2009 KIA Optima problems
Owners have filed 166 complaints about the 2009 KIA Optima with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 19.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 16.9%.
Complaints166
Crashes6
Fires10
Injuries5
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Power train 19.9% · 33
Air bags 16.9% · 28
Service brakes 10.2% · 17
Electrical system 9.6% · 16
Engine 8.4% · 14
Vehicle speed control 6.6% · 11
Electronic stability control (ESC) 5.4% · 9
Exterior lighting 5.4% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 6 describe a crash, 10 describe a fire, 5 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the KIA Optima in this data, 2009 draws comparatively few complaints; 2013 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 21 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 65,000 miles.
In owners' own words
My 2009 KIA Optima with 90,000 miles is experiencing a hard downshift into first gear when it decelerates to about 20 mph. It is so abrupt, it feels as if the brakes have been applied very rapidly. The car jerks forward and is accompanied by a clunking sound from the transmission. It mostly happens when the vehicle is cold and goes away after it has warmed up. It just started and I have not taken it to be serviced. Power train · reported at 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 KIA Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the gear shifter failed to secure into park or reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. Power train · reported at 62,000 miles
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 death. Power train · reported at 66,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…