2009 KIA OPTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    24 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    25
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–90,000 mi

    Median 71,000 mi, based on 26 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS CAR THE AIR BAG (SRS) LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. SCAN TEST FOUND CODE B1447 OC ECU DEFECT, FOUND POOR CONNECTION AT CONTROL UNIT. THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND STATED THE UNIT WAS WORKING NOW AS DESIGNED.…"~4,018 mi, complaint #1124864
    • "TOOK 2009 KIA TO DEALERSHIP, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016 BECAUSE OF AIR BAG ILLUMINATION. WAS TOLD IT WAS TWO THINGS. THE OCS MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. KIA ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2008 O…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1307558
    • "FOR A LONG TIME, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE KIA TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. EACH ONE SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG AND TURNED OFF THE WARNING LIGHT. BOTH DEALERSHIPS SAID THAT, IF YOU PUT A CELL PHO…"~71,649 mi, complaint #1235059
    • "AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT'S A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS A RECALL UP TO 2008 OPTIMA'S FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2009. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A KNOWN ISSUE AS I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. I…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1395660
    • "SRS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE STATIONARY AND CONTINUED WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING..NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY RESET IT COMES BACK NEXT DAY AND STAYS ON."~114,856 mi, complaint #1483603
  2. #2

    transmission automatic

    25 unsafe

    25
    incidents
    Typical range: 31,500–67,000 mi

    Median 55,000 mi, based on 33 reports (6% had no usable mileage)

    • "BOUGHT A KIA OPTIMA A FEW MONTHS AGO AND RECENTLY IT HAS DEVELOPED A DANGEROUS SHIFTING PATTERN WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST ABOUT 20MPH IT JERKS THE !@#$%'.OUT OF YOU AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE BRAKING AT THE TIME YOU MEET A SNAP FROM SEAT BELT AS YOU FLY…"~12,000 mi, complaint #764274
    • "TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD - STARTED AROUND 60,000 MILES. SHIFTS HARD FROM SECOND GEAR TO FIRST GEAR - AROUND 20 MPH. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE SYSTEM (COMPUTER) UPGRADE IN JANUARY OF 2014 ($500) -- THIS FIXED THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. TOOK IT BACK IN JANU…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1307261
    • "WHILE LEAVING FOR WORK IN THE AM, AS I DECELERATE AT THE STOP SIGN, WHEN SPEED NEARS 20-25 MPH THE VEHICLE JERKS HARD LIKE IT'S TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT. SEEMS TO DISAPPEAR AS THE VEHICLE WARMS TO RUNNING TEMP. *TR"~54,835 mi, complaint #1087620
    • "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 WHE…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1737002
    • "CAR LURCHES AT 20 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENS AFTER JUST STARTING THE CAR, ONCE DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOWNSHIFTS WITHOUT LURCHING FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED YEARS AGO AROUND 70,000 DEALER FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS OK UNTIL NOW AT 120,000…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1479566
  3. #3

    brake hydraulics

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONAL."~50,000 mi, complaint #1612772
    • "I WAS BACKING UP TO PART MY VEHICLE AND PULLED FORWARD TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR. WHILE PULLING FORWARD I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED - I THEN SLAMMED MY BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND PARKED. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON…"~70,459 mi, complaint #1006547
    • "IN THE PAST MONTH I HAVE NOTICED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES ON MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA THAT THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. I HAVE HAD MY BRAKE PADS CHECKED AND THEY ARE FINE. I HAVE HOWEVER NOTICED THAT WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP AND…"~160,000 mi, complaint #964233
  4. #4

    control module

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 47,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT MADE A CONTINUAL NOISE UNTIL BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE THE NOISE EVEN WHEN STOPPED UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON AND WOULD OCCASIO…"~37,201 mi, complaint #1022528
    • "THE VEHICLE LURCHES WHEN SLOWING DOWN BETWEEN 2ND GEAR AND 1ST GEAR. THE LURCH IS STRONG ENOUGH TO JERK PASSENGERS FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN STAMFORD, CT ON APRIL 27, 2012. THEY REPLACED THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE FIX LASTED UNT…"~46,810 mi, complaint #972796
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SHIFTER'S POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1305107
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS E…"~88,858 mi, complaint #1115828
  5. #5

    instrument cluster

    3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "MY CONCERN INVOLVES ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN DRIVING ON A BRIGHT DAY, THE PANEL ILLUMINATION IS SO DIM THAT THE ODOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN WITHOUT MOVING MY HEAD ALMOST NEXT TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEEDOMETER, AND OTHER GAUGES, ARE ALSO DI…"~914 mi, complaint #820315
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE ON A SUNNY DAY HE NOTICED THAT THE GLARE FROM THE SUN WAS BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…"~4,000 mi, complaint #812725
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DURING THE DAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO READ DUE TO THE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER, THE CLOCK, OR THE RADIO WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INST…"~5,300 mi, complaint #805408
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RED WARNING LIGHTS, FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR, RADIO CONTROLS, CLOCK, OIL GAUGE, AND TEMPERATURE COMMUNICATION LIGHTS WERE DIFFICULT TO READ IN DAY LIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGAR…"~11,000 mi, complaint #791215
  6. #6

    stability and traction control

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A NORMAL DAY WITH OUT RAIN AND GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS ESC STARTS BLINKING AND KEEPS BLINKING AND THE SPEED KEEPS GOING DOWN. EVEN AFTER FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TWICE AFTER REPLACING A BRAKE SWITCH THAT WENT FAULTY. TECHNI…"~28,116 mi, complaint #879431
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED HANDLING DIFFERENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE ESC OFF LIGHT HAD COME ON. I CHANGED THE WAY I WAS DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF STABILITY AND GOT TO WHERE I COULD STOP SAFELY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR…"~34,000 mi, complaint #890612
    • "THE ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS. TOOK CAR IN TO COWBOY KIA AND WAS TOLD CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WILL BE A $90.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #1000097
    • "THE ESC ALARM CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN SHUDDERING. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT SEEMED TO MAKE THE SHUDDERING WORSE. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER SO I COASTED THE VEHICLE.TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I TURNED THE IGNITION AGAIN AND THE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1135429
  7. #7

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 2 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1316586
    • "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."~140,000 mi, complaint #1650286
    • "THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING TWO MONTHS AGO AND YESTERDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WITH NO WARNING."~146,894 mi, complaint #1386629
    • "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…"~152,000 mi, complaint #2038580
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 2 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA WAS PARKED. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN, IT WOULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE SLIGHTLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TUMBLERS WERE NOT READING THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I CONTACTED KIA BUT…"~50,250 mi, complaint #1096997
    • "THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY. *JS"~66,000 mi, complaint #1090971
    • "A BEARING IN THE MOTOR OR SOMETHING GAVE OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. I AM UNABLE TO START IT AND KEEP IT STARTED. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CEASED UP. IT ONLY HAS LIKE 126000 MILES ON IT."~126,000 mi, complaint #1573309
    • "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. TH…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1689699
  9. #9

    abs module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES SMOOTHLY, THE BRAKES WILL GRAB AND THE CAR WILL JERK TO A STOP, USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH. THIS IS MUCH WORSE IS COLD WEATHER. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, IT NO LONGER OCC…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1193423
    • "WHILE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL, UNTIL RECENTLY, THE DEALER ADVISED MY INFORMATION WAS PROBABLY NOT PASSED ON TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER IN CRYSTAL RIVER AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY PUT A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH…"~133,560 mi, complaint #1246574
  10. #10

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1260239
    • "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."~102,000 mi, complaint #1725157
  11. #11

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AFTER GETTING THE BRAKE LIGHT RECALL SWITCH EXCHANGED THE NEXT DAY MY CAR STARTED MAKING DRAGGING NOISE AND SO ME CLICKING SOUNDS IN THE BACK REAR ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I TOOK IT JEFFREY KIA, ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN ON GRATIOT AVENUE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS…"~22,300 mi, complaint #1036022
  12. #12

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "LEFT FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN HALF DURING NORMAL SERVICE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, RIGHT FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE DURING NORMAL SERVICE. BOTH THESE INSTANCES MADE IT DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR, WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WIND…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1128399
    • "THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED IN HALF. ONE WEEK LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE BEING OPENED. THERE WAS NO EXTRA FORCE OR PRESSURE ON THE HANDLES THEY JUST BROKE IN YOUR HANDS. *TR"~83,000 mi, complaint #948894
  13. #13

    other

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL UP TO MANUFACTURE DATE OF JAN 2008 (SC094). HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURED OCT 2008 EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. *TR"~78,000 mi, complaint #1142021
  14. #14

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "KIA OPTIMA IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULDN'T TURN CAR ON AND WHEELS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH SO SOMEONE CAN NOT STEAL THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID IF THE IGNI…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1100225
    • "KIA OPTIMA IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULDN'T TURN CAR ON AND WHEELS LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *JS"~71,936 mi, complaint #1084212
  15. #15

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED TH…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1603897
  16. #16

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AFTER A BATTERY REPLACEMENT, THE BATTERY SPARKED WHEN THE CAR FIRST TURNED ON, BUT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON. FROM THAT POINT FORWARD WE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON AND TWO OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH ON CONSTANTLY. WE TOOK IT IN AND SPE…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1117377
    • "AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK AND PARKING MY VEHICLE AT HOME, THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY IN 40 DEGREE WEATHER FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 HRS. I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND FOUND MY CAR ON FIRE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND DISPAT…"~70,000 mi, complaint #960674
  17. #17

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA . WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND UP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED SIX TIMES. THE REPAIR HAS NOT REMEDIED THE FAILURE…"complaint #738989
  18. #18

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SECOND FAILURE OF BRAKE SWITCH. ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. UNSURE IF BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING, IF THE ESC IS WORKING, OR IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL SHUT OFF DURING THESE EPISODES. THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS AND YEARS OF KIA…"~97,000 mi, complaint #994784
  19. #19

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WATER LEAK CAR ROOF TO BODY SIDE WELD NEVER SEALED AT FACTORY, CAUSE EXTENSIVE MOLD DAMAGE. CEILING REPLACED, CARPETS , KIA DEALER UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT BACK SEAT CAN'T REPAIR, MOLDY SMELL. CERTIFIED MOLD EXPERT SAID ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CAR NEEDS REPLACED,…"~33,500 mi, complaint #1112249
  20. #20

    engine oil consumption

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2010 AND HAD ONLY 2400 MILES ON IT WHEN THE OIL PUMP FAILED. IT TOOK CITRUS MOTORS IN ONTARIO, CA ALMOST TWO WEEKS TO ACQUIRE THE PART AND REPLACE IT. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF"~2,400 mi, complaint #832027
  21. #21

    engine turbo supercharger

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY 2012 KIA OPTIMA WAS FOUND TO HAVE A LEAKING OIL LINE WHICH FEEDS LUBRICATION OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO THE TURBOCHARGER. THIS OCCURRED AT 58,000 MILES, WELL WITHIN THE 100,[REDACTED ADDRESS] TRAIN. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE OIL SUPPLY LINE WAS…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1360966
  22. #22

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1232081
  23. #23

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CONSTANTLY BLOWING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. HAVE REPLACED 4 BULBS IN 4 MONTHS. ON 04/03/16 I LEFT TO START MY CAR TO GO HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 PM TO DISCOVER I HAD NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND MY HIGH BEAM WOULD NOT STAY ILLUMINATED UNLESS I HELD THE LEVE…"~97,773 mi, complaint #1272670
  24. #24

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1099395
  25. #25

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SAYS IT'S A CLOCK SPRING THAT'S NOT UNDER MY WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WILL COST $335.00 ON TOP OF THE $84.00 I PAID FOR DIAGNOSIS. IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON 2009'S AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2008'S…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1298867
  26. #26

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS WHICH [XXX] SAYS HE DID REPLACE BOTH BACK PADS WITH GENERIC PADS EVEN THOUGH MY RECEIPT SHOWED SOMETHING DIFFERENT; I WENT TO GET THE CAR APPRAISE TO SEE HOW MUCH I COULD GET FOR IT ON A TRADE-IN VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD T…"~23,233 mi, complaint #1036588
  27. #27

    suspension struts shocks

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "After 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. Lower ball joint and control arm also wore out, No injuries or accident. "complaint #1942566

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA OPTIMA directly.