Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10113241April 28, 2005
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AFTER HITTING A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL/SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER HAD A DIABETIC EMERGENCY AND COLLAPSED AT THE WEHEL. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115422April 12, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE STANDARD SAFETY STRAP IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT WILL NOT SECURELY FASTEN THE CHILD SEAT. AFTER A PERIOD OF DAYS THE STRAPS WILL LOOSEN. *AK THE CAR SEAT DID NOT FIT PROPERLY IN THE REAR SEAT EVEN WHEN PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER HAS TRIED MULTIPLE CHILD SEAT BRANDS AND TYPES ALL WITH THE SAME RESULT. ON THREE OCCASION THE SEAT HAS TIPPED OVER WHILE THE CHILD WAS SECURED IN IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117343March 30, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND TIMING BELT.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES A NOISE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115994March 29, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
RECENT CATROSTROPIC FAILURE OF THE EMERNGENCY BRAKE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114834March 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2004 KIA OPTIMA FROM THE DEALER ON 12/09/2004. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING SINCE THE FIRST DAY IT WAS DRIVEN OUT OF THE DEALER'S LOT. WHAT'S MORE, THREE WEEKS INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT, ROUGH IDLING PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE ON COLD STARTS, BUT AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 35 MINUTES OR SO AND THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP AND REACHED A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE, IT WILL BEGIN TO MAKE ROCKING-JERKY-THRUSTING LIKE MOVEMENTS. IT CAN BE FELT, AS IF, THE CAR IS EITHER CHOKING OR TRYING TO ACCELLERATE WHILE WAITING AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE MODULE WAS ORDERED ON ITS FIRST VISIT, THE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REORDERED ON ITS SECOND VISIT, THE MODULE WAS INSTALLED ON ITS THIRD VISIT, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT NEEDED A SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE TO WORK. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CRUISE CONTROL IS STILL INOPERABLE. AS FOR THE IDLING PROBLEMS, IT COULD NOT BE VERIFIED ON ITS FIRST VISIT. IT WAS VERIFIED AND REPRODUCED ON ITS SECOND VISIT, AND THE CAR STAYED FOR 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE A MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. PICKED UP THE CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT STILL HAS THE SAME IDLING PROBLEMS. IT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER 5 DAYS LATER, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM "COULD NOT BE DETECTED." TWO DAYS AFTER ITS LAST VISIT ON 02/02/2005, THE DEALER DELIVERED THE CAR WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE CAR GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE IT WAS IN THE DEALER'S CARE, AND THEY PROMISED IN WRITING TO FIX IT. 1 AND 1/2 MONTHS LATER, THE PROMISED WAS NOT FULFILLED, SO I PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR THE COST, LESS $500 DEDUCTIBLE. WHERE THE DEALER FAILED IN 1.5 MONTHS TO FIX THE DAMAGE, ANOTHER SHOP SUCCEEDED IN JUST 6 DAYS! THE DOORS ARE FIXED, BUT THE ON-GOING PROBLEMS ON THE CAR STILL REMAIN. THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF A SUPPOSEDLY "BRAND NEW" CAR, AND IT BEHAVES LIKE A CLUNKER.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114770March 26, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
RY TIME IT RAINS AND OUR COUNTY DIRT ROAD GETS WET AND MUDDY. MUD SPLASHES UP INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE EGR VALVE AND CAUSES IT TO MALFUCTION DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS DESINED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERS SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A MAINTENCE PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD FIX IT ONLY ONCE AND AFTER THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR IF IT FAILS AGAIN. AS OF THIS DATE ( 03/24/05) THIS CAR HAD 23760 MILES OF A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112561March 5, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I ALWAYS HAD MY OIL CHANGED IN THIS CAR AND THIS PAST THURSDAY I WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND WAS IN THERE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND WENT TO LEAVE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. MY MOTOR IS LOCKED UP. I ALSO HAVE HAD A POPPING NOISE IN MY GAS PEDAL WHEN IT IS FIRST DROVE IN THE COLD. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES LIKE JUMPING WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN GOING FAST SAY 50 MPH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113206March 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109815February 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE MY PASSENGER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AREA. IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET OFF THE ROAD THE SMOKE HAD TURNED INTO FLAMES AT WHICH TIME I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND I AND MY PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109795February 3, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE STARTED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109091January 27, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107846January 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 KIA OPTIMA ON I85 AT 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED QUICKLY TO LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPUTTER AND BACKFIRE UNTIL I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY. 15 MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING NORMALLY. MY WIFE HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND IS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES. THE LAST REPAIR INVOLVED PARAMOUNT KIA IN HICKORY WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED MANY OF THE ASSUMED PROBLEM PARTS SUCH AS FAULTY WIRING HARNESS, ECM, MAF SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP WITHOUT RESOLVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105909January 7, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 KIA OPTIMA, MY STEREO,HEADLIGHTS,DASHLIGHTS WOULD CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP, THE INSTRUCTED ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY. I DID, AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 1RST,2005 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I COULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME BECAUSE MY HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, I HAD NO ELECTRICAL POWER TO MY CAR. IT ALMOST CAUSED PEOPLE BEHIND ME TO SLAM INTO ME. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED ON SUNDAY, I TOOK THE RISK OF GOING TO THE STORE, AND ONCE AGAIN I LOST ALL POWER TO MY CAR HITTING A NEAR BY GARBAGE CAN AND DENTING THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT INTO KIA OF TACOMA, THEY TOLD ME TO GET A TUNE UP. NOT LIKING THAT ANSWER, I HAD IT TOWED TO KIA OF PUYALLUP..THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND WANT ME TO COME PICK THE CAR UP AND DRIVE IT AROUND AGAIN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TOO, AND THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A RECAL ON THIS CAR. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO MY LIFE, AND OTHERS AROUND ME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS RIGHT AWAY BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEBODY THEIR LIFE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106925January 6, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DEFROSTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE ELEMENTS THE WINDOWS ON THE LEFT SIDE FOG UP BADLY, CONSUMER MUST ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO SEE WHAT IS ON LEFT SIDE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING FINE. *AK...*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109163January 5, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT LOCK AND THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SC *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109386December 21, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIME IT TOOK TO GET THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS. *BF *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103914December 16, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102349December 8, 2004
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BOUGHT KIA OPTIMA ON JUNE 22, 2004 VIN# [XXX] AND HAVE SINCE HAD SEVEN SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, REPLACED TWO SETS OF DRIVE BELTS, REPLACED A LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK, REPLACED A LEAKING FUEL REGULATOR, MACHINED THE FRONT ROTORS, LOST TIME FROM WORK, LOST PRODUCTIVITY FROM WORK AS WELL AS JEOPARDIZED MY WIFE'S WORK FROM CAR POOLING FOR FIVE MONTHS, COMPLETED SCHEDULED ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB WITHOUT SUCCESS FOR FOUR PROBLEMS: ACCELERATION DELAY, LOW GRINDING BRAKE NOISE, LOW VIBRATION STEERING NOISE, AND LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE DRIVE BELTS. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105586December 3, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT ROTORS GROOVED, PADS HEAT GLAZED, REAR ROTORS ALSO. PLUS REAR CALIPERS WERE BOUNDED UP. *BF THE DOORS LOCKED BY THEMSELVES, AND THERE WAS SQUEALING WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DOORS HARNESS CONNECTION WAS POOR AND SHORTED OUT. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103111December 3, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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