Kia Optima Complaints (2003)

141 consumer complaints on file.

#10413314July 18, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER DOOR LOCKS RE-LOCK AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS CAN EITHER TRAP YOU IN YOUR CAR, OR TRAP YOU OUT. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE, BUT CRAWLING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. HAD THE SWITCH AND ACTUATOR REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE SINCE IT GETS THEM OVER $300 WORTH OF BUSINESS EACH TIME. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412608July 11, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410184July 1, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407308June 17, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407123June 16, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390244March 15, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380903February 6, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING ,CAN'T OPEN THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380125February 3, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378437January 24, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373927January 3, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370769December 15, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT DOORS REMAINED LOCKED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370337December 13, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T OPEN. FAILED IN SHUT POSITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365794November 15, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359983October 11, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354157September 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347393August 5, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346507July 31, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE LOCK DEFECTIVE. DRIVER GET LOCKED IN. 2003 KIA OPTIMA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345572July 27, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
***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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341383July 4, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340257June 27, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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