Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2009 Kia Optima has 1 recall, 116 complaints.
1
Recalls
116
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
13V114000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 ...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Rating for: 2009 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the ve... |
| Nov 10, 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | After 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. Lower ball joint and control arm also wore o... |
| Sep 8, 2021 | AIR BAGS | The airbags did not deploy while the car was being driven at 65 mph on Interstate 275 S and crashed ... |
| Mar 18, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN COLD THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS HARD INTO FIRST AT ABOUT 20 MPH. ALMOST AT SOMETI... |
| Mar 5, 2021 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD FROM 2ND TO 1ST. DEALER RESET MODULE 10 MONTHS AGO. SOLVED PROBLEM.... |
| Nov 20, 2020 | POWER TRAIN | WHEN CAR IS SLOWING DOWN AND /OR APPROACHING A STOP SIGN IT GIVES A HARD JERK. EVEN IF TRAFFIC SLOWS... |
| Sep 2, 2020 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | LAST WEEK, ON AUG 29TH 2020, I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT U-TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE STEERING ... |
| Feb 25, 2020 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DECEASED DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE DAU... |
| Feb 19, 2020 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | DRIVING AT 70 MPH, ENGINE DIED AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED TO SHOULDER, FRONT END OF CAR CAUGHT ... |
| Sep 27, 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONAL. |
| Aug 20, 2019 | STEERING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT... |
| Mar 25, 2019 | STEERING | MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND NOTHING WILL HELP UNLOCK IT. IS THERE A RE CALL |
| Nov 20, 2018 | ENGINE | A BEARING IN THE MOTOR OR SOMETHING GAVE OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. I AM UNABLE TO START IT AND KEEP IT S... |
| Oct 1, 2018 | AIR BAGS | THE AIRBAG (SRS) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AT ABOUT 88,200 MILES IN OCTOBER, 2018. I FIRST... |
| Jul 13, 2018 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | SRS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE STATIONARY AND CONTINUED WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING..NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE T... |
| Jul 7, 2018 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 6 TIMES. |
| Apr 12, 2018 | POWER TRAIN | CAR LURCHES AT 20 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENS AFTER JUST STARTING THE CAR, ONCE DR... |
| Aug 7, 2017 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUM... |
| Aug 2, 2017 | POWER TRAIN | MY 2009 KIA OPTIMA WITH 90,000 MILES IS EXPERIENCING A HARD DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN IT DECELE... |
| Jul 28, 2017 | AIR BAGS | AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT'S A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERIN... |