2003 Kia Optima Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT IT FAILED AND DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED TO INCLUDE THE BRAKE HOUSING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS ARE DEFECTED. WHEN I PUSH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND HAVE TO PUSH IT ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $807.00 FOR BOTH DOOR LOCK LATCHES. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED, BEING THAT I CANNOT AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW, SO NOW I HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME CAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE DOOR LOCK LATCH SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY KIA. ARE THERE ANY NEW SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WAS INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

ONCE YOU LOCK THE DOORS ON A 2003 KIA OPTIMA, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IF YOU KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FROM INSIDE, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY STAY UNLOCKED. VERY UNSAFE IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF CAR QUICKLY. *TR

OWNER OF 2003 KIA OPTIMA - DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE. OWNER MUST USE PASSENGER DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO VEHICLE. EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SEEMS LOOSE. UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO REMOVE DOOR PANEL. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS OPENING APROX 6 MO. AGO. IT TAKES ABOUT 3 OR 4 TRIES TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN IF YOU ARE USING THE KEY. IF YOU ARE JUST THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR FOR YOU WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES AS THE DOOR WILL AUTOMATICLY RELOCK BY ITSELF AND YOU WILL BE LOCKED OUT. ON 10/29/11 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR AND IT TOOK ABOUT 20 TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE LOCK FELT VERY TIGHT AND WAS HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCKING SYSTEM. ONCE I GET INTO THE CAR, I WAS CONFUSED BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AFTER THAT AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION, WHEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I COULDN'T. I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. IT TOOK TEN MINUTES TO WITH ME FIGHTING WITHT THE LOCKS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I ONLY GOT OUT BY MY DAUGHTER GETTING OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TAKING THE KEYS TO FIGHT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK. I HAVE MY CAR NOW SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON 11/7/11. *TR

MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAD BECOME COMPLETELY STUCK CLOSED AND WONT OPEN. THE LOCK MECHANISMS WORK FINE FOR ALL FOUR DOORS STILL AS WELL AS THE WINDOWS.

DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING ,CAN'T OPEN THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IF SHE REPAIRED HER VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS LATER ISSUED THAT SHE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. SHE WAS FORCED TO CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOCKS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK AND IGNITION WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE IGNITION AND TRUNK LOCK WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK SENSOR AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, WHEN SHE MADE TURNS.

DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T OPEN. FAILED IN SHUT POSITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE FINALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND ENTER THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING HER IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE KEY FOB WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. CANNOT OPEN DOOR AND I'M LOCKED IN VEHICLE. MUST CLIMB THROUGH WINDOW OR PASSENGER SIDE. KEY WILL NOT UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. I CANNOT LOCK THE REST OF THE DOORS TO VEHICLE IN FEAR I WILL BE LOCKED IN OR OUT FOR GOOD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WAS TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TUBING WERE REPLACED ; HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.

THE DOORS ON MY KIA OPTIMA (2003) LOCK BY THEMSELVES AFTER I UNLOCK THE CAR. WHEN I GO TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS WHEN THE CAR LOCKS BY ITSELF. I AM AFRAID OF LOCKING MY KIDS IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE OTHER DAY I COULDN'T GET THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN AT ALL. *TR

HAVE 2003 KIA OPTIMA. CAR STOPS WHILE RUNNING.LOOKS INTO GOOGLE. IS COMMON PROBLEM. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ALSO LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOT WORKING ,LOCKS SELF INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

AFTER 60,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING OR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY REPLACING A MAIN FUSE. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE DOOR WILL LOCK AFTER THE DRIVER EXITS THE CAR. SOMETIMES, THE KEYS HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR.

PASSENGER MIRROR FALLS OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/11 UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN

FOR THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA , THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE 2000-03 GENERATION.

THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND SOMETIMES NOT. SEVERAL TIMES WE COULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY EITHER. A FEW TIMES THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXIT THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT A KIA DEALER JANUARY 28, 2010 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES. THE LOCKS WERE WORKING UNTIL THIS WEEK, MAY 6, WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM BEGINNING TO APPEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT BUT THE DOOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB INTO THE DRIVER SEAT FROM THE REAR IN ORDER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,196. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON NOVEMBER 17, 2010. HOWEVER, THE DOORS WERE STILL LOCKING ON THEIR OWN. UPDATED 03/11/11

THE DRIVER DOOR ON MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH MY KEY, EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE LOCK WOULD MOVE TO THE "UNLOCK" POSITION. IT WILL ONLY OPEN WITH A COMBINATION OF TURNING THE KEY AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME OR HAVING MY SON PUSH DOWN ON THE INSIDE LOCK WHILE I TURN THE KEY AND PULL THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ONLY WORKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME. IF THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, I HAVE TO ENTER THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DRIVER DOOR WILL STILL NOT UNLOCK, EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO RECEIVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,818. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

EVERYTIME I TRY TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, FROM INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE, THE ENTIRE CAR LOCKS DOWN. I CAN ONLY OPEN THIS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, WITH THE KEY, WHILE CATCHING THE LOCKING MECHANISM BETWEEN CYCLES. THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIMING AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. NO ONE CAN GET IN OR OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED 2 YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES. THE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO THE 1ST OWNER. *TR

AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND TURN LEFT. MY CAR WOULD NOT "GO". SO I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARDER AND IT FINALLY AND SLOWLY MOVED FORWARD. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT WAS LIKE I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL AND HAD TRIED TO START IN 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 1ST. IT'S ALMOST LIKE MY CAR HAD TO CATCH UP FOR A MINUTE BEFORE IT WOULD GO. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THAT TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. IT IS A 2003 WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL DO THIS ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

EXCESSIVE CHECK ENGINE ON.....ALL TESTS WERE DONE ON FUEL SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING. *TR

LOCKING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING ALL DOORS TO LOCK ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO MEANS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CAN NOT GET OUT BY THE WINDOWS AND THE MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT DOWN FOR QUIT SOME TIME. WE BELIEVE IT ALSO TRIGGERED OR MALFUNCTIONED THE ANTI-THEFT CAUSING IT TO INGAGE WHICH WOULD PREVENT YOU EXITING THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REACH OUTSIDE THE WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE LATCH. ONCE THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, THEY WOULD INDEPENDENTLY RELOCK WITHIN SECONDS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

DRIVER SIDE LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER GET LOCKED IN. 2003 KIA OPTIMA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT. THE LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR TWO YEAR BEFORE THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE LOCKS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,442 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NO CODES APPEARED. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE INDICATORS REMAINED DIM FOR A FEW DAYS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

RUSTING OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR INSIDE DOOR LOOK SWITCH. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZZARD.

RE:2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR

***SAFETY ISSUE*** 1) UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS WITHOUT ABUSE OR CONSUMER MODIFICATION. 2) DOOR LOCKS FREQUENTLY FAIL TO UNLOCK OR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THIS COULD CAUSE AN INABILITY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME OR MAY RESULT IN BEING UNABLE TO ACCESS CHILDREN TRAPPED INSIDE. THUS, LEADING TO HEAT STROKE, DEATH, OR OTHER PHYSICAL HARM. 3) HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY, BUT STILL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO UNLOCK AS OF THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THIS MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR

2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR, WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALERSHIP WHEN I CALLED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM!! ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. LOTS OF BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAS TO GET OUT OF HER CAR AND CANT? SOMETIMES SHE HAS TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE BACK SEAT DOORS!! *TR

PAINT CHIPPING OFF FRONT BUMPER AND BOTH HANDLES. *TR

POWER DOOR LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING CONTINUOUSLY, PROHIBITING ENTRY OR EXIT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT LOCKING ME AND MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5-10 MINUTES TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR TRYING TO CATCH THE DOOR HANDLE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR

POWER LOCKS INSTANTLY LOCK AFTER UNLOCKING,(OVER AND OVER) PROHIBITING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO UNLOCK THAT THEY WILL FINALLY STAY UNLOCKED ALLOWING ACCESS. I HAVE A TODDLER AND A BABY ON THE WAY. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE BEING TRAPPED INSIDE.

NO CRASH, NO KNOWN VANDALISM. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK JUST QUIT WORKING OUT OF THE BLUE. CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR AT ALL ! (NOT WITH THE KEY IN THE DOOR, NOT WITH THE MANUAL LOCK ACTUATOR, NOT WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON.) THE DOOR JUST WILL NOT OPEN ! IF I HAVE A NEED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE CAR, I WILL BE AT A GREAT DISADVANTAGE, HAVING TO JUMP OVER THE SHIFT LEVER TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. MY OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO CLIMB OUT THROUGH MY DOOR WINDOW. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE DOOR AND ORDERED PARTS FOR IT. THEY WILL FIX IT ON DECEMBER 3RD AT NO COST TO ME, SINCE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THE SITUATION SERIOUS ENOUGH TO GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WHILE I AM WAITING FOR THE REPAIR. SO I AM GOING TO WORK AND PICKING UP MY 4 AND 6 YEAR OLD GIRLS EVERY DAY, JUST HOPING I DON'T GET INTO A WRECK OR HAVE A VEHICLE FIRE. I WOULD BE VERY MAD IF I SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET OUT THROUGH MY DOOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A VAPOR HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL CANISTER CRACKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND LEVER FENDER. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALED $104; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER IS NOW SUGGESTING THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V180000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,671. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE PUMP CLICKED, BUT THAT GAS GAUGE ONLY SHOWED 1/2 TANK OF GAS. UPDATED 08/05/08

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE AIR FILTER AND OIL WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,591 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,002. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN IF LOCKED WHEN CLOSED. MECHANISM WORKS FINE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WHEN OPEN, HOWEVER. A PART IN THE LOCK ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE ROTATING TOO FAR AND GETTING STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED IF LOCKED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED OR THE DRIVER WILL HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR OR THROUGH THE WINDOW.

DOOR LOCKS - THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY '03 OPTIMA HAVE FAILED TWICE. FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED. AFTER UNLOCKING THE DOORS, THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN WHEN PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. KIA DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR AND LATCH AT A COST OF $300+. WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH THE SAME COST TO REPAIR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

2003 KIA OPTIMA POWER DOOR LOCKS STICK & WON'T RELEASE, NECESSITATING DRIVER TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE IN ORDER TO EXIT AND/OR PASSENGERS CANNOT GET OUT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH WINDOW. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. *TR

RADIO TURNS OFF AND STAYS OFF DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OF NORMAL DRIVING ON REGULAR PAVED ROAD WAYS. THE UNIT IS STILL POWERED ON ITSELF BUT NO AUDIBLE SOUND NOT EVEN STATIC CAN BE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS FROM THE CD, CASSETTE PLAYER OR RADIO. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP WASTING THEIR TIME (RADIO IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY) AND THAT I SHOULD PURCHASE A NEW RADIO BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE OUTPUT ON THE FACTORY UNIT. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO PURCHASE A NEW FACTORY UNIT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILS TO START. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE FUEL. THE CONTACT HAS TO MAKE THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE FAILS IN BOTH COLD AND WARM WEATHER AND HAS OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE PAST THIRTY DAYS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY START AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR DAYS AND NO CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA NEW 5/24/03. SOMETIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2004/06 NOTICED DOOR LOCKS CLICKED MORE THAN I WAS USED TO HEARING, BUT THEY WORKED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO COLD WEATHER AS ANTENNA DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DONE IN COLD WEATHER (ANTENNA NOTED TO DEALER 12/20/04). I THOUGHT I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER PRIOR TO 60K MILES WHILE GETTING ANOTHER SERVICE DONE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, BUT THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT PER DEALER. IN ANY CASE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER 3/6/07 FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEY CHECK DOOR LOCKS WHICH WERE ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY - PER THE INVOICE THEY CHECKED LOCK RELAYS, DISCONNECTED AND CHECKED SWITCH, CHECKED GROUND AT JB-07, 0 OHMS , ETCS MODULE ALL OK. THE MILEAGE AT THAT POINT WAS 67288. I WAS TOLD THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. BY 10/24/07, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NO LONGER BE OPENED WITH DRIVER DOOR SWITCH OR REMOTE, AND KEY ENTRY TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE TURNING THE KEY WHILE THE DOOR UNLOCKED THEN LOCKED AS I PULLED UP THE HANDLE. I WAS CHARGED $35.55 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE WIRING ETAC OR RELAY PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE OVER $1000. NOW THE COVER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR KEY HOLE JUST CAME OFF PROBABLY DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE KEY PLAY NEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF PASSENGERS GETTING STUCK IF THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T RUN AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH KEY IN HAND TO LET THEM OUT. RIGHT NOW CAR IS IN THE DEALERSHIP GETTING THE RECALLED RUSTED SUBFRAME REPLACED. IT WILL TAKE 1 WEEK TO GET THE PART. MEANWHILE, I AM WITH OUT CAR, THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR RENTAL AND I DRIVE 72 MILES ROUND TRIP TO WORK . CAR LURCHES FORWARD OCCASIONALLY WITH HIGH WAY DRIVING, NOTED TO DEALER AT 89346 MILES - DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TR