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.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 13, 2003
THIS VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FAIL ALONG WITH NONWORKING LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER, LOCK FAILURE, BATTERY AND ALTRENATOR FAILURE. CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR SAME PROBLEMS MORE THAN 5 TIMES. CAR HAS HAD (THAT I KNOW OF) 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. ONCE THE LOCKS ON THE CAR FAILED AND I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. LOCKS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RELOCK FASTER THAN YOU COULD OPEN THE DOOR.*AK
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Jul 11, 2003
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE AIR CONDITION, AUTO CHECK LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT REMAIN UNLOCKED TRAPPING THE DRIVER.*TS *JB
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
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2003
MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA HAS BECOME THE MODERN AGE , THIS VEHICLE HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE POWER LOCKS SHUTS OPEN AND LOCKS ON IT'S OWN, THE VEHICLE IS NOT RELIABLE WHEN CROSSING A HIGHWAY ON OUR STREET. VEHICLE STALLS AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATION AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING OF GAS PEDAL. WHEN CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS AND YOU ARE IN THE VEHICLE THE POWER LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO BE LOCKED IN VEHICLE. I WAS RECENTLY LOCKED IN MY VEHICLE WITH MY DAUGHTER FOR EXACTLY 4 HOURS WHEN THE POWER FINALLY RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS CORP. AND WAS SIMPLY NOT TAKEN SERIOUS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT YOU FOLLOW UP WITH MANUFACTURES POSSIBLE DEATH TRAP AND THAT NO LOSES THEIR LIFE. *JB
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
Air bags, Apr 2, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Air bags, Apr 2, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Seat belts, Feb 28, 2003
THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE WEIGHT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A SEAT BELT EXTENDER WAS NOT MADE FOR VEHICLE.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 20, 2003
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2003
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.*JB
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2003
AUTO; KIA; OPTIMA ...................TIME AND CHAIN ,GEAR WEARS OUT ,DUE TO COLD WEATHER, LOOSING BRAKES AND STEERING WHEN THE MOTOR STOPS RUNNING ,WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Service brakes, Air, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Jan 30, 2003
I HAVE TOOK MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIME FOR THE SQUEKING BRAKES. ALSO, THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE NOV OF 2001. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER SHIP ABOUT 10 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE BRAKES THEY JUST BLOW OUT AND SAY IT IS METTALIC DUST. THAT I NEED TO CLEAR THEM OUT WHEN THE CAR IS WASHED. THE SQUEAK STILL COMES BACK. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME IT IS THE HUMIDITY DOING THIS. THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME TODAY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY LOCKS AND ENIGNE LIGHT COMING ON ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE KIA CONSUMER CUSTOMER SERVICES NO HELP AT ALL. MY COMPLAINTS GO BACK ABOUT 1 YR. IT ALL STARTED IN JAN OF 2002
Power train, Jan 24, 2003
MY VEHICLE HAS SPENT MORE THAN 35 DAYS IN A KIA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP INCLUDING TRANSMISSION REPAIRS SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. I HAVE CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN SIX TIMES. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND A LIABILITY TO OTHERS AND MYSELF WHILE IT IS ON THE ROADS. SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD, BUT HAVE BEEN CORRECTED ARE 1. KEYS WOULD NOT OPEN TRUNK 2. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD MALFUNCTION AND LOCK ITSELF. MANUAL RELEASE OF THE LOCK COULD ONLY OCCUR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN MYSELF HAVE TO CLIMB OUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2003
NHTSA#14716-02-V-040-000: KIA/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55MPH ENGINE STALL, BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND WONT HONORING THE WARRANTY, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Seat belts, Nov 22, 2002
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH IN RESULT OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD CONSUMER IN SEAT IN RESULT OF CONSUMER HEAD HITTING WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Air bags, Nov 22, 2002
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH IN RESULT OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 12, 2002
THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT, AND LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. MR THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. *JG *JB
Air bags, Nov 6, 2002, crash
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN,VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Visibility, Sep 26, 2002
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *MR
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.
Air bags, Sep 11, 2002, crash
THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN OFF CENTERED COLLISION THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, EVEN AFTER THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE, AND WINDOW BREAKING. OWNER SUFFERED HEAD INJURY AND CHEST TRAUMA. *AK THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DIMINISHED. *SCC
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2002
CONSUMER NOTICED RPMS CHANGING WHILE SET ON ONE SPEED. SOON AFTER VEHICLE WOULD SURGE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHR INFORMATION.*AK