| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Kia Optima repairs by problem area
Engine (24%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (12%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)
Other (7%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 577 repairs.
Kia Optima transmission repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (7%)
$500 - $999 (7%)
$100 - $499 (17%)
< $100 (67%)
Chart based on 42 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2017 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
154-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 3000 mi | Recall on the Automatic Transmission Inhibitor Switch. |
2015 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 28000 mi US $284 |
Tranny flush n fill for 30k mile maintenance. Install two new tires and 4 wheel alignment. |
2014 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
192-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 1000 mi | solenoid in transmission went bad car didn't shift right. |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 11000 mi | I was occasionally experiencing rough/clunky shifts a few days before, and just prior to the check engine light coming on. Dropped it off at the dealer and was informed that they had to replace the trans oil temp sensor. |
| 16000 mi | Noticed transmission fluid leaking. Took the car in, and they ended up having to replace the entire transmission due to a misaligned bushing. |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 1000 mi | Transmission went into limp mode. No codes set. Problem resolved by rebooting (restarting) car. Has not recurred after 1,300 driven. Happened at 216 miles. |
2013 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
159-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 79000 mi | After front bearing replacement, bigger problem with transmission was identified. Transmission was replaced. |
| 122000 mi US $150 |
Front, drive side axle making unusual noise. Was removed, rust cleaned on it and the front hub, and then reinstalled. |
| 29500 mi US $93 |
Transmission not shifting properly, lag at acceleration |
| 56000 mi | Right front axle replaced under warranty - it had been clicking. |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 52000 mi | Transmission position sensor switch failed, causing vehicle not start. |
| 24300 mi | Transmission heater sensor failed and was replaced under warranty |
| 42500 mi | Transmission temperature sensor failed |
| 22000 mi | sensor went bad causing shifting problem |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 52700 mi | Engine light came on and car wouldn't accelerate past 15kph. Throttle Assembly has failed and took three days to get a replacement. |
| 24000 mi | Transmission sensor |
2012 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
166-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 43700 mi | Car told me to pull over. Took it to dealer. They changed computer and transmission |
| 19000 mi | Replaced transmission due to jerky movements, stalling when braking to a full stop. Did not fix the problem. |
| 21000 mi | Car would jerk forward when coming to a stop under Engine Mode Only. No Jerking in Electric Only Mode. |
2011 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 50000 mi | Oil leak from pan. |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 31000 mi | Transmission would slam into gear, and shift roughly when cold. Dealer replaced transmission oil temp sensor. Also updated computer ECU and changed brake switch which was a recall. |
2011 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 39060 mi C $400 |
Brake service and transmission always fishing for gears |
2009 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 39000 mi | The car downshifts rough at 22 mph when the engine is cold. The nearest dealer is over 30 miles away & they want me to rent a car & leave my car for up to a week. I have decided to drive the car until it is no longer drive-able. |
| 32800 mi | Car still downshifts rough at 22 miles an hour. I have not taken it in to repair as I have seen horror stories on the internet & many have this problem & it is supposedly a computer problem. Would like it fixed for free though. Car still downshifts at 22 miles per hour when engine is cold. Warming up car does not help, must drive for 10 miles or more before car shifts normally. No repair done. Kia wants me to leave car at dealership for up to a week & rent a car. I continue to drive as is but slow when car nears 22 MPH. |
| 43000 mi | Same problem as before, rough downshifts at 22 mp....after driving approximately 10-15 miles it does not do it anymore. Kia wants me to leave car there for at least a week & rent a car at my own expense. I only have a year left on drive train warranty so I am going to have to at some point....til then I am driving & trying to slow down before I get to the 22 mph mark. |
| 52000 mi | Same problem as before, downshifts at 22 mph until I drive it for ten minutes or so...warming up engine does not stop the rough downshift, I must drive it before it is not felt. |
2008 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 51000 mi US $6500 |
Well the transmission started making a weird noise while out of town on a road trip to Maryland from Texas which Kia said it was about to die. It resulted in my trip being 4 days longer w/o pay stuck wo a rental till it came in from Kia to be replaced. |
| 52500 mi US $400 |
Well before they said the transmission was bad the last time they tried telling me it was the fuel pump which i stated it was not the fuel pump but was the transmission .so was replaced at no cost 4 no reason. |
| 18510 mi | Engine seems unusually loud and buzzy during acceleration. Dealer test drove and examined onboard diagnostic computer information. They admit engine sounds unusually noisy, but claimed that they were unable to find anything unusual otherwise. |
2007 Kia Optima
Engine not specified
| 111000 mi US $1500 |
Car in/out shop from OCT.Clutch would'nt go into gear.1st mech thought bad seal replaced, did it again.Towed x2.Sat at mech shop x 2 week.Took to another shop & replaced Master Cylinder.Did it again.Replaced clutch & Master. |
2007 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 66000 mi | Transmission was shifting strange. Dealer drove it, confirmed problem - reprogrammed shifting software. Noted that axleshaft was seized in hub, causing intermittent rubbing sound. Replaced axleshaft and hub. All work covered under warranty. |
2007 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 94000 mi US $600 |
Hydraulic went out in clutch. Car wouldn't move. |
| 99000 mi US $872 |
Shifter cable broke....this is a manual transmission |
2006.5 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 107000 mi US $1800 |
Car started to shudder at highway speeds and the MIL illuminated. Code P0741 was present and dealer quoted a replacement transmission. Car was not repaired and traded in before transmission failed which may have taken days or weeks. |
2005 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 50000 mi US $400 |
CV joints |
2005 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 109000 mi | 3rd gear failing |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 65000 mi | Finally after 6.5 years and 65,000 miles, the first non-maintenance repair -- a split CV joint boot. Shop spotted a small hole in the other and replaced it, too. Work done under warranty. |
| 83000 mi US $800 |
Flywheel broke. Newer "dual mass" type flywheel is very expensive ($1000) but was covered under warranty along with labor ($350). Failure damaged the clutch and pressure plate which were not covered ($350). Clutch pressure plate! I drive 95% freeway miles - hardly any shifting. |
2004 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 263000 mi US $150 |
Replace Driveshafts |
| 108300 mi US $1155 |
Front left CV boot cracked. Replaced left front axle shaft assembly |
2003 Kia Optima 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 185000 mi | Replaced drivers side axle |
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