KNOWN FAULTS · Kia

Known faults for the Kia Optima (III).

2010–2015 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 2.0 (Petrol)

Applies if: Same Theta II engine as the cars in the campaigns; confirm by VIN.

Connecting-rod bearings on the Theta II 2.0 and 2.4 petrol enginesEngine

Engine / equipment: 2.0 and 2.4 Theta II (MPI and GDI): Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe and ix35; Kia Sorento, Sportage and Optima
Period mentioned: 2009–2019
Symptoms: Metallic engine knock that rises with revs, oil-pressure warning, loss of power and, in the worst case, a broken connecting rod with an oil leak and fire risk.
Possible cause described: The connecting-rod bearings wear prematurely (in the first cases because of crankshaft machining debris). In the US there were recalls and a settlement that fits the KSDS system free of charge; it monitors vibration and puts the engine into protection mode. In Germany (KBA 013054) Kia recalled the Sorento 2.4 MPI built from 11/1/2011 to 17/6/2015 and the Optima 2.0 GDI hybrid.
Check for the garage: Ask Hyundai or Kia by VIN about a campaign or KSDS update; with knocking or the oil warning, stop and do not keep driving; check the oil level often.
Cost cited in the source: Inspection and, if damaged, a new engine free of charge under the campaigns.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.7 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: U-family CRDi diesel; the specific points were documented on other models with the same engine.

Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and KiaInjection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 CRDi diesels (U family): Rio, Venga, Soul, Stonic, Cee'd, Carens, Optima, i20, ix20, i30, i40, ix35, Tucson, Accent, Matrix
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005 onwards
Symptoms: At high mileage or with short trips: carbon in injectors and EGR, a clogged particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel and turbo; isolated cases of a stretched chain (1.7) and cracked heads (early 1.6); a clutch that wears early; on some cars, a cracked silencer (1.1) or the brake-servo vacuum pump (1.7 campaign).
Possible cause described: German guides rate these engines as robust if maintained: the faults are the typical wear of a modern diesel. Specific points: a stretched chain on some 1.7s (ix35), cracked heads cited by the TÜV on the i30 I, the 1.1 silencer (Rio III), diesel clutches at 60,000–100,000 km (Cee'd I) and a recall of the 1.7 CRDi vacuum pump (5/10/2010–30/4/2011).
Check for the garage: Drive long trips to regenerate the filter; listen to the chain when cold; test injectors and EGR; check the vacuum-pump campaign by VIN on the 1.7.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.