2009 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 18%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Kia Optima, 18% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10661501, filed 2014-12, 65,000 miles“Approaching a stop sign or light, when I apply the brakes smoothly, the brakes will grab and the car will jerk to a stop, usually when the car is going less than 20 MPH. This is much worse is cold weather. After about 10 minutes of driving, it no longer occurs. We just bought the car in august 2014, so this is the first winter we've had the car, so I don't know if the prior owners tried to have it fixed or not.”
NHTSA complaint #10730207, filed 2015-06, 14,000 miles“Last week, on aug 29th 2020, I tried to make a left u-turn on a residential street and the steering wheel locked up. I got scared and just drove forward to the next street and turned right onto that street. On aug the 17th, 2020 I had my car inspected. The mechanic said the brake fluid was leaking and had to fix that. Approx 2 weeks later, sept 2nd, the motor blew on my car while driving on a hwy. There was black smoke coming through the A/C vent right before it happened. The car is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #11353024, filed 2020-09, 150,000 miles“In the past month I have noticed when coming to a stop and applying the brakes on my 2009 Kia Optima that the car jerks like it doesn't want to stop. I have had my brake pads checked and they are fine. I have however noticed that when I'm coming to a stop and put the car in neutral I stop fine with no jerking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10499505, filed 2013-02, 160,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle on the highway and it made a continual noise until brakes were applied. The vehicle would occasionally make the noise even when stopped until I pushed on the brakes. The ESC light, brake light and ABS light were on and would occasionally turn off when brakes applied. I immediately took the vehicle to hullman's ford for diagnostics. I was notified that the vehicle hydraulic electronic control unit was faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #10552822, filed 2013-11, 37,201 milesRelated recalls
- 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul…Covers: Kia Optima 2008–2011, Sorento 2007–2011, Sedona 2007–2011 +6 more
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 19 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 90 | 9% |
| 2014 | 42 | 7% |
| 2013 | 114 | 8% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 47 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 21 | 18% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2009 Kia Optima
33 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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