2009 Kia Optima drivetrain & axles problems
29 complaints about drivetrain & axles have been filed for the 2009 Kia Optima, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 29 18% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 27 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When drivetrain & axles problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 27 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 64,000 miles, and 37% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 fire.
What owners wrote
Driving at 70 MPH, engine died and car started smoking. Pulled to shoulder, front end of car caught fire. Fire department extinguished with foam. Car a total loss.
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.
Other problems reported for the 2009 Kia Optima
- Air bags 28 complaints
- Brakes 21 complaints
- Electrical system 16 complaints
- Engine 16 complaints