2009 KIA Optima
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › KIA › Optima › 2009
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2009 KIA Optima. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
1 recall names the 2009 KIA Optima. Newest first.
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…
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.