Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Kia Optima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Late last year (2014) in our Kia Optima 2009 got some transmission issue which is difficult to explain for. To me it looks like a manufacturing defect which Kia must resolve. This is what I experienced: in 2014 October, I started feeling a heavy jolt/jerk whenever I used the car and the engine is cold. The jolt is so strong that every passenger noticed it. This happens only when I try to slow down the car and it gets near to 20 mphr. So the factors are: 1. Cold 2. Downshift 3. Speed 20 mphr on slippery roads it May be very dangerous which can lead to major injuries. Kia must accept this dangerous manufacturing defect before it start taking lives. It is very annoying issue too, it is always on my mind while driving which is causing distraction while driving. Kia must take an action instead of sitting quite. They must issue recall this to fix this dangerous issue. …
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. I thought it was only a temporary thing but now its doing it all the time and I can't feel safe driving the car at all. I still owe almost 9000.00 dollars and can't afford a costly repair from a recall.. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA 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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia Optima. While driving the vehicle at higher speeds and attempting to reduce the speed by depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would reduce speed as normal til around 20 MPH. The vehicle would suddenly jerk forward. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Approaching a stop sign or light, when I apply the brakes smoothly, the brakes will grab and the car will jerk to a stop, usually when the car is going less than 20 MPH. This is much worse is cold weather. After about 10 minutes of driving, it no longer occurs. We just bought the car in August 2014, so this is the first winter we've had the car, so I don't know if the prior owners tried to have it fixed or not.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system failed and caused the contact to be involved in a crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for repairs. The dealer confirmed that the anti-lock braking system had malfunctioned. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 12,200.
After getting the brake light recall switch exchanged the next day my car started making dragging noise and so me clicking sounds in the back rear especially on the right side. I took it jeffrey Kia, roseville, michigan on gratiot avenue and I was told it was the right brake pad and the left rotor and it would be $300. I told him I had a warranty, extended warranty and a tire warranty and that I do not ride my brakes and has never experience this type of problem with any car I have drove. Mike calls me back and says he can order some generic pads and fix the rotor for $169. When I went to pick it up he placed on pad on one side and one rotor on the other side and the breaking seems unsure of a complete stop. The distance seems too long. My credit is messed up due to family but I am going to have to sell this car and get a new one because this is definitely a defect. …
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. I have taken it to a transmission shop and they have said that their is no problems there and have also called the local Kia dealership to have the problem looked at but they stated that if its something not covered under warranty I have to pay $100 just for them looking at the vehicle regardless if they find the problem or not. I have searched the internet and have seen similar problems with this particular car but no information on what is causing the issue.
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. I have my old brake switch and if it matches the recalled ones I would like to be reimbursed. My son also has a 2009 Optima and is experiencing the same problems.
Brake complaints in other Optima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Kia Optima?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Kia Optima, 18% of the model year's 116 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Kia Optima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Kia Optima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Optima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.