P0010 on KIA OPTIMA — A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1

Q: "What does P0010 mean on a KIA OPTIMA?"

"P0010 indicates: A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1. This is a fuel and air metering code. 5 KIA OPTIMA owners have reported this to NHTSA."

Q: "What are the most common causes of P0010 on KIA OPTIMA?"

"Based on 5 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Power Train,Engine, Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints."

Q: "Is P0010 serious on my KIA OPTIMA?"

"Of 5 NHTSA reports for this code on KIA OPTIMA, none involved a crash or fire. However, any diagnostic code should be evaluated by a qualified mechanic."

Q: "What should I do if my KIA OPTIMA shows P0010?"

"1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare."

What P0010 Means on Your KIA OPTIMA

P0010 is a diagnostic trouble code indicating: A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1. This code relates to the fuel and air metering system. The vehicle's computer detected a condition outside normal operating parameters and stored this code.

5 KIA OPTIMA owners have reported this issue to NHTSA across model years 2016-2017. Most reports come from the 2016, 2017 model years. The most commonly reported component is Engine (60.0% of reports).

Real KIA OPTIMA Owner Reports

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

"My 2016 Kia Optima is experiencing severe internal engine oil consumption that matches known issues Kia has recalled and extended warranties for. The vehicle loses 1–3 quarts of oil every few days with no external leaks."

— 2016 KIA OPTIMA owner · ENGINE · Filed 01/01/2025

"Engine sludge and failure. Engine part failure p0010 began happening within 1 year of Kia engine replacement. It is available for inspection. This creates a problem with acceleration in the vehicle, putting my family's and my safety at risk. This problem has been confirmed by the dealer."

— 2016 KIA OPTIMA owner · ENGINE · Filed 09/01/2025

"This car has developed P0010 code which stands for "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/open bank 1. Car idles roughly, shifts weirdly and has less power than before. I found that there is a TSB from KIA for the same issue but only for cars made in South Korea in 2016, mine was built in Dec."

— 2016 KIA OPTIMA owner · ENGINE · Filed 09/11/2022

"E - c v v t seal seating issue. my 2016 kia optima is giving an obd ii error code of p0010 "a" camshaft position actuator circuit. this causes reduction in power during acceleration, and elevates engine idle speeds to 1200-1400 rpm."

— 2016 KIA OPTIMA owner · POWER TRAIN,ENGINE · Filed 11/29/2019

"My vehicle came up with a check engine light blinking. I took it to a Kia dealership where they put the ksds update in. A week after driving it, I started experiencing loss of power and the check engine light came back on. But this time not blinking."

— 2017 KIA OPTIMA owner · ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · Filed 09/09/2023

All reports filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

📊 Complaint Trend by Model Year

4

'16

1

'17

Common Causes on KIA OPTIMA

Based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

ENGINE 60%

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 20%

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20%

What To Do Next

1
Check for recalls on YOUR VIN
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. If your vehicle is covered, repairs are free.
2
Get a proper diagnosis
A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50–$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.
3
Compare repair quotes
Get 2–3 quotes. Dealer vs. independent shop prices often differ 30–50% for the same repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P0010 mean on a KIA OPTIMA? ▾

P0010 indicates: A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1. This is a fuel and air metering code. 5 KIA OPTIMA owners have reported this to NHTSA.

What are the most common causes of P0010 on KIA OPTIMA? ▾

Based on 5 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Power Train,Engine, Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints.

Is P0010 serious on my KIA OPTIMA? ▾

Of 5 NHTSA reports for this code on KIA OPTIMA, none involved a crash or fire. However, any diagnostic code should be evaluated by a qualified mechanic.

What should I do if my KIA OPTIMA shows P0010? ▾

1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare.