2010 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
1 recall campaign to confirm with a dealer.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2010 Kia Optima
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2010 Kia Optima recalls
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2010 Kia Optima. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Lights
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Details 13V114000
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
2010 Kia Optima safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Airbags: Is extending the warranty coverage for the front passenger occupant classification system (ocs) sensor mat for certain 2008-2011 my rio vehicles…
- Warranty extension: To that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front passenger occupant classification system (ocs) sensor mat to 15 years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date of first service.
- Warranty extension: "q and a: wty002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension"
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2010 Kia Optima safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
75 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Kia Optima years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator