2010 Kia Optima Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Optima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)2425.3%
- Airbags1717.9%
- Electrical1414.7%
- Engine1111.6%
- Driver assistance88.4%
- Brakes44.2%
- Interior & seats33.2%
- Seat belts33.2%
- Exterior lighting22.1%
- Body & structure22.1%
- Visibility22.1%
- Steering22.1%
- Suspension11.1%
- Tires & wheels11.1%
- Fuel system11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car lurches or jerks when slowing down or stopping at about 20 mph . Lurch or jerking is enough to jerk to the driver . Has anyone got answer to why the Kia Optima 2010 does this.
Car has very hard downshift at low speed going from 2nd gear to 1st. Seems to be alot of these complaints and would be nice to know of a fix for this problem!
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. GERVAIS KIA (6 INDUSTRIAL AVE, LOWELL, MA 01851, (978)454-1202) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. NOW AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DISENGAGED.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1.We were driving and the car just cut off. Not from the lack of fuel but cut off in the middle of traffic. (Available for inspection) 2.The car stopping in traffic running about 65 mph causes the safety of all on the highway. A very dangerous situation. 3. The problem has showed itself numerous times. 4. The car had been inspected/checked after the incident. There was no errors on the computer after diagnosis. 5. No errors nor warning lights prior the incident. After the incident, the car cranks right back up without error.
Car would not engage into “Park” while attempting to park car in driveway. Shifter would not engage in any gear. Tried to reset button in center console. Contacted mechanic, he towed to garage. Plastic clip connected to cable broke. Earlier Kia’s had a recall due to this issue, why not all Kias due to it is still happening. I was very fortunate that this happened to me in my driveway and not on the highway. I understand there is the same part at the other end of the cable, connects to transmission and shifter, if it also breaks it is going to be very expensive to repair due to placement of the part. I had to rent a vehicle for work while part had to be ordered and replaced.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The engine on my 2010 Kia Optima suddenly seized without warning around 150,000 miles. The vehicle had no knocking sounds or warning signs prior to failure. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. This created a sudden loss of vehicle operation. I am concerned this may be related to the known engine failure issues reported in Kia vehicles.
1.We were driving and the car just cut off. Not from the lack of fuel but cut off in the middle of traffic. (Available for inspection) 2.The car stopping in traffic running about 65 mph causes the safety of all on the highway. A very dangerous situation. 3. The problem has showed itself numerous times. 4. The car had been inspected/checked after the incident. There was no errors on the computer after diagnosis. 5. No errors nor warning lights prior the incident. After the incident, the car cranks right back up without error.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was getting ready to go out of town for work so before I left my home town. I went to a place to get my oil change. Before going everything was fine. I left there and literally 5 minutes after my car killed. Once it start back. The motor start making a noise it’s been parked
ENGINE BLEW DOING 40-45 ON A COUNTY ROAD 1,000 RPM 5TH GEAR, IN AUTOMATIC. 2ND TO 1ST, SOFT TO HARD KICK. VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MUST BE FAULTY I HAVE TO PUMP BRAKE MORE TO SLOW THE ENGINE SPEED IT LIKES TO BOG TRYING TO SPEED UP IN AUTOMATIC MODE
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car would not engage into “Park” while attempting to park car in driveway. Shifter would not engage in any gear. Tried to reset button in center console. Contacted mechanic, he towed to garage. Plastic clip connected to cable broke. Earlier Kia’s had a recall due to this issue, why not all Kias due to it is still happening. I was very fortunate that this happened to me in my driveway and not on the highway. I understand there is the same part at the other end of the cable, connects to transmission and shifter, if it also breaks it is going to be very expensive to repair due to placement of the part. I had to rent a vehicle for work while part had to be ordered and replaced.
LOUD GRINDING NOISE DEVELOPED IN RIGHT REAR BRAKE. UPON HIS EXAMINATION, MECHANIC FOUND RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZEN IN THE ENGAGED OR CLOSED POSITION. ALSO, LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FOUND TO BE FROZEN IN THE DISENGAGED OR OPEN POSITION. IN ESSENCE, BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE! WE WERE DRIVING A CAR THAT ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. OUR MECHANIC COULDN'T REMEMBER A CASE WHERE BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE ON A CAR. WE BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM TO BE UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 74,314 MILES AND ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VEHICLE STARTED ONLY UNLOCKING THE 3 PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, WHEN USING THE KEYFOB TO UNLOCK. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL STAY LOCKED AND YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK VEHICLE WITH KEY. NOW 2 OF OUR OTHER DOORS(BOTH REAR) DONT UNLOCK. ALL THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK WITH THE KEYFOB AND WHEN WE PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS, WHICH IS A PAIN IN THE BUTT WHEN YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN! *TR
DRIVER DOOR FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN REMOTE IS PRESSED TO UNLOCK BUT WILL UNLOCK ALL OTHER DOORS. THE DRIVERS DOOR AND ALL OTHER DOORS WILL LOCK WITH REMOTE BUT ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, THE PASSENGER NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT CONNECTED. THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,500.
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER HIT MY KIA SO HARD, I HIT THE MUSTANG IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. KIA WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WERE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE (I.E. STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, WHEEL SHAKING, ETC). THIS WAS THE EVENING OF 01/23/2014. ON 01/29/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE (TOTALING THE KIA) @ 28-30 MPH. AGAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE IMPACT LIFTED ME UP AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE, BUT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, FAILING TO SECURE MY BODY. MAJOR CONCUSSION RECEIVED ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES, CUTS, AND SCRAPES. INVESTIGATION UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF DEALER RESET BUT CAME BACK ON SOON AFTERWARDS. ANOTHER DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND PART WAS OVER $1000. MULTIPLE DEAD CAR BATTERIES DUE TO RUNNING LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF AFTER YOU PARK THE CAR. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD JUST RECALL AND FIX ALREADY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED DUE TO THE A FAILED WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WEATHER STRIP ON THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST STRARTED LIFTING UP AND COMING OFF AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CHECKED THE DAMAGE AND SAW THE BLACK PIECE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT CONTINUED TO LIFT MORE AS I DROVE. WHEN IT RAINED I BELIEVE WATER IS NOW IN THE SENSORS BECAUSE MY ODOMETER ONLY READS "ECO" ABOVE THE ACTUAL ODOMETER READING. IT BECAME SUCH A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO TAPE DOWN THE WEATHER STRIP JUST TO KEEP IT FROM FULLY COMING OFF MY CAR AND CAUSING FURTHER PAINT DAMAGE TO THE SIDE IT SMACKS AGAINST. NO MECHANIC WILL FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO BEING A MAUFACTURE ERROR AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IF I DID IT MYSELF. I HAVE CALLED KIA MANUFACTORS IN GA ONLY TO BE PLACED TO VOICEMAIL WITHOUT RESPONSE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY ALSO SAID TO CALL KIA.
VARIOUS DOORS WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK/UNLOCK FROM THE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND THE KEY FOB. THIS IS AN INTERMENT FAILURE AFFECTING MULTIPLE DOORS IN THE VEHICLE. DIFFERENT DOORS LOCKS ARE FAILING AT DIFFERENT TIMES, BOTH LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. BASED ON MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS AFFECTS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 2005 TO 2010 OPTIMAS. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE OCCUPANTS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WEATHER STRIP ON THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST STRARTED LIFTING UP AND COMING OFF AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CHECKED THE DAMAGE AND SAW THE BLACK PIECE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT CONTINUED TO LIFT MORE AS I DROVE. WHEN IT RAINED I BELIEVE WATER IS NOW IN THE SENSORS BECAUSE MY ODOMETER ONLY READS "ECO" ABOVE THE ACTUAL ODOMETER READING. IT BECAME SUCH A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO TAPE DOWN THE WEATHER STRIP JUST TO KEEP IT FROM FULLY COMING OFF MY CAR AND CAUSING FURTHER PAINT DAMAGE TO THE SIDE IT SMACKS AGAINST. NO MECHANIC WILL FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO BEING A MAUFACTURE ERROR AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IF I DID IT MYSELF. I HAVE CALLED KIA MANUFACTORS IN GA ONLY TO BE PLACED TO VOICEMAIL WITHOUT RESPONSE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY ALSO SAID TO CALL KIA.
I LIVE IN IOWA AND WE GOT 6 INCHES OF SNOW.... WENT TO CLEAN THE SNOW OFF MY CAR WITH THE BRUSH PART OF SNOW BRUSH AND WHILE DOING THAT WAS ALSO WARMING UP MY CAR AND AS I WAS CLEANING OFF THE BACK WINDSHIELD I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE WINDOW..... MY BACK WINDOW NOT ONLY HAD A HOLE IN IT BUT SHATTERED!! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!?! I DID NOTHING WRONG!!! NOTHING I HAVEN'T DONE A MILLION TIMES BEFORE AND WHY AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THIS?!?!? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY OPTIMA HAS 104,000 MILES. JUST LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, I LOST CONTROL AS THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON DURING THIS PERIOD FOR BETWEEN 5-30 SECONDS AS YOU LOOSE ALMOST ALL CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE'S STEERING. JUST AS YOUR VEHICLE GAINS POWER STEERING AGAIN, A SCREECHING SOUNDS COMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (MAYBE BELTS RE-ENGAGING). IT HAS BEEN RAINING HER THE PAST WEEK AND THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES. SOMETIMES DIRECTLY AFTER DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES, AND SOMETIMES JUST WHILE DRIVING. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS THOUGH WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER HIT MY KIA SO HARD, I HIT THE MUSTANG IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. KIA WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WERE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE (I.E. STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, WHEEL SHAKING, ETC). THIS WAS THE EVENING OF 01/23/2014. ON 01/29/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE (TOTALING THE KIA) @ 28-30 MPH. AGAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE IMPACT LIFTED ME UP AND MY HEAD SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE, BUT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, FAILING TO SECURE MY BODY. MAJOR CONCUSSION RECEIVED ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES, CUTS, AND SCRAPES. INVESTIGATION UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS A TERRIBLE RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS. BOUGHT IN 2016
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, JACK, OR LUG NUT WRENCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SUPPLY THE CONTACT WITH THE MISSING ITEMS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY WITHOUT THEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE MISSING EQUIPMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN MY VEHICLE JERK EVEN WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO OR IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH ALL OF THE REPORT I DON'T SEE HOW KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .