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.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Oct 3, 2009
WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND OTHER NOTICEABLE STRESS IN STEERING, OR ACCELERATED ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT END AREA, NOT CV AXLE OR STRUT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 1, 2009
I PURCHASED A NEW KIA OPTIMA IN 2004. IN 2005 THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER. I TOOK THE CAR INTO DORSCHEL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP. THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED GREASE AND I WAS ALL SET. THE REAR BRAKE CONTINUED TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE INTERMITTENTLY AND SHRUGGED IT OFF DUE TO LUBRICANTS. IN 2007 I COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM OF SMELL OF SMOKE AND A SOUND OF MEDAL ON MEDAL EVERYTIME I MADE A TURN. DORSCHEL INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND STATED I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND NEW BRAKE PADS IN THE REAR. THE CAR ONLY HAD 14,230 MILES ON IT. WE ARGUED THAT A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE A BREAK JOB DONE SO SOON. DORSCHEL DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND BASICALLY STATED THEY HAVE CUSTOMERS WAITING. WE RELUCTANTLY DID THE BRAKE JOB IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, WE ASKED FOR THE PARTS. UNDER INSPECTION OF THE ORIGINAL BRAKES, THE BRAKES SEPARATED AND THE PADS DO NOT LOOK WORN. WE CALLED KIA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. WE RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER K1384334. KIA CLAIMS THIS IS OCCURRING DUE TO THE CAR SITTING. WE STATED TO KIA THAT THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD ON A DAILY BASIS IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER. KIA STATED IT IS OUR FAULT, CLOSED THE CASE, AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE BRAKE ISSUE. WE LET THIS ISSUE GO, UNTIL RECENTLY. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OF SMOKING BRAKES AND MEDAL ON MEDAL SOUND, BUT THIS TIME WE TOOK IT TO VISION KIA. AGAIN, I CONTACTED KIA ABOUT THE SAME BRAKE ISSUE TO HAVE THEM WORK DIRECTLY WITH VISION KIA TO SEE IF KIA TRULY HAS A DEFECT IN IT'S PARTS. VISION KIA IS STATING THAT I NEED FRONT AND BACK BRAKE JOBS. AGAIN, KIA IS STATING THIS IS OUR ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR IS SITTING. AGAIN I EXPLAINED TO KIA THAT THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD ON A DAILY BASIS. THE CAR HAS 21,417 MILES. THERE ARE CARS THAT ARE OLDER THAN MY CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE THAT NEVER HAD TO HAVE BRAKE JOBS DONE. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THAT THE KIA GENUINE PARTS ARE OF POOR QUALITY. WITH THE BRAKE PADS SEPARATING, I BELIEVE TO BE A DANGER OF BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2009
THE RECALL CONCERNING THE 01 -04 KIA OPTIMA SUBFRAME CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT IS NOT BEING HONORED BY DEALERS. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO EITHER CONTACT DEALERS FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO WHICH THEY WOULD NOT RETURN PHONECALLS OR E-MAILS, OR IN ONE CASE ACTUALLY GOT HOLD OF A DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT AT 130,000 MILES IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE BEEN EATING TIRES AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THIS CAR ALIGNED AFTER THE FIRST 20,000 MILES. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 CLUTCHES IN IT (THE FIRST ONE AFTER 29,000 MILES. FOR THE RECORD I HAVE DRIVEN STANDARDS FOR 27 YEARS BEFORE THIS AND HAD NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH) AND FOUND OUT AFTER THE SECOND CLUTCH (WHICH AT NO TIME WOULD KIA ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW OR ANY CULPABILITY) THAT THE ORIGINAL CLUTCHES WERE NOT LASTING ON THESE CARS AND A STANDARD PRESSURE PLATE CLUTCH HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL UNDER AN ENGINEERING CHANGE INSTEAD OF A RECALL. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND KIA CORPORATION AND ANY DEALER I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT SO FAR HAS REFUSED EVER TO MAKE GOOD ON ANY ASPECT OF THIS CAR. THIS CAR AND ANY 01-04 KIA OPTIMA SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BY THE KIA CORPORATION FOR THEIR BLATANT DISREGARD TO THE CONSUMER FOR THEIR SAFETY AND COSTS. I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT A MEDIA BLITZ TO INFORM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC OF THIS BLATANT DISREGARD AND THESE SAFETY ISSUES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND FELT YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW IN ORDER TO GET YOUR DATA IN ORDER. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2009
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM KIA JUNE15,2009, POSSIBILITY OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. I CALLED MY DEALER WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WAS TOLD NO PARTS IN THEY WOULD CALL ME. ON AUG. 03 I CALLED THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD STILL NOT PARTS. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CALLED BACK WITHIN TWO DAYS TO LET ME KNOW WHY NO PARTS HOWEVER IT WAS THE SAME NO CALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY BE FAULTY AND I CAN GET NO SERVICE OR HELP. IF IT IS A RECALL WHY CAN I NOT GET HELP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. KIA MOTORS AMERICA INC. GAVE NO REPLY AND THE DEALER STILL SAYS NO PARTS. ON AUG 15TH IT WILL BE TWO MONTHS AND NO HELP. THANK YOU (THIS IS FROM A RECALL LETTER TO ME). *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE ACCESS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. SHE HEARD THE LOCKS CLICKING IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE ENTRY. SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE BY MANEUVERING THE LOCK. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MAY NOT OPEN AGAIN OR SHE COULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $300 TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 2, 2009
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. WENT THROUGH A PERIOD WHEN IT WOULD LOCK/UNLOCK NORMALLY, THEN PERIODICALLY WE HAD TO UNLOCK WITH KEY AND PULLING DOOR HANDLE AT SAME TIME, NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. *TR
Suspension, Nov 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP TWELVE FEET FROM THE INCIDENT. HER INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF A GRINDING NOISE SHE HEARD. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE TOO BUSY TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, BUT THREE HOURS LATER THE AXLE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,954.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC WIRE FOR THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNED INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THESE WERE THE PLUGS FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE AN EXPLOSION COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,600. UPDATED 12/11/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/11/08.*JB
Air bags, Nov 8, 2008
DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LIT. CODE B1378 PULLED BY THE DEALERSHIP - DRIVERSIDE SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE HIGH. $1,020 TO FIX (REPLACE SEATBACK) . THIS CAR HAS 26,400 MILES ON IT. WAS TOLD NONE OF THE 4 AIRBAGS WILL WORK BECAUSE THIS ONE BAG HAS FAILED. I UNDERSTAND DEVICES FAIL BUT TO DESIGN AN ENTIRE SAFETY SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE BECAUSE ONE PART OF IT GOES BAD IS NEGLIGENT ENGINEERING. ALSO, FACTORY WARRANTIES COVERING EMISSION SYSTEMS LONGER THAN SYSTEMS RESPONSIBLE FOR BODILY SAFETY IS BAD POLICY. *TR
Suspension, Nov 5, 2008
RT BALL JOINT/AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON 10 OCT 08. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DOOR WAS NOT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING CONTINUED TO FAIL AS WELL AS THE OTHER ISSUES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES TO REPAIR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THE ISSUES KEPT PERSISTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,195. UPDATED 10/05/08 *CN THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DIMMRE SWITCH ALSO FAILED. UPDATED 11/06/08. *JB
Air bags, Sep 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SAME FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES AND STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,016 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL BECAME INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 16, 2008
HELLO I HAVE A FEW ISSUES WITH MY 2004 KIA OPTIMA THAT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET RESOLVED. THE 1ST IS MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR THIS WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND NOW THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE IT FIXED I HAVE TO SPEND A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE MY PASSENGER SEAT REMOVED AND SOME WIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE SPLICED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE PAYING TO HAVE A PROBLEM FIXED THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED AND THE RESPONSE I GET AS TO THE SOLUTION INVOLVES SPLICING OF WIRES FOR MY AIR BAG. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES AND HEARD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL. ISSUE #2 INVOLVES MY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE OWNED MY CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2005. I HAVE BLOWN AT LEAST 5 SETS OF HEADLIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SETS AND NOT JUST BULBS. MY MOST RECENT ONE HAS BLOWN AND HAS NOT EVEN BEEN INSTALLED FOR 3 MONTHS. IN ORDER TO GET THIS FIXED I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AND SPEND ALMOST $100 JUST TO HAVE SOMEBODY TEST THE SYSTEM AND TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG AND THEN PAY TO GET IT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN BAD ENOUGH THAT ONCE THEY BOTH BLEW AT THE SAME TIME AND LEFT ME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL EXCEPT FOR MY HIGH BEAMS. I HAVE ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. IF SOMEBODY COULD PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THESE ISSUES AND ASSIST ME WITH GETTING THEM ADDRESSED. MY CAR CURRENTLY WILL NOT PASS AN INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER CALIPER WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE ROTOR AND CALIPER WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES LATER, THE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THERE IS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,080 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2008
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I GOT IT TOWED, IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, THE COST TO REPAIR $460. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. ALSO EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR
Air bags, Apr 16, 2008
PURCHASED A 2004 KIA OPTIMA IN 11/2005 AND HAVE REPORTED AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. CAR REPAIR HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED 4 TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE AND REPORTED 5 TIMES AS OF 04/11/2008. I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, OR IT WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Mar 6, 2008
1) NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE, NO INDICATION OF A PENDING FAILURE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING WELL UNTIL THE DAY OF INCIDENT, FEB 3, 2008. 2) AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES, THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT GO FORWARD WHILE IN GEAR. WE WERE ON AN ACCESS ROAD TO AN INTERSTATE. WE HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPACE WHILE CARS AVOIDED US. 3) THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD COME LOOSE, DESTROYING THE CLUTCH. THE CAR ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES AND THE MECHANIC STATED THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL ALMOST 100,000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $2,000. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 10, 2008
DRIVERS DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPEN UP. *TR
Equipment, Feb 5, 2008
SUMMER OF 2007 A/C WOULD NOT WORK SPORADICALLY. FEBRUARY 1,2008 I HAD MY PERSONAL MECHANIC COME TO MY HOUSE TO LOOK AT MY CAR TO FIGURE OUT WHY I AM HEARING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF MY A/C PROBLEMS HE ASKED ME IF I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY A/C BECAUSE HE SEES THE PROBLEM AS BEING MY A/C COMPRESSOR. CALLING AROUND FOR PRICES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I WAS INFORMED THE KIA FACTORY IS COMPLETELY OUT OF A/C COMPRESSORS. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD INFORMED ME THEY HAVE REPLACED A FEW A/C COMPRESSORS RECENTLY. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO QUITE A FEW THINGS THAT WILL LOCK UP UNDER MY HOOD IF I CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I CALLED KIA AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON MY OWN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 31, 2008
2004 KIA OPTIMA WITH FAILED WIRING HARNESS AND TIRE BLOW OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FELL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE VEHICLE INSTEAD THEY WANT HER TO BUY A NEW ONE. *KB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2007
PURCHASED 2004 KIA OPTIMA EX NEW. HAVE HAD FUSE BLOCK REPLACED W/IN 15000 MILES. NOW, THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. THE CAR RAN FINE AND WAS PARKED. NEXT DAY CAR WOULD NOT START. NO FUSES BLOWN. THE TERMINAL CONNECTOR FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE GAS TANK PENETRATION HAS BURNED OUT CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT OPEN IN CIRCUIT. FUEL PUMP BURNED UP IN TANK. WIRES AND CONNECTORS VISIBLY CHARRED. CONNECTION THAT FAILED IS INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. VERY SIMILAR TO NTSB CASE #10161074. HAVE 120,000 MILES ON THE CAR. OTHERS WITH LESS MILEAGE ARE IN FOR TROUBLE DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. DEFECTIVE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR PHOTOGRAPH OR INSPECTION. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2007
ON JULY 22, 2007, I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME FROM MY ANNIVERSARY TRIP WHEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO LUCK. SINCE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WE CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH FALLS UNDER THE WARRANTY. WELL 3-1/2 HOURS LATER A TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, IT WAS NOT CALLED BY KIA. HE JUST HAPPENED DOWN THE ROAD AT THE TIME. SO I HAD TO PAY $250.00 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME TO AVOID STORAGE FEES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHANGED THE CRANK SENSOR AND TIMING BELT. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING IDLING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF IF LEFT TO IDLE. THE CAR JERKED WHEN TAKING OFF AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BOUNCING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. SO I HAD IT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT IS NOW 2 WEEKS LATER AND MY CAR IS STILL AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE CALLED ME 4 TIMES TO COME GET THE CAR IT IS READY. NO IT WAS NOT!!! SO 4 TIMES I DROVE AN HOUR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AN HOUR HOME TO GO DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP, CRANK UP MY CAR, REALIZE IT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, GIVE THEM BACK THE KEYS, AND DRIVE HOME. I AM NOW AT THE POINT WHERE KIA CAN KEEP THE PIECE OF SH*T AND EITHER GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK ON MY SUPPOSEDLY NEW CAR OR GIVE ME AN ACTUAL NEW CAR. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!@!
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, ONLY THE REAR DOORS UNLOCKED. THE FRONT DOORS ALSO FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE BACKSEAT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK AND HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD TO LEAVE DOORS UNLOCKED FOR FEAR OF BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
Exterior lighting, May 17, 2007
I BOUGHT A 2004 KIA OPTIMIA IN MARCH 5005 AND ALREADY THE HEADLIGHT GLOBE WAS STARTING TO FADE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS 26800 MILES ON IT. AND WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE . THE SERVICEMAN SAID IT CAME FROM SUN RAYS. THE ONLY TIME THE CAR WAS IN THE SUN WAS WHEN I WAS AT WORK. THE CAR WASIN GOOD CONDITION. THINK THIS WAS AN INJUSTICE, I DIDN'T CAUSE THE PROBLEM. *AK