–€2,000Appears at around 80,000 km
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonTurboSeized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when coldIn cold weather (below 10-15 °C), the 1.7 CRDi can suddenly lose power and even stall; the engine restarts after a few seconds. A documented fault that combines the turbo's variable-geometry actuator with the diesel filter and the glow plugs.Repair (garage): €150–€1,200
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsAs in most diesels of its generation, the 1.7 CRDi's EGR valve builds up carbon deposits with urban use and short cold journeys, which causes power loss and an uneven idle and can switch on the engine or emissions warning light.Repair (garage): €60–€350
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlParticulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban useIn cars used mainly on short urban journeys (under 15-20 km), the 1.7 CRDi's particulate filter never completes its regeneration cycle and becomes saturated with soot; according to the source consulted, it is the most common problem of this engine in the Hyundai ix35.Repair (garage): €250–€1,200

Optima III 1.7 CRDi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.7 CRDi

Faults of the Kia Optima III outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Kia Optima III

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 894 inspections of 326 cars registered between 2011 and 2014, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 5.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.7%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.8%.

    More defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 20.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.8%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.3%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 1.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 20.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.9%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Kia Optima III

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.7 CRDi (2011–2015)

Injectors that lose calibration with mileage

High severity

High-pressure fuel pump failure

High severity

Seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold

Medium severity

EGR valve clogged with carbon deposits

Medium severity

Particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Kia Optima III

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Kia Optima III?

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Own a Kia Optima III? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Kia Optima III reliable?

The only engine of the Kia Optima III that we have documented, the 1.7 CRDi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». Outside the engine, the Kia Optima III (TF) has only two documented recalls: the ABS/ESC hydraulic module recall with a fire risk (a 2025 Safety Gate alert, with Spain among the markets) and the brake light switch recall (2013). In 2018, Auto Express was not aware of any general problems with this model or its successor.

What problems does the Kia Optima III have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, the Kia Optima III (TF) has only two documented recalls: the ABS/ESC hydraulic module recall with a fire risk (a 2025 Safety Gate alert, with Spain among the markets) and the brake light switch recall (2013). In 2018, Auto Express was not aware of any general problems with this model or its successor. The most important documented faults are: ABS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire risk (brakes, critical severity) and intermittent brake light failure caused by a carbonised switch (headlights and lights, high severity).[3][4][5]

What faults does the Kia Optima III have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: injectors that lose calibration with mileage (1.7 CRDi, high severity), high-pressure fuel pump failure (1.7 CRDi, high severity), seized turbo actuator (VGT) and power loss when cold (1.7 CRDi, medium severity), EGR valve clogged with carbon deposits (1.7 CRDi, medium severity) and particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use (1.7 CRDi, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Kia Optima III?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2015, 2014, 2013 and 1 other years with the same rating (6.7/10); the worst rated is 2011 (6.3/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Kia Optima III have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Kia Optima III, such as kia recall over fire risk in the Sorento, Cerato and Optima (Safety Gate, campaign 241A04QF) (2025). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[4]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Kia Sportage 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Hyundai iX35 1.7 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Check a vehicle recall (recalls dataset since 1992)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. Kia lanza una llamada a revisión para los modelos Sorento, Cerato y Optima por riesgo de incendioAutofácil · Motoring press · published 10 July 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Kia Optima (2016-2019) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 12 February 2018 · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Kia OptimaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi Emotion Eco-Dynamics a prueba (II). Dinámica y motorDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 28 June 2012 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish