YearToAvoid

2009 Kia Optima Brakes Problems

NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2009 Kia Optima, 21% of all 116 complaints for this model year. That is #7 highest brake complaint count among 16 Optima model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 60,000 miles.

Brakes complaints
24
21% of 116
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
60,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Kia Optima brake complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 13, 2011, latest Sep 3, 2020.

2009 Kia Optima brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Sep 2011Jan 2012Jul 2013Nov 2013Dec 2014Dec 2015Apr 2019
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to Sep 2020; peak Jul 2013 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2009 Kia Optima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Optima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20052 (1%)
  2. 20060 (0%)
  3. 20079 (5%)
  4. 20087 (5%)
  5. 200924 (21%)
  6. 20105 (7%)
  7. 201152 (9%)
  8. 201297 (11%)
  9. 2013132 (10%)
  10. 201446 (8%)
  11. 201598 (10%)
  12. 201633 (4%)
  13. 20178 (3%)
  14. 201819 (8%)
  15. 201922 (11%)
  16. 20208 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Kia Optima have brake problems?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about the brake in the 2009 Kia Optima, 21% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 60,000 miles.
Which Kia Optima year has the most brake complaints?
The 2013 Kia Optima has the most brake complaints (132), compared with 24 for the 2009.
Is there a brake recall for the 2009 Kia Optima?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Kia Optima is classified under brakes. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.