10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Kia Optima engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Kia Optima Owner Comments

problem #6

Mar 162021

Optima

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine blew doing 40-45 on a county road 1,000 RPM 5th gear, in automatic. 2nd to 1st, soft to hard kick. Vehicle speed sensor must be faulty I have to pump brake more to slow the engine speed it likes to bog trying to speed up in automatic mode

- Quincy, IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 062019

Optima

  • miles
When coming to a stop my car shifts from 3rd to 2nd her very abruptly. It makes it feel as though I've slammed on my brakes very suddenly. It also does it when I slow my car then press the gas to accelerate sometimes. I've taken my car to the dealership over 5 times since first purchased by my mother in 2010 and the dealership always claimed to be unable to notice the sudden jerking. This jerking happens mostly on the street due to my continual stop and go, but it has also happened while getting on the freeway and during freeway traffic.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 232017

Optima 6-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Optima. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving 35 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle as it inadvertently accelerated. As a result, the driver struck another vehicle. The contact stated that the driver had to turn off the vehicle in order for it to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head and left leg injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 24,000.

- Newport Richey, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 032018

Optima

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle jerks when downshifting at about 20 mph.

- Ewa Beach, HI, USA

problem #2

Nov 082014

Optima 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
While decelerating, either braking or coasting, the car will lurch violently when reaching approximately 22 mph. The severity of the lurch varies but in most instances it is hard enough to snap my neck forward.

- Corfu, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 082013

Optima 4-cyl

  • miles
The cruise control is inoperative. The cruise control light will come on, but you cannot "set" the cruise control. I have read online about several other Kia makes and models having this same issue. As far as I can research, there is not a fuse for the cruise control.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

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