2010 Kia Optima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Kia Optima ranks as the Best year out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 13 and just 75 complaints logged with NHTSA. It carries one recall covering the electrical system and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 13/100
- #14 of 16 Optima years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 75
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2010 Kia Optima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (32%)
- Airbags17 (23%)
- Engine16 (21%)
- Electrical System14 (19%)
- Other6 (8%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Structure & Body5 (7%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers reported the gear shift locking in place after turning off the ignition, preventing the key from releasing or the shifter from moving to park or neutral.
- Owners described sudden unintended forward surges at low speed without pressing the accelerator, in one case leading to a collision.
- Multiple owners said airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and rollover crashes, including one where the driver's seat back broke and reclined fully.
- One owner reported the transmission performing a hard, jolting downshift from second to first gear when slowing to around 20 mph.
- An owner reported an overheating engine with a hole in the radiator and a loud noise coming from the engine at very low speed.
2010 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Kia Optima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Optima has a complaint index of 13, the lowest (best) among all 16 Optima model years, and carries just one recall.
- What problems does the 2010 Kia Optima have?
- NHTSA complaints point to transmission and powertrain issues (32% of complaints), airbag non-deployment in crashes (23%), engine concerns (21%), and electrical system issues (19%).
- Does the 2010 Kia Optima have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 13V114000) covers the electrical system; it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- How does the 2010 Optima compare to other Optima years?
- The 2010 model year is rated Best, while years like 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016 are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 87, 100, 93, and 80 respectively.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Kia Optima?
- EPA rates the 2010 Optima at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.