Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#10331527May 21, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. AFTER BEING LOCKED I CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, AND IN ORDER TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE LOCK AND PULL THE HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WORKS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. OTHERWISE, IF I JUST TURN THE KEY AND THEN PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE I HEAR THE CAR DOOR RELOCK BEFORE I CAN OPEN IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331621May 21, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A REMEDY THAT WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329885May 11, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I OWN A KIA 2008 OPTIMA. EVERY 3-5 DAYS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSORS DO NOT DETECT A PERSON SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CAN DRIVE FOR MILES AND HAVE THE PERSON ADJUST THEIR POSITION AND IT STILL DOESN'T REGISTER. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR WITH PEOPLE BETWEEN 120-160 POUNDS. THEY ARE ALL OVER 5'5". I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE CASE #[XXX] . BECAUSE IT HAPPENS EVERY THREE TO FIVE DAYS THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE COMPUTER REGISTERS AN ERROR. THE COMPUTER DOESN'T THINK ANYONE IS THERE. IT DOESN'T THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE. THEY'VE BASICALLY TOLD ME WHEN IT HAPPENS TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND HAVE THE PERSON GET OUT OF THE CAR FOR 3 SECONDS AND THEN TRY IT AGAIN. THIS DOESN'T WORK WELL WHEN YOU ARE PICKING HS KIDS UP FROM SCHOOL. YOU CAN'T JUST STOP YOUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH. IT LOOKS LIKE KIA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE 2006. I BELIEVE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE SYSTEM DOESN'T IDENTIFY THE PERSON IN THE SEAT AND THERE IS A HEAD ON COLLISION THE AIRBAG IS NOT GOING TO DEPLOY. I HAVE VIDEO AND PICTURES OF IT RECURRING. KIA WILL DON'T ACCEPT IT AS EVIDENCE. 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
#10329520May 10, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND SOMETIMES NOT. SEVERAL TIMES WE COULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY EITHER. A FEW TIMES THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXIT THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT A KIA DEALER JANUARY 28, 2010 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES. THE LOCKS WERE WORKING UNTIL THIS WEEK, MAY 6, WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM BEGINNING TO APPEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT BUT THE DOOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329712May 10, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, VISIBILITY
DOOR JAM ON RIGHT BACK DOOR AND SUN VISORS ON RIGHT PASSENGER OVER VIEW JUST DROPS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER OR CHILD VIEW THATS CAUSES ONE TO BECOME FEARFUL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327498April 26, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE AN OWNERS MANUAL WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN HE PURCHASED IT USED. WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT WAS TO DOWNLOAD THE SIX HUNDRED PAGES AND PRINT IT. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE LACK OF THE MANUAL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT LEARN HOW THE CAR OPERATED AND POSSIBLE SAFETY DEFECTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327423April 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2006 KIA OPTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TELEPHONE REQUEST FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FILING AN INJUNCTION TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR FALSE ODOMETER READINGS AND/OR FRAUD *TGW THE ODOMETER MOVED SLOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED A HAND HELD DEVICE AND STATED NOTHING INDICATED A MALFUNCTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326292April 19, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVER SIDE DOOR INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT UNLOCK, EVENTUALLY AFTER CONTINUING TO TRY AND UNLOCK IT THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK (HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS), NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR. CAN NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325538April 13, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCKS - THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY '03 OPTIMA HAVE FAILED TWICE. FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED. AFTER UNLOCKING THE DOORS, THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN WHEN PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. KIA DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR AND LATCH AT A COST OF $300+. WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH THE SAME COST TO REPAIR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325385April 13, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER ADDED AN EXTRA GROUND WIRE TO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,983. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRES WERE TOO SMALL WHICH PREVENTED AMP FLOW, WHICH CAUSED THE BULBS TO BURN. UPDATED 08/11/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325434April 13, 2010
VISIBILITY
PASSENGER MIRROR FALLS OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324995April 12, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2003 KIA OPTIMA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. NO WARRANTY ON THE CAR, WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALERSHIP WHEN I CALLED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM!! ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. LOTS OF BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAS TO GET OUT OF HER CAR AND CANT? SOMETIMES SHE HAS TO GET IN AND OUT THROUGH THE BACK SEAT DOORS!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324515April 8, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, DRIVERS SIDE CAR DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICED MANY TIMES. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF THE DRIVERS DOOR (FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE) IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER! I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE IT IS FIXED--THAT IS THE QUESTION. [XXX] *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324034April 6, 2010
AIR BAGS
2005 KIA OPTIMA AIR BAG LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322285March 26, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FOR THE 2003 KIA OPTIMA , THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE 2000-03 GENERATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321771March 24, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10321315March 22, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE TRUCK OF MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA ACCIDENTLY. WHEN HE USED HIS INSTRUMENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDED. HE WAITED UNTIL IT STOPPED AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE RELEASE BUT IT WOULD NOT OPERATE DUE TO THE CAR SHUUTING DOWN. WHEN I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DOOR IT LOCKED AGAIN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT. I WAS LITERALLY TRAPPED INSIDE MY CAR. THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THE TRUNK FROM THE INSIDE. YOU CAN ONLY FOLD THE BACK SEAT DOWN BY USING A RELEASE FOUND ONLY INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. IF I HAD BEEN ALONE OR THE DRIVER HAD LEFT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WITH NO MEANS OF EXIT. THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICCE MAY PROTECT THE CAR FROM BEING STOLEN BUT IT SURE DOES NOTHING TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD A BABY INSIDE WITH ME OR IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT? I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS PROMPTLY TOLD THAT IT WAS REALLY MY FAULT FOR LOCKING MY KEYS IN THE TRUNK IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE 'NO ACCESS TO THE TRUNK FROM THE INSIDE' IS TO PROTECT AGAINST THIEVES BREAKING INTO MY CAR AND ENTERING THE TRUNK THROUGH THE BACKSEAT AND STEAL SOMETHING SUCH AS MY SUITCASE. WELL, I THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER TO REPLACE A SUITCASE THAN MY LIFE OR THE LIFE OF A CHILD. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320144March 16, 2010
SEATS
I DRIVE A 2007 KIA OPTIMA, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT; WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, I BROADSIDED A VAN. UPON INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME OFF THE TRACK AND TWISTED TOWARD THE DRIVERS DOOR, TIGHT AGAINST THE INSIDE DOOR FRAME. THE BACK OF THE SEAT CAME FORWARD, WHICH LED TO NO MORE GIVE IN THE SEATBELT - WHICH I THINK CAUSED MY LEFT CLAVICLE TO SNAP IN TWO. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10320150March 16, 2010
VISIBILITY
BOTH SUN VISORS WOULD FALL DOWN WHILE IN THE "UP" POSITION. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FREE OF CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320315March 16, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY,LEFT LIGHT IS LOW CAUSING A DARK SPOT ON THAT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN LOW BEAM IS USED. RIGHT SIDE SHINES OUT FURTHER,BUT IT TAKES EFFECT AT THE SOLID WHITE LINE AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD. I HAVE HAD ONE CLOSE CALL I DID NOT SEE THE PERSON TILL HE GOT INTO THE LIGHT OF THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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