2010 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 32%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Kia Optima, 32% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall transmission has a grinding and whining noise!! But transmission shift gear smoothly. These noise worse at cold condition and turn to the left, and passing over speedbump. As I heard in the south korea, this is common often reported by drivers who drive this vehicle. I am trying to figure out what is going on but all car mechanic could not found it. I am very scary when I driving. I think it could be a safety issue in the future.”
NHTSA complaint #11047250, filed 2017-11, 110,000 miles“Hard jerk when downshift into first gear at 20-22 MPH. I am concerned that this could cause an accident on wet, icy or snow covered roads. When I asked the dealer about this problem, he said he had not heard of it.”
NHTSA complaint #10555247, filed 2013-12, 67,000 miles“The car buckles when reducing your speed to around 20 MPH. Also the rear seat door lock stopped working and my car is no longer under warranty and Kia wants to charge me around 700 dollars to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10543322, filed 2013-09, 60,000 miles“The car has a lurching issue when it slows down to 20mph when the car lurches with a hard down shift to 1st gear. This phenomena is especially acute when the car is cold or when you first start driving it.”
NHTSA complaint #10808628, filed 2015-12, 71,000 miles“While decelerating, either braking or coasting, the car will lurch violently when reaching approximately 22 MPH. The severity of the lurch varies but in most instances it is hard enough to snap my neck forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10661821, filed 2014-12, 70,000 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 2010 Kia Optima
17 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 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