2010 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 75 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 7 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
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: service brakes
4 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 20, 2023
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 that this happened to me in my driveway and not on the highway. I understand there is the same part at the other end of the cable, connects to transmission and shifter, if it also breaks it is going to be very expensive to repair due to placement of the part. I had to rent a vehicle for work while part had to be ordered and replaced.
Service brakes, Aug 9, 2015
LOUD GRINDING NOISE DEVELOPED IN RIGHT REAR BRAKE. UPON HIS EXAMINATION, MECHANIC FOUND RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZEN IN THE ENGAGED OR CLOSED POSITION. ALSO, LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FOUND TO BE FROZEN IN THE DISENGAGED OR OPEN POSITION. IN ESSENCE, BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE! WE WERE DRIVING A CAR THAT ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. OUR MECHANIC COULDN'T REMEMBER A CASE WHERE BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE ON A CAR. WE BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM TO BE UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 74,314 MILES AND ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 5, 2013
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH OUR 2010 KIA OPTIMA, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. THE TPMS, (!) AND THE AIRBAG "OFF/ON" LIGHTS ALL GO OFF AND ON CONTINUALLY. THEY WILL BE ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN GO OFF AND STAY OFF FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE BRAKES ALSO JERK OUR CAR VERY ROUGHLY FORWARD WHEN WE ARE BRAKING. EVEN IF WE ARE GOING 5 MPH, WE PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR GIVES A BIG JERK BEFORE IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Mar 7, 2013
WHEN BRAKING AT LOWER SPEEDS OF LESS THEN 20MPH THE CAR LURCHES OR JERKS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE ENGAGING OR THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING HARD. *TR