2009 Kia Optima

116 complaints on file, page 1 of 6.

1. Filed Nov 7, 2024Failure Dec 18, 2023152,000 milesHouston, TXEngine and engine cooling

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11624035
2. Filed Nov 12, 2023Failure Nov 10, 2023Syracuse, UTSteering, Suspension

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

   NHTSA complaint 11554765
3. Filed Sep 21, 2021Failure Sep 8, 2021Oldsmar, FLAir bagsCrash1 injured

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11433866
4. Filed Mar 28, 2021Failure Mar 18, 202166,000 milesFranklin, INPower train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11405236
5. Filed Mar 18, 2021Failure Mar 5, 202172,182 milesPhoenix, AZPower train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11403684
6. Filed Feb 5, 2021Failure Nov 20, 2020102,000 milesAtlanta, GAPower train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11394898
7. Filed Sep 3, 2020Failure Sep 2, 2020150,000 milesPittsburgh, PAEngine, Service brakes

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11353024
8. Filed Mar 13, 2020Failure Feb 25, 2020PAW PAW, WVAir bagsCrash2 injured1 killed

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11317876
9. Filed Feb 28, 2020Failure Feb 19, 2020140,000 milesWarrenton, MOEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power trainFire

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11312041
10. Filed Jan 12, 2020Failure Jun 30, 2016Milton, FLEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11298828
11. Filed Oct 16, 2019Failure Sep 27, 201950,000 milesLutz, FLExterior lighting

    BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONAL.

    NHTSA complaint 11269021
12. Filed Sep 17, 2019Failure Aug 20, 2019130,000 milesNEW Prague MN 56071, MNSteering

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11256185
13. Filed Jun 9, 2019Failure Nov 20, 2018126,000 milesBinghamton, NYEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11218787
14. Filed Apr 4, 2019Failure May 20, 2015Baltimore, MDEngine, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, HydraulicFire

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11193878
15. Filed Mar 26, 2019Failure Mar 25, 2019Pocatello, IDSteering

    MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND NOTHING WILL HELP UNLOCK IT. IS THERE A RE CALL

    NHTSA complaint 11191747
16. Filed Nov 1, 2018Failure Oct 1, 201888,200 milesTucson, AZAir bags

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11144815
17. Filed Jul 25, 2018Failure Jul 7, 2018122,000 milesMarietta, GAElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 6 TIMES.

    NHTSA complaint 11113658
18. Filed Jul 17, 2018Failure Jul 13, 2018114,856 milesBelle Chasse, LAAir bags, Exterior lighting, Seat belts

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11112018
19. Filed Jun 30, 2018Failure Apr 12, 2018117,000 milesDavie, FLPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11104892
20. Filed Aug 9, 2017Failure Aug 7, 201794,913 milesHuntsville, ALAir bags

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11013923