- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2009 Kia Optima Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2009 Kia Optima with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (33) and the airbags (28). Those complaints describe 5 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2013 for the switch. For comparison, the 2008 has 144 and the 2010 has 75.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Optima year, for its age
#81 most complained-about 2009 vehicle
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 5
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 2009 Kia Optima problems
Share of all 116 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2009 Kia Optima recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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116 complaints about the 2009 Kia Optima
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
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 then stalled. The contact stated that the battery and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the vehicle stalled several times while driving to the mechanic. The mechanic had diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there were metal shavings in the oil pan and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
After 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. Lower ball joint and control arm also wore out, No injuries or accident.
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 deploy, the driver's head was thrown around because the rest of his body was held firm by the seat belt. The driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital. After several tests, it was determined that the driver suffered a broken neck and spinal damage and must wear as an Aspen neck brace for 6 weeks and then be examined by a Neurosurgeon to determine if there is any further damage or additional medical care is required. The driver is unable to work until released by a Neurosurgeon. The car was declared a total loss.
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.
Transmission downshift very hard from 2nd to 1st. Dealer reset module 10 months ago. Solved problem. Problem recurred. Dealer reset module but problem continues. Checked internet, problem seems to be widespread.
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. This has been going on since november 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 forward to the next street and turned right onto that street. On aug the 17th, 2020 I had my car inspected. The mechanic said the brake fluid was leaking and had to fix that. Approx 2 weeks later, sept 2nd, the motor blew on my car while driving on a hwy. There was black smoke coming through the a/c vent right before it happened. The car is a total loss.
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 into oncoming traffic, went down an embankment and crashed into a tree head on where the vehicle came to a stop. The exact events were uncertain. None of the air bags deployed. As a result, the daughter was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The front passenger sustained a fractured femur and the rear passenger sustained unknown injuries. A...
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police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center (riverside collision center located on 1441 south branch river rd, romney, wv 26757) where they were refusing to release the vehicle unless the manufacturer repurchased it. The vehicle was currently in possession of the collision center. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. *Ln*jb*dt*jb*dt*dt*jb*dt*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt*dt*dt*dt
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 a total loss.
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 applied very rapidly and the car would jerk forward. It happens when the vehicle first starts and goes away after it has warmed up. The vehicle was taken to a kia dealer and we believe they reprogrammed the transmission control module. It stopped for a while but it is doing it again after a couple of years.
Brake light stays on and drains battery. Rear brake light not functional.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia optima. While making a right turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. When the contact depressed the brake pedal and turned the steering wheel right and left, the vehicle was able to drive normally. The contact stated that the failure occurred three times within two months. The vehicle was taken to jeff belzer's kia chevrolet dodge ram kia (21111 cedar ave, lakeville, mn 55044, (952) 232-6897), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later taken to luther...
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bloomington kia (1701 american blvd w, bloomington, mn 55431, (612) 424-7641) where it was diagnosed, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
A bearing in the motor or something gave out as I was driving. I am unable to start it and keep it started. I was told the engine ceased up. It only has like 126000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 13v114000 (service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting). The manufacturer had not sent notification of the vehicle being included in the recall from march 29, 2013. While driving highway speeds, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. While pulling the vehicle over, an off duty fire fighter flagged the contact to quickly pull over and exit the vehicle. The fire fighter remained at...
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the scene as the fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. The driver was not injured. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a facility, inspected the collision damages, and claimed the vehicle as a total loss. The cause of the fire was not investigated. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was not available.
My steering wheel is locked and nothing will help unlock it. Is there a re call
The airbag (srs) warning light came on and stayed on at about 88,200 miles in october, 2018. I first noticed this while driving but the light stayed on ever since then. Took the vehicle to a kia dealer who checked the vehicle's diagnostic code (b1346) and told me the airbag clock spring was faulty and needed to be replaced . This was done after they ordered the part for a total cost to me of $329.72. The clock spring problem was covered under a recall for 2008 optimas and some other kia models. Since the...
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srs system may not function properly with a faulty air bag clock spring, this is a serious safety component problem and should be covered by kia like it was for previous model years.
HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 6 TIMES.
Srs light came on while stationary and continued while vehicle is running..Now it stays on all the time. No matter how many times they reset it comes back next day and stays on.
Car lurches at 20 mph when slowing down to a stop. This happens after just starting the car, once driven on the highway it downshifts without lurching forward. This happened years ago around 70,000 dealer flushed transmission and it was ok until now at 120,000. Seems like this is a common reoccurring problem that should be recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia optima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The dealer was contacted (university kia, 6519 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35806, (256) 217-1700) to inspect and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,913.
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.
Air bag light is on and we've been told by the dealer that it's a faulty clock spring in the steering wheel. There was a recall up to 2008 optima's for this issue but not the 2009. This should be investigated as a known issue as I've seen many complaints. It's a safety issue that kia should pay since the airbag may not deploy an it's an expensive replacement and special order. The dealer will not cover this replacement.
The engine started knocking two months ago and yesterday the check engine light came on while driving on the highway resulting in the car shutting off with no warning.
My car has 60,603 miles on it the srs light is illuminated it has remained on for the past week. I have not been in an accident. After extensive online research I've noticed that there were thousands of kia's recalled all the way up to 2008 for this exact problem as it stands now although it's a known problem it will not be covered under any hundred thousand miles warranty.
My 2012 kia optima was found to have a leaking oil line which feeds lubrication oil from the engine to the turbocharger. This occurred at 58,000 miles, well within the 100,000 mile warranty for the drive train. However, the dealer informed me that the oil supply line was not covered by the warranty, but the engine and turbo were. The loss of this line would result in the failure of the engine due to no oil, as well as the turbo, and this was most likely to fail when under acceleration in traffic as that is when...
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the load on these components is greatest. Failure of the engine at this time could result in catastrophic consequences in heavy traffic. Even if the line did not fully fail, the leaking oil is located at the turbo housing which is part of the exhaust system and is likely, after some time, to result in an engine fire which would likely destroy the car. Since this component, the oil supply line connects the engine and the turbo I find that it is an essential part of the drive train and should be covered by the manufacturer under the warranty. It also is a severe potential hazard to the driver of the vehicle. I wish to enter my concerns to the nhtsa.
Kia Optima: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,388 | 9 | F |
| 2012 | 923 | 5 | F |
| 2011 | 594 | 5 | F |
| 2010 | 75 | 1 | A |
| 2009 | 116 | 1 | B |
| 2008 | 144 | 3 | C |
| 2007 | 167 | 2 | B |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 | B |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 | B |
2009 Kia Optima vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Optima | 116 | 1 | B | |
| 2009 Nissan Altima | 1,547 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2009 Toyota Camry | 1,414 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid | 1,413 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2009 Honda Accord | 727 | 11 | D | Compare |
| 2009 Hyundai Sonata | 460 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 | 386 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2009 Volkswagen Passat | 152 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2009 Dodge Avenger | 67 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2009 Kia Optima
Does the 2009 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Kia Optima: switch (April 2013). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Optima?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (33), airbags (28), brakes (21).
How many complaints has the 2009 Kia Optima had?
116 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 11, 2009 and the latest on November 7, 2024. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 4 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 2009 Kia Optima a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 71 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Kia Optima year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Kia Optima years have the most complaints?
2013 (1,388), 2015 (1,011), 2012 (923). See every Kia Optima year compared.
What should I do if my 2009 Kia Optima has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data