Does the 2009 Kia Optima have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Kia Optima, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Optima?

Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (33 complaints), followed by air bags (28).

How many 2009 Kia Optima complaints mention a crash or fire?

5 of 116 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2009 Kia Optima recalls and problems

1 recall and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia Optima.

recalls

116

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 Kia Optima recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train33
Air bags28
Service brakes17
Electrical system16
Engine14
Vehicle speed control11
Electronic stability control (ESC)9
Exterior lighting9
Steering7
Service brakes, hydraulic4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 7, 2024 · Engine and engine cooling · 152,000 miles
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…

Nov 12, 2023 · Steering
After 131,500 miles, struts, rotors and pads wore out. Lower ball joint and control arm also wore out, No injuries or accident.

Sep 21, 2021 · Air bags · crash reported
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…

Mar 28, 2021 · Power train · 66,000 miles
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…

Mar 18, 2021 · Power train · 72,182 miles
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.

Optima model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2006	2	155	3	1
2007	2	167	11	5
2008	3	144	20	4
2009	1	116	5	4
2010	1	75	7	2
2011	5	594	23	33
2012	5	920	25	77

Across all years, the 2013 Optima has the most complaints (1,387). All Kia Optima years →

Questions

Does the 2009 Kia Optima have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Kia Optima, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Optima?: Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (33 complaints), followed by air bags (28).
How many 2009 Kia Optima complaints mention a crash or fire?: 5 of 116 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 7, 2024.