2009 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 28%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Kia Optima, 28% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving the car when cold the car downshifts hard into first at about 20 MPH. Almost at sometimes feeling like I have been hit from the back. My neck has started hurting from whiplash. This is a very horrible problem that needs to be fixed. In states where roads become wet, icy, and covered with snow, this can cause a lot of damage/ possibly death.”
NHTSA complaint #11405236, filed 2021-03, 66,000 miles“My 2009 Kia Optima with 90,000 miles is experiencing a hard downshift into first gear when it decelerates to about 20 MPH. It is so abrupt, it feels as if the brakes have been applied very rapidly. The car jerks forward and is accompanied by a clunking sound from the transmission. It mostly happens when the vehicle is cold and goes away after it has warmed up. It just started and I have not taken it to be serviced.”
NHTSA complaint #11013124, filed 2017-08, 90,000 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“When the vehicle slows to 20 miles per hour, the car downshifts hard by itself. In researching online, I found numerous reports of the same thing. In speaking with my personal mechanic, he said this should be covered under the transmission portion of the power train warranty - new transmission software needs to be re-downloaded to the car's computer and then the computer reset - this should retrain the transmission on when to downshift.”
NHTSA complaint #10643517, filed 2014-10, 60,000 miles“I purchased a used Kia Optima in march 2012, but had, what I thought were grabbing brakes. I took it in when I found a service bulletin TSB-067. I had the car analyzed, and found it had this shifting issue. I had the reprogramming done and everything was fine for a little over a year, then not only did the downshifting issue start back up again, but now have acceleration issues as well. Now the vehicle lopes on acceleration - sometimes a lot . …”
NHTSA complaint #10639695, filed 2014-09, 62,000 milesRelated 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…
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 2009 Kia Optima
28 complaintsBrakes
21 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