2001 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 143 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 15 involved a crash. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, frontMay 27, 2009
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (KMC) IS RECALLING 36,538 MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE STATES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. OVER TIME, SUCH SUBFRAME CORROSION NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN LEAD TO WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND/OR OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
KMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 09V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, starter assemblyMar 4, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 03V067000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowMay 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER POSITION COULD BE MIS-ROUTED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN IT BEING PINCHED OR CUT BY THE SEAT CUSHION TILT MECHANISM.
DAMAGE TO THE WIRE HARNESS COULD RESULT IN THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL CHECK FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS AND SECURE IT IN PLACE WITH A PLASTIC TIE-WRAP. IF THE WIRE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 01V156000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: hydraulic
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 27, 2010
THE FRONT FRAME AND MANY COMPONENTS OF MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IT CURRENTLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS PRETTY MUCH ON EVERY DAY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP, ALTHOUGH THAT NEVER REALLY CAME UP AS THE REASON, THERE WAS MORE THAN THAT- RESULTING IN MULTIPLE REPAIRS. THE O2 SENSOR HAS GONE TWICE, THE BRAKES HAVE CORRODED SO BADLY MY REPAIRMAN HAD TO HIT THEM OFF TO REMOVE THEM. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES SINCE THEY ALL RUSTED OUT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON AND NOONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY. THE SILVER TRIM ON THE BACK WINDOW HAS FALLEN OFF. THE PAINT COMES OFF IN RANDOM PLACES MAKING WEIRD SPOTS OF PRIMER SHOW. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SAME HEADLIGHT GOES OUT ALMOST MONTHLY AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT IN AND FIND IN STORES. DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN, LOCKING ME IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. THE WINDOWS HAVE VERY WEAK MOTORS THAT BARELY ROLL UP OR DOWN. THIS IS A CAR I BOUGHT FROM A DEALERSHIP AND AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND HAVE SPENT MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH ON REPAIRS WHILE STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS AND KEEPING FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT AND I WAS TOLD TO JUNK THE VEHICLE BY BILL DODGE KIA SERVICE AND THEN AGAIN BY THE GENTLEMAN DOING MY STATE INSPECTION TODAY. KIA STATES THERE IS NO RECALL CURRENTLY ON MY VIN #. I FIND THAT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPLACED OR ALL THE PARTS THAT HAVE CORRODED SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY KIA MOTOR CO. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Apr 6, 2009
SINCE PURCHASING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT DIFFICULTY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM IN CASE I NEEDED REPAIRS. I GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH. BUT THE PROBLEMS I HAD ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, LOCKS NOT WORKING, WINDOWS NOT ROLLING UP, PAINT PEELING OFF, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, DECREASED ACCELERATION, HEAT SURGES WHEN GAS PEDAL RELEASED AND PRESSED AND THE LIST GOES ON. IT IS NOT HARD TO FIND OTHER KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE REPAIR THAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDS. THERE IS 41,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. COMMON PROBLEMS THAT ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT KIA MOTOR COMPANY'S EXPENSE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 6, 2008
PURCHASED OCT,15,07. WITHIN 3 DAY WE HAD IT UP TO DEALER WERE PURCHASES 1) FOR WINDOWS NOT GOING UP OR DOWN ALL THE TIME. 2) LIGHT ON RADIO AND HEATER DO NOT WORK. 3) THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND WOULD GO FROM 1ST GEAR TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD STAY THAT WAY UNTIL CAR TURNED OFF. 4)HAD TO REPLACE SPEED SHIFT SENSOR. 5) BRAKES. GOT LOOKED IN CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT GET OUT. SOMETIMES THEY WORK MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T. 6). ANTENNA BROKE OFF FOR NO REASON. WENT OUT ON DAY BARELY TOUCHED IT AND IT FEEL OFF. 7) ON FEB 9TH CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 4 DAYS FOR NO REASON HAD TOWED FROM OWN HOUSE TO GARAGE WERE THEY KNOW BELIEVE IT HAS A CRACKED HEAD OR BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE I HAVE A 3YR OLD AND A 7 YR OLD. I FEAR FOR THERE LIVES AND MINE. . I DON'T EVEN WANT THIS CAR ANYMORE AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP IF U HAVE ANY ADVICE. DON'T BUY A KIA. ALSO THIS CAR CAME WITH A 90 DAY WARRANTY FROM HARRY'S AUTO SALES AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME FOR 3 MONTH THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND ONLY WOULD RESET COMPUTER UNTIL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND THEY FOUND OUT DIFFERT. THEY TOLD US HEAD GASKET. HARRY SAID NOOOOOO. WHEN WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN THEY INFORMED ME I NEED A HEAD GASKET. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT CAUSE WARRANTY OUT. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LEMON. PLEASE HELP ME FIND LEGAL ADVICE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Aug 3, 2006
WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT, THE LIGHTS BECAME DIM IN THE INSIDE AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES FOR PROBLEM AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR DOESN'T PICK UP SPEND WHEN GOING OVER HILLS NOT EVEN LITTLE ONES. THE GAS NEEDLE DOES NOT READ FULL EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS PRACTICALLY OVERFLOWING WITH GAS. READING A FULL TANK OF GAS HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON . HAVE TAKEN TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY SPEND SENSOR IS GOING OUT AND THAT IS WHY THE CAR IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR AND SKIPS 2ND ALTOGETHER I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR THE WARRINTY IS GONE AND I WAS NEVER OFFERED THE EXTENDED WARRINTY AND REALLY DIDN'T THINK OF IT SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 YR OLD. BACK BRAKES HAVE ALSO GONE OUT AT LEAST I THINK SO THEY STARTED GRINDING WITH NO WARNING 2 DAYS AGO I'M GOING TO HAVE THEM CHECKED THIS WEEKEND. AIR (NEVER USED BEFOE THIS SUMMER)DOESN'T GET COLD LIKE IT SHOULD. DOOR LOCK MAKING A CRAZY SOUND ON DRIVERS SIDE, BELIEVE THE MOTOR IS GOING OUT ON POWER LOCKS THEY ALSO TEND TO NOT WANT TO UNLOCK SOMETIMES. ATENNA BROKE.AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. ALSO HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF ANY RECALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR OR NOT OR IF THEY STILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 22, 2005
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY , 2005 AND THE BRAKES SQUEALED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD SOME REPAIR DONE, INCLUDING THE FRONT BRAKES. HOWEVER REAR BRAKES SQUEALED. DEALER CLEANED REAR BRAKES AND ADJUSTED THEM TWICE. ON LAST TRIP TO DEALER HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND CONSUMER WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SQUEAL. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE REAR BRAKE PROBLEM, AND DEALER STATED THEY COULD PUT NEW BACKING ON BRAKES FOR $269, BUT THIS MAY NOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATES OF THESE REPAIRS AS MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW BEING LOOKED AT AGAIN AND I AM GOING TO GET A HISTORY WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR, HERE ARE THE ISSUES I'VE HAD SINCE SPRING/SUMMER OF LAST YEAR. WE HAVE LOST TIME, MONEY, WAGES AND POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS! 1. AIR CONDITIONER SEEMED VERY COOL, BUT NOT COLD. CHECKED TWO OR THREE TIMES, EACH TIME SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS FINE. 2. CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART WITHOUT A JUMP 3 TIMES. CALLED TOWING TWICE. SERVICE COULD NOT "RECREATE THE PROBLEM." THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. FOURTH TIME (CURRENT) CAR HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ONCE A MONTH, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN WHEN ENTERING/EXITING THE CAR, WINDOWS ROLLED UP/DOWN SLOWLY, BLOWER ON AIR WENT UP AND DOWN WITH ENGINE SPEED, LIGHTS BEHIND CONSOLE GO OUT AND COME ON PERIODICALLY, CLOCK LOSES TIME, HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN USING POWER, RADIO FLASHES ON AND OFF. TODAY TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WENT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP. HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET RENTAL FEES. STILL WAITING ON RESULT. 3. LOUD RATTLING UNDERNEATH CAR PERIODICALLY. 4. WHISTLING IN ENGINE 5. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PERIODICALLY. 6. ANTENNA BROKE AND THEN FELL OFF. 7. SUSPENSION VERY POOR. 8. WHEN PURCHASING CAR, DEALER STATED AIR BAG RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED ON CAR. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, FOUND ANOTHER RECALL ON THE CAR, CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THE AIR BAG REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN MADE. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 17 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH LEMON LAW LAYWERS IN INDIANA TO GET TOTAL REFUND FOR CAR. ONLY PHYSICAL PROBLEM RIGHT DRIVER DOOR PANEL FROM SMALL NON-FAULT ACCIDENT, NO INTERNAL DAMAGE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 21, 2003
I'VE TAKEN MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA INTO THE SHOP GOING AT LEAST 6 TIMES. MY BRAKES ARE A PROBLEM. THEY SQUEAK AND MY FRONT END VIBRATES. THE DEALER, GALEANA KIA, SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, JUST BRAKE DUST. THEY'VE TRIED TO FIX IT, BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK. KIA GAVE ME 500 DOLLARS (CUSTOMER SATISFACTION MONEY) AND THEY SAID THEY'D FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE MONEY, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. BOUGHT CAR WITH 18 MILES ON IT... AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY. CAR NOW HAS 20 THOUSAND MILES. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 9, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEALING LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER HEARD. BRAKES WERE CHECKED OUT AT A LOCAL BRAKE SHOP AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES. AT THAT TIME THE CAR ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE IS EVEN LOUDER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IF THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BRAKE CHECK AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES. BRAKES DON'T NORMALLY GO BAD THAT FAST UNLESS SOMETHING IS WRONG!! *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2003
I HAVE HAD A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE PREMATURE WEARING OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES VIBRATING AND PULSATION WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES.THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME, MY HUSBAND WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED AND WE BROUGHT IT BACK A SECOND TIME. THE REPLACED THE ROTORS BUT CHARGED ME A $35.00 FEE. IT HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW AND IT IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD WITH 19900 MILES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 26, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 13, 2002
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, CAUSEING PROBLEM WITH PULSATING AND VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 1, 2002
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM WHEELS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AKI