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
143 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Apr 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/25/11
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 19, 2010
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AND IS UNUSABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS AFFECTED ALL MODELS OF KIA AUTOS BUT KIA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Nov 5, 2010
MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH 102,350 MILES STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, BUT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAS RUSTED BADLY. THE BOLTS CONNECTING THE PASSENGER WHEEL MOUNT TO THE SUB FRAME WAS LOOSE DUE TO THE RUST IN THE SUB FRAME. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 09V183000. I CALLED KIA AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL. KIA TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DID NOW QUALIFY, BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DATABASE. KIA SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO WORK SOME KIND OF REPAIR AGREEMENT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. A DAY LATER, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE OBVIOUS DEFECT, BECAUSE KIA WON'T DO ANYTHING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE SUB FRAME WAS $1300 AND 5 BUSINESS DAYS AT THE DEALER. I'M HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED, BECAUSE IT IS MY SOLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I'M ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED AT KIA AND THEIR DEALERS FOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE RECALL. IT LOOKS LIKE KIA AND THEIR DEALERS WILL ONLY ACT IF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V183000 IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VIN. MY VIN: [XXX] IF YOU CAN, PLEASE ADD MY VIN TO THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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, Jul 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE RODS, BALL JOINTS AND STABILIZER LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE ONLY FAILURE THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE LIABLE FOR IS THE SUBFRAME, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OTHER FAULTY PARTS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. KIA ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SUBFRAME, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V183000, SUSPENSION FRONT; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE SUBFRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Suspension, Feb 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTMA. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED IN HALF, AND IT COLLAPSED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS, SINCE THE STATE OF TEXAS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09V183000, SUSPENSION FRONT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/14/10
Structure, Feb 19, 2010
KMC'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. SC075 THE SUB FRAME ON OUR KIA OPTIMA 2001 HAS RUSTED THROUGH THIS CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND STRUT TO COLLAPSE INWARD PINNING THE WHEEL AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND DAMAGING THE TIRE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. KIA SAYS THEY WILL ONLY HONOR THE DAMAGES IN A NORTHERN STATE.... THAT USES ROAD SALT BUT WE LIVE ON THE GULF COAST THAT IS ALSO A SLAT HAZARD AREA. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Jan 4, 2010
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA ON NORTH INTERSTATE 65 TO INDIANA, IN FOUR LANE TRAFFIC MY KIA RIGHT FRONT WHEEL NEARLY CAME OFF DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUB-FRAME AND LOWER WHEEL CONTROL ARM CAUSING SEPARATION. MY HUSBAND AND I COULD HAVE BOTH BEEN KILL ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I LOVED MY CAR AND I PRAISE THE KIA, NOW THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ME OR OTHER PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY. THEY WANT FIX MY CAR BUT MOST OF THE STATES AROUND MY STATE IS DOING SO, THEY ARE THOUSANDS OF RECALLS ON ALL OTHER CAR'S I AM SENDING A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A. I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL KY OR KIA IS ALLOWING VEHICLE IN KY NOT BE IN THE RECALLS. TELLS ME PEOPLE IN KY JUST DON'T MATTER TO KIA OR KY , WE ARE PEOPLE TO, AND THIS CAR WOULD HAVE LAST ME A LIFE TIME I AM SURE IF THIS HAD NOT HAPPEN. JUST BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE SYSTEM , EVEN THOUGH 2001 - 2004 KIA OPTIMA HAS BEEN RECALL KY LAGS BEHIND AND DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ME. MY CAR IS JUST JUNK NOW AND I CAN NOT BUY ANOTHER. I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HOW THEY ARE TREATING ME I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Jan 4, 2010
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA ON NORTH INTERSTATE 65 TO INDIANA, IN FOUR LANE TRAFFIC MY KIA RIGHT FRONT WHEEL NEARLY CAME OFF DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUB-FRAME AND LOWER WHEEL CONTROL ARM CAUSING SEPARATION. MY HUSBAND AND I COULD HAVE BOTH BEEN KILL ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I LOVED MY CAR AND I PRAISE THE KIA, NOW THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ME OR OTHER PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY. THEY WANT FIX MY CAR BUT MOST OF THE STATES AROUND MY STATE IS DOING SO, THEY ARE THOUSANDS OF RECALLS ON ALL OTHER CAR'S I AM SENDING A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A. I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL KY OR KIA IS NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE IN KY NOT BE IN THE RECALLS. TELLS ME PEOPLE IN KY JUST DON'T MATTER TO KIA OR KY , WE ARE PEOPLE TO, AND THIS CAR WOULD HAVE LAST ME A LIFE TIME I AM SURE IF THIS HAD NOT HAPPEN. JUST BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER. WAS NOT IN THE SYSTEM , EVEN THOUGH 2001 - 2004 KIA OPTIMA HAS BEEN RECALL KY LAGS BEHIND AND DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ME. MY CAR IS JUST JUNK NOW AND I CAN NOT BUY ANOTHER. I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HOW THEY ARE TREATING ME I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. *TR
Suspension, Oct 28, 2009
2001 KIA OPTIMA SUBFRAME HAS A PROBLEM WITH CORROSION. *NJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND TRIED TO BRING THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF KIA. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKED. THE SUBFRAME WAS BEING HELD BY ONE BOLT. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL 09V183000. *JB
Structure, Oct 18, 2009
WE HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA AND OUR WHEELS CAVED IN BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT COST US 2,500.00. THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY IT. WE SUBMITTED REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION FEELING IT SHOULD BE COVERED ESPECIALLY ON A CAR WITH ONLY 49,000 MILES. THEY REFUSED. NOW A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND YET THEY ARE DRAGGING THERE FEET. IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER 6 MONTHS NOW AND STILL NOTHING. I FEEL WE SHOULD ALL BAND TOGETHER AND FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST KIA FOR ISSUES AND THERE POOR HANDLING OF THERE CAR OWNERS. *TR
Suspension, Sep 16, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #09V183000, SUSPENSION, FRONT. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR OVER THREE WEEKS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SINCE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO SERVICE A LARGE VOLUME OF VEHICLES. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE SAFETY HAZARD IS STILL PRESENT. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2009
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG (IN FRONT DRIVER SEAT) DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DID I HIT ANYTHING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENT CAUSE ON WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY JUST LOOK AT IT DID NO DIAGNOSTIC OR ANYTHING AND TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THE SAME THING BUT DID SEND IN A AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CASE REPORT. *TR
Suspension, Aug 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT) FOR HIS VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE HE LIVES IN VIRGINIA. THE RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO CERTAIN STATES. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO HAUL THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP AND IS NOT IN DRIVING CONDITION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Structure, Wheels, Jul 5, 2009, crash
I HAVE A 2001 KIA AND ON JULY 5 2009 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I WAS PUSHED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE AND MY TIRE HAS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME IT MESSED UP MY BUMPER AND THE HOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. *TR
Structure, Jul 1, 2009
I NOTICED MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA PULLING TO THE LEFT SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE COULD NOT PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND HAD A FIST SIZE HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A KIA DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE SUBFRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. HE ORDERED THE SUBFRAME, BUT A WEEK LATER SAID HE IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE JOB SINCE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH ONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. I'M WAITING TO HERE FROM KIA CORP. TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR IS SAID TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE RIGHT TIRE HAS BUCKLED IN. *TR
Structure, Jun 2, 2009
WAS DRIVING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION,THE SUBFRAME WAS TOTALLY RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE . BELOW FRONT WHEEL.CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
Structure, May 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED. HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL APPEARED CROOKED. HE WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2,500. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNLESS PROMPTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNLESS THE DEALER CHOSE TO ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
Structure, May 14, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS UNSAFE FOR RUST TO FORM ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.
Structure, Apr 20, 2009
FRONT SUBFRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNDRIVABLE. THIS OCCURRED JUST AS THE CAR WAS PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETE DISASTER. *TR
Structure, Tires, Apr 11, 2009
I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES. CAR WAS PULLING TO RIGHT THOUGHT I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. WHEN CAR WENT UP ON LIFT MECHANICS WERE SURPRISED THAT CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE AND THAT WE WERE SAFE. FRAME/SUBFRAME UNDER PASS. SEAT WAS RUSTED THROUGH, ABOUT THE SIZE OF SOFTBALL. MAKES ME SICK TO THINK THAT I HAD MY MEDICALLY INVALID DAUGHTER IN THIS CAR. WHEN DOING RESEARCH ON CAR I SEE A LOT OF RUST ISSUES IN FRAME, SUBFRAME OR ROCKER ARM AREA. THERE MUST BE SOME THING DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A ONE PROBLEM (RUST IN FRAME AREA) BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES IN THE FRAME /TIRE/UNDER ENGINE AREA. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER REGARDING REPAIR COST-- I WILL FIGHT NOT TO PAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS. *TR
Seats, Apr 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT ONLY RECLINED FORWARD. THE BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
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
Structure, Feb 28, 2009
I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA WHICH HAS HAD A VERY BAD VIBRATION FOR A LONG TIME. TAKEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AT ANY OF THEM. JUST RECENTLY STEERING WHEEL OF CAR BECAME OFF CENTER AND THE MORE I DROVE IT THE WORSE IT GOT. FINALLY IT WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP TO FIND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAS BROKEN WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS TO IT. CAR IS NOW MARKED AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FIND OUT THAT THE CAR IS OUT ONLY BY TIME NOT MILEAGE OF ITS CORROSION WARRANTY. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF NO HELP. CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. L/F WHEEL IS COMPLETELY LOOSE AT LOWER HALF AND R/F IS CRACKED BADLY. *TR
Structure, Feb 9, 2009
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 10/20/08. UPON PURCHASE, PRIVATE DEALER NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP ON 10/24/08 AND RECALL SC037 WAS PERFORMED. UPON PICKUP OF VEHICLE, I WAS NOTIFIED BY KIA DEALERSHIP OF RECOMMENDATIONS LISTED ON SERVICE INVOICE. ON 11/06/08 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE FOR ITEMS ON THE RECOMMENDATION LIST FROM KIA DEALERSHIP. UPON LIFTING THE VEHICLE UP IN THE AIR TO RESEARCH ONE OF THE KIA DEALERSHIPS RECOMMENDATIONS A SOFTBALL SIZE HOLE WAS FOUND RUSTED IN THE SUB FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS TO BE ATTACHED. WHEN KIA DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE HOLE AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T HAVE LIFTED CAR UP. KIA MOTORS AMERICA WAS PHONED AND TOLD ABOUT SITUATION AND TREATMENT BY KIA DEALERSHIP. KIA MOTORS AMERICA TOLD ME TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS ON VEHICLE AND TO CALL BACK AND I WAS GIVEN A NAME, EXTENSION NUMBER AND A CASE NUMBER. I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY NEVER SAW THE HOLE PREVIOUSLY BUT HERE'S AN ESTIMATE FOR US TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND ASKED WHAT HIS ESTIMATE WOULD BE TO FIX IT AND HOW MUCH THE PART WOULD BE, AND IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE GOTTEN FROM A SALVAGE YARD. THE LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS WERE ALREADY PHONED AND THE SAME THING WAS WRONG WITH THOSE PARTS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA VEHICLES. I ORDERED THE PART FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP, IT IS CALLED A CROSSMEMBER. I HAVE HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE IT, I HAVE HAD TO GET TWO NEW TIRES, A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND HAVE ASKED KIA MOTORS AMERICA TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF MY PURCHASE OF THE PART ALTHOUGH I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY INVOICE NUMBER. I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART AND THE ORIGINALS OF ALL MY INVOICES. *TR