Kia Optima Complaints (2003)

141 consumer complaints on file.

#10668403December 26, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR IS WITH THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM. IT STARTED IN APRIL WITH A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR. WHEN YOU UNLOCKED THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB, ALL THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK, BUT WHEN YOU GRABBED THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR TO OPEN IT, ALL THE DOORS TO THE CAR WOULD LOCK.IT COST ME $350.00 TO GET THAT FIXED. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. THE KEY FOB WON'T UNLOCK IT, NOR MANUALLY USING A KEY. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT I THINK KIA SHOULD BE FIXING. WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN A SERIOUS WRECK, AND WAS KILLED, OR SERIOUSLY INJURED? I TALKED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED, BECAUSE MY WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667516December 21, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DRIVERS DOOR IS JAMMED LOCKED. THE REMOTE WORKS THE LOCKS MOVE WITH REMOTE AND KEY. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON KIA FORUM REGARDING DOOR LOCKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667051December 18, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE AUTO DOOR LOCK WOULD SNAP SHUT FROM INSIDE OR OUT. MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648128October 16, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DOORS WOULD LOCK WITHOUT ANY PROMPTS. THE HORN WOULD HONK WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT ON THE COMPUTER AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG NEEDS REPLACED AND THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10619330August 6, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE, HE HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609314July 9, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOOR(S) HAVE LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT MANY ATTEMPTS TO PULL ON THE HANDLE WHILE TURNING THE KEY. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, ATTEMPTS AT UNLOCKING WITH THE KEY RESULTED IN ALL DOORS LOCKING WHEN THE INNER OR OUTER HANDLE WAS PULLED, POTENTIALLY TRAPPING SOMEONE IN THE CAR. THEN IT HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER DOOR A FEW MONTHS LATER. REPLACING THE LATCH FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587450May 9, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY FOB, KEY OR MANUALLY. YOU ARE LITERALLY LOCKED IN THE CAR AND CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT. THIS IS HORRIBLY DANGEROUS AND IF YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT YOU COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. PLEASE HELP GET A RECALL ON THIS PART. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583604April 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FIRST: IN THE AFFECT PARTS SECTION OF THIS COMPLAINT THERE IS NO WHERE TO MARK DEFECTIVE LOCKS. I HAVE 2003 KIA OPTIMA SE FOUR-DOOR. IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. WILL ONLY STOP CLICKING ON AND OFF WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BY BEING LOCKED IN AN AUTO WITH ELECTRONIC LOCKS THAT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED EITHER MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEY FOB. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL, EITHER INVOLUNTARILY OR VOLUNTARILY. I BOUGHT THIS AUTO NEW AND STILL HAVE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567302March 4, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561606January 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAD PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE LATCH WAS STUCK IN A POSITION THAT WOULDN'T CATCH. FINALLY, AFTER LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE AND PUSHING THE DOOR SHUT, IT STAYED CLOSED. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED USING THE KEY AND THE AUTOMATIC LOCK FEATURES, BUT NEITHER ALLOWED FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN. I NOW HAVE TO EXIT AND ENTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559087January 8, 2014
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
MY WIFE NOTICED THE CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND CALLED HER BROTHER. HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THAT EVENING 12/30/2013. HE DROVE THE CAR PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE -- NEITHER FORWARD NOR REVERSE. HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE FRONT AXLE DROPPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS TOWED AND THE GARAGE NOTIFIED US THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME HAD CORRODED. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS NHTSA RECALLED KIA OPTIMA (2001-2004 MODEL YEARS) ON MAY 27, 2009. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/31/13 WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE. THE KMC WAS CONTACTED ON 1/2/14. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS BASED ON "SALT USAGE OF 20 STATES AND DC." THIS INTERPRETATION OF THE NHTSA RECALL ID # 84125 NEEDS DIRECT CLARIFICATION FROM THE NHTSA. THE ORIGINAL RECALL LETTER STATES: "KMC IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2001 - 2004 OPTIMA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY "SOLD IN OR" CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF (20 + THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA)." SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN INDIANA MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE INITIAL RECALL. REGARDLESS, THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD WARRANT A NOTIFICATION TO ALL OWNERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH ODI# 10558172. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558172January 2, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO COMPLETE A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE HAD BECOME SEPARATED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V183000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THIS COMPLAINT IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH ODI#10559087 UPDATED 03/18/2014 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557278December 26, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551415November 7, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544589September 20, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LATCH WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,500. UPDATED 12/20/13*CN THE DEALER STATED THE LOCK PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. UPDATED 12/26/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522638July 1, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS, MY CAR STOPPED AND STARTED SHAKING, IT WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. TURNED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AS I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK. I GOT OUT AND WENT AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR; THE WHEEL WAS AGAINST THE FIREWALL. I FOUND A RECALL 2-15-13, CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SENT A TOWING COMPANY; IN WHICH, TOWED MY CAR TO MIKE SMITH KIA IN PADUCAH, KY. THEY FOUND THAT MY LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SUB-FRAME DUE MASSIVE CORROSION. REPLACED THE SUB-FRAME & DRIVE AXLE,2 NEW TIRES. PICKED MY OPTIMA 3-20-2013. 3-27-2013, NOTICED POWER STEERING LEAK, CALLED SET-UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT FOR 4-4-2013. APRIL 3, 2013 MY BRAKES GO OUT! JESSE HODGES (MIKE SMITH KIA) HAS MY CAR TOWED TO THEIR FACILITY; IN WHICH, THE BRAKE LINE CRACKED MY THE GAS TANK. I PAID TO REPLACE THE BRAKE & GAS LINES, THEY REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING LEAK! THE PROBLEM NOW IS: ABNORMAL WEAR OF THE TIRES THEY REPLACED FROM THE RECALL. MIKE SMITH KIA WILL REPLACE MY TIRES BUT WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE FRONT-END ALIGNMENT; IN WHICH, WAS TO BE DONE WHEN REPLACING THE SUB-FRAME. I FEEL THIS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO PROPERLY REPAIR MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA CORPORATION, THEY SEEM TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS IN RECEIVING COPIES OF MY FILE FROM MIKE SMITH KIA TO RESOLVE THIS. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS!! (RECALL CASE NUMBER: [XXX] WITH KIA CORPORATION) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515625June 7, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510692May 5, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I PARKED MY CAR FOR THE DAY TO GO TO WORK. AT THAT POINT IN TIME THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE CAR. UPON RETURNING THAT NIGHT I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER UNLOCK. I MUST NOW ENTER AND EXIT MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY, THE UNLOCK-ALL BUTTON, REMOTE ENTRY, INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTON, OR BY TURNING THE CAR OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510291May 1, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT PUSHING THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. IT TAKES ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES TO GET DOOR OPEN USING THIS METHOD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD TRAP A PERSON IN THEIR CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505583April 3, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCK FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, DRIVER CANNOT EXIT THE DRIVERS' DOOR! WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS' DOOR BUT IT WILL NOT OPEN! I REVIEWED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT. KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE DRIVERS DOOR ISSUE ASAP AS IT IS A HUGE LIABILITY SINCE IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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