Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% | 57,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2013 | 19 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% | 102,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 97,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | 122,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 126,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 97,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, there were knocking sounds before the engine suffered a failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) unit software not being updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
I was driving on 8/28/2020 and a warning light came across the dashboard that read my forward collision camera was not working and it stayed lit for about 3 minutes while driving and eventually went off before I parked the car. I am afraid to drive the car if the braes May fail.the vehicle was in motion initially approaching a stop light when the message came across the dashboard. I was on a city street driving.
Hello I am nychole and in October of 2017 I purchased a brand new 2018 Kia Optima . Never really had any issues with it until fri nov 22. As I was leaving from work my car did a very abrupt jerk that I acknowledged but didn't think anything of it because my gas light had just came on. But today which is Sunday my car's EPS (electric power steering) light flashed. Weirded out I look at the manual in the glove compartment. As I eased into my apartment complex the car did that same jerk, the steering wheel went hard to manage/steer and 6 other lights started blinking( parking break light,epb light ,ABS light,ESC light ,battery charge light, and the master malfunction light) . I could no longer manipulate my wheel so I pull forward onto a open spot and put it in park. The moment I did this the car cut off. It will not turn over, it will not do anything besides tick. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and auto high-beam warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the four windows failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.
On the evening of May 17, I needed a jump after work. I went home, turned off my car but was unable to start it again so I replaced the battery. I thought I had fixed the problem until the next day when I was driving 65mph on a local interstate with my daughter in the car, all my dash lights came on, I lost navigation & radio and my power steering locked up. I went to turn on my hazards and those did not work either. I checked my mirrors to make sure no one was going to hit me and I was able to get off the highway and pull onto the shoulder. I was extremely fearful as I had minimal steering capability & was unable to notify other motorists of my disabled vehicle as my hazard lights were not functioning. I was able to get it towed to a dealership where I was told I needed a new alternator for my 3 year old car. …
Electronic stability control activates (flashing light on dash) inappropriately; when not actually experiencing a traction issue. Most often occurs when accelerating from a stop at an intersection with any type of "dip" or unevenness between the roadways, such as lip from driveway to street. When it activates in these situations the engine power reduces significantly resulting in little to no torque and the vehicle is unable to properly accelerate. This becomes very dangerous when pulling onto roadways with through-traffic, as it is not possible to clear the intersection in the anticipated timeframe had the electronic stability control had not improperly engaged. My common reaction when this happens is to provide more acceleration, which the vehicle responds to once the roadway becomes even and results in an instant burst of engine power. …
While driving, below speed limit, the back tire slid on some slush. When I tapped the break the electronic slip control kicked on, locking the steering wheel, causing the throttle to cut off without slowing down or changing gears, and the breaks instantly started jumping, I at this point had absolutely no control over the vehicle. The car went off the road, hitting a cement post, my head bounced off of the steering wheel, continued to crash forward coming to a rest on top of a rock wall, that is when the airbag deployed causing a severe neck sprain. At this time the rear wheel was not even on the ground as I had been launched to a teetering position, the engine had been cracked, fluids leaking everywhere when I noticed a strange colored smoke and the engine still running. A witness quickly advised me to cut the engine off and get out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair which included a system update and while driving 45 MPH after the recall repair, the vehicle experienced inadvertent braking, without another vehicle nearby. The contact coasted the vehicle until the vehicle regained normal acceleration functionality. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance, Traction Control, ABS, and Blind Spot Detection system's warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic linked the failure to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Optima years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (19), 2012 (11), 2015 (10), 2016 (10) and 2009 (9) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Kia Optima traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Kia Optima model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Optima traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the control module (1 mentions).
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.