2009 Model Year

Kia Optima

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
116
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Severe
14

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Engine
Jul 2024

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 th...

STEERING,SUSPENSION
Dec 2023

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

Air Bags Crash
Sep 2021

The airbags did not deploy while the car was being driven at 65 mph on Interstate 275 S and crashed into a wall barrier. Since the airbags did not dep...

Power Train
May 2021

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. THI...

Power Train
Mar 2021

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...

Power Train
Mar 2021

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD FROM 2ND TO 1ST. DEALER RESET MODULE 10 MONTHS AGO. SOLVED PROBLEM. PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER RESET MODULE BUT PROBLEM...

Engine
Dec 2020

AFTER I BOUGHT MY USED 2009 KIA OPTIMA, I WAS EXPERIENCING A HARD DOWNSHIFT WHEN IT DECELERATED, IT WAS SO ABRUPT IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN AP...

Air Bags Crash
Mar 2020

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DECEASED DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA OPTIMA. THE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND WENT INT...

SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Mar 2020

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 FORW...

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Fire
Feb 2020

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...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2009 Kia Optima has 116 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Power Train. 5 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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