MYRModel Year Report

2009 Kia Optima

▲ Better than typical
2009 Kia Optima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:00.557Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
116
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2004: 225 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 166 complaints 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2009 116 2010: 75 complaints 2011: 594 complaints 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2015: 1,009 complaints 2016: 759 complaints 2016 2017: 257 complaints 2018: 232 complaints 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2003 2004: 225 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2009 116 2010: 75 complaints 2011: 594 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2015: 1,009 complaints 2015 2016: 759 complaints 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 232 complaints 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2002 2003: 141 complaints 2003 2004: 225 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2008 2009: 116 complaints 2009 116 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 594 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2012 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2014 2015: 1,009 complaints 2015 2016: 759 complaints 2016 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 232 complaints 2018 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints 2020

2009: 116 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001143
2002107
2003141
2004225
2005144
2006155
2007166
2008144
2009116
201075
2011594
2012919
20131,384
2014588
20151,009
2016759
2017257
2018232
2019212
2020151

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

28% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Bought a Kia Optima a few months ago and recently it has developed a dangerous shifting pattern when down shifting from 2ND to 1ST about 20MPH it jerks the !@#$%'.out of you and if you happen to be braking at the time you meet a snap from seat belt...

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-18

Air bags

24% · 28 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While hitting several trees in my Kia Optima, going about 45MPH, the air bags did not deploy. My insurance company said from their experience and from looking at the damage of the car, they also think the air bags should have deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-11

Tl* the driver owns a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the driver was traveling approximately 30 MPH when another vehicle crashed into her. The driver's vehicle crashed into a building as a result and the air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-12-14

Service brakes

18% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

14% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

After returning from work and parking my vehicle at home, the car sat in my driveway in 40 degree weather for approximately 12 hrs. I woke up the next morning and found my car on fire and is a total loss.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-30

Also filed under Engine

Engine

12% · 14 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-04

Also filed under Exterior lighting and service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-04-19Exterior lighting13V114000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  3. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Kia Optima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V114000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Kia Optima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Kia Optima is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Optima?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Optima have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.