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
225 reports, newest first.
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Sep 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A GAS FUME LEAK AND THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,548.
Structure, Sep 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD BECOME STUCK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT RECURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
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.
Steering, Jul 31, 2010
EVERY TIME MY CAR GO THROUGH A MUD PUDDLE I LOSE MY POWER STEERING DEALER CANT FIND ANY PROBLEMS SOMETHING IS WRONG. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jul 28, 2010
THE FUEL SYSTEM IS GIVING ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEMS I HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS. AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ALSO KEEP GOING OUT. I'VE CHANGED THE LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT TWICE AND THE RIGHT SIDE ONCE IN 4-1/2 YEARS. *TR
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
Air bags, Mar 24, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,500.
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
Air bags, Feb 18, 2010
I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Tires, Feb 17, 2010
I HAVE BEEN REFUSED THE REPAIR ON MY 2004 KIA BY NO LESS THAN 3 DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE RUSTING FRONT END BECAUSE OF LACK OF RUST PROOFING. IT MADE THE CAR UNDRIVABLE 4 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE HAD NO SATISFACTION. YOU ARE GOING AFTER TOYOTA WITH BOTH BARRELS YET YOU ARE LEAVING KIA ALONE AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT SERIOUS EXPENSES AND PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE WITH NEGATIVE REPLIES. IF I DO NOT HERE FROM THIS AGENCY IN THE NEAR FUTURE CONCERNING MY ISSUES I WILL CONTACT THE MEDIA AND SEEK MY RESTITUTION THROUGH THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETTING THE GREASE METHOD AND MY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT ASSIST WILL BE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION. PLEASE PUT HEAT ON KIA TO GET AGGRESSIVE WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS. *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
Air bags, Dec 4, 2009
ME 2004 KIA HAVE THE AIR BAGS LIGHT ON AND I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD NOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I CALL THE KIA DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM AFRAID THE AIR BAGS WILL POP WHILE I AM DRIVING. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE AIR BAGS LIGHT STAY ON AT ALL TIME. *TR THANK YOU
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 5, 2009
THE FRONT DOOR LOCK ON OUR 2004 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK IT FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN; THEREFORE, YOU MUST CLIMB TO THE OTHERSIDE OF THE CAR TO EXIT OR CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW, WHICH I BELIEVE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NOONE WOULD BE ABLE TO REMOVE YOU FROM THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INJURY, FIRE OR A WATER RESCUE. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP SHOP TOLD US THAT IT WAS A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR US. THEY ESTIMATED THE COST TO REPAIR AT $200 PLUS LABOR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE UNSAFE NATURE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR