This is the factory service and repair manual written for the 2010 Kia Optima specifically, matched to your exact engine and trim, so every clearance, torque figure and service value you work to is what Kia published for this car rather than a carryover from an adjacent model year.
Engines covered
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.7L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- EX
- LX
- SX
Known issues on the 2010 Optima. One recall is on federal record for this model year, and it covers the brake light switch: failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking, or an inability to disengage the cruise control. That campaign, NHTSA 13V114000, covered the 2008-2011 Optima, and it also took in the 2007-2010 Rondo, the 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, and the 2010-2011 Soul. Owners have filed 99 complaints for the year, and Kia has issued 33 technical service bulletins.
Whether you are tracing stop lamps that stay dark under braking, a cruise control that will not release, or simply keeping the 2.4L four or 2.7L V6 on its service schedule, this manual holds you to the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your 2010 Optima.
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 sw
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
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. This bulletin provid
This 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.
TECHNICAL 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 ONLY when a transmis
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - 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. This b
TSB_BOD056R1_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
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 th
PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
TECHNICAL 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 and fill quantity requ
Showing the 8 most recent of 34 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO TRAVEL OVER A CONCRETE LANE DIVIDER. THE TRUNK SPACE AREA WAS CRUSHED UP AGAINST THE REAR SEATS IN THE VEHICLE. THE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT DID NOT CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH AND BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOW
TL* 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
TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A RENTED 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE GEAR SHIFT HAD LOCK UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL OR THE PARK POSITION. SHE STATED THE MANUAL READ TO START CAR, THE GEAR SHIFT MUST BE IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE FOOT MUST BE ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE SLIGHTLY MOVED THE KEY, THE
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 1 CAR ACCIDENT WHERE IT WENT OFF THE ROAD, INTO THE DITCH AND ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN DURING THE ACCIDENT AND WAS ALL THE WAY RECLINED RENDERING THE SEAT BELT INEFFECTIVE. THE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE THAN THEY ACTUALLY WERE GIVEN THE FACT THAT NO BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS OF LITTLE HELP WHEN CONTACTED AND DI
WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER HIT MY KIA SO HARD, I HIT THE MUSTANG IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. KIA WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WERE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE (I.E. STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, WHEEL SHAKING, ETC). THIS WAS THE EVENING OF 01/23/2014. ON 01/29/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE (TOTALING THE KIA) @ 28-30 MPH. AGAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND
I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN A LOT WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD (ACCELERATED SUDDENLY) WITHOUT MY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, SEVERELY DAMAGING THE OTHER VEHICLE AND MINE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,100.
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MAY7 ON I64 ST.CHARLES CO,MO.SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AS I APPROACHED BRIDE OVER MISSOURI RIVER AND AS SOON AS I CROSSED BRIDGE IT WAS WORSE AND I CALLED HOME TO SAY MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND I WAS GETTING OUT OF IT ,THEN I CALLED 911 AND POLICE AND FIRE DEPT FROM FROM COTTLEVILLE ARRIVER. THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE TRUNK. T HERE WAS NO APPARENT CONDITION TO HAVE CAUSED IT TO BURN AS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN GOOD CONDITION
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 1 mph, the vehicle started overheating then there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. Upon investigation, it was found that the radiator had a hole on the right side. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer and was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
WHEN BRAKING OR NOT AROUND 20 MILES AN HOUR CAR JERKS FORWARD. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF DEALER RESET BUT CAME BACK ON SOON AFTERWARDS. ANOTHER DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND PART WAS OVER $1000. MULTIPLE DEAD CAR BATTERIES DUE TO RUNNING LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF AFTER YOU PARK THE CAR. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD JUST RECALL AND FIX ALREADY.
WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN MY VEHICLE JERK EVEN WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO OR IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH ALL OF THE REPORT I DON'T SEE HOW KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
HARD JERK WHEN DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AT 20-22 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON WET, ICY OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HE SAID HE HAD NOT HEARD OF IT. *TR
THE CAR HAS A LURCHING ISSUE WHEN IT SLOWS DOWN TO 20MPH WHEN THE CAR LURCHES WITH A HARD DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. THIS PHENOMENA IS ESPECIALLY ACUTE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING IT.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH OUR 2010 KIA OPTIMA, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. THE TPMS, (!) AND THE AIRBAG "OFF/ON" LIGHTS ALL GO OFF AND ON CONTINUALLY. THEY WILL BE ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN GO OFF AND STAY OFF FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE BRAKES ALSO JERK OUR CAR VERY ROUGHLY FORWARD WHEN WE ARE BRAKING. EVEN IF WE ARE GOING 5 MPH, WE PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR GIVES A BIG JERK BEFORE IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Showing the 15 most serious of 75 complaints filed with NHTSA.
