2002 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 110 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 16 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 12 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
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyApr 12, 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 04V180000 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
Representative owner complaints
110 reports, newest first.
Structure, Sep 23, 2009
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, AND THE SUBFRAME RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON THIS CAR. . THE SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION BUT THE GARAGE HAS DONE SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE THE GRINDING NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM UNDER THIS CAR IS JUST RIDICULOUS! I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE KIA DEALER WHO REMOVED THE RUSTED SUB FRAME AND REPLACED IT WITH THE NEW, TO FIND OUT WHY ITS MAKING THIS HORRID NOISE,OH YES THEY ALSO FORGOT TO PUT A BOLT IN. AND STILL DON'T KNOW WHY THE PART IS GRINDING SO. SO THEN I CALLED THE KIA CORPORATION TO LET THEM KNOW THAT MY CAR IS NOT RIGHT AND SOMETHING IS WRONG. AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER I WAS NOT SATISFIED. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPAIRED OUT OF MY POCKET. I KNOW THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THIS BEFORE AND NO NOISE GOING INTO THE SHOP, I DON'T EXPECT THIS TO BE GOING ON NOW. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO 2 BODY SHOPS ONE BODY SHOP WONT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT IS A RECALL, THE OTHER WILL TAKE A LOOK AND SEE, HE THINKS THEY BROKE SOMETHING REMOVING THE SUBFRAME. IN EITHER CASE THE CAR NEEDS FIXING OF A PART THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL! WHAT EVER IS WRONG WAS CAUSE BY THIS SUBFRAME. *TR
Structure, Sep 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE OIL INSPECTION A MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRAME. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE ENTIRE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE REPAIR WAS A NON-WARRANTY ITEM, THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,304. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Power train, Structure, Wheels, Jul 24, 2009
THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA REGARDING THE SUBFRAME. THE CORROSION UNDER MY CAR IS DEVASTATING. NHTSA NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THIS CORROSION PROBLEM IS EXTENSIVE AND AFFECTS MORE THEN THE SUBFRAME. KIA IS INSISTING THAT I PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THEY WILL CAUSE WHEN THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WILL AFFECT THOUSANDS. *TR
Steering, Structure, May 13, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE WAS VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND THE CONTACT HAS NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE A-ARM WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURES, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,400. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF UPDATED 05/20/09. *JB
Structure, Apr 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE, OR SUBFRAME, UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANY MAJOR BUMP COULD CAUSE THE DRIVETRAIN TO COLLAPSE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE AND SEPARATE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,304. UPDATED 05/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB
Structure, Feb 2, 2009
2002 KIA OPTIMA SUB FRAME IS ALL RUSTED OUT DEALER SAYS TOTAL SUSPENSION IS ABOUT TO FAIL NEED TO BE REPLACED THIS IS THE ONLY THING ON THE CAR THAT IS RUSTED OUT. *TR
Structure, Jan 17, 2009
OUR 2002 KIA OPTIMA EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH I THOUGHT COULD BE CORRECTED WITH A BASIC FRONT END ALIGNMENT. REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED US THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED BECAUSE THE SUB-FRAME HAD RUST DAMAGE. THE SUB-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD A "GOLF SIZE" HOLE IN IT AND THE WELDING JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES AND WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED. OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED AT KIA DEALERSHIPS AND THE DEFECT WAS EITHER NOT DETECTED OR NEVER REPORTED TO US PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER AND KIA MOTORS WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE; KIA DID REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME UNIT (EST COST $1,500) BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST FOR LABOR ($655). I BELIEVE A BIGGER PROBLEM EXIST WITH THIS DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO PREVENT INJURY TO DRIVERS. REVIEWING PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, THIS SAME DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THREE VIN #'S. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 12, 2009
WAS LOCKED INSIDE VEHICLE. AFTER CLIMBING OUT WINDOW, WAS LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE. THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK WITH KEY THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN DOOR IT LOCKS ITSELF, EVEN WITH KEY STILL IN DOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN BY MANUAL USE OF LOCKS EITHER. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Dec 10, 2008
AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE FROM A AUTO DEALER BETWEEN JULY 2 AND JULY 5 ...THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE AUDIO RECEIVER SWITCH FROM RADIO TO CD ON ITS OWN,DOORS LOCKS ON ITS OWN,RPM RUNS TO 4000 GOING 45MPH AFTER A HARD JERK ASSUMING THAT I WAS HIT BY A OTHER CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THAT 2 HARD JERKS WHILE DRIVING,,(THEY DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOYED) CAN NOT PUMP GAS DUE TO FUEL KEEPS OVER FLOWING WHEN ITS BARELY EMPTY ....ITS BEEN A LIVING ?!@#$% AND I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR....IS IT LEGAL FOR A DEALERSHIP TO SELL A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. *TR
Structure, Oct 8, 2008
2002 KIA OPTIMA, WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND IT HAS 2 FIST SIZE RUST HOLES IN FRAME ONE EACH SIDE BY A-ARMS, DUE TO THESE DEFECTS TIRES WEARING QUICKLY AND NEEDS AIR CONTINUALLY TO BE PUT IN THEM. HANDLING WORSENING AND MAKING THUMPING NOISE IN FRONT END, CAN NOT DRIVE OVER 35-40 MPH. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. READ WHERE HYUNDAI AND KIA ARE MADE BY SAME COMPANY AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 TO 2002 MODELS. FEEL THIS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE RIGHT BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. NEED INFORMATION ON WHO TO CONTACT AND HOW TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2008
I TOOK MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA IN FOR A TUNE UP, THEY FOUND A BROKEN WATER PUMP, 5 CRACKS IN THE MANIFOLD. IT TOOK KIA 3 TIMES TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR IT STILL HAD A PROBLEM TOOK IT BACK TWICE BEFORE THEY FOUND IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM THIS CAR IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 26, 2008
2002 KIA OPTIMA -- WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE DOORS EITHER MANUALLY OR WITH KEY FOB AND ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR IT IMMEDIATELY LOCKS AND DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT LOCKS FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST APPROXIMATELY APRIL OF 2005 WITH THE EXCEPTION IT ALSO INCLUDED THE DRIVER DOOR. HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOW TO EXIT VEHICLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 21, 2008
VEHICLE MODEL IS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA 4 DOOR SEDAN AND THE PROBLEM IS REGARDING THE DRIVERS LEFT DOOR. THE POWER LOCK DOOR LOCKS ON ITS OWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED USING THE KEY. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO GET FIXED ON 05/24/02 AND OUNCE AGAIN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 01/31/08 THIS TIME COST TO FIX IS $233.16. AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME, IT OCCURRED AGAIN. I AM CONVINCED THAT THE POWER LOCKS ARE DEFECT AND DANGEROUS RISKS OF BECOMING TRAPPED IN THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS UNPREDICTABLE IT OCCURS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE MECHANICS MUST BE THERE TO SEE WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS IN ORDER TO TRY TO FIX IT. IN ONE INCIDENT I WAS FORCED TO CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL VERY INSECURE AND UNSAFE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHICH IS WHY I AM RAISING AWARENESS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2008
ROTTED SUB FRAME ON 2002 KIA OPTIMA. KIA DOES NOT WANT TO CONSIDER THIS THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED HER INSURANCE AGENCY'S WEBSITE AND NOTICED A RECALL FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. THE KIA DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V067000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY) DOES NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
Power train, Structure, Equipment, Sep 20, 2007
2002 KIA OPTIMA SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER THERE WAS A SPOT ON THE SUB FRAME WHERE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTS TO THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED OUT AND IT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. *KB THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITION RUNNING DOWN THE FRAME IS WHAT CAUSED THE RUST TO OCCUR. THE SPEED SENSOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *JB
Air bags, Jun 27, 2007
I PURCHASED A LOW MILEAGE KIA OPTIMA TWO YEARS AGO. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT DEPLOYED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER SERVICE DEPT @ GWINNETT PLACE KIA IN DUUTH GA WHO AT NO CHARGE MADE THE LIGHT GO OFF. DRIVING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY AGAIN CORRECTED WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WAS MAKING THE LIGHT APPEAR, ASSURING ME JUST BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IT WILL DEPLOY AND IT IS FINE. TWO MORE TIME IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS FOR NO REASON AGAIN THE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR AND AGAIN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LAST TIME 9 MONTHS AGTO WHEN THEY INSTALLED A NEW AIRBAG AS THEY ADVISE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON AGAIM REASSURING ME JUST BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON THE AIRBAG WOULD STILL DEPLOY. I WAS FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT AND ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT WAS ON A FEW DAYS LATER AGAIN, I FELT ASSURED I WAS IN NO DANGER AND PLANNED TO TRADE IN THE CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. NOW IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHOM I TRUST AND WHO IS A TEACHER OF AUTO MECHANICS AT A LOCAL COLLEGE, HE INFORMED ME TODAY THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND, ASSURING ME THIS IS REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVENMENT AND I AM NOT SAFE; AS LONG AS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW FEARFUL KIA HASL ARGUED WITH ME THAT DESPITE THE RECORDS OF THE MUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE SOUGHT HELP FROM THEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE CAR IS NOW OVER THE 50K WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $50.00 TO JUST LOOK AT IT AND FROM THERE WILL CHARGE ME LIKE ANYONE ELSE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. I'M A SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS AND NEED TO BE SAFE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA PRODUCTS AGAIN AND AM CONSIDERING HIRING AN ATTORNEY TO INTERVENE FOR ME TO RESOLVE THIS. THEY NEVER "FIXED" THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH AND NOW WANT ME TO PAY?
Electrical system, May 17, 2007
WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE I10 IN HOUSTON, TX CAR STALLED/WOULD NOT START. TOWED CAR TO GAS STATION AND HAD IT JUMPED. DID NOT HELP. TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THIS PART WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE IN KIA OPTIMAS IN 2001 AND 2002. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PART ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA RECALLED THE 2001 AND 2002 OPTIMAS BECAUSE, AND I QUOTE FORM THE NHTSA WEBSITE" 2001-02 W/V6: TWO SEAERATE RECALLS FOR IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALERS WILL REPLACE AFFECTED PARTS. *AK I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED IN THE RECALL. I FIND IT A BIT IRONIC, AND I AM NOW FILING THIS COMPLAINT THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2007
WIRING TO THE DRIVERS' SIDE BODY LIGHTS BLOWS THE FUSE. FUSES LAST ONLY A FEW DAYS. *JB
Power train, Dec 15, 2006
I PURCHASED MY OPTIMA USED IN MAY 2004. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, I EXPERIENCED A HESITATION IN THE SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE, APPARENTLY THEY CAN'T FIX IT EITHER. SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALER SHOPS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM 4 OR 5 TIMES. WITH THE SAME RESULT: THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE FOURTH TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE, THEY DID CHECK ALL THE CONNECTORS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO CODES CAME UP FOR THE CAR AT ALL, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THERE WERE 4 CODES THAT CAME UP: THE SAME 2 TWICE. ONE SET WAS ON 'HOLD' AND THE OTHER SET HAD JUST OCCURRED THAT DAY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED THE DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, WHO'D HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIFTH TIME I TOOK IT IN (IN DEC 2006), THE MECHANIC FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT MY WARRANTY RAN OUT 2,000 MILES BEFORE THIS. NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT MIGHT GET FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IF I HAD A TRANSMISSION SERVICE AT 60,000 MILES. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT EVEN MATTERS IF THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 48,000 MILES. PLUS, IN ALL THE CONTACT I HAVE HAD WITH ANY OF THESE PEOPLE, NOT A SINGLE ONE EVER RECOMMENDED OR REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS MODEL CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON; NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE TECH'S WHO ARE RUDE AND UN-INFORMATIVE TO CUSTOMERS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 25, 2006
2002 KIA OPTIMA LX, VIN#: [XXX] W/ APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. MY FIRST WARRANTY CLAIM: THE REPLACEMENT OF MY TIMING BELTS. ON 9/1/2006, MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A TOW TRUCK MY CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, BRONX AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC. D/B/A, TOYOTA OF THE BRONX. THE MANAGER AGGI SARATIS ENDED UP IN AN DISPUTE WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS REGARDING ACKNOWLEDGMENT WARRANTY AND ADVISED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM HIS PREMISE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST AVAILABLE SERVICE SHOP. THE REPAIR WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING BELT. MY VEHICLE HAD 51,720 MILES AT THE TIME OF REPAIR. THE TIMING BELT IS UNDER WARRANTY UP TO 60,000 MILES. I PAID THE TOTAL INVOICE FROM BRONXDALE AUTO REPAIR CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $603.40. I FAXED A COPY OF THE INVOICE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 9/7/2006. I HAVE TWO WITNESSES, TOW TRUCK DRIVERS, WHO WILL CONFIRM THAT THE SERVICE TEAM WAS UNPROFESSIONAL.A TECH MADE A COMMENT TO ME STATING "I DO NOT SPEND ANY MONEY HERE" SO WHY WOULD I EXPECT TO CLAIM ANY WARRANTY. I DISAGREE.I PAID FOR THIS CAR! MY SECOND WARRANTY CLAIM IS THE REPLACEMENT OF MY TRANSMISSION.ON 3/10/2006, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO SERVICE BECAUSE MY CAR COULD NOT MANEUVER IN REVERSE.MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME HAD 45,147 MILES. ON 3/13/2006, SERVICE ADVISED ME THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND SINCE THEY HAVE NO SERVICE RECORDS, THIS WOULD NOT BE CLAIMED AS A WARRANTY.I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, ADDITIONAL WORK NEEDED TO BE DONE.THE INVOICE TOTAL WAS $1,920.40. MY MECHANIC FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A PRODUCT QUALITY DEFECT ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IN FACT, THERE IS OVER A PAGE AND A HALF OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ITEMS!I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A RECALL. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WARRANTY ACKNOWLEDGED AND I FEEL THAT THE SERVICE TEAM IS HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNSKILLED.CONSIDERING THAT I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE 60,000 MILES IS SUSPICIOUS. *NM *JS
Air bags, Jul 10, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE WHERE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT, IN 2003, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IN THE SECOND OF THESE ACCIDENTS WHICH WAS MORE SEVERE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER. IN THE BOTH ACCIDENTS, THE OCCUPANT WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM AIR BAG SENSOR OF THE VEHICLE.
Seat belts, Jun 29, 2006, fire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER. THIS WAS CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY AN APPEARANCE OF WHITE SMOKE. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT BELT HARNESS AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Jun 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2006
WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED SURFACE GOING APPROX. 40 MPH, MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. I SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING AND BURNING SCABS ON MY LEFT SHOULDER AND CURRENTLY HAVE A SCAR THERE. *NM