2009 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Kia Optima has a complaint index of 27 and a Good verdict, ranking 12th worst out of 16 model years. NHTSA lists 116 complaints, one recall, and top issues in transmission/powertrain, airbags, and engine.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 27/100
- #12 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 116
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 1
Top 2009 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (28%)
- Airbags28 (24%)
- Engine27 (23%)
- Brakes24 (21%)
- Electrical System23 (20%)
- Steering7 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the anti-lock braking system suddenly failing, in one case leading to a crash.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes at highway speed.
- Several owners describe engine fires starting while parked or while driving, with one vehicle declared a total loss.
- Electrical system fires were reported under the hood or undercarriage, sometimes noticed by other drivers first.
- One owner said the recall notice for the brake/lighting campaign never arrived before a fire occurred.
- A dashboard design complaint noted the speedometer and odometer were hard to read while driving.
2009 Kia Optima recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
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 campaign number is SC098.
2009 Kia Optima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Kia Optima reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2009 Optima a complaint index of 27 and a Good verdict compared to other Optima years, ranking 12th worst out of 16 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA complaints point to transmission and powertrain issues (28% of complaints), airbags (24%), and engine problems (23%), with median failure mileage between 62,000 and 70,100 miles depending on the area.
- Does the 2009 Kia Optima have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 13V114000, covering the electrical system along with several other Kia models from those model years.
- How does the 2009 Optima compare to other Optima years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 27 is much lower than the 2013 Optima's index of 100 and the 2015 Optima's index of 93, both rated Avoid, making 2009 one of the better years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Kia Optima?
- EPA rates the 2009 Optima at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.