2009 KIA OPTIMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
166
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
The 2009 KIA OPTIMA has received a total of 166 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (29 complaints), Air Bags (28 complaints), and Service Brakes (17 complaints).
Recalls for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA, potentially affecting up to 980,377 vehicles.
Recall 13V114000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 980,377 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
166 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 28 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityglass Siderear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 KIA OPTIMA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
Kia America, Inc. has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
WTY002FORMOPT — EQUIPMENT
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY002 OPTIMA - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND...
WTY002FORMOPT — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY002 OPTIMA - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND...
OWNERSC122OPTIMA — EQUIPMENT
OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC122) - DEAR KIA OPTIMA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2006-2010 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD...
TSB-067 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
KIA: ECM UPGRADE FOR IMPROVED SHIFT QUALITY-EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINE AND A/T. PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU) OF SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.4L ENGINES. COMPLAINTS OF POOR SHIFT QUALITY/PATTERN DURING UP SHIFTS AND DOWN SHIFTS; THIS UPGRADED LOGIC WILL REDUCE THOSE COMPLAINTS. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 KIA OPTIMA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA OPTIMA
- 2004 KIA OPTIMA — 306 complaints
- 2005 KIA OPTIMA — 180 complaints
- 2006 KIA OPTIMA — 214 complaints
- 2007 KIA OPTIMA — 217 complaints
- 2008 KIA OPTIMA — 188 complaints
- 2009 KIA OPTIMA (current)
- 2010 KIA OPTIMA — 98 complaints
- 2011 KIA OPTIMA — 766 complaints
- 2012 KIA OPTIMA — 1,239 complaints
- 2013 KIA OPTIMA — 1,822 complaints
- 2014 KIA OPTIMA — 763 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints