Kia Optima Complaints (2003)

141 consumer complaints on file.

#10507003April 3, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR WILL NOT START AFTER ADDING FUEL. AFTER REVIEWING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOT FOUND A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, IT IS NECESSARY TO PUMP THE GAS NUMEROUS TIMES THEN SLAM INTO GEAR WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE GAS. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE HARM TO THOSE AROUND THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP US FIND A FIX OR BETTER YET HAVE KIA RECALL THE 2003 OPTIMA. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502394March 11, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FOR SOME TIME NOW WE HAVE HAD TO VERY SLOWLY PUMP GAS IN TO TANK, IT KEEPS SPLASHING BACK AND SHUTTING OFF THE GAS PUMP. IT IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP NOW BEING REPAIRED AT QUITE AN EXPENSE, WHICH THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490559December 31, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489573December 23, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AS I FILL THE TANK, GASOLINE FORCEFULLY SPITS BACK OUT ONTO THE PERSON FILLING THE TANK. THIS IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A KIA DEALER AND HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE LAST TIME IT GOT ALL OVER MY ARM, CAUSING SEVERE IRRITATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484782November 15, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482168October 25, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471554August 20, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND HE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CLIMBING THROUGH A WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,300. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/11/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469615August 8, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
KIA OPTIMA 2003. CAN NOT OPEN DRIVER DOOR. LOCK DOES NOT DISENGAGE WITH KEY OR POWER LOCK BUTTON. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND I AM SURE THERE LOTS MORE UNREPORTED. DOES 15 OR TWENTY OF US HAVE TO DIE BEFORE KIA IS FORCED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. NO INJURY, CRASH OR FATALLY YET........ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468176July 29, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I OWN A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I LIFT THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO ENTER THE CAR ALL OF THE DOORS LOCK. WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU CAN PUSH AND PUSH ON THE DOOR AND IT WILL NOT OPEN. I SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AS IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465616July 13, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY EXTRA/ABNORMAL STRESS, DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT... THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ENGAGE EITHER FROM THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS, OR SAME BUTTON FUNCTION AVAILABLE INSIDE THE CAR, AND EVEN MANUALLY SWITCHING THE LOCK WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER'S CHAIR FAILS EVERY-TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED IS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO JIGGLE THE LOCK UNTIL IT FINALLY SWITCHES TO A LOCKED OR UNLOCKED POSITION. THIS ISSUE IS NOT THE FIRST I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND YEAR... IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M SURE IT COULD BE A DANGER TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. OR EVEN CREATE A NEW POSSIBILITY FOR THEFT IF THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS TO LOCK THE DOOR PROPERLY WHEN WE LEAVE THE VEHICLE...! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS CAN BE RESOLVED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458891May 18, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAD PROBLEM WITH BRAKES LOCKING UP ON 2003 KIA OPTIMA, HAD IT AT A DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT HAD SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD IT TOWED, TOOK IT BACK TO FIX IT AGAIN, THEN PUT A GOVERNOR ON IT, SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOW FIXED. WELL, THIS EVENING, ENROUTE TO PICK MY DAUGHTER FROM THE DAYCARE FACILITY, I SAW TRAFFIC STOPPED, WENT TO SLOW UP BY APPLYING BRAKES AND GUESS WHAT? NO BRAKES! THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, NOW CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK! THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONE WHO SAID IT WAS ALL TAKEN CARE OF, HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE , IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF AS THE BRAKES FAILED!! THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, I WAS GOING TO TRY TO GO IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY IN POSITION ON THAT SIDE AND THE CURB, GRASS AND THEN A PIZZA HUT ON MY RIGHT, LEAVING ME NO WHERE TO GO BUT UNDER THE BUMPER OF A PICK UP. IT PUSHED THE GRILL INTO THE RADIO, THEREFORE THE HOOD IS BUCKLED, THE BUMPER DESTROYED AND CAR WILL BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS IT IS COST MORE TO REPAIR AS IT ALSO TORE OFF SIDE STRIP AND OTHER PARTS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TWICE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD AS I CHECKED OUT EVERYTHING AS THE POLICE OFFICER SAID IT WAS DRIVABLE. I DROVE IT HOME VERY SLOWLY WITH MY DAD IN A CAR BEHIND ME TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT LEAK ANY FLUID AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE I GOT HOME ALRIGHT WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AFTER WE PICKED HER UP AT DAYCARE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE 2003 BRAKES ON KIA OPTIMAS? IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM I NEED TO KNOW AS I AM TRYING TO FIND A WEBSITE FOR THEM AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN BRAKE ISSUES ON KIAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THANK YOU AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453143March 26, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK LOCKS UNATTENDED, TRAPS DRIVER INSIDE CAR. CAN NOT OPEN WITH KEY OR SWITCH. SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO; AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ACTIVATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, HAS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449385February 26, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR HANDLE(S) ARE DEFECTIVE TO POINT WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. UPON TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THE WORKERS INFORM ME THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH OF "2003 KIA OPTIMA DOOR STUCK" WILL SHOW THAT MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, WHEN THINKING IN TERMS OF AN ACCIDENT OR IF A PASSENGER NEEDS TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT KIA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442742January 6, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO EITHER CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW OR THE ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441259December 26, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK. THIS FORCED PASSENGER TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434337November 5, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434277November 4, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK BEFORE THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432807October 25, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426533September 20, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424374September 8, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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