The contact owns a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal knocking noise and then stalled. The contact stated that the battery and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the vehicle stalled several times while driving to the mechanic. The mechanic had diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there were metal shavings in the oil pan and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
2009 Kia Optima engine problems
16 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Optima engine problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2009 Kia Optima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
After I bought my used 2009 kia optima, I was experiencing a hard downshift when it decelerated, it was so abrupt it felt as if the brakes had been applied very rapidly and the car would jerk forward. It happens when the vehicle first starts and goes away after it has warmed up. The vehicle was taken to a kia dealer and we believe they reprogrammed the transmission control module. It stopped for a while but it is doing it again after a couple of years.
A bearing in the motor or something gave out as I was driving. I am unable to start it and keep it started. I was told the engine ceased up. It only has like 126000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 kia optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v114000 (service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting). The manufacturer had not sent notification of the vehicle being included in the recall from march 29, 2013. While driving highway speeds, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. While pulling the vehicle over, an off duty fire fighter flagged the contact to quickly pull over and exit the vehicle. The fire fighter remained at the scene as the fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. The driver was not injured. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a facility, inspected the collision damages, and claimed the vehicle as a total loss. The cause of the fire was not investigated. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was not available.
The engine started knocking two months ago and yesterday the check engine light came on while driving on the highway resulting in the car shutting off with no warning.
My 2012 kia optima was found to have a leaking oil line which feeds lubrication oil from the engine to the turbocharger. This occurred at 58,000 miles, well within the 100,000 mile warranty for the drive train. However, the dealer informed me that the oil supply line was not covered by the warranty, but the engine and turbo were. The loss of this line would result in the failure of the engine due to no oil, as well as the turbo, and this was most likely to fail when under acceleration in traffic as that is when the load on these components is greatest. Failure of the engine at this time could result in catastrophic consequences in heavy traffic. Even if the line did not fully fail, the leaking oil is located at the turbo housing which is part of the exhaust system and is likely, after some time, to result in an engine fire which would likely destroy the car. Since this component, the oil supply line connects the engine and the turbo I find that it is an essential part of the drive train and should be covered by the manufacturer under the warranty. It also is a severe potential hazard to the driver of the vehicle. I wish to enter my concerns to the federal safety agency.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 kia optima. While driving 35 MPH, another motorist notified the contact that the undercarriage of the vehicle was on fire. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed smoke and flames under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The light has been on since the middle of 2013 and the dealership when asked during each oil change is we will check it out. Ever since I have purchased this vehicle there has been problems with this vehicle.
Questions about the 2009 Kia Optima engine
Does the 2009 Kia Optima have engine problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Kia Optima, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Optima engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Kia Optima engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Optima have bad engine?
The Kia Optima model years with the most engine complaints are 2013 (652 complaints), 2015 (649 complaints) and 2016 (445 complaints).
Other 2009 Kia Optima problems
Transmission 33Airbags 28Brakes 21Electrical 16Acceleration 11Lights 10Driver assistance 9Steering 7Body 4Suspension 4Visibility 2Fuel system 1Seat belts 1
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