Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

75 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
35

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 23sudden stalling 5unintended acceleration 3
A recent report: The engine on my 2010 Kia Optima suddenly seized without warning around 150,000 miles. The vehicle had no knocking sounds or warning signs prior to failure. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a…
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The engine on my 2010 Kia Optima suddenly seized without warning around 150,000 miles. The vehicle had no knocking sounds or warning signs prior to failure. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a seized engine. This created a sudden loss of vehicle operation. I am concerned this may be related to the known engine failure issues reported in Kia vehicles.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11722673 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
11

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 6electrical shorts 1
A recent report: THE IGNITION WANT TURN ALL TO WAY OFF I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL TURN COMPLETELY OFF SO I CAN REMOTELY LOCK THE DOOR. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR ACTUATOR WORK WHEN IT GET…
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THE IGNITION WANT TURN ALL TO WAY OFF I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL TURN COMPLETELY OFF SO I CAN REMOTELY LOCK THE DOOR. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR ACTUATOR WORK WHEN IT GET READY I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH KEY AND MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10980032 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
4

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1transmission slipping 1loss of braking 1
A recent report: 1.We were driving and the car just cut off. Not from the lack of fuel but cut off in the middle of traffic. (Available for inspection) 2.The car stopping in traffic running about 65 mph causes the…
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1.We were driving and the car just cut off. Not from the lack of fuel but cut off in the middle of traffic. (Available for inspection) 2.The car stopping in traffic running about 65 mph causes the safety of all on the highway. A very dangerous situation. 3. The problem has showed itself numerous times. 4. The car had been inspected/checked after the incident. There was no errors on the computer after diagnosis. 5. No errors nor warning lights prior the incident. After the incident, the car cranks right back up without error.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11646102 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 2
A recent report: MY OPTIMA HAS 104,000 MILES. JUST LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, I LOST CONTROL AS THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON DURING THIS PERIOD FOR BETWEEN 5-30 SECONDS AS…
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MY OPTIMA HAS 104,000 MILES. JUST LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, I LOST CONTROL AS THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON DURING THIS PERIOD FOR BETWEEN 5-30 SECONDS AS YOU LOOSE ALMOST ALL CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE'S STEERING. JUST AS YOUR VEHICLE GAINS POWER STEERING AGAIN, A SCREECHING SOUNDS COMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (MAYBE BELTS RE-ENGAGING). IT HAS BEEN RAINING HER THE PAST WEEK AND THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES. SOMETIMES DIRECTLY AFTER DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES, AND SOMETIMES JUST WHILE DRIVING. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS THOUGH WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11311465 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
17

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 6software faults 4
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. GERVAIS KIA (6 INDUSTRIAL AVE, LOWELL, MA 01851, (978)454-1202) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. GERVAIS KIA (6 INDUSTRIAL AVE, LOWELL, MA 01851, (978)454-1202) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11331104 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
4

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 4
A recent report: THE WEATHER STRIP ON THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST STRARTED LIFTING UP AND COMING OFF AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CHECKED THE DAMAGE AND SAW THE BLACK PIECE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE…
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THE WEATHER STRIP ON THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST STRARTED LIFTING UP AND COMING OFF AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CHECKED THE DAMAGE AND SAW THE BLACK PIECE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT CONTINUED TO LIFT MORE AS I DROVE. WHEN IT RAINED I BELIEVE WATER IS NOW IN THE SENSORS BECAUSE MY ODOMETER ONLY READS "ECO" ABOVE THE ACTUAL ODOMETER READING. IT BECAME SUCH A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO TAPE DOWN THE WEATHER STRIP JUST TO KEEP IT FROM FULLY COMING OFF MY CAR AND CAUSING FURTHER PAINT DAMAGE TO THE SIDE IT SMACKS AGAINST. NO MECHANIC WILL FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO BEING A MAUFACTURE ERROR AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IF I DID IT MYSELF. I HAVE CALLED KIA MANUFACTORS IN GA ONLY TO BE PLACED TO VOICEMAIL WITHOUT RESPONSE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY ALSO SAID TO CALL KIA.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10807726 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 75 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 5 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.