2001 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE IN HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE K FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS MUCH MORE DAMAGED THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE; HOWEVER, BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ARE RUSTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,500.

SUBFRAME RUST THROUGH. I DISCOVERED A FIST SIZED HOLE DURING AN OIL CHANGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR 2001 KIA OPTIMA. FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED AT OUR COST BY DEALER. *TR

CAR HESITATED ONCE OR TWICE UPON ACCELERATION, COULD NOT RECREATE PROBLEM. 1 WEEK AGO, WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE, CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN CAR FINALLY WENT INTO GEAR CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR, AND EVEN THEN BARELY ANY MOVEMENT. TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP, THREE DAYS LATER DEALERSHIP CALLED, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAD TO "FIGHT" WITH THE FACTORY REP TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH I PROVIDED PROOF OF MAINTENANCE. DEALERSHIP ORDERED NEW TRANSMISSION, WHEN PREPPING CAR FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION A "HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE SUBFRAME", THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE PUT IN THE CAR WITH THE HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME AT A COST OF $1,800.00. DEALERSHIP CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW A GARAGE KEPT 7 YEAR OLD CAR HAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. *TR

ON FEBRUARY 12, 2008 MY CAR BEGAN TO DRIVE VERY ERRATICALLY WITH SNOW ON THE ROAD. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM STEERING OFF THE ROAD. IT WASN'T JUST ROAD CONDITIONS. I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS BROKE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP THE SAME DAY. INITIALLY THE TECHNICIAN STATED I NEED AND ALIGNMENT. I HAD JUST GOT 4 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT IN DECEMBER 2007. I STATED THIS CONDITION JUST STARTED TODAY. THE TECHNICIAN WHEN BACK AND INSPECTED THE CAR IN MORE DETAIL. HE RETURNED AN SAID THAT THE ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE TO GET IT WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. HE TOOK ME TO THE LIFT WHERE THE CAR WAS AND SHOWED ME WHY THE CAR COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WAS SEPARATING FROM THE SUB FRAME OR ENGINE CRADLE OF THE CAR, BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WASN'T IN A VERY SAFE CONDITION. HE ALSO NOTED A 7 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT SHOW THIS TYPE OF DECAY IN A MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO GET THE ALIGNMENT AS CLOSE TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATION SO I RETURN HOME SAFE. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THE REPLACEMENT PART COSTING $1400. THE ENGINE AND STEERING COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO THIS PART. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE LOCAL KIA DEALER FOR A LABOR COST ESTIMATE. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WE HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA AND OUR WHEELS CAVED IN BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT COST US 2,500.00. THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY IT. WE SUBMITTED REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION FEELING IT SHOULD BE COVERED ESPECIALLY ON A CAR WITH ONLY 49,000 MILES. THEY REFUSED. NOW A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND YET THEY ARE DRAGGING THERE FEET. IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER 6 MONTHS NOW AND STILL NOTHING. I FEEL WE SHOULD ALL BAND TOGETHER AND FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST KIA FOR ISSUES AND THERE POOR HANDLING OF THERE CAR OWNERS. *TR

ON NOVEMBER 3, 2007 MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER BROUGHT OUR 2001 KIA OPTIMA TO ATLANTIC KIA IN LINDENHURST NY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS, MY WIFE WAS TOLD THAT THE ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE ON THE CAR DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, AND TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE TIRES ARE 4 MONTHS OLD. SHE THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO PEP BOYS IN PATCHOGUE, NY. THEY SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT THE TIRES AND OFFERED TO DO THE ALIGNMENT. AFTER SEVERAL MORE HOURS, A TECHNICIAN BROUGHT MY WIFE TO THE LIFT WHERE THE CAR WAS AND SHOWED HER WHY THE CAR COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR, BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR UP WAS THE TIRE. THE TECH THEN TOLD HER THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND ASKED WHERE THE DEALER WAS LOCATED. SINCE THE DEALER IS LOCATED ABOUT 20 MILES FROM THAT SHOP, MY WIFE WAS TOLD THAT SHE COULD NOT DRIVE IT THERE, THE CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE. ATLANTIC KIA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH. SHE WAS TOLD TO CALL BACK ON MONDAY THE 5TH. SHE DID, AND WAS GIVEN RUDE AND UNACCEPTABLE TREATMENT FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER. SHE WAS ALLOWED TO DRIVE A HAZARDOUS VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND THEN IN TURN WAS TREATED VERY BADLY. ATLANTIC KIA WANTS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAR EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. *TR

PURCHASED OCT,15,07. WITHIN 3 DAY WE HAD IT UP TO DEALER WERE PURCHASES 1) FOR WINDOWS NOT GOING UP OR DOWN ALL THE TIME. 2) LIGHT ON RADIO AND HEATER DO NOT WORK. 3) THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND WOULD GO FROM 1ST GEAR TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD STAY THAT WAY UNTIL CAR TURNED OFF. 4)HAD TO REPLACE SPEED SHIFT SENSOR. 5) BRAKES. GOT LOOKED IN CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT GET OUT. SOMETIMES THEY WORK MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T. 6). ANTENNA BROKE OFF FOR NO REASON. WENT OUT ON DAY BARELY TOUCHED IT AND IT FEEL OFF. 7) ON FEB 9TH CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 4 DAYS FOR NO REASON HAD TOWED FROM OWN HOUSE TO GARAGE WERE THEY KNOW BELIEVE IT HAS A CRACKED HEAD OR BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE I HAVE A 3YR OLD AND A 7 YR OLD. I FEAR FOR THERE LIVES AND MINE. . I DON'T EVEN WANT THIS CAR ANYMORE AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP IF U HAVE ANY ADVICE. DON'T BUY A KIA. ALSO THIS CAR CAME WITH A 90 DAY WARRANTY FROM HARRY'S AUTO SALES AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME FOR 3 MONTH THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND ONLY WOULD RESET COMPUTER UNTIL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE AND THEY FOUND OUT DIFFERT. THEY TOLD US HEAD GASKET. HARRY SAID NOOOOOO. WHEN WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN THEY INFORMED ME I NEED A HEAD GASKET. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT CAUSE WARRANTY OUT. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LEMON. PLEASE HELP ME FIND LEGAL ADVICE. *TR

2001 KIA OPTIMA SUBFRAME HAS A PROBLEM WITH CORROSION. *NJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND TRIED TO BRING THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF KIA. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKED. THE SUBFRAME WAS BEING HELD BY ONE BOLT. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL 09V183000. *JB

INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. FAILURE OF SENSORS CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO DROP FROM 4TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. FROM THERE TRANSMISSION CAN ONLY SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR USING "SPORT SHIFT-STICK" . ON A GOOD DAY WITHOUT PROBLEMS ENGINE IS SLUGGISH. VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. *TR

I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE DROPPED INTO 3RD GEAR AND WOULDN'T GET OUT OF IT. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND THE SPEED SENSORS WERE SHOT. IF I KEEP DRIVING IT LIKE THIS I AM GOING TO BLOW THE TRANSMISSION, IF IT IS NOT ALREADY BLOWN! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE SHUT DOWN. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALER TO LOOK UP MY WARRANTY INFORMATION ONLY TO FIND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE COVERED WITH A 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE! THEY SOLD ME THIS CAR UNDER FALSE PRETENCES, AND APPARENTLY, IT IS GOING TO COST ME $180.00 TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE 36,000 MILES ON THIS CAR, AND THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE HAD BETTER CARS THAT HAVE RUN BETTER THAN THIS! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA AGAIN!*AK

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2001 NEW. I HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. THE ALTERNATOR AND AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. THE LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONED. THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK CAUSING US TO GET LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. THE CAR STALLS, JERKS WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE CAR FAILED INSPECTION NOVEMBEER 30-EMISSIONS RELATED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED IN OCTOBER. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY REPAIRING THIS CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I PURCHASED IT FROM KIA /BRONX. MY CAR WAS THERE FOR 4 DAYS. THE SERVICE MECHANIC REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME TO PICK UP MY CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED AND I AM STILL UNABLE TO GET IT INSPECTED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE OF NO HELP. THEY TELL ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER. THEY ALSO KEEP REMINDING ME THAT THE BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE POWERTRAIN. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, THEY MAY ASK FOR MAINTENANCE RECORDS. THE CAR IS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THE 2001 KIAS WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. THE TWO RECALLS MAY BE THE PROBLEMS MY CAR IS HAVING. I AM CLASSIFYING MY CAR AS A LEMON AND WOULD LIKE HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V156000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT, THE LIGHTS BECAME DIM IN THE INSIDE AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES FOR PROBLEM AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR DOESN'T PICK UP SPEND WHEN GOING OVER HILLS NOT EVEN LITTLE ONES. THE GAS NEEDLE DOES NOT READ FULL EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS PRACTICALLY OVERFLOWING WITH GAS. READING A FULL TANK OF GAS HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON . HAVE TAKEN TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY SPEND SENSOR IS GOING OUT AND THAT IS WHY THE CAR IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR AND SKIPS 2ND ALTOGETHER I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR THE WARRINTY IS GONE AND I WAS NEVER OFFERED THE EXTENDED WARRINTY AND REALLY DIDN'T THINK OF IT SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 YR OLD. BACK BRAKES HAVE ALSO GONE OUT AT LEAST I THINK SO THEY STARTED GRINDING WITH NO WARNING 2 DAYS AGO I'M GOING TO HAVE THEM CHECKED THIS WEEKEND. AIR (NEVER USED BEFOE THIS SUMMER)DOESN'T GET COLD LIKE IT SHOULD. DOOR LOCK MAKING A CRAZY SOUND ON DRIVERS SIDE, BELIEVE THE MOTOR IS GOING OUT ON POWER LOCKS THEY ALSO TEND TO NOT WANT TO UNLOCK SOMETIMES. ATENNA BROKE.AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. ALSO HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF ANY RECALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED ON MY CAR OR NOT OR IF THEY STILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING & WOULD GO OUT REPEATEDLY. WHEN I CALLED THE KIA 800 NUMBER WAS TOLD PROBABLY NOTHING. BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO SCHEDULE IT IN WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER. I ASKED "DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY". HE SAID PROBABLY NOT, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT DEPLOY YOU ARE BETTER OFF NOT DRIVING IT. I TOLD HIM I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AIRBAGS, HE REPEATED,"IF I BELIEVE THERE IS REASON TO BE CONCERNED, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY JUST PARK IT." I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR CENTER THAT IS NEAR MY HOME & WAS TOLD THAT THE "CLOCK SPRING" IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BROKEN & THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANYTIME WITHOUT CAUSE OR IN A COLLISION IT MAY NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER BACK & ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG FOR A 2001 KIA OPTIMA LE & WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT DISCUSS RECALLS WITH ME AT ALL WITHOUT THE VIN #. I ASKED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT AIRBAG PROBLEMS FOR THE OPTIMA 2001& TOLD HIM I DIDN'T HAVE THE VIN# BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE SHOP. HE STATED THEY WOULD NOT DISCUSS ANY RECALLS WITHOUT MY NAME, ADDRESS AND/OR THE VIN#, I SAID I WOULD FIX IT THEN SUBMIT CHARGES IF RECALLED THE 800# SAID THAT IF IT IS RECALLED AFTER I REPAIR IT I MAY NOT GET REIMBURSED IF IT WASN'T DIAGNOSED BY A DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE IT, THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BE TOWING IT IN & THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY TOWED IN. I TOLD THEM THE REPAIR CENTER SAID THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WITHOUT NOTICE, THEY SAID IT COULD BUT NOT NECESSARILY. I BELIEVE THAT KIA HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE FACT A PERSON COULD DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM AROSE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION & I ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM & NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT 15 MPH AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUFFERED NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FACT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN. THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. UPDATED 05/04/06

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT DIFFICULTY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM IN CASE I NEEDED REPAIRS. I GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH. BUT THE PROBLEMS I HAD ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, LOCKS NOT WORKING, WINDOWS NOT ROLLING UP, PAINT PEELING OFF, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, DECREASED ACCELERATION, HEAT SURGES WHEN GAS PEDAL RELEASED AND PRESSED AND THE LIST GOES ON. IT IS NOT HARD TO FIND OTHER KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE REPAIR THAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDS. THERE IS 41,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. COMMON PROBLEMS THAT ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT KIA MOTOR COMPANY'S EXPENSE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE STATED ENGINE FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT CAME LOOSE AND THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS AGREED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS BUT WITH A CHARGE FOR LABOR. ONE MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELING 15 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INCURRED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 7/7/2006 - *NM

JUST PUT MY 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT, LOADED THE GROCERIES INTO THE CAR ALONG WITH MY PURSE AND KEYS. SHUT THE DOOR. DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. HAD TO CALL 911 FOR POLICE TO COME AND GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF CAR. ALSO HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR, HAD THE KEYS AND STILL COULD NOT GET DOORS UNLOCKED. THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE UNTIL I READ OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENING IN KIAS. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX SEPARATE TIMES. THE ROTORS, BRAKES, BEARINGS, BUSHINGS, AND TIRES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME AND A PILE OF RUST WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BARELY HANGING ON TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY , 2005 AND THE BRAKES SQUEALED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD SOME REPAIR DONE, INCLUDING THE FRONT BRAKES. HOWEVER REAR BRAKES SQUEALED. DEALER CLEANED REAR BRAKES AND ADJUSTED THEM TWICE. ON LAST TRIP TO DEALER HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND CONSUMER WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SQUEAL. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE REAR BRAKE PROBLEM, AND DEALER STATED THEY COULD PUT NEW BACKING ON BRAKES FOR $269, BUT THIS MAY NOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE AND I TOOK IT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME 500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS. I DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR DONE BECAUSE I FELL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. THE DEALER ALSO TRIED TO HAVE ME REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AT 60,000 MILES AT THE SAME COST AND THEN LATER REPLACED THE BELT FOR FREE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 15 - 20 MPH VEHICLE JUST QUIT IN ITS TRACK. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS BEING RECALLED FOR THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR RECALL 03V067000. CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PCV PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

MY WIFE & I OWN A 2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH POWER LOCKS. TWICE THE POWER LOCKS HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST TIME, THE LOCKS FAILED IN THAT THEY WOULD UNLOCK BY REMOTE AND IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK PREVENTING ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. BY KEY, ONE DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE THE OTHER HAD TO BE OPENED FASTER THAN THE CAR COULD RE-LOCK ITSELF. THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED CONCERNED ME GREATLY. THE DEALER, PARAMOUNT KIA OF HICKORY, HAD REPAIRED THE LOCK PARTS AND SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE & THAT IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE LOCKS FAILED AGAIN TRAPPING ME IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. DESPITE ANY EFFORT ON MY PART, THERE WERE ONLY TWO WAYS OUT OF THE CAR: CLIMBING OVER THE SEATS TO ANOTHER DOOR OR BY HAVING MY WIFE MANUALLY UNLOCK THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WITH HER KEY WHILE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WHILE SHE HELD THE KEY IN THE UNLOCK POSITION, SHE HAD TO OPEN THE DOOR. AS SOON AS SHE RELEASED HER GRIP ON THE KEY, THE DOOR WOULD LOCK AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK & I WOULD NOT HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION HAD IT NOT HAPPENED TWICE TO THE SAME CAR. I CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FAULTY PART AND WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE TRAPPED IN AN ACCIDENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MY CONTACT INFORMATION APPEARS BELOW. LEE TRAXLER 103 LOVERS LANE MORGANTON, NC 28655 828-437-1360 *LA

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT I COULDN'T, I HIT HER @ 20 MPH, MY FRONT BUMPER, DEAD CENTER INTO HER LEFT FRONT TIRE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND HERS DID. I HAVE A 2001 KIA OPTIMA LX. MY FEAR IS, IF THE CAR IS FIXABLE,WILL THE BAGS WORK OR WILL THEY COME OUT ON ME SOMETIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN DIFFERENT STORIES ON WHERE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED. NOW THE SAY THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND I DIDN'T GET HIT HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM DEPLOY. WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD BEEN GOING 80 MPH THEY WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *JB

VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED, AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WENT OUT. THE RECALL 03V067000 WA SISSUED ON THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A V4 ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER POPPED OUT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT AND THE SEAL ON THE GAS CAP WAS DEFORMED, THERE WAS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR ASH TRAY, THE FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A TANGLE WIRE IN THE DRUM, THERE WERE ENGINE/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND CRANK SENSORS, THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CONSOLE LID WAS LOOSE DUE TO CRACKED SCREW HOLES, THERE WAS A BODY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE REGULATOR, THERE WAS POOR SOUND IN THE RADIO DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT. *SC THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 3 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED TO PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

MY SON HIT A TRUCK FROM BEHIND AT 35MPH. HE WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA OPTIMA. THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN HIT THE BRAKES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SON (DRIVER) HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER IN OUR CAR HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE POLICE REPORT INDICATES THIS INFORMATION AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UPHILL. *LA THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DRIVE UPHILL IN 3RD GEAR. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LATCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR REMAIN UNLOCK, THE WINDOW MADE A CHATTERING NOISE WHEN IT WAS ROLLED DOWN. *JB

POWER LOCK DOORS FAILED, WHICH TWICE TRAPPED THE DRIVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE, ROLLED DOWN THE POWER WINDOW, TAKE THE KEY OUT AND INSERT IT INTO THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. *AK

2001 KIA OPTIMA WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT KIA DEALERSHIPS SINCE PURCHASE IN JAN 2002 (USED). SINCE JUNE 2003 CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR NUMEROUS RECALL ITEMS. CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY LIT. ENGINE SURGES OR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE THEN SURGES. VERY HIGH RPM WITH NO ACCELERATION. ENGINE COILS MISFIRE. DIFFICULTY STARTING OCCASIONALLY. AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF FREQUENT TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA, (JUNE-OCTOBER 2003) SERVICE MANAGER CALLS TO TELL OWNER TO CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE THERE IS SAND/SUGAR IN GAS TANK THAT HAS CAUSED ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY CLAIM THE CAR FALLS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS. CUSTOMER DISAGREES THAT SAND/SUGAR IS CAUSE BECAUSE PROBLEMS HAVE PERSISTED FOR FOUR MONTHS. CAR CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR PAST 10 DAYS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE AREA WILL NOT DO ANY MORE WORK UNTIL INSURANCE PEOPLE COME. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CUSTOMER IS NOT HAPPY. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 75 MPH OR MORE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WAS NOT TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE NOR WAS THERE ANY FATALITY. *AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

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

DEFECT #2032 ENGINE FAMILIES 1KMXV02.5D01 IMPROPERLY MADE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS DIDN'T MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. EPOXY FLOWED BETWEEN GAPS IN CASES AND CONTACTED THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD RESULT CRACKED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATES OF THESE REPAIRS AS MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW BEING LOOKED AT AGAIN AND I AM GOING TO GET A HISTORY WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR, HERE ARE THE ISSUES I'VE HAD SINCE SPRING/SUMMER OF LAST YEAR. WE HAVE LOST TIME, MONEY, WAGES AND POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS! 1. AIR CONDITIONER SEEMED VERY COOL, BUT NOT COLD. CHECKED TWO OR THREE TIMES, EACH TIME SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS FINE. 2. CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART WITHOUT A JUMP 3 TIMES. CALLED TOWING TWICE. SERVICE COULD NOT "RECREATE THE PROBLEM." THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. FOURTH TIME (CURRENT) CAR HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ONCE A MONTH, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN WHEN ENTERING/EXITING THE CAR, WINDOWS ROLLED UP/DOWN SLOWLY, BLOWER ON AIR WENT UP AND DOWN WITH ENGINE SPEED, LIGHTS BEHIND CONSOLE GO OUT AND COME ON PERIODICALLY, CLOCK LOSES TIME, HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN USING POWER, RADIO FLASHES ON AND OFF. TODAY TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WENT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP. HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET RENTAL FEES. STILL WAITING ON RESULT. 3. LOUD RATTLING UNDERNEATH CAR PERIODICALLY. 4. WHISTLING IN ENGINE 5. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PERIODICALLY. 6. ANTENNA BROKE AND THEN FELL OFF. 7. SUSPENSION VERY POOR. 8. WHEN PURCHASING CAR, DEALER STATED AIR BAG RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED ON CAR. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, FOUND ANOTHER RECALL ON THE CAR, CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THE AIR BAG REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN MADE. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 17 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH LEMON LAW LAYWERS IN INDIANA TO GET TOTAL REFUND FOR CAR. ONLY PHYSICAL PROBLEM RIGHT DRIVER DOOR PANEL FROM SMALL NON-FAULT ACCIDENT, NO INTERNAL DAMAGE.

DRIVING AND CAR JUST DIED WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE IS SEIZED. GETTING A HARD TIME FROM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE DO OUR OWN MAINTENANCE. REP APPROVED TAKING THE ENGINE APART TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM IS. DEALER PUT 3 GALLONS OF ANTIFREEZE IN AND IT WENT RIGHT OUT THE TAILPIPE. OIL CHANGED AND ANTIFREEZE CHECKED A WEEK BEFORE INCIDENT. WANT ME TO PAY $7 A DAY RENTAL AND PUT ME IN A RIO OR SPECTRA. I HAVE AN OPTIMA NOT A LITTLE MATCHBOX CAR. I SHOULD GET A FREE LOANER BECAUSE TOP TECH IS OUT AND IT MAY TAKE LONGER THAN USUAL TO DO REPAIRS, IF REPAIRS ARE APPROVED.*JB

THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE WEIGHT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A SEAT BELT EXTENDER WAS NOT MADE FOR VEHICLE.*JB

THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.*JB

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

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

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT LOCK AND THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SC *TC *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON NOV 02. I WAS BROADSIDED BY A TRUCK (F150 TYPE VEH.) IN AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, MY ROOF BOWED AND THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE FROM WHEEL WELL TO WHEEL WELL WAS CAVED IN LIKE A HALF MOON. THE FRAME WAS PINNED UP AGAINST THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK BUT RELEASED ME AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURY AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMUBULANCE TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER NUMEROUS TIMES AS DID MY ATTORNEY. ALL WE RECEIVED WAS THE RUN-AROUND FOR APPROX. SIX MONTHS. NO RETURN CALLS, EXCUSES, UNABLE TO GET A RELEASE TO HAVE A KIA AUDITOR LOOK AT THE CAR, ETC. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MY ATTORNEY SENT THEM THE RELEASE TWICE AND STILL NO RESPONSE. CONSEQUENTLY, I DEPLOYED OVERSEAS (MILITARY) AND UPON MY RETURN FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DISPOSED OF (DESTROYED). I STILL SUFFER FROM MY INJURIES AND MY ATTORNEY IS STILL HANDLING MY CASE.*AK

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.

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