2007 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2007 Kia Optima, 8% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I've seen in other forums about engine recalls. I was never notified and the engine in my car disintegrated. It was replaced with an engine from a wrecking yard. This should be covered by manufacturer. I had issues with the brake lines rusting out. This should not have happened either. Not being able to service the transmission and arguing with the dealership about this should be replaced by manufacturer!”
NHTSA complaint #11389463, filed 2021-01, 99,560 miles“I was in a crash and I have to say that this is a problem. After I received my car back from the body shop the car has been malfunctioning ! The 2.7l has stumble on and at acceleration the failure is the throttle position switch this is a safety problem for all driver's that drive a 2007 Kia Optima. The malfunction occurs five times in one day. This problem may cause severe or fatal injuries to the occupants in the vehicle. Nothing was done to correct the failure and the old throttle position switch is available! …”
NHTSA complaint #10631283, filed 2014-09, 97,000 miles“As I was driving on the freeway today the car suddenly went from a speed pf 65 to 20 MPH in the passing lane. I suddenly turned on the emergency lights to let the cars behind me know that their was a problem. Thank god I was hit and was able to pull the car over on the ramp. I called to have the car towed but in houston (this labor day) no one is able to look at the car so I was able to get it towed to auto zone. They ran a diagnostic and the tps (throttle position sensor) codes appeared. I was told only Kia carries the part. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629865, filed 2014-09, 111,000 miles“On two occasions (to date) my Kia Optima has become inoperable - unable to put the car in drive or reverse. The first occurred during the winter in february 2010. After one of many snowstorms this season I was driving on a plowed road then encountered an area where there was only room enough for one car to pass. When I pulled over to allow an approaching vehicle to pass my car was in about 8-inches of snow. While moving the transmission selector between reverse to get out of loosely packed snow I found I could no longer get the car into a drive gear ' forward or reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10342445, filed 2010-07, 25,000 miles“My vehicle speed up and slow down all that itself. It will not maintain speed even with my foot steady on the gas. It will not accelerate, but the major problem is my seatbelt gets stuck all the time I’m afraid to get buckled. I am unable to remove my seatbelt multiple times so now I have buckled my seatbelt behind me so I can start getting tickets. I’ve gotten like four tickets because I’m scared to be buckled that it’s not gonna come on down when I need it to be I’ve got 40 bought tickets. …”
NHTSA complaint #11549529, filed 2023-10Related recalls
- 11V153000Mar 9, 2011Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through june 13, 2007. There is a possibility that the…Covers: Kia Optima 2006–2008
Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
- 10034637Jul 1, 2010Kia: provides information related to the ecm software upgrade of some vehicles with 3.8l and 2.7l engines which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with the…
- 10023005Oct 11, 2007Optima (mg) shift cable detachment.
- 10021561Jan 1, 2007Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 18% |
| 2019 | 17 | 8% |
| 2018 | 19 | 8% |
| 2017 | 21 | 8% |
| 2016 | 74 | 10% |
| 2015 | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 | 64 | 5% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 24 | 32% |
| 2009 | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 9% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2007 Kia Optima
65 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology