2009 Kia Optima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (24) · Air Bags (21) · Service Brakes (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Optima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
97 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 20
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Service bulletins (33)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Structure 2021-05-19 · TSB_BOD056R1_CLS · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb_bod056r1_closed: technical service bulletin closed
Power Train 2020-04-24 · TSB_TRA046_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: - transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a
Showing the 6 most recent of 33 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-11-07 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 152,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 kia optima. the contact stated while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle was making an abnormal knocking noise and then stalled. the contact stated that the battery and check engine warning lights were illuminated. the contact was able to restart the vehicle. the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic …”
2023-11-12 · Suspension“after 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. lower ball joint and control arm also wore out, no injuries or accident. …”
2021-09-21 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“the airbags did not deploy while the car was being driven at 65 mph on interstate 275 s and crashed into a wall barrier. since the airbags did not deploy, the driver's head was thrown around because the rest of his body was held firm by the seat belt. the driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital. after several tests, it was determined t…”
2021-03-28 · Power Train · 66,000 mi“while driving the car when cold the car downshifts hard into first at about 20 mph. almost at sometimes feeling like i have been hit from the back. my neck has started hurting from whiplash. this is a very horrible problem that needs to be fixed. in states where roads become wet, icy, and covered with snow, this can cause a lot of damage/ possibly …”
2021-03-18 · Power Train · 72,182 mi“transmission downshift very hard from 2nd to 1st. dealer reset module 10 months ago. solved problem. problem recurred. dealer reset module but problem continues. checked internet, problem seems to be widespread.…”
2021-02-05 · Power Train · 102,000 mi“when car is slowing down and /or approaching a stop sign it gives a hard jerk. even if traffic slows down on the express way it gives a hard jerk. this has been going on since november 2020.…”
2020-09-03 · Service Brakes · 150,000 mi“last week, on aug 29th 2020, i tried to make a left u-turn on a residential street and the steering wheel locked up. i got scared and just drove forward to the next street and turned right onto that street. on aug the 17th, 2020 i had my car inspected. the mechanic said the brake fluid was leaking and had to fix that. approx 2 weeks later, s…”
2020-03-13 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“tl* the contact called on behalf of his deceased daughter who was driving a 2009 kia optima. the daughter was driving at an unknown speed and went into oncoming traffic, went down an embankment and crashed into a tree head on where the vehicle came to a stop. the exact events were uncertain. none of the air bags deployed. as a result, the daughter …”
2020-02-28 · Power Train · 140,000 mi · 🔥 fire“driving at 70 mph, engine died and car started smoking. pulled to shoulder, front end of car caught fire. fire department extinguished with foam. car a total loss.…”
2020-01-12 · Engine“after i bought my used 2009 kia optima, i was experiencing a hard downshift when it decelerated, it was so abrupt it felt as if the brakes had been applied very rapidly and the car would jerk forward. it happens when the vehicle first starts and goes away after it has warmed up. the vehicle was taken to a kia dealer and we believe they reprogramm…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.