2009 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 116 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 5 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
116 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 14, 2011, crash
TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER. THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AS A RESULT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO TREAT NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,076.
Power train, Nov 30, 2011
WHEN DRIVING CAR IS OK, BUT WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 20 MPH THE CAR JERKS , BUT AFTER CAR I DRIVEN FOR AROUND 10-15 MILES IT DOESN'T DO IT. *KB
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 15, 2011
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 OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT HAS SINCE COME BACK ON AGAIN TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR OR THAT SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION CONTROL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,200.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 13, 2011
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. TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANY CODE ON THE VEHICLE RECORDED. REALLY WORRIED OF THINKING IF THIS HAPPEND WHEN I GO ON TO A FREE WAY. *TR
Child seat, Jun 10, 2011
I LEARNED THAT SOME USERS OF THE SUPER LATCH BELT ON THE RADIAN 80SL CAR SEAT WERE EXPERIENCING LOOSENING OF THEIR LATCH BELTS DURING NORMAL USE FROM SUNSHINE KIDS JUVENILE PRODUCT'S FACEBOOK PAGE. I WENT TO CHECK MY OWN LATCH BELT AND FOUND IT TO BE LOOSE. I TIGHTENED IT UP AGAIN AND FOUND IT VERY EASY TO LOOSEN THE BELT BY APPLYING SLIGHT PRESSURE WITH MY POINTER FINGER IN AN OUTWARD AND DOWNWARD MOTION. I ALSO PUSHED THE SEAT SIDE TO SIDE TO TEST THE BUCKLE AND DID NOT FIND THAT IT LOOSENED THE BELT, SO IT APPEARS TO REQUIRE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BUCKLE TO LOOSEN IT. I'VE CHECKED THE BELT EVERY TIME I'VE GOTTEN IN THE CAR SINCE THEN AND HAVE NOT FOUND IT TO BE LOOSE SINCE THE FIRST TIME. MY CAR SEAT SITS IN THE REAR FACING POSITION AND MY TODDLER CAN EASILY KICK THE BUCKLE WITH HIS FOOT AND LOOSEN IT, WHICH COULD BE DEVASTATING IF WE WERE TO EXPERIENCE A COLLISION WHILE THE BELT HAPPENED TO BE LOOSE. I CONTACTED SUNSHINE KID'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, AS INSTRUCTED BY THEIR PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT, AND RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT SUPER LATCH BELT FOR MY SEAT TODAY, 6/9/2011. THEY HAVE ADDED A RETAINING CLIP TO THE BUCKLE, WHICH DOES SEEM TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO LOOSEN THE BELT BUT I CAN'T SAY THAT IT WORKS IN THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE NOT INSTALLED THE SEAT WITH THE NEW BELT YET. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL BELT AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION IF NECESSARY. I ONLY ADDED A VEHICLE COMPLAINT TO PROVIDE THE VIN; I HAVE NO COMPLAINT WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF, ONLY THE LATCH BELT OF MY CHILD RESTRAINT. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2009, MAKE=OPTIMA, MODEL=KIA). *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2011
I HAVE A 2009 KIA OPTIMA LX WHEN I GO TO BRAKE AROUND 20 MPH IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS DOWNSHIFTING HARD CAUSING ME TO JERK IN THE SEAT. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME I DO FEEL THIS IS THE TRANSMISSION AND I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. *TR
Power train, Jan 14, 2011
2009 KIA OPTIMA LX/EX SEDAN 4 DOOR TRANSMISSION 15,000 MILES EXTREME HARD DOWN SHIFT WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM SECOND TO FIRST., ALMOST LIKE IT THROWS THE CAR INTO PARK, ENOUGH THAT IT COULD THROW YOU INTO WINDSHIELD IF NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, IT ONLY HAPPENS 20% OF THE TIME ON ICE AND SLICK ROADS IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 21, 2010
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
Electrical system, Interior lighting, Oct 16, 2010
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 DIMLY ILLUMINATED. AT NIGHT AND ON OVERCAST DAYS, THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE. *TR
Visibility, Sep 8, 2010
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 5000.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2010
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 INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKED BETTER AT NIGHT SINCE THE BACK LIGHT WAS EASIER TO READ. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A TRAFFIC FAILURE IN THE EVENT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300.
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2010
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 REGARDING THE ISSUE AND WAS ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Power train, Feb 18, 2010
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 TOWARDS WINDSHIELD CAUSING SEVER NECK AND BACK PAIN THIS IS GETTING WORSE , DEALER WILLING TO FIX BUT KIA IS IGNORING THE ISSUE AS I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM , I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER ITS PROBABLY JUST COMPUTER ORIENTED BUT KIA HAS TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR , CONTACTED KIA AND AS EXPECTED THERE COMPUTER WAS DOWN AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME! *TR
Suspension, Structure, Oct 9, 2009
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. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE FRAME READJUSTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 1500. UPDATED 11/10/09 *BF THE VEHICLE PULLED EXTREMELY HARD TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS RE-ALIGNED AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, THE VEHICLE TURNED ON IT OWN WITH KNOW HELP FROM THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, THAT ALL NEW FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WHEELS PULL HARD, IT WAS THE CROWN IN THE ROAD. UPDATED 11/18/09
Vehicle speed control, Aug 11, 2009
KIA MOTORS, 2009, OPTIMA, DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS AREA DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO VIEW WHILE DRIVING, CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FROM SPEEDING TOO FAST TO FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE DESIGN DEFECT REGARDING THE INABILITY TO SEE THIS IMPORTANT ELEMENT THE SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. ALSO, SOLD THIS VEHICLE WITH A STICKER CLAIMING A MISLEADING STATEMENT OF CONTENT EQUIPPED IN THE VEHICLE AN "ECO-MINDER" THAT WAS NOT OR INTENDED TO BE ON THE VEHICLE. *TR