Kia Optima Complaints (2005)

144 consumer complaints on file.

#10263053March 25, 2009
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. I HAVE A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME "ANYTIME ANYONE WITH ANY WEIGHT SITS DOWN ON THE SEAT IT WILL COME DISCONNECTED". I HAD IT FIXED ONCE AND NOW IT IS ON AGAIN. EVER SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE ONLY DEALERSHIP I CAN GO TO IS 2 HOURS AWAY BY FREEWAY. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL BE PROTECTED AS WE SHOULD BE. THE FIRST TIME THAT IT BROKE DOWN WAS A WEEK AFTER WE BOUGHT IT AND THE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND WHEN I HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN DO THE REPAIR CORRECTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO REV UP WHEN STOPPED. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THE ISSUES I HAVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257452February 4, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
NORMAL USE. DOOR LOCK FAILS LOCKING DRIVER IN CAR, PREVENTING SAFE EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATH IF A VEHICLE FIRE OR ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE WITH NUMEROUS INTERNET-BASED COMPLAINTS AND QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM FINDABLE ON THE WEB. THE $300.00-$400.00 COST OF REPAIR IS TOO PROHIBITIVE TO ALLOW ME TO FIX THIS. THE LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCES OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT WARRANTS MANUFACTURER TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS LISTED IN MANY YEARS AND MODELS BY SAME MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256317January 26, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE LOW BEAM BULBS CONSTANTLY BLOW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUSTER CONNECTORS FAILED AND THEY CLEANED THE CONNECTOR AND REPLACED THE BULBS. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED WITH AN ORIGINAL WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT WERE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, THEY WOULD CONSIDER ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254698January 12, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC FAILS TO PRODUCE AN ERROR CODE EACH TIME. THE FAILURE ALWAYS RECURS AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DEVELOP A PROPER REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 02/10/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246082October 20, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN OCTOBER OF 2006 WE BOUGHT A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS AIR IN THE TANK AND JUST TO OPEN THE TANK AND LET THE AIR OUT. THEY SAID THE SENSOR WOULD GO OFF IN ABOUT 60,000 MILES. WE THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING THE TANK UP AND THE SENSOR CONTINUED TO COME ON. WE KEPT DOING WHAT THE DEALER SAID TO DO. ON 13/14 OF OCTOBER, 2008 WE STARTED SMELLING LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS FUMES AND IT CONTINUED. ON OCTOBER THE 17TH, 2008 I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP AND STARTED DOING ERRANDS WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THE FUMES WERE REALLY BAD AND MY GAS TANK WAS DWINDLING AND WENT HOME. WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS WAS COMING OUT VERY QUICKLY, BUT STOPPED AT A HALF OF A TANK. WE CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD UP THAT OUR WARRANTY WAS UP, BUT WE COULD HAVE IT TOWED, BUT THEY SAID THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME OUT AND EMPTY THE TANK BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND THEY WOULD NOT TOW IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE DID WHAT THEY SAID TO DO AND THERE WAS A LOCK, SO IT COULD NOT BE SEEPING. WE CALLED KIA BACK AND AFTER TELLING THEM THAT IT COULD NOT BE DONE,SO THEY CAME AND TOWED IT. THEY ARE REPLACING THE TANK, BUT WERE CHARGED ALMOST 1000.00. MY CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241829September 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE SMOKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER COULD BE THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BLACK BOX ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD COVERED IN ELECTRICAL TAPE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER INSTALLED AFTER MARKET FLOOR BOARD LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE THAT REQUIRED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF POWER. THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE INOPERABLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240119August 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY CAR BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL. I SENT IT INTO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE TANK. I WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR ANY DAMAGE. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND I REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239911August 27, 2008
AIR BAGS
CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON VEHICLE. REPORTED TO DEALER 9-25-06, 1-4-07, 8-7-07, 3-25-08. AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239909August 27, 2008
AIR BAGS
PURCHASED 2005 KIA OPTIMA IN 7/06. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN SEPT 06. DEALER NOTIFIED AND FIXED. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN A SHORT TIME LATER AND SENT TO DEALER AGAIN, 1-4-07, FIXED. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SENT TO DEALER ON 8-7-07, FIXED. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SENT TO DEALER 3-25-08 AND FIXED. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN IN 6/08 AND LIGHT REMAINS ON AT THIS TIME. AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. WE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE ON 7/07. IT WAS A FRONT END COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234950July 20, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE MY GAS TANK FOR THE 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COMPOSITE TANKS ARE PRONE TO PUNCTURE OR SPLITTING ON THE SEAMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232961July 1, 2008
AIR BAGS
EIGHT (8) TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON; EACH TIME I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED AS MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME. ON TWO OF THOSE OCCASIONS THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A SEAT BACK PARTS THAT WORKED TEMPORARILY. THE OTHER OCCASIONS I WAS MOSTLY GIVEN A BUNCH OF NONSENSE ABOUT COMPUTER CODES AND THAT THEY CLEARED THE CODE (I ASSUME I HAVE AIR BAG PROTECTION). ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER IT'S 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE RECURRING PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THE SEAT BELT LIGHT HAD OCCURRED AGAIN AND THAT MY MILEAGE WAS 58,880 AND THAT I WAS BRINGING INTO DEALERSHIP ASAP. TODAY WHEN I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $155.00 TO HAVE THE "PIN TENSION RESET". I ARGUED WITH DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSED TO PAY THE $155.00 AND HAD TO AGREE TO PAY A $53.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WHICH I DID. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY HAD "CLEARED THE AIR BAG LIGHT FOR NOW". SO, I ASKED IF THEY HAD INDEED DONE THIS SUGGESTED REPAIR OF HAVING THE PIN TENSION RESET AND THE HE REPLIED NO, BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CLEARED FOR NOW. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE THAT MY AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY AND 100% CERTAINTY THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON. MY FAMILY IS IN GRAVE DANGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED FURTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225108April 15, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA OPTIMA. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ON BOTH OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CONTACT PAID $600 FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS UNRELATED. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL FAILURES REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,821 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223832April 9, 2008
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 3/11/08. A WOMAN CAUSED ME TO REAR END HER GOING ABOUT 40-45MPH. MY CAR WAS BASICALLY TOTALED. I HAD MY 2 MONTH OLD TWINS IN THE CAR AND MY 3YR OLD SON. LUCKILY WE WERE ALL BUCKLED IN. I DIDN'T SUSTAIN ANY SERIOUS INJURIES. I HAVE FEW PAINS BUT DUE TO WORK I HAVE NOT SEEN A DOCTOR AS OF YET. MY CHILDREN ARE TO YOUNG TO COMMUNICATE IF AND WHEN THEY ARE HAVING PAIN RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT PHYSICALLY THEY LOOK FINE. THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I FEEL THAT IF WE WERE NOT BUCKLED IN AND WOULD HAVE RELIED SOLEY ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WE COULD HAVE INCURRED SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220721March 10, 2008
AIR BAGS
SIX TIMES SINCE JANUARY 07 I'VE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX A AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE. THEY SAY THAT ARE DOING WHAT THE COMPUTER TELLS THEM TO DO AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING. I BELIEVE KIA IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BIGGER PROBLEM WITH THE AIR AND DOES NOT KNOW IF IT IS FIXED OR NOT. SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAN NOT BE PREDICTABLE THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218584February 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I JUST BOUGHT MY 05 OPTIMA. IT ALSO TURNS ITSELF OFF--WHEN IT WANTS TO. AT FIRST-IT JUST DID IT IN REVERSE. THEN IT STARTED DOING IT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER-WHO ALSO, COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. THIS IS SCARY DRIVING THIS CAR. YOU HAVE NO WARNING--IT JUST TURNS EVERYTHING OFF--LIKE YOU NEVER STARTED THE CAR AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211927December 14, 2007
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
MY FIANCE WAS TRAVELING DOWN A ROAD WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH AND HE WAS BLINDED BY BRIGHT LIGHTS, HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR WHICH CAUSED HIM TO STRIKE A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE HIT THE TREE AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND WAS SPUN AROUND AND NOSE DIVED DOWN A HILL. NOW HE INITIALLY HIT THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WHICH MEANS IT WAS A SIDE IMPACT CRASH AND HIS SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.....WAS THIS A DEFAULT????? *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10170330October 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FROM THE DAY I HAVE PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT ONE YEAR AGO I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WAS EVERYTIME I CRANK MY CAR MY BELTS LET OFF THIS SQUEALING NOISE. AT EVERY OIL CHANGE I HAVE ASKED THEM TO DOUBLE CHECK THE BELTS. UPON PICKING UP THE CAR THE DEALER ASSURED ME THEY HAVE TIGHTEN THE BELTS ONLY TO HAVE THEM CONTINUE SQUEALING. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT I DO NOT GET A COMPLETE FILL UP WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION. I PUT THE NOZZLE IN THE TANK AND CLICK THE AUTO HOLDER TO FILL UP MY TANK AT THE POINT IT IS READY TO SHUT OFF GAS COME SPEWING OUT BEFORE IT SHUTS OFF. THEN YOU CHECK THE GALLONS ENTERED AND YOU REALIZE THAT YOU COULD HAVE PUT AT LEAST ANOTHER GALLON IN THE TANK BUT IT WON'T LET YOU. THE LAST MAJOR THING THAT I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR WAS EVERY TIME I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL IT MADE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT MY UPPER CONTROL MOUNT BOLT HAD COME LOOSE. IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THE ACCELERATION THAT THE 2005 KIA OPTIMA REALLY STINKS. IT HAS NO ACCELERATION, IT BOGS DOWN AND ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN MY AIR CONDITIONING OFF JUST TO MAKE IT OUT OF AN INTERSECTION. I AM SO UNHAPPY WITH MY CAR IT IS NOT FUNNY. THE INCIDENT DATE IS ONGOING, NO SPECIFIC DATES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169716October 2, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY LOST TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER, CAUSING A LAG IN THE PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168515September 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED EACH TIME AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166218August 22, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT INCIDENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THEN CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSTIC CODES. THERE WERE NO CODES FOUND AND THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE LOT, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO EXPRESSED THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH AND THERE WERE STILL NO CODES. THE LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED A THIRD TIME; ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REFUELED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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