2004 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Latches/locks/linkages is the leading concern among 225 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 8 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 8 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
Representative owner complaints: latches/locks/linkages
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ALL OF THE DOORS WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB OR MANUALLY WITH THE KEYS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR AND THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BECASUE THE LOCK WAS MANUFACTURERED FROM PLASTIC, IT WAS DESIGNED TO WEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 23, 2011
THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN'T BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE DRIVER CANNOT EASILY EXIT THE VEHICLE.*LN
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. THE FAILURE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE LOCKED VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 04/28/11
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Dec 13, 2010
I WAS COMMUTING. I GAVE MY CAR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. THEN THE ENGINE COILS WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER FORTY. REPLACED THAT. HEARD FUNNY NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS AT 70K AT THIS POINT. THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY SAID TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AT 110K. SO I DECIDED TO HOLD OFF AS THAT PROBABLY WASN'T THE PROBLEM AND A MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T LIE TO ME AS THEY ARE REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THEN I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. I GET THE CAR TOWED. THE TIMING BELT IS CHANGED AND THERE ARE HALF THE TEETH LEFT ON THE TIMING BELT. HOW IS THE CAR STILL RUNNING YOU MAY ASK? IT IS A MAGICAL CAR AND IS LIKE THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD. THEN I AM DRIVING ON A BUSY SCARY MOUNTAINOUS HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DIES AGAIN AT A BLIND CORNER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF CARS THAT WANT TO HIT ME. THE CAR TURNS BACK ON. THE FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND THOSE AROUND ME HAS SUBSIDED FOR A MOMENT. THE CAR IS ABLE TO TURN BACK ON... SOMEHOW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE CRANK SENSOR IS THE PROBLEM. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS THEN FIXED. THIS CAR IS A HAZARD TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR A YEAR AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE COILS, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK ALIGNMENTS AND PROBABLY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT MADE ME FEAR FOR MY LIFE. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BROKE AND SAID I WAS GOING 0 MPH WHEN IT WAS REALLY 80 MPH. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS RUNNING OKAY. I EXPECT BY NEXT OCTOBER THAT SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG AS THAT IS THE MONTH THAT EVERYTHING DOES WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 27, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA LOCKS ITSELF BACK WHEN I OPEN IT. I CAN'T GET IN OR OUT THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I'VE HAD TO CLIMB ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE IT HURTS MY BACK EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION SO I NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED. DID AN ONLINE SEARCH TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND FOUND OUT THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE SAME YEAR,MAKE, AND MODEL CAR. WILL CHECK BACK TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. IF NOTHING IS BEING DONE THEN WILL SEEK OTHER AVENUES TO HANDLE THIS MATTER. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 20, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE, NOR FROM THE INSIDE. I AM FORCED TO GET INTO AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2006, THE DEALERSHIP IN GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA, SAID THAT PART OF THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME A LITTLE OVER $300.00 AND KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS! I HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PAY FOR IT MYSELF. NOW, I HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE A 5 SPEED OPTIMA. IN ADDITION TO CLIMBING OVER THE CONSOLE, I HAVE THE STICK SHIFT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO CLIMB OVER AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I WILL BE TRAPPED IN MY CAR. I SEE FROM THE OTHER POSTS ON HERE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THAT HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND HAVE A RECALL ISSUED??? HOW MANY OF US ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE INJURED AND/OR KILLED BECAUSE WE ARE TRAPPED IN OUR VEHICLE DUE TO THIS? AS I MENTIONED, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. PERHAPS, A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS IN ORDER SINCE A RECALL APPARENTLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 20, 2010
I OWN A 2004 KIA OPTIMA AND I AM RECENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. RESULTING IN MANY PEOPLE HAVING TO CRAWL THROUGH THERE WINDOW OR PASSENGER DOOR. IF THERE WAS EVER AN EMERGENCY WHERE SOMEBODY NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WHICH COULD BE INCREDIBLY UNSAFE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EVER ON FIRE, SUBMERGED IN WATER, OR IF IN A BAD ACCIDENT IT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO GET THE MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 13, 2010
THE EVENT THAT LEAD TO THE FAILURE WAS ME SIMPLY LOCKING THE DOOR TO MY 04 KIA OPTIMA TO GO INTO THE STORE. THE FAILURE WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, (POWER LOCKS). CAN ONLY UNLOCK VEHICLE TO GET IN OR OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER OR REAR DOORS. IT'S CONSEQUENCES WHERE DESCRIBED ABOVE. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. MY WIFE DID RESEARCH ON WHAT WAS WRONG. IT IS A LOCK MECHANISM THAT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO COULD ONLY TELL ME I WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF THE EVER IS A RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET FIXED BECAUSE OF MY RECENT NECK SURGERY. TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GET OUT OF ME VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY?????????? OR EVEN WORSE MY WIFE????????????? PLEASE HELP AND DO SOME RESEARCH. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN LEAVING THE DOORS OPEN BUT AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT, THE DOORS LOCKED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MECHANIC AT THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE DOOR LOCKS BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/03/11
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 6, 2010
HI THERE, 2 WEEKS AGO MY KIA OPTIMA LX 2004 DRIVER DOOR GOT LOCKED OUT AND IT IS NOT UNLOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY NEED TO ORDER THE PARTS AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I UNDERSTAND THIS. BUT I FOUND LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND ALL OF THOSE CONSUMER GOT THE SIMILAR KIND OF RESPONSE WHEN THE CONTACT THEIR DEALER. THE QUESTION IS SINCE LOT OF CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL WHY THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RE-CALL. SINCE THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA 2004 WHY CONSUMER NEEDS TO PAY IF THEY DID NOT CREATE A GOOD PART OR MODEL. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 26, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER LOCK SYSTEM RE-LOCKS THE DOOR WHEN I ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE, I MUST CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND USE THAT DOOR. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO CRISIS, BUT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR SUBMERSION IN WATER, IT COULD LEAD TO MORE HARM SINCE EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ISN'T POSSIBLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Aug 22, 2010
KIA OPTIMA 2004. DRIVER-DOOR LOCKED UP. WOULDN'T OPEN. CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR FROM PASSENGER DOOR. WINDOWS CAN'T BE OPENED! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 7, 2010
2004 KIA OPTIMA (ALTHOUGH ALL MODELS AND YEARS ARE AFFECTED) - FRONT DOOR LATCH DEFECTIVE (RESEARCH SHOWS BOTH SIDES AFFECTED; THIS COMPLAINT IS SPECIFIC TO PASSENGER-SIDE); DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. COSTLY TO FIX; MANUFACTURER AWARE OF DEFECT. SAFETY HAZARD; IN THE EVENT ACCIDENT INVOLVING DRIVERS' SIDE, NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE; WOULD INHIBIT SUCCESSFUL RESCUE ATTEMPTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO SHOULDER THE COST OF REPAIR DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS OR WORKMANSHIP. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT ALSO A WIDESPREAD DEFECT, AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS INTERNET BLOGS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGMENT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 6, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED SHE USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY SWITCH TO UNLOCK THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOORS. WHEN SHE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS TO PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE UNLOCKING IT MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 25, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA LOCKS BACK EVERYTIME I UNLOCK IT AND TRY TO GET OUT . THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR ME AND A SAFETY DEFECT AND I AM AFRAID OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I STOPPED AT THE SERVICE STATION TO GET GAS AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AS FAST AS IT UNLOCK IT WOULD LOCK BACK TRAPPING ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE I HAD TO BEG SOMEONE TO HELP ME OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AS THERE ARE OTHER CONSUMERS JUST LIKE MYSELF HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE ARE ASKING KIA TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT TO BE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE DOOR ITSELF. I TRIED TO OVERRIDE IT BY TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE LATCH AT THE SAME TIME UNTIL I GOT IT TO UNLOCK AND I LEFT IT UNLOCK AND THEN RIDING IN THE CAR ON THE NEXT DAY IT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND I FREAKED OUT THANK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS THERE BECAUSE I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THIS IS THE THIRD DAY AND IT WON'T OPEN. I CANNOT STAND THE FEELING OF BEING CLOSED IN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND SEE IF IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CRAWL OVER THE MIDDLE CONSOLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MECHANICAL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,015. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 23, 2010
2004 KIA OPTIMA 140,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE UNLOCK BUTTON MOVED SLIGHTLY. UPON PULLING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR THE LOCK AUTOMATICALLY MOVED TO THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. FROM INSIDE THE CAR, IF YOU MANUALLY LOCK THE CAR OR IF THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANY MEANS. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE CAUSES 3 SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. 1) PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION 2) THE DRIVER CAN NOT LOCK THE DOOR FOR PERSONAL SECURITY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS WILL PERMANENTLY LOCK THE OCCUPANT INSIDE. 3) THE POTENTIAL THAT AN OCCUPANT WOULD BE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING AN EMERGENCY AND PREVENTED FROM ESCAPING THE VEHICLE. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FOR KIA VEHICLES THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR A FATALITY IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ESCALATED TO A FULL RECALL OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR MODELS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 2001-2005. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 16, 2010
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY, USING THE INSIDE HANDLE OR ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE DOOR CONSTANTLY RELOCKS WHEN YOU TRY TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE TOGGLE LEVER INSIDE THE CAR. IT WILL NOT OPEN IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. EVEN TRIED TO DISABLE THE ELECTRIC LOCK BY REMOVING THE FUSE. THE ELECTRIC DOORS DID NOT WORK BUT THE DOOR DID RELOCK WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN WITH A KEY (MUST BE ON ANOTHER CIRCUIT - MAYBE SECURITY). LARGE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2010
THE DOOR LOCK TO THE 2004 KIA OPTIMA HAVE DEFECTS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD WARRANTY. HEY GO BAD FROM 40 MILES ALL THE WAY BEYOND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RECOIL WHEN TAKEN OFF THE BODY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A REMEDY THAT WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 8, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, DRIVERS SIDE CAR DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICED MANY TIMES. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF THE DRIVERS DOOR (FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE) IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER! I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE IT IS FIXED--THAT IS THE QUESTION. [XXX] *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 1, 2010
IN JULY 2008 THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LATCH MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THIS MALFUNCTION MADE IT UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. AS THE LOCKING FUNCTION OF THIS MECHANISM WORKS BY MOVING THE LATCH OPENING LEVER OUT OF POSITION, THIS MALFUNCTION MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE OCCUPANT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT IN CASE OF CRASH OR FIRE. THE LATCH WAS REPLACED WITH A REPLACEMENT UNIT. IN DEC 2009, THE REPLACEMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT HAD THE $ TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SHARED BY MANY KIA AND HYUNDAI OWNERS. I HOPE MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE NEVER IN A CRASH AND CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 8, 2010
MY CAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND NOW IS AFFECTING MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND WILL HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE PASS. DOOR IS NOW 100% AFFECTED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST STARTED TODAY. SO THE END RESULT IS I AM LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR UNLESS I CRAWL THROUGH THE WINDOW. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND BECAUSE MY CAR IS A 2004 (WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES) THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I TOLD HIM HOW DANGEROUS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS AND HE REALLY DIDNT SEEM TO CARE. II ASKED HIM WHO ISSUES RECALLS AND HE SAID IT WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION, WHEN I SAID THAT I WOULD CALL YOU TO TRY AND GET A RECALL HE THEN SAID "WELL YOU COULD BRING IT INTO KIA AND SEE WHAT THEY FIND, ALTHOUGH NO GAURANTEE I WOULD GET IT PAID FOR BY THEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY KIA CARS. I THEN TOLD HIM I WOULD BE CONTACTING YOUR ORGANIZATION AND HE DIDNT SEEM TO HAPPY. * WHEN MY PASSENGER DOOR STARTED WITH THIS PROBLEM APPROX. 2 MONTHS AGO I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I SHOULD ADD THAT THE NEAREST KIA DEALER IS APPROX. 2.5 HOURS ONE WAY AWAY FROM ME. *CN
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 20, 2009
THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN BY USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR MANUALLY. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT EVEN OPEN USING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THERE IS NOT A CHOICE OF NOT HAVING IT FIXED OR NOT. YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY SINCE THE DOOR WILL NOT WORK MANUALLY. KIA DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY SO YOU ARE FORCED TO REPLACED BOTH THE LATCH AND THE ACTUATOR. THE CAR HAD TO TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNLESS CLIMBING OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THE WAY YOU WOULD CHOOSE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CAR. *TR