3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,459 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #9

Dec 152015

Optima

  • 133,560 miles
While I was not notified about a recall, until recently, the dealer advised my information was probably not passed on to the proper authorities from the previous owner. I went to the Kia dealer in crystal river and they supposedly put a new brake light switch on my vehicle and when I left the dealership my ABS/ESC lights were illuminated on the dash and my car started doing all kinds of funny things like vibrating and shuttering under the gas pedal. You know you could feel the shuttering on the gas pedal. At that point I had no brakes and barely stopped. I thought it was only a temporary thing but now its doing it all the time and I can't feel safe driving the car at all. I still owe almost $9000 dollars and can't afford a costly repair from a recall.. I have spoke with some people and they advised that the recall has been causing the ecs to malfunction in many cases and caused the stability of the car and ABS to act up.

- Old Town, FL, USA

problem #8

Oct 152014

Optima 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The ESC alarm came on and the car began shuddering. I tried to brake but it seemed to make the shuddering worse. It became difficult to steer so I coasted the vehicle.to the shoulder of the road and waited a few minutes. I turned the ignition again and the car came on first try but the ESC alarm was still illuminated and usually is although it turns off from time to time.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #7

Nov 222013

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
Per NHTSA recall number 13V114 I took my 2009 Kia Optima to koons Kia in woodbridge on 11/21/2013 to replace my vehicle's stop lamp switch. The next day I noticed that after applying the brakes for the first time the brake lights are continuously illuminated and remain illuminated after I have shut down the engine and the ignition switch is in the off position. Another problem is that the electronic stability control (ESC) light intermittently comes on. Both of the above problems arose after the 11/21/2013 stop lamp switch replacement.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 302013

Optima 4-cyl

  • 70,459 miles
I was backing up to part my vehicle and pulled forward to straighten out the car. While pulling forward I applied my brake and the engine accelerated - I then slammed my brake and the car stopped. I put the car in reverse and parked. Turned the car back on and carefully moved forward incident did not repeat. Took my vehicle to the Kia dealership at burdick drivers village in cicero, NY and diagnostics recommended replacing the brake light switch. There is currently a recall for Hyundai elantra for this same problem and I would like to know the faulty part numbers. I have my old brake switch and if it matches the recalled ones I would like to be reimbursed. My son also has a 2009 Optima and is experiencing the same problems.

- Central Square, NY, USA

problem #5

Jan 072011

Optima 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The ESC light has been coming on for about 7 months. Took car in to cowboy Kia and was told car is not covered under warranty, and there will be a $90 diagnostic fee.

- Cleveland, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 042013

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
1st ESC off light came on & stayed on, pressing ESC button did nothing. Cruise control began not working. Brake lights do not work. Blinkers work, but no brake lights. Fuses & bulbs have been checked and none are blown.

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #3

Mar 172012

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
ESC starts blinking while driving at 40mph and the speed of the vehicle goes down all of a sudden.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #2

Nov 012011

Optima

  • 34,000 miles
While driving down the road I noticed that the car started handling differently and noticed that the ESC off light had come on. I changed the way I was driving to compensate for the lack of stability and got to where I could stop safely. After turning the car off and then restarting the light went off but has since come back on again twice in the last two days. I am concerned that something is going wrong with the electronics in the car or that something is going wrong with the suspension control.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #1

Aug 032011

Optima

  • 28,116 miles
While driving on a normal day with out rain and good road conditions ESC starts blinking and keeps blinking and the speed keeps going down. Even after flooring the accelerator. This happened 3 times twice after replacing a brake switch that went faulty. Technician at the dealership says that he could not find any code on the vehicle recorded. Really worried of thinking if this happend when I go on to a free way.

- Bloomington, IL, USA