2010 Kia Optima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (21) · Air Bags (12) · Electrical System (7)
🧭 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
61 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 (34)
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2020-08-25 · PS675 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - brake caliper leak inspection - this pitstop provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
Showing the 6 most recent of 34 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-07 · Engine“the engine on my 2010 kia optima suddenly seized without warning around 150,000 miles. the vehicle had no knocking sounds or warning signs prior to failure. a mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. this created a sudden loss of vehicle operation. i am concerned this may be related to the known engine failure issues reported in kia veh…”
2025-03-03 · Engine“1.we were driving and the car just cut off. not from the lack of fuel but cut off in the middle of traffic. (available for inspection) 2.the car stopping in traffic running about 65 mph causes the safety of all on the highway. a very dangerous situation. 3. the problem has showed itself numerous times. 4. the car had been inspected/checked after t…”
2025-02-02 · Unknown Or Other“i was getting ready to go out of town for work so before i left my home town. i went to a place to get my oil change. before going everything was fine. i left there and literally 5 minutes after my car killed. once it start back. the motor start making a noise it’s been parked …”
2023-07-20 · Unknown Or Other“car would not engage into “park” while attempting to park car in driveway. shifter would not engage in any gear. tried to reset button in center console. contacted mechanic, he towed to garage. plastic clip connected to cable broke. earlier kia’s had a recall due to this issue, why not all kias due to it is still happening. i was very fortunate tha…”
2022-09-10 · Engine“rod bearing knocking noise. vehicle stopped running when slowing down. car is available for inspection. no warning lights come on. the rod bearing can pierce the engine and cause oil to leak and then a fire. problem first identified by monroe and then another independent when the car died in front of his shop- both confirmed this is a known issue w…”
2022-05-30 · Engine“at 134000 miles car got a knock on interstate. 5 miles to next exit a loud bang. then the knock went to a loud loud bang. pulled over to find rod thru block. it is a 2010 kia optima with 2.4l 1 year before the recalls with exact probelm. full of oil and coolant. just out of the blue. …”
2022-02-18 · Power Train“the car lurches or jerks when slowing down or stopping at about 20 mph . lurch or jerking is enough to jerk to the driver . has anyone got answer to why the kia optima 2010 does this.…”
2021-05-26 · Power Train“car has very hard downshift at low speed going from 2nd gear to 1st. seems to be alot of these complaints and would be nice to know of a fix for this problem!…”
2021-05-20 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 135,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2010 kia optima. the contact stated while driving 1 mph, the vehicle started overheating then there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. upon investigation, it was found that the radiator had a hole on the right side. the vehicle was not taken to a local dealer and was not diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. …”
2021-03-16 · Vehicle Speed Control · 140,000 mi“engine blew doing 40-45 on a county road 1,000 rpm 5th gear, in automatic. 2nd to 1st, soft to hard kick. vehicle speed sensor must be faulty i have to pump brake more to slow the engine speed it likes to bog trying to speed up in automatic mode…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.