2010 Kia Optima power train problems
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2010 Kia Optima — 32% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The car lurches or jerks when slowing down or stopping at about 20 mph . Lurch or jerking is enough to jerk to the driver . Has anyone got answer to why the Kia Optima 2010 does this.”
filed Feb 18, 2022
“Car has very hard downshift at low speed going from 2nd gear to 1st. Seems to be alot of these complaints and would be nice to know of a fix for this problem!”
filed May 26, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 2025This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 16, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required…
TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type…
TSB_TRA046_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2020
Power Train problems in other Optima years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 25 | 18% |
| 2019 Optima | 16 | 8% |
| 2018 Optima | 18 | 8% |
| 2017 Optima | 20 | 8% |
| 2016 Optima | 72 | 10% |
| 2015 Optima | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 Optima | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 Optima | 64 | 5% |
| 2012 Optima | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 Optima | 25 | 4% |
| 2009 Optima | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 Optima | 18 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2010 Kia Optima
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.