Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
KNAGM4A72B5••••••2011 Kia OPTIMA
This build draws 2.4× more complaints than the average 2011 Kia OPTIMA build (22 vs 9).
22on this build
542on the model
60builds in total
1involved a fire
Most reportedEngine 13Electrical System 4Exterior Lighting 4Steering 2
What owners of this build wrote
Exterior LightingfireAug 2014
The contact owns a 2011 kia optima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the headlights were activated however, the illumination was extremely dim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed that both head lamps overheated which caused the reflector to melt. The…
EngineJun 2025
The Engine locked up while driving down the highway at 60mph. Not possible for inspection vehicle currently broke down at shop. I barely had braking power to stop vehicle. Has been confirmed by Kia dealership. Yes vehicle has been inspected by vehicle manufacturer. Check engine…
Vehicle Speed ControlDec 2022
As I would drive the vehicle a rattling noise would occur when every time I accelerate from stopping at a traffic light. Then the engine light appeared on the dash board. When I went to have the engine light checked the results came back about an oil gasket. I then got an oil…
Electrical SystemJan 2020
Hi my car has lot of safety issues.. I took many times to kia dealer in jersey city my car door gets unlocked while it's in driving mode which makes me feel unsafe I told so many times to the dealers to fix it they do some temporary things in my car and they live me but again…
SteeringOct 2019
Steering wheel makes clicking sound when it is turned, additionally, the part behind the steering wheel rattles a lot, almost as if its lose. The clicking happens when I attempt to turn right or left and the rattling happens when the car is in motion
Read all 22 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 60 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN KNAGM4A72B5230289 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.