2009 Kia Optima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Kia Optima: 1 recall, 116 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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…
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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (33): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (31), stalls / loses power (3).
- Airbags (28): the most common themes are warning light on (13), fails to deploy (4).
- Brakes (17): the most common themes are warning light on (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Electrical (16): the most common themes are warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2009 Kia Optima has 116 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 20 Optima model years for complaints (well below the 376 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 64,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (144 complaints, 3 recalls), 2010 (75 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Kia Optima.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Kia Optima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2009 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Kia Optima problems?
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (33), airbags (28), brakes (17).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Kia Optima get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Kia Optima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.