2009 Kia Optima Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2009 Kia Optima, 8% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles.
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.
“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811256, filed 2015-12, 133,560 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10435701, filed 2011-11, 34,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10538464, filed 2013-09, 70,459 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10425243, filed 2011-09, 28,116 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 19 | 1% |
| 2012 | 11 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Kia Optima
33 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 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 28, 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