TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Kia Optima electrical problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PITSTOP: STOP LAMP SWITCH IDENTIFICATION MATRIX (SC098) - KMA HAS RECEIVED A NUMBER OF INCORRECT WARRANTY RETURN PARTS RELATED TO CAMPAIGN SC098 AND HAS DETERMINED THAT AT TIMES DEALER STAFF MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN QUICKLY AND EASILY IDENTIFYING THE CORRECT SWITCHES WHILE ORDERING PARTS, PREPARING TO PERFORM THE STOP LAMP REPLACEMENT OR WHILE PREPARING TO RETURN REPLACED SWITCHES TO KMA (IN CASE OF AN EXISTING MANDATORY PART RETURN (MPR) REQUEST). TO FACILITATE FASTER AND EASIER IDENTIFICATION OF THE CORRECT PARTS, A PICTURE GUIDE AS SHOWN ON PAGE 2 IS PROVIDED. THE GUIDES CONTENT WAS PURPOSELY FORMATTED TO FIT ON ONE PAGE SO IT CAN BE EASILY PRINTED AND KEPT ON OR NEAR A WORKSTATION, PARTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ECM SOFTWARE UPGRADE OF SOME VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) SYSTEM RELATED DTC(S).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report serious electrical system problems in the 2009 Optima. Two vehicles caught fire in the engine compartment—one while parked overnight in cold weather, another while being driven at 35 mph—both confirmed as electrical fires and resulting in total loss. One owner spent over $4,000 on repairs after a battery replacement caused a wiring harness failure, leaving four dashboard warning lights permanently illuminated; the dealer blamed a prior accident (which the owner denies) to avoid warranty repair.
Multiple owners report the instrument panel backlight is too dim to read the speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, temperature, and warning lights in daylight conditions. The manufacturer acknowledged this as a design issue with no fix available.
Additional failures include an ignition switch that locked, preventing engine start and steering wheel movement; airbag warning lights that repeatedly come back on after battery replacement despite dealer resets; and a transmission lurch when downshifting that a stop lamp switch replacement only temporarily resolved. One owner's stop lamp switch replacement under recall 13V114 actually created new problems: brake lights staying on continuously even after ignition off, and intermittent electronic stability control warning lights. One owner also reports the ignition key not turning consistently.
Same Kia Optima electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Engine compartment electrical fire
Vehicle caught fire while parked in cold weather (40°F), with fire originating in engine compartment and appearing to start spontaneously. Vehicle was a total loss. Fire department determined it was an electrical fire.
When: After 12 hours parked; one vehicle at approximately 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous fire in engine compartment; Smoke and flames under hood
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; fire extinguished by fire department
Wiring harness failure following battery replacement
After battery replacement, battery sparked on startup. Wiring harness subsequently failed, causing multiple warning lights (check engine, brake light, two others) to remain on constantly. Owner spent over $4,000 on diagnostics and parts before issue was identified. Dealer claimed prior accident damage excluded warranty repair, but owner states vehicle was never in an accident.
When: Immediately after battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Battery sparked on first startup after replacement; Check engine light on constantly; Brake light on constantly; Two other dashboard lights on constantly; Wiring harness shows continued four lights on dash
Repairs/costs cited: Over $4,000 spent on oil changes, front end replacement, and other items; wiring harness identified as root cause but not replaced under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denied warranty repair claiming prior accident damage
Ignition switch locking failure
Ignition switch locked, preventing engine start and causing steering wheel to lock. Owner was told this is a safety feature to prevent theft, but was also warned that if the switch locked while driving, front wheels could lock and cause an accident.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked; Unable to turn key to start vehicle; Wheels locked
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch replaced
Instrument panel backlight too dim in daylight
Instrument panel backlight insufficient for reading gauges and displays during daylight hours. Multiple owners report inability to read speedometer, odometer, fuel level, temperature, and warning lights when driving in bright conditions. Dealer stated this was by design with no remedy available.
When: Early in ownership; one vehicle at 5,300 miles, another at 11,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer difficult to read in daylight; Odometer difficult to read in daylight; Clock difficult to read in daylight; Radio controls difficult to read in daylight; Fuel level indicator difficult to read in daylight; Oil gauge difficult to read in daylight; Temperature gauge difficult to read in daylight; Red warning lights difficult to read in daylight; Panel illumination excessive, washing out gauge visibility
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to find problem; manufacturer advised vehicle was designed that way
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised issue was by design with no remedy available
Airbag warning light activation after battery replacement
Airbag warning light came on immediately after battery replacement. Light was reset at dealership but returned repeatedly within days. Dealer eventually diagnosed it as airbag system codes B1382 and B1481 requiring over $1,200 in repairs.
When: Upon and immediately after battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light came on after battery replacement; Airbag light reset but returned the next day; Airbag light reset again but returned again next day
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated cost over $1,200 to repair airbag system
Transmission lurch during deceleration
Vehicle lurches strongly when slowing between 2nd and 1st gear, jerking passengers forward. Stop lamp switch replacement by dealer provided temporary fix lasting about 9 months to 63,000 miles. Computer upgrade did not resolve recurring issue. Owner reports being excluded from recall affecting later model years.
When: First occurrence, then recurring at approximately 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches when slowing down between 2nd and 1st gear; Lurch strong enough to jerk passengers forward in seats
Repairs/costs cited: Stop lamp switch replaced; computer upgrade performed but did not fix problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia stated no refund or fix available; vehicle not covered by recall for same part on later models
Stop lamp switch replacement creating new electrical issues
After stop lamp switch replacement under recall 13V114, brake lights became continuously illuminated even after engine shutdown and ignition off. Electronic stability control light also intermittently illuminates, both issues arising after the repair.
When: Day after stop lamp switch replacement on 11/21/2013
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights continuously illuminated after first brake application; Brake lights remain illuminated after engine shutdown; Brake lights remain illuminated with ignition in off position; Electronic stability control light intermittently comes on
Repairs/costs cited: Stop lamp switch replaced per NHTSA recall 13V114
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle recalled under NHTSA recall number 13V114 for stop lamp switch replacement
Ignition key turning difficulty
Key will not turn consistently to start vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn to start vehicle consistently
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Per NHTSA recall number 13v114 I took my 2009 Kia optima to koons Kia in woodbridge on 11/21/2013 to replace my vehicle's stop lamp switch. The next day I noticed that after applying the brakes for the first time the brake lights are continuously illuminated and remain illuminated after I have shut down the engine and the ignition switch is in the off position. Another problem is that the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 Kia Optima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 Kia Optima?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 46,810 and 70,100 miles, with the median around 69,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,810; a quarter make it past 70,100. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Kia/Optima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.